《Deteoh – A Glitched World’s Isekai Story》


 Ch. 0 – Foreword

    What you¡¯re getting into


    This story doesn¡¯t contain a cliche vegetarian isekai vampire that either doesn''t need to drink blood or can get by on animal or monster blood.


    I''ve read enough stories where the supposed curse of being a vampire basically meant nothing besides a minor skin condition, just thought I''d warn you.


    I''ve decided that revives do not exist and while ¡°Gods¡± may exist there are reasons why they can''t perform divine interventions. I want my characters to solve their problems with their own powers and if necessary suffer the consequences of their own choices.


    Likewise, there won''t be any random, free power-ups. Everything has to be earned in some way. If it seems like an unearned power boost out of nowhere, then the cost may just not be obvious yet.


    Additionally, the in-story system isn''t stable. As the title implies, it is plagued by glitches and errors. Someone in the background is trying to repair it, and whenever they achieve something, the system gives us a changelog, so as reader you won''t be blind to these changes either.


    As a consequence of (unseen) past system updates, other characters may operate on outdated/wrong intel. So if they don''t obtain a class/skill that seems optimal from our point of view, that is why.


    <hr>


    Mechanics


    The following can be safely skipped if you want.


    It is a list of the ¡°game mechanics¡± I imagine happening behind the screen.


    The main character will learn the ones that are plot-relevant, so minor spoilers, I guess.


    Ever wanted to know how a character¡¯s stats relate to how the damage values come to be?


    Here they are for this work of fiction.


    I mostly wanted to have this to give meaning to the characters'' inflated stats, in other stories I have absurdities like 50 digit numbers and pages upon pages of skills and am just left thinking "so what?"


    In case sometime down the line, I have to make another decision on a ¡°mechanic¡± I¡¯ll add them to this section.


    Feel free to use this as a reference sheet to search for plot holes.


    Stats


    hit points (HP)


    mana points (MP)


    stamina points (SP)


    regular stats:


    strength (STR)


    dexterity (DEX)


    vitality (VIT)


    magic (MAG)


    faith (FTH)


    willpower (WIL)


    charisma (CHA)


    should all be self-explanatory


    Damage Formula


    atk = raw_atk x skill_modifier x (100% + crit% + weakness%) x (100% + misc modifiers)


    def = raw_def x (100% + def modifiers) / (100% + crit%)


    dmg = atk x atk / (atk + def)


    skills adjust atk before the formula


    criticals by default add +100%; are not chance-based, you have to hit the right spot


    weakness modifier depends on the skill granting the weakness


    resistance reduces atk by the resistance rank (level of class or title or whatever that gave it), not below half, and adds the same bonus to def


    if defense is 5x atk or higher and the attack did not hit a weakness, the attack deals no damage


    physical attacks use STR as raw_atk and VIT as raw_def


    magic attacks use MAG and WIL


    social attacks use CHA for both


    The simplest thing to remember is: if atk equals def then damage is half of atk.


    Past that point, the effectiveness of def quickly drops off until you hit the immunity point.


    This formula has the quirk that def becomes more effective point for point the more damage comes your way.


    However it also kinda nerfs multi-hit attacks.


    Examples:


    100 atk vs 0 def:


    100 x 100 / (100 + 0) = 100 damage


    100 atk vs 100 def:


    100 x 100 / (100 + 100) = 50 damage [50 points of damage absorbed]


    200 atk vs 100 def:


    200 x 200 / (200 + 100) = 133 damage [67 points of damage absorbed]


    100 atk vs 200 def:


    100 x 100 / (100 + 200) = 33 damage [67 points of damage absorbed]


    100 atk vs 499 def:


    100 x 100 / (100 + 499) = 16 damage [84 points of damage absorbed; 2.5x def and damage is only halved]


    100 atk vs 500 def:


    excessive def = no damage


    double hit 50atk vs 100 def:


    2x (50 x 50 / (50 + 100)) = 2x16 damage


    double hit 65atk vs 100 def:


    2x (65 x 65 / (65 + 100)) = 2x25 damage


    100 atk vs 100 def critical:


    (2x100) x (2x100) / (2x100 + 100/(100%+100%)) = 200 x 200 / (200 + 50) = 160 damage


    Skills


    Regular weapon attacks cost 30 SP and use 100% atk.


    Spells take about 3-5 seconds to cast.


    Spells can be "created" on the spot within the limitations of known affinities and skill ranks.


    relative to a Rank 1 spell:


    Rank 0: 0.7x cost, 0.25x effect (atk, status rate, ...)


    Rank 1: 1.0x cost, 1.00x effect


    Rank 2: 1.3x cost, 1.25x effect


    Rank 3: 1.7x cost, 1.50x effect


    Rank 4: 2.2x cost, 1.75x effect


    Rank 5: 2.8x cost, 2.00x effect


    rank 0 damage spells can only be a single projectile with no extras added


    example shapes:


    single projectile: 100 MP, 200% atk


    five projectiles: 115 MP, 5x65% atk


    line piercing projectile: 120 MP, 130% atk


    area damage (10 ft / 3m diameter): 145 MP, 110% atk


    rain (130 ft / 40m diameter, 2 minutes): 1000 MP, 5% atk - to make it not too OP lets say it only delivers 120.000 "hits" even if there are way more drops (1000 per sec over the whole area)


    can add status chance: add 30 MP cost, rate 40 x attack modifier of base (e.g. 80 for single projectile)


    the status effect must match to spell element, e.g. burning for fire


    rate is halved for effects that take away control like stun or charm


    status rate is only affected by spell rank on non-damage spells


    Spells generally use MAG for damage.


    Holy magic uses FTH instead and has its atk reduced to 5% if the target is not weak to holy.


    <hr>


    Healing effects heal 100% FTH, cost 500 MP (if spell) or 700 SP (if skill) at Rank 1 (same Rank scaling as damage); aoe healing does NOT exist, nor does revival


    These spells can cure either HP or "status damage", or both partially.


    E.g. when an enemy lands a fire skill for 1000 damage which then triggers a burn status effect, this status effect is worth 1000 HP which needs to be cleared before the burning goes away.


    When using healing magic on an undead target you can choose to instead harm them; in that case, treat the spell as a non-elemental 400% FTH spell (Rank adjusted).


    <hr>


    Spells require the relevant skill with the respective rank to use.


    Some caster classes have a range for their magic skills, e.g. "Cure Magic Rank 1-3", in that case, every 15 skill levels in that skill increase the available magic rank by 1 up to the listed maximum.


    So in that example skill, skill level 1-14 is Rank 1, 15-29 Rank 2 and 30+ Rank 3.


    Acquiring a higher Rank does not prevent the use of the lower-ranked, cheaper spell version.


    However, MC''s "god''s lost child" title sets those to Rank 1, with no exceptions.


    Rank 1+ spells require the respective skill to use, Rank 0 spells can be used with either the affinity OR just having MAG >= mp cost of the spell.


    Spells without the relevant affinity cost x2.5.


    Rank 0 spells also include e.g. household spells, [appraise] for 300 MP and a "warp home" spell for 2000 MP, however, the latter is space type which no one gets by default; you either need a massive 5000 MP or one of the relevant classes.


    Space magic encompasses storage, transport/teleport effects.


    Teleport Rank1: 2500MP; teleports up to (1+MAG/1000) willing targets; need to have visited the target location.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.Max distance is MAG x 33 ft [10m].


    Rank modifiers apply to the max number of targets and distance.


    Healing, buff and debuff spells are only available at Rank 1+ and require the relevant cure/holy/curse magic skill respectively.


    mostly normal/damage elements:


    fire, ice, lightning, wind, water, earth, poison, light, dark


    special types:


    curse - does not inflict damage, only used to inflict status effects


    holy - as normal elements but non-weakness attack power is 5% of normal


    sunlight - generally only inflicted by the sun, only affects those with appropriate weakness (mostly undead) and ignores defense stats


    <hr>


    A stereotypical appraisal is available to everyone in the form of the typeless [appraise] spell for 300 MP per use.


    It does NOT reveal titles unless the target explicitly allows it.


    It always shows regular classes and race.


    After that it follows 3 rules:


    1) if user and target are "friendly" with each other show level and stats, skip 2 and 3.


    2) if at least one of them is hostile to the other you can see stats with [appraise] if the user is significantly stronger than the target - MC''s [World Navigator] title breaks this rule


    3) if the target could see all of your stats with [appraise] you only see levels and stats as ¡°?¡±


    Extra races (e.g. vampire) only show the base version (vampire lord only shows as a vampire).


    <hr>


    To be honest, I''m not sure what to do with special weapon techniques without it becoming a complicated physical mess, so for simplicity''s sake, they just use the default attack power and cost per attack motion independent of technique.


    E.g. a triple stab costs 3x regular attacks worth of SP (3x30 = 90) and deals normal damage per stab


    <hr>


    Skills can have one of the following cost types:


    1) Just use MP (spells) or SP (skills).


    2) x uses per day, in that case, they typically do not cost additional MP or SP to use


    3) upkeep skills reduce the max of the respective resource while active, e.g. "upkeep 200 SP" reduces max SP by 200 while active.


    4) Concentration skills cost no further resources but you can have only one concentration skill active at a time.


    Concentration can be broken; in that case, you can''t reactivate a concentration skill for 3 minutes.


    Status Effects


    atk: mind effects use CHA, other MAG


    def: mind effects use CHA, other WIL


    chance = base rate x (1000 + 5x level of triggering skill + atk - def) / 1000


    If the chance is below 10% it auto-fails.


    Monster use their total level instead of the level of the triggering skill.


    Resistance reduces base rate by half of the resistance level (level of class or title that gave it), not below half, and adds the full level to def.


    For the sake of resistance count both a resistance to the specific status and a resistance to the element of the triggering attack.


    Mind effects take circumstances into consideration; if someone is already (non-status) afraid landing a fear status becomes near guaranteed.


    <hr>


    Status effects scale with the (simulated for non-damage spells) damage of the triggering skill (=status damage).


    When applying a status effect a second time, the timer resets (if any) and the status damage is summed up.


    E.g. poison deals 0.2% of status damage as HP damage per second, so if a poison skill does 1000 damage it would deal 20 dmg/s.


    If then a second poison skill lands for 500 damage the dot increased to 30 dmg/s.


    Some status effects have a chance to chain into a different chance, in that case, the new status gains half of the status damage.


    Generally, status effects do not wear off naturally and need to be either properly treated (healing spell or medical treatment as in real life) or in case of mind effects have a chance to be shaken off.


    status effects so far:


    bleed - 0.1% of status damage as HP&SP damage per second


    burn - 0.1% of status damage as HP damage per second; has a chance to inflict panic every second


    charm - views inflicter as non-hostile (or better depending on status damage); does not end naturally.


    cold - 0.05% of status damage as HP damage per second; has a chance to inflict fear every second


    fractured - 2% of status damage as penalty to stats


    curse - 0.3% of status damage as MP damage per second; skills with MP cost can''t be used.


    fear - <as the name implies>


    freeze - encased in solid ice: can''t move, has a chance to inflict suffocation or panic every second


    panic - <as the name implies>


    poison - 0.2% of status damage as HP damage per second; also reduces all stats by 1% of status damage


    stun - 90% reduced mobility for 5s


    suffocate - <as the name implies>, can''t be applied if the target does not need to breath


    wet - 15% of status damage is added to the relevant attack stat of received ice or lightning attacks (at most doubles the stat), lasts 30s


    Instant death is NOT available.


    Effects that deal x damage per second deal damage in multiples of 0.1 and get rounded up to 0.1 if below.


    Will add more as needed.


    Experience


    Exp is awarded for dealing damage relative to the fraction of damage dealt, overkill damage does not count.


    E.g. a monster is worth 10 exp and sitting at 15/50 HP, if 20 damage is dealt to it 3 exp are rewarded.


    Indirect means like status effects and environmental damage do count as well.


    Only monsters are always worth exp, people only count if the system declares them "outlaws".


    Non-combat experience can be earned by practicing, learning, cooking, cleaning, etc.


    While tired/exhausted they grant no exp.


    Low difficulty tasks/low effort exercises are worth 1~2 exp per hour, more effort and actually learning something can reach up to 10 exp per hour.


    Before age 12 exp gain is reduced to 10% of the usual value for all exp sources.


    In a party, exp is evenly split except that the one triggering the exp gain counts double, e.g. member A kills a wolf worth 20 exp while in a party with B and C then A gets 10 exp and B&C each get 5.


    Exp cost to reach the next level increases by 15% of the previous value + 50x current level.


    <div>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Level</td>


    <td>Exp to Level</td>


    <td>Total Exp</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>1 -> 2</td>


    <td>1000</td>


    <td>1000</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>2 -> 3</td>


    <td>1250</td>


    <td>2250</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>3 -> 4</td>


    <td>1587</td>


    <td>3837</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>4 -> 5</td>


    <td>2025</td>


    <td>5862</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>9 -> 10</td>


    <td>6335</td>


    <td>27260</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>14 -> 15</td>


    <td>16691</td>


    <td>86671</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>19 -> 20</td>


    <td>33266</td>


    <td>191761</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>29 -> 30</td>


    <td>182334</td>


    <td>1246656</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Exp is first put into a pool and then only applied once you rest.


    How gained exp is split between classes, race, titles and extra can be configured in the settings, the default is an even split across all. MC chooses manual distribution.


    Exp fractions are added but not visible on the status screen.


    All titles share one level.


    Alternatively to using exp you can rise a job class (but not other level types) for free by getting trained for 1 week by someone who has that same class. At most, you can get trained up to 1/4th of the trainer¡¯s level in that class.


    <hr>


    Total exp value of a monster is:


    ((HP/5 + MP/10 + SP/10 + sum of other stats) / 700) x (100% + level%)


    keep fractions intact


    Classes, Titles


    Being born gives you a random class and a race-derived from your parents.


    If a parent has multiple race classes you inherit a random one.


    If both parents give a subrace the same main race (e.g. high elf and wood elf are both elves) you keep only one of the two.


    To prevent certain subraces from going extinct there''s a 5% chance that an inherited subrace mutates into a different subrace of the same main race, e.g. high elf and wood elf can make a dark elf child.


    Races are capped at 2; hybrid children already have 1 race from each of their parents (e.g. classic half-elf has both human and elf).


    Most races have variants/sub-races which they can add if they undergo a specific ritual.


    Each race has at least one type weakness so having a variant is not a free power boost.


    There are "extra" races like vampires that "modify" the base do not count for the cap and can''t be standalone.


    Acquiring an extra race after birth typically warps or overwrites the original personality (unless a skill explicitly prevents that).


    <hr>


    For the sake of calculating stats your first class and base race count as having 20 levels more.


    Hybrid races (e.g. classical half-elf) only gain 5 levels worth of bonus stats but in both the races.


    Example stats:


    Warrior gives 9 STR, Cleric 6 STR, Human 2 STR


    Warrior(10), Cleric(5), Human(8) would have: (20+10)x9 + 5x6 + (20+8)x2 = 356 STR


    Cleric(5), Warrior(10), Human(8) would have: (20+5)x6 + 10x9 + (20+8)x2 = 296 STR


    Normally stat gains per class are capped at 9 or 60 for resource stats.


    Needed to keep "glitch classes" in check.


    Unlocking a class requires a certain amount of stats; this amount increases the more classes you already have.


    Having someone train you who has the exact same class reduces this amount by 30%.


    Base classes just require meeting the stat requirement, and for combat classes having a class core.


    Elite classes additionally require having a thematically fitting base class (e.g. gunner, ranger or scout for sniper) at level 5 or above.


    The base requirements for each stat are (target class''s stat) x 10 x (2 + number of already unlocked classes) x (90% + 10% x number of already unlocked classes)


    E.g. unlocking Warrior as a 3rd class requires STR: 9 x 10 x 4 x 110% = 396


    A person is capped at 10 job classes; when an 11th class is forced one other must be deleted.


    Otherwise, classes can''t be removed, once a class is acquired it stays.


    You can only have 3 elite job classes or up to 5 with the elitist title.


    While selecting a class you can only see the stat growth and the skills which you can immediately use; normally you start a class at Lv1 so you only see the first skill, but e.g. summoned spirits may start higher based on the creator''s stats so may show all skills.


    There''s a category of classes that count as a base class but require the royalty title, e.g. prince(ss)


    <hr>


    Some "special" job classes exist that can''t be taken naturally; e.g. failed hero.


    Additionally, there exists a group of "divine" classes; these do not count towards the cap and you can only have one.


    This category is basically reserved for heroes, demon lords, gods and cheat reincarnators.


    <hr>


    Titles are capped at 20, deletion is not possible.


    For each title beyond the first 5 exp required to the next title level increases by 10%.


    A handful of titles can overwrite a different title, e.g. royalty replaces nobility.


    Some titles are mutually exclusive, can''t have "brave one" and "coward" at the same time.


    A typical person earns about 20 low impact titles in their lifetime.


    <hr>


    Base and elite classes can be acquired by meeting the requirements.


    Cursed classes are forcefully gained through hostile actions (e.g. animate dead -> zombie).


    Any monster class comes with the [mindless monster] skill which deletes their free will.


    <hr>


    Titles are unlocked but dormant when you meet their requirements, e.g. Opportunist requires landing 10000 critical hits.


    Some titles are limited and can be held only by a limited amount of people at the same time, e.g. there can only be one hero per world and up to six hero companions.


    Dormant titles can be put as active, however, once a title is active this can''t be undone.


    Some titles are "forced", e.g. when you insult the gods and gain Fate Breaker, those skip the dormant step and go directly to active.


    Only active titles give their benefits and count for title exp requirement adjustment.


    Dungeon


    Real world time is stopped during the dungeon crawl.


    You can only enter one dungeon per week.


    When entering a dungeon MP and SP are refilled, HP stays where it is.


    While in a dungeon the effects of sleep are negated.


    When you enter a dungeon the full set of monsters spawns, no further monsters spawn outside of specific mechanics/puzzles - puzzle related monsters always give 0 exp though.

 Ch. 1 – Death is a beginning

    ¡°Please do not panic. You are merely dead¡±, a female voice tells me. I can¡¯t really see anything. Everything is just a blur.


    I faintly see a hand reaching out to me. It is impatient. I accept it and the person leads me to what seems to be a desk with a computer on it.


    A desk? Great, the afterlife is a goddamn bureaucracy... is this hell? I know I wasn¡¯t the best person in life, ugh, was I? My memory is as fuzzy as my vision.


    I look back and it seems I was in some kind of sci-fi capsule. I hope we don''t go the matrix route here.


    I ask her, ¡°Can you tell me what is going on here?¡± I can barely see that she seems to fiddle around with a clock on the desk.


    "Before that let me quickly start this timer", she fiddles around with a green cube, "...Ok, done.¡±


    ¡°What is the timer for?¡±


    She explains, ¡°To make a long story short souls need vessels to exist. The longest period they can exist safely before dissolving was ¡®tested¡¯ to be about 3.5 days", she air quotes the ''tested'', "*sigh* we lost a few ¡­ billion souls before we knew what we were doing.¡±


    ¡°...do I get it right that that means those souls are just dead-dead? Gone forever?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid so.¡±


    My vision continues to get better again, I can make out that the person in front of me has blueish skin, what is up with that?


    ¡°Excuse me for asking, but who or what are you?¡±


    ¡°Oh, right sorry, haven¡¯t introduced myself yet.", she clears her throat, "Call me Eva, I¡¯m the deva in charge of making sure you reach the right destination on your afterlife journey. And no, I got that name before I became a deva; my parents weren¡¯t that bad with names.¡±


    ¡°Well, nice to meet you? I¡¯m... ¨C why can¡¯t I remember my name?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ a common occurrence. Identities are more tightly linked to the earthly body than the soul so some memory loss tends to happen on death; though most should come back given enough time.¡±


    ¡°Does that include having no memory of how I died, Eva?¡±


    ¡°Most likely. Anyway, as you¡¯ve died you, your soul specifically, needs a new vessel ASAP. For that, we need to do some paperwork, sorry about that, but regulations and all. I hope you understand."


    She checks her watch, then continues, "Well, the final step of putting a soul in a new vessel can take up to half a day so as to not endanger more souls than necessary, I set a three-day timer. Most of my coworkers do. With me so far?¡±


    I nod, ¡°I think I get it. Just for curiosity, do you know anything about how my life ended? The last thing I recall is driving to work, a bit of a headache and next thing I know I¡¯m here.¡±


    ¡°For privacy reasons, I don¡¯t have access to that. But if you want to know I can give my boss a call.¡±


    ¡°Yes, please.¡±


    ¡°OK, one moment.¡±, she presses a few buttons on her keyboard, ¡°It should take a few hours until someone brings the relevant documents.¡±


    ¡°Got it."


    clatter clatter


    She types some stuff on her keyboard and focuses on the screen.


    I try to grab her attention, "So, what is the other paperwork about exactly?¡±


    ¡°Where we¡¯ll send you, or rather where you want to go within the restrictions we have to work with. Before that, I¡¯d need you to sign this document that states you¡¯re fine with me processing your soul.¡±


    She hands me a document and a pen.


    I don''t have a body, why can I touch them? I guess they must be a special soul-compatible material.


    ¡°Sounds like blackmail to me; do I really have a choice here? Sign or be gone.¡±


    I glance over the sheet of paper, none of the entries makes any sense to me.


    The name and date of birth fields are empty.


    ¡°What are all of these values about? Half the entries are empty and none of the rest makes any sense to me.¡±


    She moves her mouse around, ¡°Perfect, let me quickly note down that your cognitive facilities are working properly.¡±


    Click


    Now I¡¯m completely confused, ¡°What do you mean by that, Eva?¡±


    ¡°Too many souls are disoriented or confused after arriving here, so they tend to sign documents without understanding what really goes on or the ramifications of signing the final documents. This was just a test to make sure you grasp at least somewhat what is going on.¡±


    My curiosity flares up again, ¡°What about the kind of people that are too easily talked into signing anything?¡±


    ¡°Mostly experience. You¡¯re not the first soul I process and our talk so far gave me the impression that you¡¯d not be one of those.¡±


    Eva grabs one of the paper sheets and then continues, ¡°So before I outline what your options are you need to know that your choice is only final when you put your signature under the document. Until then you can still change your mind. Though if the 3 days are up before you do that you¡¯ll be handled as if you went with the default choices; personally I don¡¯t recommend that.¡±


    ¡°Still sounds better than just being ¡®gone¡¯."


    Her gaze is glued to the screen again. Every once in a while she makes some notes on a sheet of paper.


    I question her, "Before we start what do you guys even get out of this? Sorry to ask but from my experience nothing is ever truly free, you either pay too much or you are the product. Often both.¡±


    I finally got her attention back, ¡°Ah, sure, no problem, you¡¯re allowed to know that. So souls carry a bit of ¡®enlightenment¡¯ energy in them. Don¡¯t know how to call it better. We take this energy as souls can¡¯t make use of it anyway. This energy is used to keep the universe running, prevent its collapse, stave off entropy, all the good stuff.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t sound too unreasonable.¡±


    She finally finishes her preparation. Couldn''t you have done that before getting me out of the capsule and starting the doom clock?


    Eva begins her explanation, "So in total there''d be 14 possible options, you only qualify for five of them."


    "Does that come from karma?"


    She thinks about it, "Hmm... yeah, you could more or less look at it like that. Don''t worry, bad people only get the two worst options. You don''t even have the one that is leagues worse than soul death. So congrats on that."


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    "Uh, thanks?"


    She goes on, ¡°Ok, so here are your options: One: we wipe your memory and send you to get reincarnated.¡±


    ¡°Without memories, I¡¯d no longer be ¡®me¡¯, just a different person wearing my skin, or soul or whatever. So I¡¯d pass on that.¡±


    She makes a note on the paper, ¡°Got it. Two: basically soul death. We convert all of your soul into this ¡®enlightenment¡¯ energy. On average it yields the same amount as 5 reincarnations of the same soul. This option basically only exists to give the bad apples a way out. To be honest with you I kinda flounder some of the explanations with those so they end up with the eternal suffering option. What can I say? I can''t stand it if they get away scot-free.¡±


    I wave her off, ¡°Hard pass, obviously.¡±


    ¡°Three: you could be turned into a deva. We¡¯re chronically understaffed. This branch alone could use a few million more helping hands.¡±


    I''m so close to face-palming, but stop myself at the last moment, ¡°So a literal eternity as an office drone? I¡¯m not too good with people handling jobs.¡±


    She clicks a few times on her computer, ¡°There are also options for things like finance, maintenance, logistics and low-level management. Maybe assistance for¡­ sorry, no, I¡¯m not allowed to talk about them. They recruit compatible devas from other offices. Please forget I said anything.¡±


    "Noted. How many days do you get off per year?"


    She scoffs, "A whole day. You''re in luck. A few centuries ago, it used to be a day per decade."


    ¡°Uh, maybe if the alternatives are worse.¡±


    She crosses off another option on the paper, ¡°OK, four: your soul gets sent to a proper ¡®afterlife¡¯. One of seventeen afterlives to be specific. Depending on which afterlife you chose, your ¡®life¡¯ there would be different, like an eternal party, search for enlightenment, just ordinary life. Whatever makes you happy, there are several options there. Most souls last a few dozen years, maybe a hundred, before they are completely fulfilled and the soul passes on.¡±


    ¡°Guess even the ¡®eternal reward¡¯ isn¡¯t eternal. And option five?¡±


    She wildly gestures with her hands, ¡°Option five: we rip your soul out of the cycle of reincarnation and then send it to a troubled world. Ugh, I always struggle with how to explain that properly¡­¡±


    ¡°Go on, I¡¯m listening.¡±


    She sighs, ¡°Regular reincarnation can only go to normal worlds. There are some special worlds that still need help from us. So we take volunteers and send them there, well, if they have sufficient compatibility; the whole thing is kinda complicated.¡±


    ¡°Sounds so far like one of those isekai stories.¡±


    Eva sounds surprised, ¡°Oh, your world had those? That makes it easier. The thing is sometimes those special worlds ¡®resonate¡¯ in some way when they are resolved which can lead to some writers getting inspiration from it, then they go on to write a bastardized version of what really happened.¡±


    I have to put that into question, ¡°How often does that really happen?¡±


    She answers, ¡°Less than 0.1% of cases resonate, and then they only reach maybe 1-2 normal worlds out there. And given that there are countless populated worlds out there...¡±


    I feel a headache incoming, ¡°I think I get that so far; so is the part of ¡®cheat abilities¡¯ real?¡±


    ¡°That depends on the world in question. Some allow big bonuses, others even have penalties for reincarnators.¡±


    So far I''m interested, though the ''soul divorce'' part sounds offputting, ¡°And the part about leaving the cycle of reincarnation?¡±


    She doesn''t even hesitate, ¡°Your next death would be final.¡±


    ¡°Direct and to the point. Well, you said just looking can¡¯t hurt, what are my options here?¡±


    "Give me a moment", she hacks away at her keyboard again and then stops, seems she doesn¡¯t like what she sees.


    ¡°Only three?¡±, she exclaims surprised.


    That tells me nothing, ¡°Three what?¡±


    Eva explains, ¡°Usually there would be at least a few thousand possible worlds but for you, it only shows three, sorry, let me call Steve quickly.¡±


    She takes out a mobile phone and calls, ¡°Hey Steve, can you please check for case 41819376468160, there are only three options instead of the usual thousands¡­ uh-huh, yeah, I got you.¡±


    Click


    She turns back to me, ¡°*sigh* OK, so we¡¯ll just have to make do with what we have. Big boss has tied him up in some important stuff right now so he won¡¯t be able to fix that within your time limit, sorry.¡±


    knock knock


    Eva goes and answers the door, ¡°That was quick, thanks.¡±


    A man at the door hands her two documents. She glances them over, signs one, and sends the man off with it again.


    ¡°That is the document about the cause of your death¡±, she tells me.


    ¡°What''s with all the secrecy?¡±


    Eva facepalms, ¡°There were cases where devas were¡­ less than professional while handling people with not really dignified deaths.¡±


    Probably had a useless blue thing among them.


    She hands me the document. I try to make sense of what is written there, ¡°What the hell does ¡®Quantum Mutation¡¯ mean?¡±


    ¡°Can I see for a moment?¡±, I hand her the document back.


    ¡°Oh, that¡­ is something your world wouldn¡¯t even theorize about for another 800-1200 years if worlds with similar history are an indication. To be perfectly honest, that is not something I understand myself.


    *whispers* this shouldn¡¯t even be possible to happen there yet.¡±


    ¡°I heard that.¡±


    She shrieks, ¡°*eek*, I know you deserve to know how you died but if your world doesn¡¯t know about it I¡¯m not allowed to tell you. Blame bureaucracy, not me.¡±


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll just accept it", I lie, "But your reaction tells me that there is much more to it than just a random physics malfunction.¡±


    She waves her hand, ¡°Okay, let me please change the topic before I say something that gets me fired. Your three transmigration options would be¡­¡±


    Why does she go silent this time? Why is my luck always so bad with these government types...


    She sighs, ¡°I need to make another call, one of the three worlds is flagged to be under Gzeph¡¯s jurisdiction. If I didn¡¯t check the calendar earlier I would have thought today is Monday¡­¡±


    She makes another phone call, ¡°Hi Gzeph, I have a case ¡®eye-dee-ten-tee¡¯ here for your little pet project ¡®Deteoh¡¯. (¡­) Good, I¡¯ll start with the other options until you¡¯re here.¡±


    Click


    ¡°Did you just call me an idiot?¡±, I ask her.


    ¡°Pardon?¡±, she looks confused at me.


    I explain to her, ¡°You said I¡¯d be an ¡®eye-dee-ten-tee¡¯, i-d-10-t, read 10 as ¡®i o¡¯ and you get idiot!¡±


    She stammers, ¡°Oh, umm, I swear that¡¯s just a coincidence! The auto-translation doesn''t work on intention!¡±


    I don¡¯t believe in such coincidences, odds are far too small, ¡°Fine, whatever. What now?¡±


    ¡°So until Gzeph arrives I¡¯ll explain to you the other two world options.¡±


    ¡°What exactly is so special about the third that we need him?¡±


    Eva elaborates, ¡°Sometimes ¡®heroes¡¯ fail, sometimes multiple times in a row and we¡¯ve only a limited amount of tries. Technically there¡¯s also an overall time limit on top of that.¡±


    ¡°What happens if we fail a world within those limitations?¡±


    She urges, ¡°In the BEST case, everyone there dies and their souls are lost, alternatively it can also ¡®fall to darkness¡¯ which is even worse for the people. You don¡¯t want to know what that means. I''ve worked here for a couple thousand years, seen it a few times and it still keeps me up at night.¡±


    I''m curious, ¡°If you¡¯ve lost multiple worlds ¨C how many worlds are you responsible for?¡±


    She brags, ¡°Personally? Only a couple billion. A couple of my colleagues have to handle trillions. Ready to start with the first option?¡±


    ¡°That is a gigantic number to take in, but sure.¡±


    She switches to a different document, ¡°Okay, so first world. If you¡¯re familiar with isekai stories, this one is as plain as it gets. Be the chosen hero, gather a party, slay the demon lord.¡±


    ¡°Well, since it would be a struggle for my life, plain doesn¡¯t have to be bad, what¡¯s the catch?¡±


    She looks for a moment over the sheet, ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ race is locked as human, you get three ¡®cheats¡¯ but two are forced to be [Doormat Personality] and [Perfect Memory]? We can choose your third bonus and the class at least.¡±


    Doormat personality? That sounds like a curse and not a cheat, hard pass, ¡°That sounds like it¡¯d get to live about 50 years and be completely unable to enjoy any of it, pass.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t refute that. Next one, what does that one have¡­¡±


    This better be good, so far all of the options were questionable at best.


    She suppresses her laughter, ¡°I¡¯m not sure if this is real or a joke but here goes: you get to be the villain in a Saturday morning cartoon-like world called Sugar Land where the concept of death doesn¡¯t exist. If you didn¡¯t have diabetes before you¡¯ll get it within 2 weeks at most.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll file that under jokes.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t even list a win condition. Yeah, I can¡¯t send anyone there in good conscience.¡±


    The clock starts ringing.


    ¡°That was already the first day?¡±, Eva frowns.


    ¡°So what now? Your friend isn¡¯t here yet and we¡¯ve exhausted all other options.¡±


    She plays with a strand of her hair, ¡°I think I¡¯ll give him another hour, if he isn¡¯t here by then I¡¯ll start discussing the last option we have. Until then, do you mind if I check something about the first world again?¡±


    ¡°Knock yourself out.¡±


    She hacks away at her keyboard again.


    After a while she stops, ¡°So I was curious why [Doormat Personality] was listed under ¡®blessings¡¯ or ¡®cheats¡¯ as you call them; our giant database of everything tells me that it is more of a trade-off. For ruining your personality ¨C and chances of going past friendship ¨C it gives about five times exp gain and twice the maximum lifespan. I don¡¯t see how that relates to the skill name but that is what it says here.¡±


    ¡°As long as that downside remains I will definitely pass on that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d do the same. This was only half an hour, so what now?¡±


    I consider it for a moment but don''t have any other easy questions for her, ¡°Just start with the final option.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we can do that. But let me quickly send a text message, I forgot to send Mike an invitation to the cinema next weekend.¡±


    ¡°Your boyfriend?¡±


    She frowns, ¡°I WISH! He¡¯s too dense to pick up on any hint I drop.¡±


    If it wasn''t for the whole ''managing death'' thing I''d totally think I''m just in a generic government building here...


    She finishes writing her mail then we pick up where we stopped.

 Ch. 2 – Bureaucrazy

    Eva checks the notes about this world, ¡°That may take a moment to break down."


    She mutters to herself, "Estimated difficulty rating 12 ¨C didn¡¯t know those go that high. 2/61 tries left, the time limit is not known. SB status: intact, artificial?¡±


    I''ve no clue what SB is supposed to be, ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    She apologizes, ¡°Oh, sorry. SB is Story Bubble, which is what we call the barrier that isolates a newly created world until its victory condition is cleared and the world can be properly integrated into the universe. But I¡¯ve never seen an artificial one before.¡±


    I''m just baffled by the lack of clarity, ¡°This really sounds like a troublesome world ¨C is there a bounty I could get for winning that one? Speaking of, since someone would basically sacrifice their soul to help such ¡®SB worlds¡¯ what kind of compensation do they get?¡±


    She explains, ¡°Excitement. You get to play the hero ¨C or maybe demon lord ¨C well, you get to have a cool adventure. If you succeed you go down in history. If that is not enough, depending on the world you may have a shot of getting some skills that let you cheat death for a while."


    Oh, I want THAT.


    She continues, "If all else fails there are those that never got out of their chuuni phase.¡±


    Guilty as charged.


    She puzzles some more over the data sheet, ¡°Start at level 1, not unexpected. There¡¯s a restriction to the skills you could use but I¡¯m not familiar with that code. Gzeph, could you hurry just this once? This is kinda your job! Please?¡±


    Could be my imagination but it seems like Eva¡¯s skin just turned purple.


    She continues, ¡°What else¡­ this is kinda like a fantasy kitchen sink; if I read that status code right there¡¯s just about everything there. Almost every class or race you¡¯ve read about in some story exists in some form and then some. What the heck is ¡®Faelf¡¯ for a race?¡±


    ¡°So I could be anything I want?¡±


    She looks through the sheet again, ¡°It seems like it; there are some restrictions on it though. Like you can¡¯t be a pure human but if you take a human as an extra to something else it works? As said, the world is weird and it''d be better if Gzeph explains to you the details.¡±


    ¡°I think I get the picture why this... Jeff guy is needed, that world¡¯s settings seem like a complicated mess.¡±


    She responds, ¡°That it is. He¡¯s probably spent months if not years decoding this mess as it is his direct responsibility. Sorry if I¡¯m not helping with that option.¡±


    I''m curious, ¡°Say, Eva, since we¡¯re at this now for over a day ¨C do you devas not need to eat or sleep? I take it I don''t need to because I''m ''dead'' but what about you?¡±


    ¡°Oh, we do, just on a bit longer scale than most mortal races. Like what you had to do in a single day is more or less what I have to do in a week.¡±


    ¡°Is that related to why Jeff needs about a day to get here?¡±


    She looks for an excuse, ¡°No, this department is just that big. The whole office building is more or less a whole planet the size of your homeworld by itself.¡±


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have asked; the scale is getting a bit too big for my taste.¡±


    creak


    The office door opens. It reveals an exhausted, glasses-wearing, lightblue-skinned man who looks like he could drop dead from overwork any minute now.


    Mr. Blueberry greets Eva, ¡°Sorry for taking so long. My boss refused to listen - as always. I¡¯d have liked to punch him in the face but was not allowed to... Eva, can you give me a quick rundown of where we stand?¡±


    She answers, ¡°So far he¡¯s rejected main options 1 and 2, and showed low interest in 3 and 4. He''s at least vaguely familiar with the option from stories, on his previous world they called those ''isekais''. Out of the sub-options of 5 only your pet project ¡®Deteoh¡¯ is left.¡±


    ¡°Stop calling it that", Jeff brushes her off, "Or I''ll tell every soul I come across about the story behind ''Nuf Evah'', want that?"


    "Jeez, chill out man, it''s not fair to bring THAT up. I was young and dumb", Eva looks kinda dejected.


    Jeff tries to crack a joke, "Well, by now you''ve at least dropped the first half -"


    slap


    After a moment he collects himself, "Maybe I deserved that. *sigh* You know I want the whole thing resolved in one way or another more than anyone else. Anything else you got done so far?¡±


    ¡°I tried to give a first overview of that world¡¯s situation but seriously, these codes are nuts.¡±


    He agrees with her, ¡°Yeah, I know, took me 2 or 3 years to fully decipher them.¡±


    The man frowns and then types something on his phone, ¡°Can you quickly give me his ID?¡±


    Eva digs through her notes, ¡°Sure, here it is.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    I feel kinda left out of the conversation.


    The sole male member of the blue man group types some more on his phone, ¡°Good, with that the upload is started.¡±


    He finally acknowledges my existence, ¡°I¡¯ve compiled a ton of notes on everything I have on that world. In case you accept going to that world, you¡¯ll have access to them on your status screen. Otherwise... well, I¡¯ll just delete them. I just started the upload now because it is quite a lot and as you know you¡¯re on a time limit. I can''t afford you to go there underinformed. This is... too important.¡±


    I nod, ¡°Are you even allowed to give me all that data?¡±


    ¡°To be blunt, no", Jeff explains, "but that will be my problem, not yours. *sigh* I don¡¯t really want to tell you this because it is kind of like blackmail, but I¡¯ll have to get this off my chest.¡±


    At least he seems honest about this, ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±


    ¡°The reason I wanted to rearrange my boss¡¯s face earlier was that he wants to pull the plug from that world. He says we¡¯ve burned too many souls on previous failures and have nothing to show for it¡±, he clenches his fist. This clearly gets to him.


    Eva jumps up, ¡°Are you serious? They want to condemn the remaining billions to soul-death?¡±


    ¡°58 dead heroes are too many for the bigwigs. But a single lost planet doesn¡¯t even make a dent in their statistics. You know how they think.¡±


    Wait, 58? Wasn¡¯t it 2/61 earlier, so shouldn¡¯t it be 59 failures then? As exhausted as he looks he clearly shouldn¡¯t do math, not that I¡¯m one to talk.


    ¡°No, no, I don¡¯t accept this. Wait, your boss¡¯s boss Bruce owes me a favor, I¡¯ll talk to him about it¡±, Eva interjects and storms out of the room before anyone can stop her.


    After a moment of stunned silence, I ask Jeff, ¡°Does she have some kind of hero complex?¡±


    ¡°You have to excuse her", he reaches for his forehead, "before Eva became a deva she lived on a planet that was effectively doomed. If everything had gone according to regulations there would not have been a ¡®hero¡¯ to save that world, and even then the hero only appeared after her death. Ever since she found out that her world was only saved by a vigilante she¡¯s been playing as loose with the rules as she can. I don¡¯t blame her.¡±


    ¡°I take it she got into trouble with that a few times? She didn¡¯t seem the rule-breaker type to me so far.¡±


    Jeff shakes his head, ¡°You just haven¡¯t given her the opportunity yet. But we¡¯re not here to discuss her character. Remember you¡¯re on a timer.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, got it. But I haven¡¯t agreed to anything yet. Even if declining means that ¡®I¡¯ have killed a billion or so people - even if only by inaction, I hate this situation ¨C do me a favor and tell your boss he is an asshole.¡±


    ¡°Will do", he grins, "I get it is totally unfair to you. But I... I have to... anyway."


    He pauses, takes a deep breath and then continues, "I don¡¯t know what all Eva has deciphered, so I¡¯ll start from zero.¡±


    Jeff readjusts his glasses, ¡°So for context, ¡®hero¡¯ is a special title on that world, a title you won¡¯t be able to get. The natives of that world would call people we send to them ¡®Lost Ones¡¯ or ¡®God¡¯s Lost Child¡¯ or some variation. The problem is... what bonus a ¡®Lost One¡¯ has varies from world to world but on Deteoh it is a penalty. Specifically, resource stats like HP and MP are reduced by 20%, exp gain is reduced by 50% and skills with a rank above 1 are reduced to rank 1.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like it is a very game-like world with stats and levels, I expected something more ¡®real¡¯.¡±


    Jeff elaborates, ¡°Technically all worlds operate on levels and stats, they are just hidden on some of them.¡±


    We didn''t have stats, did we? ¡°That sounds a bit weird; what about when a world that knows about stats interacts with one that doesn¡¯t? Like mine was.¡±


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    He shrugs, ¡°Then one side has clearly an information advantage.¡±


    ¡°Sounds a bit unfair.¡±


    Jeff shakes his head, ¡°Life always is."


    I ask, "So what is the point of me going there if I just have penalties? They could just as well pick up a peasant."


    He answers, "Ideally a ton of information, an outside point of view. Even with all the restrictions, we can at least choose a somewhat optimized class race combination. Magic users are rare and valuable; even with the restrictions you should be able to make a difference if you agree to that route."


    He carefully checks his notes, "Oh, one more restriction for the ¡®you¡¯ on Deteoh: you can¡¯t become a humanoid race. Each planet has a limited amount of resources we can use and the ¡®human¡¯ type is used up, we¡¯re only left with ¡®monster¡¯ type resources. Technically we could import some from a different world but the idiots at the top have frozen those channels. They really want to see this fail.¡±


    ¡°What about monster types that look human? Orcs, dark elves, vampires, stuff like that?¡±


    Jeff gives me a warning, ¡°Orcs and elves are humanoids, they¡¯d kill you if you equate them to monsters.¡±


    ¡°So even elves are out, this is heading more and more towards a no.¡±


    He mostly agrees with me, ¡°Can¡¯t blame you but let me at least finish; this is literally the last chance for those people.¡±


    ¡°And there¡¯s the guilt trip again.¡±


    He grabs his forehead, ¡°Sorry, force of habit.¡±


    ¡°If you want to sell me on sacrificing my life and soul for people I don¡¯t know, you¡¯ll have to make a better sales pitch when even the ones running the universe don¡¯t care.¡±


    Jeff tries to get on my good side, ¡°Luckily that were all the personal downsides.¡±


    Lucky me... ¡°So what even is the ¡®scenario¡¯ or ¡®victory condition¡¯ there?¡±


    He asks, ¡°Eva talked with you about what story bubbles are?¡±


    ¡°Yes she did briefly¡±, I nod.


    He begins to explain, ¡°So Deteoh¡¯s scenario was beaten a few millennia ago so its bubble was destroyed. Should have been. But then some demon lord invaded the planet and brought some artifact that created an artificial story bubble. Truth be told, we don¡¯t really know the scenario beyond that this artifact has to be destroyed. There probably isn''t one.¡±


    ¡°Sounds pretty standard so far. If there¡¯s such a stone it is usually with the demon lord as a guard, at least indirectly. So that or just killing a demon lord is mostly the same difficulty level.¡±


    He lectures me, ¡°It is a bit more complicated than that. On most worlds, you have just monsters that populate the lands, here you have annual monster floods.¡±


    "So... free exp?"


    "I meant that slightly more literal. As in there are so many monsters around certain locations you can''t swing a stick without hitting a dozen."


    This whole scenario is getting more and more ridiculous. Maybe the big bosses really are unto something... Those that are alive are already doomed but the longer this goes on the more people get born that will have their souls destroyed... at least that is what I guess from Eva''s comment about soul-death.


    I hate that this thought even crossed my mind... anyone deserves a chance to live.


    ¡°You said that I, as a ¡®Lost One¡¯, wouldn¡¯t be a ¡®hero¡¯, how does that interact?¡±


    ¡°To be blunt, we don¡¯t know", he shrugs, "The artificial story bubble blocks outgoing¡­ anything really.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like where this is going.¡±


    Jeff explains, ¡°Normally even in a world that is still stuck in a story bubble, their prayers reach us. This artificial one blocks 95% of that signal. These prayers give us the energy we as basically ''gods'' need to do anything of worth.¡±


    This hadn¡¯t really sunk in previously. Eva and Jeff are not simple office workers; from the point of view of regular people, they are effectively gods, at least lesser ones.


    And here I was not on my best behavior, yikes. Well, too late now.


    He continues, ¡°this energy is required to send people like potentially you down to them, give our chosen ones some gifts, send the people some oracles and maybe if we had a very huge surplus work actual miracles.¡±


    ¡°If it was not for the deadline set by your boss could you save up enough of that energy to send two or more people at the same time?¡±


    ¡°Technically yes but for some reason for every ¡®Lost One¡¯ still alive and present the requirement increases tenfold.¡±


    ¡°What else does that artifact do? Just blocking prayer doesn¡¯t sound apocalypse enough yet.¡±


    Jeff thinks for a moment, ¡°Souls can¡¯t leave either so those dissolve without getting a chance at an afterlife.¡±


    Ouch.


    "Previously I thought that the... soul-death thing only applied after you pull the plug but it was already the case this whole time..."


    His demeanor gets more serious, ¡°Yeah, and it gets worse. From what little information we could get it seems like the artifact kills the planet itself or transforms it or something. This is the first time we''ve encountered such an artifact and let it get that far. The previous times where we had to deal with them it was on low-difficulty worlds that were rescued with three tries at most.¡±


    Double ouch.


    Wait, "If it is the first time one artifact got that far how are you sure you''re on the last two tries?"


    "Honestly, we just assume the artificial SB works like a regular one and use the same - top-secret - method to gain our data on it."


    ¡°OK, so here it''s do or die time.¡±


    His face brightens up a bit as if he thinks I¡¯ve just accepted.


    Time to disappoint you, sorry Jeff, ¡°What would be in it for me? So far I¡¯ve only heard about the near-insurmountable challenge and a good amount of extra obstacles. Aside from a guilty conscience what prevents me from saying no?¡±


    Jeff pauses, ¡°You got me there, no idea. What would you want for it?¡±


    I start thinking. I¡¯d be risking myself for people I don¡¯t know, never even heard of. Morally it feels wrong to just abandon them. But why should I when even the gods don¡¯t give a shit?


    I know that my conscience won¡¯t let me forget if I sacrifice billions just for a comfy office job. This is absolutely unfair. I just want to get out of this with a somewhat clear conscience.


    Ah, screw it. You corner me with unfair circumstances, I can set unreasonable demands as well!!


    ¡°I have 3 conditions.¡±


    Jeff listens up.


    ¡°One: you have the most info about what I¡¯ll need so at least help me make optimal choices for the starting setup.


    Two: you punch your boss in the face for me for creating this unreasonable situation.


    Three: Immortality¡±


    He answers a bit too fast for my liking, ¡°One is a given. I¡¯ve just as much interest in you succeeding as you yourself do. Two, I already promised you that earlier. And really, the boss already knows that he deserves it.¡±


    That leaves only the unreasonable request. He¡¯ll surely find a way to talk himself out of it. ¡°But those two are just freebies, right?¡±


    He thinks for a moment. ¡°As for immortality¡­ you should know everything can be ended, the question is just how.¡±


    There¡¯s no way he can fulfill my condition. Nope, nope, nope.


    He elaborates, ¡°Though there should be a way for it in the system. Going by the book I¡¯m not even allowed to mention the possibility that they exist.¡±


    And here I thought only girls could give mixed signals...


    Jeff reaches a conclusion, ¡°You know what. We¡¯re talking billions of lives here, holding back because of some piece of used paper wouldn¡¯t sit right with me. I should at least show you the options though I doubt you¡¯ll like them. It¡¯d influence your life for all eternity if things work out. The worst the bosses can do is demote me, I¡¯ll be back to where I am in 2000 to 3000 years tops, so that¡¯s all on you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±


    Jeff sits behind Eva¡¯s desk and begins torturing the keyboard.


    A bit later he pulls up a list, ¡°OK, so given the restriction to non-humanoid races your options for an eternal life are: A slime creature of at least king rank.¡±


    ¡°Would need more details on what kind of slime. A sentient cute water drop? A block of walking acid?¡±


    He looks through his files, ¡°Sorry, it doesn¡¯t say that.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯d pass on that.¡±


    ¡°Any dragon. Wait, a dragon is already beyond the energy we can spend, so that is also out, sorry.¡±


    Not too much of a fan of dragons anyway.


    Jeff mumbles, ¡°That one is also too expensive... Ah, a vampire of at least lord rank would work.¡±


    ¡°Undead, I¡¯d rather not... Can they pass for a normal human? In most myths, they can.¡±


    He checks his screen again, ¡°They have a disguise skill to hide obvious clues.¡±


    ¡°Very slight maybe, next?¡±


    Before I say yes to that I¡¯ll have A LOT of questions. Vampire might be the single creature with the most variants in fiction with almost nothing in common except the name.


    Eventually, Jeff finds the next option, ¡°Demon of at least baron rank would barely work.¡±


    ¡°Why barely?¡±


    He tells me, ¡°All the relevant options are extremely costly and offer no way to disguise yourself as ¡®human¡¯. You¡¯d basically have a giant target on your back the whole time."


    ¡°So we¡¯d go from hard mode straight to kaizo extreme mode, pass.¡±


    He nods, ¡°Agreed.¡±


    Something is off to me, ¡°Say, what is with that strange order? Isn¡¯t it alphabetical?¡±


    ¡°It is in my language", he shakes his head, "Don¡¯t think too hard about how your main language influences the search order on this computer. I try not to as well.¡±


    And here I thought my computer had strange quirks¡­


    He continues his search for a suitable option, ¡°Phoenix is too expensive. Lich would work if you¡¯d be ok with protecting a phylactery in addition to your body.¡±


    ¡°Maybe. Any skills to fit in with our target crowd?¡±


    He looks but seemingly finds nothing, ¡°No, doesn¡¯t seem like it.¡±


    ¡°If I don¡¯t get some OP minions together with that there doesn¡¯t seem to be a point to that option either.¡±


    He talks to himself, ¡°Hmmm¡­ those are also too costly.¡±


    He goes silent for a while before finding the final option, ¡°Last I have would be Wendigo.¡°


    ¡°Would probably be a hard fit as well. So we¡¯ve narrowed the options down to just vampire?¡±


    He nods, ¡°Pretty much.¡±


    ¡°Can you tell me more about what type of vampire we¡¯re talking about? Something like a lich is pretty much always a skeleton with spellcasting ability and a soul stone but vampire varies more between stories than values of X in math.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing", he explains, "Lich is pretty much as you said. Undead skeleton spellcaster that needs souls as sustenance.¡±


    ¡°Does not sound like a sustainable diet if you want to live with humans in peace. What exactly does ¡®undead¡¯ entail?¡±


    Mr. Blueberry readjusts his glasses, ¡°Predominantly a weakness to fire, light and holy attacks. They should stay out of the sun or they take damage; it is no instant destruction but at low levels, they might barely last a minute. They are also unable to have children, though that says nothing about trying to have some fun ¨C that one varies by specific type of undead of course. On the upside, they are resistant to ice, dark and poison and have no need to breathe.¡±


    I''m disappointed, ¡°This sounds like more of a downside with barely an upside; how do stories manage to make undead scary with that many weaknesses?¡±


    He explains, ¡°There¡¯s a lot of ways for intelligent undead to negate their fire weakness. As for light and holy damage, they are kinda hard to come by; mostly limited to special classes and legendary weapons. But overall it is less about the fact that they are ¡®undead¡¯ and more about what else the undead have on top of that. Like a lich is hard to take down while their phylactery is intact and things like ghouls or zombies spread like the plague.¡±


    ¡°Got it, so what about vampires? What do they have?¡±


    Jeff gestures, ¡°Give me a moment, since you wanted immortality I have to check 3 stages of vampires and what they all have.¡±


    Why does he make it sound like I¡¯ve already accepted the deal?


    He says, ¡°So regular vampire does not need to sleep, has a passive regeneration and a disguise skill to hide their obvious differences to their ¡®base race¡¯.¡±


    Another unknown, ¡°What do you mean by ¡®base race¡¯?¡±


    Jeff clarifies, ¡°Next to just vampire, you¡¯d have to choose a humanoid race to base it on. Like a human vampire, elven vampire, etcetera.¡±


    ¡°Ah, ok.¡±


    He continues, ¡°Diet is blood as you¡¯d expect. As long as we¡¯re talking about a regular vampire you should be able to feed on animals or monsters as well as humanoids. As you¡¯re going up further in the vampire ranks you¡¯ll only be able to taste human blood, though the needed amount is enough to endanger a victim if you take the needed weekly portion just from one person, you should settle for at least two smaller portions from different people if you want to play nice with your neighbors.¡±


    I don''t get it. Doesn''t he want to save them? Why is suggesting I become a race that actively harms them?


    Why do I even consider this, I¡¯m not good with seeing blood¡­


    Jeff explains, ¡°The next rank of a vampire is the ¡®vampire noble¡¯. They gain the ability to generate sharp claws and turn victims into ghouls or fellow vampires if they want. And the final rank is a ¡®vampire lord¡¯ which gains a stronger regeneration, no longer ages and can take a willing person as a ¡®familiar¡¯.¡±


    ¡°This sounds more like the classic vampire than at the start.¡±


    It is really weird how he has so much information on the inner workings of a random race but can¡¯t tell me what I¡¯m really in for... why do I feel like I''m getting played?


    I have to ask him, ¡°Why is it that you have that much on a random race but not on what is going on down there?¡±


    He defends himself, ¡°Red tape. And the general setup of classes and races is identical across most worlds. There are really only like 3 different systems out there.


    And within the same system, the only difference is which races or classes are available in a given world. As for where we get that, sorry, you¡¯re not allowed to know. I¡¯ve probably already said too much as it is.¡±


    The green alarm clock cube starts ringing.


    Jeff sighs, ¡°Already the last day? We better hurry up.¡±


    Dude knows how to put someone under pressure without it seeming like it is his fault...

 Ch. 3 – Pressured Choices

    Jeff continues, ¡°For now I¡¯ll just assume you agree with ¡®Vampire Lord¡¯?¡±


    ¡°As long as I don¡¯t have to speak funny.¡±


    He sighs, ¡°Once you¡¯ve decided on your base race and class you can actually try it out here, make sure everything works as advertised. This does not lock you in in any way, you could still back out and, for example, become a deva.¡±


    ¡°That sounds suspiciously fair.¡±


    ¡°As Eva should¡¯ve explained to you earlier", he reminds me, "we need the ¡®enlightenment¡¯ from souls to keep the universe running. Honestly, I¡¯d like to see Deteoh at least get this final chance; doing everything in my power to give you what you need and want is in my best interest. But really, by explaining that you can still back out until the next alarm hits I¡¯m actually worsening my chances.¡±


    ¡°Ok, I get it, you try your best to do the right thing in a system that stacks all odds against you.¡±


    He fixes his glasses again, ¡°Pretty much.¡±


    Jeff seems a bit lost in thought.


    The clock is ticking so I need to get him back on track, "So what should we do about the race? I understood earlier that you¡¯ve some kind of plan that would maximize our chances to save that world.¡±


    ¡°Right but that didn¡¯t account for the expensive ¡®Vampire Lord¡¯ extra race¡±, he tells me.


    He hesitates for a moment, ¡°Give me a second, I need to check some numbers to account for that change.¡±


    He checks his smartphone and mumbles, ¡°Why is upload only at 31.2%? Don¡¯t tell me the guys down in the lab are abusing the lines for private stuff again.¡±


    ¡°The more I hear the more you seem like a normal company and not some sort of divine guides to the afterlife.¡±


    He shrugs, ¡°Sorry to ruin that image. Please refrain from telling that to anyone outside though.¡±


    He scribbles some numbers and symbols on a sheet, I don¡¯t get what any of that means.


    After a while he finishes his calculations, ¡°Hmmm, so I think we can keep the wizard class at least but I¡¯ll need to check for a different race. That takes at least the bigger headache off the table. Choosing from almost 800 races is easier than from over 3000 classes. Well, quote-unquote ''easier''.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like a ton of classes¡­ why wizard specifically?¡±


    He explains, ¡°Wizards can use several elements at once but only at rank 1. Think of it as a versatile generalist in contrast to for example a Hydromancer that only learns water magic but goes up to rank 4. With the restriction from being a ¡®Lost One¡¯ that wouldn¡¯t help you anyway, your spell ranks are fixed at 1.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good so far, I would like to go with magic anyway. But wouldn¡¯t something like a summoner be better? Or are they not workable in real life?¡±


    Jeff hesitates for a moment, ¡°That one is a bit more complicated. By itself summoning is strong. The problem is the ¡®cost¡¯ you have to pay. There are a couple of general types of ¡®cost¡¯ skills can have. Regular attacks are simple, just pay some MP or SP and then the attack goes off, fire and forget style. Other skills require ¡®concentration¡¯, you can only have one concentration effect active at the same time, and as the name implies, your concentration can be broken. The final major type is ¡®upkeep¡¯ skills. Those also use MP and SP but instead of a one-time cost, they reserve some of your maximum values, effectively lowering them while upkeep skills are active. Summons are costly upkeep skills. Very costly. With the 20% penalty from being a ¡®Lost One¡¯ it is very possible that you won¡¯t have enough max MP to call the most basic summon until level 4 or 5; way too risky if you ask me. You should pick up summons skills later if you want them.¡±


    Does that mean that classes are just guidelines or can we multiclass? ¡°So I can gain like a second class down the line?¡±


    He checks over his notes, ¡°If my research is correct the limit is 10 classes. But adding an additional class has some requirements, not exactly sure what those are though. All I say is make every class count.¡±


    ¡°Got it, so wizard first and summons later. Any other special classes I should look out for?¡±


    He tells me, ¡°That would entirely depend on the actual situation down there. Considering the layout of the world something with enhanced mobility like flight or teleportation will be needed, ¡®space magic¡¯ covering the latter.¡±


    He appears lost in thought. ¡°As for base race¡­¡±


    creak


    Eva is back, seemingly in a hurry, ¡°Gzeph, problems, big ones, your boss wants to talk to you immediately.¡±


    Jeff is exasperated, ¡°What is his problem this month? Did another girl dump him?¡±


    ¡°Stop joking and get moving. He already lectured me for talking with Bruce ¡®despite it not being my place¡¯.", Eva includes mocking air quotes, "What an arrogant prick.¡±


    He facepalms, ¡°Got it, Eva. Can you finish this here for me? Already got vampire lord as extra race and wizard as the base class. Only base race left right now. I¡¯ve authorized the full package. When someone complains about that forward them to me, I attached a note for that to the case, I take full responsibility for this.¡±


    Eva is speechless, ¡°I¡­ Are you sure about this? If your boss finds out he¡¯ll kill you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it... it must be done.¡±, he says in a desperate tone.


    She is surprised, ¡°And here I thought I was the chaotic one.¡±


    Jeff checks his smartphone again, ¡°Good, also try to stall as much as you can, file upload is slow. It''s unlikely he¡¯ll get all the info he needs if the upload rate stays that low, but he¡¯ll need as much help as he can get.¡±


    door slam


    And off he goes.


    ¡°Just so we¡¯re on the same page, I¡¯ve not agreed yet.¡±, I tell Eva, ¡°I just told him that my condition was that I get some kind of immortality out of the deal.¡±


    She thinks about it for a moment, ¡°That is a very steep price but considering what you are up against - not too unreasonable. Though if we factor in how much longevity costs, this severely limits how much we can invest for proper firepower and other extras. Hope you understand that.¡±


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Well, I wasn¡¯t getting a 100% success rate anyway, so might as well make it worth the risk.¡±


    She agrees, ¡°Point taken.¡±


    Thinking about it it is kinda strange how both avoided naming ''the boss'', ¡°Say, Eva, why do you dance around saying his boss¡¯s name? You mentioned even the big boss by his first name.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that is easy", she explains, "I refuse to acknowledge that jerk¡¯s existence, he just causes unending trouble for everyone. Once he¡¯s demoted ¨C and trust me that is only a matter of time ¨C he¡¯ll no longer be ¡®the boss¡¯, he¡¯ll just be ¡®the¡¯ and eventually disappear from my memory completely. If I knew his name that name would forever be stained by those memories, I don¡¯t want to grant him even that little bit.¡±


    ¡°Good luck with that.¡±


    She sits down behind her desk, ¡±Did Gzeph mention anything about what he originally planned?¡±


    ¡°Only the wizard class which I¡¯m already getting.¡±


    ¡°Let me quickly check what the planet¡¯s scenario is", she checks the notes Jeff left behind. ¡°Ok, so let me give you one piece of advice in advance. Your goal is not to beat a demon lord. Your goal is to destroy the artifact. I¡¯ll be blunt I doubt we can create anything that has a reasonable chance to beat a proper demon lord. But sneaking in and destroying an artifact? Wait, no, that is hard too. Most artifacts either have a select few ways they can even be damaged, like you need a specific legendary sword or the power of friendship or some nonsense. Alternatively they ''only'' have a bulk of HP and defense stats that rivals a planet.¡±


    ¡°So what else should I focus on?¡±


    Eva shakes her head, ¡°I honestly don''t know. We don''t know enough about what is going on."


    She thinks for a moment, "in my opinion you¡¯d be best served to choose something that lets you get through the low-level hell and then gather a competent party. And then... well, you have a long enough lifespan to figure something out, hopefully.¡±


    ¡°Jeff said that for late game flight might be needed.¡±


    She hampers my enthusiasm, ¡°I can already tell you that any flight-capable race is too costly for what we have left.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ considering a vampire¡¯s need to feed some stealth can¡¯t hurt. Is that in the budget?¡±


    She thinks it over, ¡°As good a strategy as any other when we basically know nothing. Let me quickly check what your options are with our restrictions.¡±


    Eva turns towards the computer and gets to work. Half focusing on the screen in front of her and half on Jeff''s pile of paper.


    clack clack clack


    She stops, ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good info here. There¡¯s a way down the line to add a second subrace as long as it has the same main race.¡±


    ¡°Meaning?¡±


    Eva explains, ¡°For example, if you are a ¡®Mountain Dwarf¡¯ you can later also add ¡®Paragon¡¯ since they both count as dwarves.¡±


    More power is always good, ¡°That sounds interesting; how is that done?¡±


    She just shrugs, ¡°That it doesn¡¯t say.¡±


    ¡°Pity.¡±


    She continues her research, ¡°Now let me check what I can get you for now to get you started on your adventure.¡±


    Eva searches through the options presented on her monitor, ¡°Phantom? No wait, sorry, morph races are above what we can afford.¡±


    ¡°Morph?¡±


    She explains, ¡°Shapechanger, default form looks vaguely humanoid but they can assume different forms.¡±


    ¡°Too bad they are too expensive, this sounds kinda useful.¡±


    She offers, ¡°Goblin, earth weakness, stealth, stamina boost.¡±


    ¡°Nope, no goblins, please. I want to be the slayer, not the slain¡±


    She accepts my decision, ¡°Ok, that reduces the list by quite a few entries. How about Oathbreaker human, comes with ice weakness, stealth, hard worker.¡±


    ¡°Oathbreaker sounds like something I should avoid when I want to lay low but might be better than nothing.¡±


    She is unhappy with her tools, ¡°Dark Elf is too expensive ¨C why can¡¯t I filter this stupid list by cost!?¡±


    ¡°Welcome to the future where still nothing works.¡±


    She continues her search, ¡°Cat Folk, water weakness, low profile, natural claws.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the difference between ¡®low profile¡¯ and ¡®stealth¡¯?¡±


    She explains, ¡°Low profile lowers the chance of being noticed if other people are around. Stealth prevents you from being noticed in dim light areas.¡±


    ¡°Ok, I like cats but being one is not what I imagine spending eternity as.¡±


    Eva continues, ¡°Next option is Tainted human, dark magic, low profile, weakness to all elements, resistance to all physical types.¡±


    ¡°Too many weaknesses, hard pass. Thinking about it, low profile wouldn¡¯t help anyway, so exclude those completely.¡±


    She complies, ¡°Got it. How about Shadow Elf, light weakness, stealth, dark magic.¡±


    ¡°Also an option.¡±


    Her next offer, ¡°Then I have Silver Elf comes with fire weakness, stealth and cure magic.¡±


    ¡°Stealth and cure magic sounds perfect. But can you even heal undead? I thought this would hurt them.¡±


    She thinks for a moment, ¡°From what I know of that system undead can be healed or harmed, it''s the healer¡¯s choice which of the two happens.¡±


    ¡°Also what makes them ¡®silver¡¯ elves?¡±


    She puts it bluntly, ¡°Hair color.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all?¡±


    She nods, "Yes."


    ¡°OK, I¡¯m sold, I wanna try that. Jeff said I could test this body before finalizing my choice?¡±


    I feel like I got swept up in their enthusiasm...


    Eva twirls her hair, ¡°That would require a certain level of authorization ¨C wait that is already covered by Gzeph¡¯s auth code. Well, if he told you about it, it should be fine.¡±


    She grabs what looks like a character sheet and fills in the race, extra race and class we decided on, ¡°Here, do NOT sign it yet. Your signature finalizes the whole orientation process and starts the transmigration procedure. As Gzeph said earlier we¡¯re just running out the clock so he can hopefully finish the file upload with all the info we can¡¯t tell you in time."


    She looks a bit dejected but continues, "Look, I¡¯d really prefer it if you stuck with this option as it is really the last chance that world gets but I don¡¯t want to cheat you. If you change your mind you only have to check the right box on the other sheet¡±, she hands me the document she worked on way back in the beginning, ¡°and put your signature below. But if the clock runs out ¨C and we have about 7 hours left ¨C this character sheet is what counts now. I¡¯d say ''no pressure'' but that would be a lie.¡±


    I sigh, ¡°I appreciate the honesty.¡±


    ¡°So to test the body just take the character sheet and step into the capsule you slept in before I woke you up. It will sting a bit though¡±, she points to said capsule.


    I double-check the character sheet and notice gender is set to female and age to 16, ¡°Why a 16 year old girl?¡±.


    Eva is confused, ¡°Uh, isn¡¯t that what you agreed on with Gzeph? That was what it said on the computer.¡±


    ¡°No, we never talked about that.¡±


    She apologizes, ¡°Oh, sorry. Then they are probably still the default values. Just put your finger on the respective field and the relevant options will come up.¡±


    I do as instructed and change the age to 18.


    My curiosity gets the better of me and I check what the other options for gender are. None, female, male ¨C self-explanatory. ¡®Both¡¯ ¨C this is just asking for a bump in the age rating. ¡®Chibi¡¯ ¨C reminds me of a marketing ploy gone wrong.


    The last two options are a garbled mess and look like e?????????????r??????????r???????o?????????????????????????r???????????????????????3??????????????????0??????????3???????????:???????????????s???????????????????????????????c?????????????????????????????r????????????????????i????????p?????????t?????????????????l????????????????????a???????????????????????????c????????????????????????k?????????????????????i?????????n??????????????????????????g?????????????????c???????????o???????????????????????????f??????????????????f?????????????????????e????????????????e?????????????????????????? and d??????e??????????m????????????o????n?????????????l????????????o?????????????r?????????????d???????????c???????a???????s??????????????t?????????????l????????????e??????????i?????????????n?????????t?????????????h???e?????????????n????????????????o??????????r??????????????t????????h?????????


    Wait, did they just change?


    While they continue to change randomly, I carefully choose male, and question Eva, ¡°What¡¯s up with the last two gender options?¡±


    Eva tells me, ¡°Ignore those, Graham just hasn¡¯t gotten around to fixing that.¡±


    ¡°And Graham is?¡±


    She explains, ¡°Our sole IT guy. Overworked, underappreciated. In game terms, he''s responsible for the ''game balance''.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you oversee several trillion worlds? And you only have ONE IT guy handling all of that? That is nuts.¡±


    She shrugs, ¡°Tell that to management. Graham has filed a ton of requests for additional help, all denied. I don¡¯t even want to imagine what will happen when he retires in two centuries.¡±


    ¡°Somehow I get the feeling, not Deteoh needs saving from the demon artifact but the universe needs saving from its management.¡±


    She offers me, ¡°Hey, if you want to nothing stops you from tackling that afterwards.¡±


    ¡°I''ll think about that when I''m bored.¡±


    I notice the name field is blank as well but can¡¯t be changed, ¡°And what¡¯s wrong with the name field?¡±


    She answers, ¡°That will be automatically filled in when your final body is prepared for transmigration. The system will make sure the name is not out of place and fits to your new relatives if any. Circumstances like that. Don¡¯t need another IIXX_SL4Y3R_XXII Smith situation. It¡­ wasn¡¯t pretty.¡±

 Ch. 4 – Undeaded

    I check the rest of the sheet but nothing else seems out of place.


    ¡°When all is in order please step into the capsule with the sheet in hand¡±, Eva instructs me. I do so and then she closes the capsule.


    First, nothing happens. After a bit of waiting nothing continues to happen. Just as I¡¯m about to complain to Eva a tingling sensation sets in. I should really learn to complain sooner.


    Then I black out.


    ¡°OK, that should about do it¡±, Eva wakes me up.


    I leave the capsule and inspect my new body, ¡°Couldn¡¯t this come with clothes? Ow.¡±


    I just bit myself with one of my new fangs. That''ll take some getting used to.


    She explains to me, ¡°You should be able to use the ¡®disguise¡¯ skill to hide the fangs if they get in the way of talking.¡±


    I¡¯ve no idea how to use that. But suddenly the fangs are hidden; it seems like skills come with the necessary instincts to use them.


    Eva shows me a mirror. As expected I have silver hair, a bit on the long side. Pointy long ears, as expected of an elf. The red eyes give me away as a vampire. Can I disguise them as well? Ah, now they are blue.


    ¡°It is almost scary how natural the new body feels, as if I had spent my whole prior life in it already.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the whole point of the capsule. If the new body was rejected by the soul, it would just be the next death for you. This time possibly final¡±, she checks me out for a minute, ¡°Make sure you¡¯re happy with the body. Even if the changes [Disguise] makes are ¡®real¡¯, it is still a concentration skill. Like if you rely on it to adjust your height and you lose concentration this can end badly. Or if you need concentration for a different skill; you can only have one concentration skill active at the same time. Well, not that you can adjust the ¡®attractiveness¡¯, that is fixed.¡±


    I don¡¯t look like a supermodel but certainly not bad. At least I''m not a palette-swapped Kirito-clone.


    Hmmm¡­ I kinda feel a bit small. The sheet says 5¡¯10 ft. I¡¯m an elf, not a dwarf!


    ¡°I think I want to be a bit taller. Just change that on the sheet and then go back in the capsule?¡±


    She nods, ¡°Exactly.¡±


    I think I was 6 ft on the dot, give me that back. Still, almost a full head shorter than that one coworker, not that it did him any good; always hit his head on the door frame. Anyway, I correct the height to 6 ft and enter the capsule again. This time the whole process is much faster but instead of a tingling feeling it actually hurts a lot like something was trying to rip me into two.


    A bit later, I wake up again, ¡°Why was the second time so painful? Couldn¡¯t you have warned me about it?¡±


    Eva apologizes, ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t know. I don¡¯t actually get to use the capsule often. It is reserved for special cases for which I¡¯m normally not authorized.¡±


    ¡°So we did a science there, *ow*, everything still hurts.¡±


    While I still try to regain composure I hear Eva on the phone again, ¡°...ok, got it. So at this point, we¡¯ve done all we can? ¡­ *sigh* Understood, I¡¯ll tell him.¡±


    Thinking about it maybe I should¡¯ve stayed tiny, less pain from the change and less target area. Ah, too late now, I¡¯m not going through that again.


    Eva finally gets off the phone, ¡°Ok, so good news, bad news, more bad news and neutral news.¡±


    ¡°The pain has subsided enough to listen.¡±


    She tells me, ¡°Neutral ¨C the pain was normal, it comes from modifying existing bones and organs. The alternative would be destroying and recreating the whole body and that would be even worse.¡±


    ¡°Clearly needs a warning label.¡±


    She continues, ¡°Good news, Gzeph has punched out his boss as you requested.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t think he¡¯d actually pull through with that.¡±


    She sounds a bit sad, ¡°Which leads to bad news number one ¨C he¡¯ll be demoted.¡±


    ¡°As far as deals with the devil go he got off cheap if you ask me. And number two?¡±


    She frowns, ¡°File upload is currently stuck at 82.6% so there will be a huge chunk of important information missing. Gzeph says that this probably means you¡¯ll only have 71.4% of the files as several are uploaded in parallel and incomplete.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s still 75% more than I expected ¨C I thought you¡¯d tell me that the entire upload failed and all files are corrupt or something.¡±


    She looks a bit dejected and checks her clock again, ¡°So with that out of the way, we¡¯ve just a bit over two hours left. Gzeph didn¡¯t give me any specific instructions on what I should give you, he only said I should use any of the remaining resources we could¡¯ve used for your body on some other bonuses. But this should absolutely stay our secret since by the book we¡¯re not allowed to.¡±


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Well, I won¡¯t be around to tattle so do what you can.¡±


    She adds, ¡°Also technically we have a couple of hours of ¡®oracle time¡¯ left, I¡¯ll misuse them as well.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s oracle time now?¡±


    She scoffs, ¡°The time we can use to send an oracle. Duh.¡±


    ¡°Ok, no, that was too obvious.¡±


    Eva gets back behind her computer, ¡°So, let me check what legally grey actions I can perform with all of that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m all ears and not just because I¡¯m now an elf.¡±


    ¡°Oh, about that", she warns me, "You¡¯ll still have to get used to your real body after the transmigration. How to explain this¡­ The body you now have was built according to the power level of your old world¡¯s system. Deteoh¡¯s power is a few magnitudes more intense and the body will be rebuilt to withstand that. Like going from a 2 to a 7.¡±


    ¡°Does that mean the people from Deteoh are inherently stronger than those from my old world?¡±


    She explains, ¡°Not necessarily. Your old world had no magic, the new one has a lot, compare it to different kinds of air pollution. Though that your old world has no magic does not mean that your old world suppresses magic; if someone able to cast magic was somehow able to travel to your old world they¡¯d still fully be able to use magic there.¡±


    ¡°That is a weird thing to take in but I¡¯ll keep it in mind when I throw up.¡±


    ¡°Ok, now back to the extra supplies I can give you¡±, she works on her computer, ¡°Ok, some clothes as a basic supply are always included but it does not consider for cases like you that need extra sun protection. How about a cloak that can protect you for up to two hours of sunlight as long as you don¡¯t expose your skin directly to the sun? It needs about ten times as long to cool down though.¡±


    ¡°Sounds reasonable. Are there any options to send me some supplies of blood so I don¡¯t always have to live on the edge?¡±


    ¡°Let me check¡­", she clicks a few times, "Yes, we can do that. Seems like we can do about a year¡¯s supply. I¡¯m not sure how much you really need per day, but it should last you a minimum of one year.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know what else I would need. Except for like legendary weapons but if you could send those you¡¯d clearly not be in this mess.¡±


    Eva disagrees, ¡°I wouldn''t be so sure. Even the best possible sword compared to an absolute beginner weapon is only like 40-50 levels extra worth. Not even including defenses, just attack power. And when you can have 10 classes at up to 100 levels each that¡¯s just a drop in the bucket. Or maybe the cap is even higher, Gzeph¡¯s notes only hypothesize that the cap must be at least 100.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s kinda sad for a legendary weapon, really.¡±


    She elaborates, ¡°Yeah, on more normal worlds you¡¯d have like a maximum of 2-4 classes and a cap of level 30-50, there legendary equipment matters a lot more. So anyway. With the cloak and the blood supply, we¡¯ve exhausted the resources meant for body construction. This leaves us with the use for the oracle time.¡±


    She goes silent for a minute while scrolling through another menu, ¡°Doesn¡¯t look too good. Can¡¯t use it for any goods. The best I can do is add a ¡®title¡¯ and there the choices are rather limited with what little we have left.¡±


    ¡°Are titles like mini-classes?¡±


    Eva explains, ¡°Sorta? Classes proper affect your stats and give 3 skills each, 2-4 skills for races; titles are just one skill-like effect, most of them with very low value. Also each class levels individually, titles share one level but you¡¯re limited to 20 titles total and the more titles you have the more exp is needed for each further level.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think I ever played an RPG that had titles in that style but that is easy enough to get. So what can you get me?¡±


    ¡°One of several type-bane skills like ¡®beastbane¡¯, those just increase the damage you deal to the given type very slightly. If you want those you can get them in like 5 minutes by hunting a few of the respective type¡±, Eva scrolls more through the list, ¡°a few titles like Bookworm, Bully, Coward, Underdog ¨C same deal, low effect and easy to get. Oh hey, I could give you nobility, that is usually hard to get! Oh wait, you already get that from vampire lord since it is needed to advance from regular to vampire noble.¡±


    She pauses for a moment, then continues, ¡°Collector ¨C requires gaining a million gold and increases drop rate by 1% per level.¡±


    ¡°That sounds not worth it either.¡±


    Her next offer, ¡°World Navigator ¨C adds an AI helper to your status and upgrades [Appraise] spell but doesn¡¯t specify in what way. I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s all. Anything worthwhile exceeds the resources we¡¯ve left.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t even tell me the way World Navigator is normally acquired.¡±


    She shrugs, ¡°It doesn¡¯t list one, maybe it can only be given as a gift? I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Does it come with an off switch at least in case it gets annoying?¡±


    She nods, ¡°Yes, it does.¡±


    ¡°Ok, then I take it, better than nothing.¡±


    She hacks away at the computer again, ¡°We have a few minutes left and we¡¯re as far as we can go, so is there anything else you want to know? Or ready to finalize one of the choices?¡±


    ¡°What will happen if I should succeed in destroying the artifact?¡±


    Eva answers, ¡°Honestly, that is up to you. It is just one world of billions. So long as you don¡¯t ally with our enemy or build some superweapon that can destroy the universe, the upper brass only really care that the prayer energy and souls flow from that planet. So if you want to take over the world once the artifact is gone knock yourself out.¡±


    ¡°The more I learn the more I worry about how carelessly the universe is managed.¡±


    Her answer sounds indifferent, ¡°Give it a few thousand years and you¡¯ll learn to tune it out like everyone else here.¡±


    Is this really the right thing to do? I''m sacrificing any chance at a proper afterlife for people I don''t know and the ''gods'' don''t care about...


    ¡°I still feel unsure about the whole thing¡±, I object, ¡°I really appreciate all the extra work you two did to comply with my conditions but it still rubs me the wrong way, like it wasn¡¯t really my choice.¡±


    Eva asks me, ¡°You mean the whole ¡®do it or billions die and you¡¯ll know it was your decision¡¯ thing? I totally get you. But you have to understand that there are no such things as fate. Ok, that is not entirely true; there is a ¡®god of fate¡¯ but all she can really do is hand out oracles or special titles. People usually think that that means that they are ¡®destined¡¯ for greatness, but in reality? That is just her way of saying ¡®pretty please do me this favor¡¯. Anyway, in the end, it is your call. No immutable destiny stuff or attached strings. You don¡¯t accept it and all the people on Deteoh are doomed to soul-death. You accept the deal, you get sent to that world, do your best and then it''s 50/50 - either it works or it doesn¡¯t. Life is unfair like that, you can do your best but sometimes things are just outside your control.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know how much it means to me if such a high authority tells a normal person like me that there is no ''fate'' crap guiding everything against our will."


    I think it over one final time. I''m not a hero, explicitly won''t be one. Yet I feel like I ''have to'' help these people. Or maybe I''m just too greedy... potential immortality is too enticing.


    "So, I just have to sign the character sheet?¡±


    Eva smiles, ¡°Yes. And thanks again, you¡¯ve no idea how much this will mean to a lot of people. Once you¡¯ve signed the sheet the rest will happen automatically; when you come back to, you¡¯ll already be over there.¡±


    ¡°Got it, and if we happen to meet again I wanna hear that you finally got through to your boyfriend.¡±


    ¡°Will do¡±, she laughs.


    I sign the sheet and moments later my vision goes dark.

 Ch. 5 – Bothered New World

    (..ke up.), I hear a muffled voice, (Suggestion: wake up! It is half-past reasonable!)


    ¡°Hey, voice in my head, just... shut up for five more minutes.¡±


    (Response: acknowledged.)


    I can¡¯t even see clearly yet and that disembodied voice is already pissing me off. It sounds like my new voice but in a very robotic monotone. God, I hope there¡¯s a way to change that.


    Ah good, my eyes have finally started doing their job. As I look around I see that I¡¯m sitting in the shade of a tree. I couldn''t identify the type of tree if my life depended on it; orange, spiral patterned bark, white leaves - I''ll write this up to my eyes not working properly yet. The grass looks a brownish-green, no wildlife or monsters in sight - knowing my luck this will change in a few minutes.


    It seems to be a few hours before sunset. Just a few hours earlier and I¡¯d be sitting directly in the sun ¨C whose bright idea was it to drop a freshly born vampire just outside with no cover from the sun!?


    Curiosity gets the better of me and I stretch out my hand out of the shade. An incredible pain envelopes my hand and I quickly take it back. The exposed area looks heavily burned. I''ll need an extremely strong sun blocker if I want to enjoy anything that ISN''T the nightlife.


    (Proposal: refrain from doing that again), nags the copycat.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. Can you please stop talking in this weird monotone rip-off voice? It''s creeping me out.¡±


    It answers, (Response: you can adjust my settings to your liking in your status menu.)


    Right, Eva said something about almost all worlds having access to status screens. Or was it Jeff? Now if they had told me how to access it¡­ And just as I think that the status screen appears in front of me.


    ¡°Hey, Zero-Four-Two, where do I find your settings here?¡±


    Without a hint of emotion it reacts, (Response: they are in the ¡®navigator¡¯ tab.


    Query: shall Zero-Four-Two be my new designation?)


    ¡°Hell no. Crap, what''s with the 50 or so setting tabs¡­ how much shit do I need to configure.¡±


    Status, inventory, classes, race, skills, titles, experience, party, UI, controls, music, system, admin, again a few glitched entries. Wait ¡®admin¡¯? Why do I have that? Ok, never mind, clicking on it gives a password prompt and ''admin'' is wrong. Was worth a try.


    There are also Jeff¡¯s documents. Those will have to wait until I¡¯m somewhere safe.


    ¡°Say, why is all of this in English? That wasn¡¯t my first language, I¡¯m nowhere close to good with it. Shouldn¡¯t it usually translate everything into my primary language?¡±


    The bodyless voice answers, (Response: Unknown. There¡¯s no option for it in the settings either.


    Hypothesis: due to a lack of resources only the most popular language of a given world is supported.)


    ¡°But the most ¡®popular¡¯ language clearly is ¡®moron¡¯.¡±


    sigh


    ¡°This will totally not bite me in the ass down the line, nope, nope, nope.¡±


    Ah, there¡¯s ¡®Navigator¡¯. Let''s see what can I change. Active, name, voice style, volume, personality. Good, ''active'' is the promised timeout button for the brain bug.


    Let''s see, voice is set to ¡®same as user¡¯, no thanks, what else can I choose... 001, 002, 003, ... it goes all the way to 083 but no hint what is what... Couldn¡¯t someone label them so I¡¯ve at least a small idea of what I¡¯m getting into?


    ¡°Since you¡¯re truanting in my head you should know which number would fit me best, right?¡±


    (Response: negative), not even a hint of hesitation, great.


    sigh


    ¡°Random selection it is then. How about 21? Please say something.¡±


    (#!/(&¡ì¡±)*=@&/)¡ì/$?)¡±), it beeps.


    Oh god, my ears. Did someone unleash a banshee?! ¡°That is a clear no.¡±


    Not only half the menu options are glitched out but the voice clips as well. What the hell has happened that the universe is in such a sad state?


    After a couple more bleeding ears from a multitude of satan imitators, screaming children and 80s dial-up noises, I finally end up with a distinctly normal voice for my navi; if I had to guess a woman in her early 20s.


    ¡°Ok, one half of the selection done. If I adjust the ¡®personality¡¯ setting will you stop the leading ¡®Response:¡¯ or ¡®Proposal:¡¯ crap?¡±


    (Response: affirmative.)


    grrrrr


    Ok, what options do we have this time... hey, we have names for a change! Klutz, idealist, bitch, princess, aloof, tsundere, ... do we have anything normal, please?


    I scroll through the never-ending list and make my choice. To verify if it works as intended I ask, ¡°Are there any other pressing changes I have to make in the setting?¡±


    A much less robotic voice answers, (I don¡¯t think there are any vital settings that need changing but I¡¯d suggest setting exp distribution to manual at least.)


    ¡°Ok, I¡¯ll do just that then.¡±


    In the experience tab, I see that I already have 3 exp but the cheapest level up would take 1000.


    ¡°Can you observe my exp total and give me a heads up when I reach the required value for the next designated goal? I think I want to save up for level 2 wizard first.¡±


    The voice in my head affirms, (Yes, I can do that. But be aware that you can only assign exp during a ¡®rest¡¯), she warns me, (You can¡¯t suddenly assign a level-up during battle to turn a situation around.)


    ¡°Good, I¡¯ll keep that limitation in mind. Say, how much can you interact with the outside world? Can you see things I can¡¯t?¡±


    She dashes my hopes, (No, that is not possible. I¡¯m operating on the same senses as you. Though I can use [Appraise] while you are busy otherwise.)


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t [Appraise] an expensive spell? I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll have the MP to spare for that for a long time.¡±


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    (Normally that is true), she explains, (but the title that added me also made [Appraise] free to use and always give the maximum possible amount of information.)


    ¡°So much for the no cheats premise.¡±


    She scoffs, (Not a cheat. Everyone can use it - if they have the MP.)


    ¡°I¡¯ll stand by what I said.¡±


    It seems to be still a few hours before the sun is gone so that I can go... anywhere else, really.


    ¡°Do we have a place where I can take shelter from the sun tomorrow?¡±


    (None yet. How about looking around?)


    Genius¡­


    I see a wooden¡­ construction in the distance. ¡°Is that a village?¡±


    (Looks like it to me. I estimate it to be 1050 DU away.)


    ¡°What the hell is DU?¡±


    She explains, (Distance units. The local counterpart to feet or meter. Its exact value varies with the local gravity constant and is relative to the current distance between the sun and the moon. For reference, currently, you¡¯re about 2.07 DU tall.)


    ¡°Ok, timeout. This DU concept sounds like utter bullshit! What madman comes up with such an idea? This is totally impractical. How even do you measure the sun-moon distance when your distance metric depends on said distance!? Science with such a base unit is also impossible! How do you record research results if they are only valid for a given time of day! What a load of crap!!!¡±


    (Rant detected, sir.)


    ¡°What?¡±


    (Rant cleared, sir.)


    ¡°...someone¡¯s watched too many memes.¡±


    sigh


    ¡°So with that weird distance, how long to reach the presumed village?¡±


    The voice in my head answers me, (Less than half an hour of walking.)


    ¡°No weird time unit?¡±


    (No weird time unit.)


    ¡°God, this world isn''t even consistently weird.¡±


    ¡°Ok, notify me when the sun is down and it is safe to go. Until then I¡¯ll check the menu, I guess.¡±


    She agrees, (Understood.)


    Let''s start with my status.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 1, Noble 1, Lord 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">783/827 [1034]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1143/1143 [1429]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">556/556 [695]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">127+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">148</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">126+45</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">253+10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">189</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">189+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">148</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Jared Delacroix, huh? Sounds almost normal. At least better than what I would¡¯ve come up with. I assume those plus values are from equipment. And what, the 2 seconds I had my hand in the sun already killed me by 5%? So what, I don¡¯t even last a minute in the sun.¡±


    She agrees, (Correct on all three counts.)


    "And the values in brackets?"


    (Base value if you didn''t have the 20% penalty or any form of upkeep.)


    ¡°Shit, INT is not a stat, so I won¡¯t automatically become a genius just by leveling up¡­


    not that it ever works that way even if it does for STR for some reason. Are the stats as I expect them to be with STR for physical damage and VIT for physical defense or do they have some weird quirks?¡±


    She begins her lecture, (They are pretty much straightforward.


    HP: they hit 0, you die


    MP: used to cast spells


    SP: used for physical skills


    STR: physical attack power


    DEX: ability to hit or evade


    VIT: physical defense


    MAG: magic attack power


    FTH: power of healing effects and holy spells


    WIL: defense against magic and social skills


    CHA: social skills)


    ¡°Simple enough, now equipment¡­¡±


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Wooden Staff</td>


    <td style="width: 54.6605%">+70 STR, +10 MAG</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 21.2383%">Tunic</td>


    <td style="width: 54.6605%">+30 VIT</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 21.2383%">Sun Cloak</td>


    <td style="width: 54.6605%">+5 VIT, limited protection against sunlight</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 21.2383%">Defense Ring</td>


    <td style="width: 54.6605%">+10 VIT, +5 WIL</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Wait, I see that I wear the tunic and the cloak but where is the staff?¡±


    Just as I say it a staff appears in my hand, ¡°Figures.¡±


    (I have to warn you: you lack the relevant skill for that weapon type so it is not advisable to rely on it.)


    ¡°Should¡¯ve been obvious just by looking at my class or STR stat. How big is the penalty for not having the skill? Will it just do less damage or will it magically drop out of my hand when I try to hit someone?¡±


    She responds, (You should expect about a 20% decrease in attack power.)


    ¡°Ok, so still good enough to convert SP into some extra damage when MP is depleted.¡±


    The voice in my head gets curious, (While we wait for the sun to go down may I inquire about your goals?


    I have a rough understanding from searching your memories but I want to confirm so I can provide more purposeful advice.)


    ¡°Good idea, so we''re on the same page. Let''s see..."


    I need to order my thoughts for a moment, "so the primary goal is of course to survive and grow stronger. I have some blood supplies from the starter pack but sooner rather than later they will be depleted. It would be nice if I can achieve a long-term deal where I can avoid killing or harming people for that. But my survival has absolute priority for me. So I¡¯ll also need to become powerful, maybe not to Saitama-levels but at least enough to fend off something like a ¡®hero¡¯ party or group of ¡®vampire hunters¡¯ coming after my head.¡±


    (That much was obvious, does this style of survival also include at least partial world conquest to secure a blood supply?)


    ¡°I¡¯d rather not, I¡¯m not exactly a leader type. And practically speaking this would just paint another target on my back.¡±


    (Good, what else?)


    "Second, I need more information. About the general situation, politics, my skills, enemies I¡¯ll have to deal with, possibly physics, everything.¡±


    (Noted.)


    ¡°Long term I need to make sure that the ¡®demon artifact¡¯ is destroyed. Well, we¡¯d have to locate it first. All the immortality in the world doesn¡¯t do me any good if the world I¡¯m on explodes because of a blasphemous rock.¡±


    (Ok, so more or less as expected.)


    ¡°Oh, and we need to find a way to give you your own body so I can punch you in the face for your comment earlier!¡±


    (You¡¯d hit a girl?!), she exclaims.


    ¡°You are just a figment of my imagination. But yes if she deserves it I¡¯ll hit ¡®even¡¯ a girl, I don¡¯t discriminate there. Say, would people be able to hear you or are you just in my head?¡±


    (The latter. If you wish to ¡®talk¡¯ with me without speaking just ¡®think¡¯ about it, we should have a telepathic link because of how the skill works.)


    Wait, what? I can do that?


    (Why didn¡¯t you tell me sooner!?)


    She scoffs, (You didn¡¯t ask.)


    This stupid brain bug, (...You should know whether or not I know something¡­ so in the future when I don¡¯t know something that important TELL ME and don¡¯t wait until I ask!)


    (Understood, I¡¯ve updated the goal list with the stated goals.)


    With all of that out of the way, I finally ask, (So, how can I address you? Just saying ¡®hey you¡¯ sounds weird after a while.)


    She responds, (That is your decision, I¡¯m your property after all.)


    (Any preference for a name?)


    I can feel her shrugging in my head, (None.)


    I think for a moment, (Elly.)


    She accepts it, (Affirmative, from now on my designation shall be ¡®Elly¡¯.)


    (Do you not even want to know why I chose that name?)


    (Hmm¡­ I didn¡¯t consider asking but now that you offer, please explain.)


    (Now I¡¯m not telling.)


    (¡­), she may be a part of my subconscious but I can just feel her sighing.


    The sun is still up, so I check my inventory. I¡¯m curious about the actual blood rations. There¡¯re over 600 packs there. (Isn¡¯t that a bit much blood? Eva said I¡¯d get a year¡¯s worth maybe a year and a half. How much blood do I actually need per week?)


    Elly answers, (I calculate that you¡¯d need a minimum of 1.5 of those packs per week. We¡¯re talking almost 8 years'' worth if you ration them and only go about 10% above the minimum required amount of blood to not suffer hunger.)


    I know that math is hard but that is massively off from what I expected.


    (Please double-check that calculation.)


    She thinks it through again, (Sure, give me a second¡­ and it''s the same result.)


    (I get the feeling that we¡¯re missing a vital piece of information on this. Well, given the scale of the whole mission 7 years extra isn¡¯t even that much to begin with. Between only being level 1 at age 18, half exp gain and the 20% HP penalty I doubt it¡¯ll even last me until I reach the age-appropriate level. Which is what? 10? 15? 20?)


    She answers, not, (I dunno, oh hey, the sun is down, let''s go!)


    (Way to change the topic¡­)

 Ch. 6 – The most Important Skill

    While walking towards the village I¡¯ve seen in the distance, Elly informs me about all the classes and skills I currently have:


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Wizard</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    30 HP, 47 MP, 24 SP, 4 STR, 5 DEX, 5 VIT, 8 MAG, 6 FTH, 7 WIL, 5 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Affinity Magic Rank 1


    Able to use magic spells at rank 1 for every affinity the owner has.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 5></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (How are those affinities determined?), I ask.


    Elly explains, (Your race-class combo gives you Lightning, Earth, Ice and Dark. Further affinities can only be obtained in exceptional cases. Mostly from class skills that enable magic of a single element.)


    (Yeah, yeah, and my ¡®Lost One¡¯ title limits me to rank 1 anyway. So the restriction on that skill is moot. What other elements are there?)


    She recounts, (I know of Fire, Water, Wind, Light, Holy, Poison, Curse and Space.)


    (What? No time, peanuts or surprise elements? Lame), I look around, (So far I¡¯ve only seen a handful of monsters in the vicinity. Do you think it is safe to test a spell on that lonely slime over there?)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Baby Slime 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1155/1155</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">315/315</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">712/756</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">168</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">126</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">21</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">168</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">105</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">21</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">42</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Acid Skin</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Too bad I don¡¯t have fire magic.


    Elly answers, (It seems so. From the information I have, in this world, slimes are on the low end of the power scale), Elly adds.


    (Maybe but despite that, it still beats me in HP, SP and STR. And what is with those non-existent defense values?)


    I can feel a shrug in my head, (Beats me, Jared.)


    (Can you at least tell me what its [Acid Skin] does?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Acid Skin


    Passive


    Contact inflicts 25% magic damage each second.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I breathe a sigh of relief, (Ok, so nothing to worry about.)


    How do I even use magic? I point my hand in the slime''s direction and try to will magic. It had worked with everything else so far, so why not? ...of course this time it doesn¡¯t suffice.


    (What do I need to do to cast a spell, Elly?)


    The voice in my head enters tutorial mode, (You need to visualize the type of spell you want. First, pick the element, then a shape and finally a target, this can be either a creature or a spot in the area. Then you¡¯ll automatically use the necessary MP and create the spell. For shapes you can choose from:


    Bullet, a single projectile, 100 MP, 200% power,


    Spread, a five projectile spread shot, 115 MP, 65% power each,


    Lance, a piercing shot, 120 MP, 130% power,


    Blast, a shot that explodes into a 7x7 DU area with 110% power, 145 MP


    and Rain, which creates 2 minutes of rain over an area of roughly 100 DU diameter with 5% power per drop, 1000 MP.)


    (Cut the DU crap, give me proper units!)


    She scoffs, (10 ft or 3m diameter for the explosion, 130 ft or 40m for the rain.)


    (I doubt power relates linearly to damage, otherwise rain would be super overpowered, at least in sieges.)


    She warns me, (Maybe, but please don¡¯t stupid a whole race into extinction just to find out how damage is calculated.)


    (Got you, Muffin.)


    Ok, so let''s start with a single earth projectile.


    crash


    Just as I think about it a rock flies from my hand and smashes into the slime.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 505 damage to Baby Slime.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    My MP has dropped to 1043/1143 and the slime is at 650/1155 HP.


    Great, 2 shots are barely not enough to kill the weakest slime. Or maybe there¡¯s damage variance and this was just a low roll.


    crash


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 505 damage to Baby Slime.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The second stone cannon leaves my test subject at 145/1155 HP. So that¡¯s a no to damage variance.


    The slime... slowly moves towards me. Like a molten pudding, it moves ever so slowly.


    Instead of wasting another 10% of my mana pool on a measly slime, I decide to take a swing with the wooden staff. It is no club but I don¡¯t want to be already half out of MP after one puny blob.


    smack


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 139 damage to Baby Slime.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Really? 6 HP left? And my SP has dropped to 526/556.


    I take a few steps back to do some math. The slime moves so slowly it is almost pitiful. Glad I didn''t take that option.


    So that is 30 SP for 139 damage or 100 MP for 505 damage. 30% of the latter is about 150 damage. Somehow I feel like something is wrong. My MAG is about 30% higher but per MP/SP point I only get like 10% more damage, and I don¡¯t even have the proper skill to get the full effect from the weapon...


    (Why are you just standing there? Don¡¯t you want to finish it off?), asks Elly.


    I snap back to the conversation, (I was just thinking that my magic seems weak. I have a good deal more MAG than STR, am missing the skill to properly wield this weapon and point for point of MP or SP my spell only dealt like 10% more damage than the non-club.)


    She surmises, (I can only guess but maybe it''s burst damage vs sustained damage. Or maybe just range?)


    (Uh, bows?)


    She thinks for a moment, (True. Well, there are also utility spells or just area damage. Though it also comes down to how defense exactly affects the damage. The slime is basically defenseless. Against something with a higher level of defense the difference should be more in favor of the single big hit your spell delivers.)


    (And if it isn¡¯t that at a minimum I¡¯ve ways to use two resource pools for attacks; I doubt a fighter class would have a way to turn MP into damage.)


    Elly says, (We¡¯ll hopefully find that out soon. Now please take out the slime first before it makes its way over here within the next twenty minutes.)


    smack


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 139 damage to Baby Slime and defeated it.


    No item was dropped.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Huh? No exp readout? (Do I not get exp for beating monsters?)


    Elly gloats, (You do, you¡¯re currently at 4 exp.)


    (What? I¡¯ve burned 200 of my 1143 MP and 60 of my 556 SP for one! one measily exp!? How the hell does anyone ever beat 1000 monsters to reach level 2!!)


    She explains, (With passive exp gain from daily chores and proper learning of course.)


    (Ok, hold up. How do you know all this? I thought you only had access to MY memories and knowledge, Elly?)


    She answers, (Close, I also hold the information of what is considered ¡®common sense¡¯ in this world. Technically I can also speed-read through all the information provided by the help menu and Gzeph¡¯s notes. However, I refuse to take that learning experience from you since it should provide a sizable chunk of exp. By my estimate there should be enough to get you to level 5 or 6 at least.)


    (Fine, that¡¯s a reason I can get behind. Speaking of exp, does the 50% penalty from the ¡®Lost One¡¯ title only apply to monster kills or those other exp sources as well?)


    Miss teacher elaborates, (Only monster kills. If you had other exp modifiers they would also only count for that.)


    (Good, so it is not a complete death sentence. What other skills do I have to work with?)


    Elly explains, (The remaining wizard skills unlock at wizard level 5 and 15. Until then I have no information on them.)


    (Seems like I should be going for wizard 5 before anything else. If I gain additional classes I¡¯ll probably rush them to 5 as well. Or 15 depending on where I¡¯m level-wise at that point.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Silver Elf</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.14 HP, 17 MP, 5 SP, 1 STR, 2 DEX, 1 VIT, 3 MAG, 3 FTH, 1 WIL, 2 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fire Weakness</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Stealth


    Passive


    The owner is harder to detect, especially in dim-lit areas.


    Does not protect against magical detection.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Cure Magic Rank 1


    Able to use curative spells at rank 1.


    Basic cure magic costs 500 MP per use, single-target only.


    Healing effect can freely be split between HP and status damage.


    A???b???s???o???l???u???t???e???l???y??? ???u???s???e???l???e???s???s??? ???f???o???r??? undead.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    This is a bit more to take in, (I feel like I¡¯ll need [Stealth] a lot, especially to feed.)


    Elly offers an alternative, (I propose instead to approach an influential group or organization and reveal your ¡®Lost One¡¯ title to them, then negotiate regular blood donations. According to the information we were given, just the fact alone that the gods send you puts you at almost the highest social standing.)


    (No, too risky. The people don¡¯t know that this is their last chance of getting outside help. It is very likely that they won¡¯t take too well to a ¡®monster¡¯ like me, even if I could convince them that I tell the truth. It doesn¡¯t take many dissatisfied people to decide that they¡¯d rather off me and wait for the next ¡®Lost One¡¯. And revealing that their creators have to abandon them will only cause chaos.)


    Looking at the second skill I can only frown, ([Cure Magic] is yet another case of bugged-out text. Though I can guess that this just originally meant that it can be used to hurt undead if the user chooses.)


    She can''t disagree, (I have no information that contradicts this assumption.)


    (And status damage refers to the ¡®strength¡¯ of a status effect?)


    I can feel a nodding something in my head, (Exactly.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Vampire</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    5 HP, 4 MP, 4 SP, 1 STR, 0 DEX, 0 VIT, 1 MAG, 0 FTH, 1 WIL, 0 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Undead


    Passive


    Gain weaknesses to fire, light and holy damage.


    Gain resistance based on skill¡¯s level to ice, dark and poison damage and effects.


    Breathing is no longer necessary.


    Unable to produce biological children.


    Healing effects from hostile sources will be harmful instead at four times the original strength but subject to WIL.


    Exposure to sunlight will inflict (20 + highest class level + highest race level) damage per second.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Vampire Hierarchy


    Passive


    Attacking another owner of [Vampire Hierarchy] increases attack power and status rates by 50% for each rank the owner is above the target.


    Rank order goes: ghoul < vampire < vampire noble < vampire lord < progenitor</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Sleepless


    Passive


    Unable to sleep.


    Prevents all magical forms of sleep.


    Adds passive HP, MP and SP regeneration of (0.07% of max + skill level / 20) per minute.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Disguise


    Concentration or 2000 SP upkeep


    While active your outward appearance is changed into a desired form.


    The total mass of the new form can at most deviate by 10% from the initial form.


    Cannot be used to create appendages or organs not normally part of the species.


    The changes are real and not an illusion.


    Changing too far from your original form can be painful.


    Does not affect stats.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (The [Undead] and [Disguise] skills are half a rule book by themselves but look more or less as expected. That said how exactly do skill levels rise?)


    She tells me, (Skill levels are equal to the sum of levels from races and/or classes that add them. Imagine there was a class like ¡®Death Knight¡¯ that also gave you [Undead] then your [Undead] skill level would be level of ¡®Death Knight¡¯ plus the level of ¡®Vampire¡¯.)


    (Ok, got it. So I need to watch very carefully which classes I level in what order to keep the sunlight damage to a minimum.)


    Elly explains, (I don''t think that matters too much. You''ll last about a minute without healing, plus minus a few seconds won''t change much. Also, you have your sun cloak. You should be fine.)


    (Maybe, but it is still something to keep in mind. The races don''t seem to add much in the way of stats or skill scaling per level so I don''t see why I should accelerate the sunburn rate more than necessary. About this [Vampire Hierarchy]... if I hit a ghoul I get +150% damage and when I anger a progenitor I¡¯m 50% extra fucked?)


    She agrees, (Exactly.)


    Thinking about it [Disguise] could get very kinky if I ever get a girlfriend. Eh, wishful thinking.


    Wait, I never turned the disguise on since waking up ¨C better hide my fangs and turn my eye color blue again.


    ([Sleepless]... regeneration of 0.07% per minute sounds pitifully low, how long is that for a full recovery?)


    She quickly calculates, (Right about a full day.)


    (At least it seems to scale well with all forms of max HP increases. How does it interact with the 20% penalty from the title and costs from upkeep skills?)


    She explains, (It operates on the current maximum so indirectly they also reduce the regeneration rate.)


    (Shit. Next class?)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Vampire Noble</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    3 HP, 0 MP, 1 SP, 0 STR, 1 DEX, 0 VIT, 0 MAG, 0 FTH, 0 WIL, 1 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Unnatural Claws


    Active, alternate weapon attack


    The owner can generate artificial claws, e.g. by lengthening fingernails.


    You¡¯re always proficient in attacks made with them.


    Claw attacks do not count as unarmed attacks and add (MAG/4 + skill level) to attack power.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Embrace


    Active


    Draining blood from a victim can transform them either into a ghoul or with multiple applications into a proper vampire, user¡¯s choice, defaults to ghoul.


    The transformation warps the victim¡¯s personality to fit to their new form but does not affect loyalty to the user.


    The victim retains levels in each class to a maximum of this skill¡¯s level.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Beast Killer


    Passive


    Increase damage dealt to beast type creatures by 1% per skill level.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Intimidation


    500 SP upkeep


    Project aura of hostility around the user.


    Affects every creature that can see or ¡°feel¡± the user.


    Targets that have a level of this skill¡¯s level or below are automatically frightened and take 5% social damage; other targets may be affected by fear at a rate of 25.


    As for all mind-affecting ailments, circumstantial modifiers to the infliction rate may apply.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I probably won¡¯t get to use [Unnatural Claws] often. It would be a dead giveaway.)


    (The bonus attack is currently less than your staff anyways, Jared.)


    (263 over 4... so 65 against 70, yeah, true. But maybe it will eventually even outclass a legendary weapon?)


    The voice in my head has no clue, (No idea how strong those can get.)


    (I think Eva said they¡¯d be around 40-50 levels worth.)


    She goes silent for a moment, (If I calculate with 50 levels of the highest STR classes... you¡¯d outclass them after about 2000 MAG. Not sure you can ever reach such a high level.)


    (I can¡¯t? Didn¡¯t we already conclude that leveling any class or race raises stats?)


    (Yes, so?), Elly asks confused.


    (Jeff and Eva told me that I can get a maximum of 10 classes and 2 races, let''s ignore the latter as they seem to give very little. Wizard adds 8 MAG per level? Let''s aim a bit... a lot lower and say my average class only adds 5-6. The two devas weren¡¯t really sure what the level cap here is but supposedly it''s at least 100. Let''s assume I¡¯ll only get to 40 in each class, that is still about a 2000-2400 stat increase.)


    She agrees, (Under the given assumptions the math works out. It becomes increasingly clear to me that these monster classes aren¡¯t ¡®balanced¡¯ for use by normal people.)


    (I don¡¯t mind that little bit of cheating, they come with enough drawbacks of their own...)


    I read over [Embrace] a couple of times. But the conclusion stays the same, (Yeah, I will NOT use [Embrace]. We already have enough problems, risking an additional zombie apocalypse is out.)


    I check the next skill, ([Beast Killer] looks normal for a change; I guess werewolves get holy damage on their claws so the eternal fangs vs fur war can continue to be a draw.)


    (Sorry, I have no data on this), she sighs.


    (I think you take me too seriously sometimes. As for [Intimidation]... the heck is social damage?)


    Elly lectures me, (You know how physical damage is just STR vs VIT or magic damage is MAG vs WIL if you get down to it? Social damage is CHA vs CHA. Nothing more to it.)


    (And for the level check it sums up all race and class levels?)


    She agrees with my assessment, (Pretty much.)


    (Ok, so this will stay a low chance passive fear effect for a few decades ¨C and from then on it will tickle trash mobs. Great! Exactly what I ever wanted! For now, it''s trash but in two to three thousand years it may become an auto-win button. Wait, it doesn¡¯t even say that it only affects enemies... which makes it even worse. So many duds so far... )


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Vampire Lord</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    2 HP, 1 MP, 1 SP, 1 STR, 0 DEX, 0 VIT, 1 MAG, 0 FTH, 0 WIL, 0 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Enhanced Regeneration


    Passive


    Increases rate of existing HP, MP and SP regeneration effects by 30%.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Ageless


    Passive


    Ageing is stopped. May slowly revert negative side effects of high age.


    Skill owner has eternal life unless they are actively destroyed.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Familiar


    Active


    Can designate a ¡®willing¡¯ (e.g. charmed) target (up to 1 per skill level, max 20) as a familiar.


    The opinion of a familiar on their master can not drop below friendly.


    For the purpose of giving an order to a familiar, the user¡¯s CHA is doubled.


    User can share one (two at skill level 20, three at 35) of their skills with their familiars.


    This choice of shared skills is the same for all familiars and can¡¯t be changed.


    The familiars¡¯ copy of a skill is always at level 1.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Greater Vampiric Bite


    Active/Passive


    User can choose to either amplify the pain inflicted by bloodsucking tenfold or turn it pleasant.


    Biting itself is no longer automatically lethal.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (So with [Enhanced Regeneration] I''ve full recovery over 20 hours instead of 24?)


    Elly quickly calculates, (18.5 hours.)


    ([Ageless] is the whole reason I went with vampire lord... I swear, Jeff, if this skill¡¯s effect is as bugged as the [Cure Magic] description you can kiss your universe goodbye!)


    (I¡¯ll ignore this statement and ask you to move on, Jared.)


    (And [Familiar] is how you get Renfields... creepy shit... add a charm spell to get them friendly for a moment and they¡¯ve already lost...)


    (Luckily, you don¡¯t have access to a charm effect... yet), Elly''s voice loses confidence.


    (Hey, whose side are you really on now, Elly?!)


    Shit, I¡¯m getting bad vibes from [Greater Vampiric Bite].


    (By my understanding, a basic vampire can be ¡®human friendly¡¯ if they stick with animal or monster blood. Not sure if they¡¯d ¡®want¡¯ that if I understand the [Embrace] skill right. Then if they accidentally get their hand on a nobility title they can now only live on human blood but if I understand the implication of [Greater Vampiric Bite] right they always kill when feeding until the next promotion.)


    (I understood it the same way), Elly agrees.


    (Now I¡¯m sure by the time they reach the lord rank they no longer care about the friendly neighborhood vampire option... Shit, why did I even have any hope? We¡¯re talking about a monster race here... still kinda hurts though...)


    Elly sounds a bit sad, (Sorry. I don¡¯t know how to comfort you right now...)


    sigh


    (That are all skills?)


    She tells me, (For now yes. You¡¯ll get more when you add another class or one of your classes reaches levels 5 and 15. Races give all their skills upfront.)


    (So the max list of skills won¡¯t be a wall of text but still pretty long.)


    Elly elaborates, (And technically titles are just standalone skills but at least they don''t show up in the [Appraise] spell.)


    (Got it, got it. But I need a break from info dumps for now.)


    She agrees, (Sure thing. Anything else you want to discuss or do during the remaining 15 or so minutes until we arrive at our destination?)


    (Unless you¡¯ve something that needs to be addressed yesterday, I¡¯d like to just digest all the info you just gave me.)


    Elly responds. (No such thing. Can we at least turn some music on? I¡¯ve got nothing else to do.)


    This is a strange question, (We have access to music?)


    She sounds excited, (Yes, second row, 18th tab.)


    I look at the indicated tab, there really is a personal jukebox.


    (Won¡¯t that tip anyone off to my presence?)


    She consoles me, (No, this is just for you and me.)


    (Ok, and where does that music come from?)


    She answers, (Oh, I installed that earlier while you scienced that slime. So far I¡¯ve added about 15% of all songs you¡¯ve heard in your life. I¡¯ll try to get the rest from your memories during some downtime. Though the quality may be limited to how well you listened back then.)


    (Heck, yeah, screw free [Appraise], THIS is the way! Got some AC/DC in there?)


    WELCOME TO THE...


    (Maybe turn the volume down a little bit.)


    After some time I can finally see the village entrance. There seems to be some kind of commotion...

 Ch. 7 – First Contact

    Not only at the village entrance but also further in I see several people arguing, others running in a half panic around; something is clearly going on.


    (Doesn¡¯t seem like I¡¯m the cause of the commotion. They are not running straight away from me nor at me to attack), I note.


    Elly adds her observations, (Some of the people have the fear status, others panic and there are some wounds inflicted by monsters on some of the guard looking guys. The palisades are damaged by monsters as well.)


    (How did you figure all of that out so quickly?)


    ([Appraise]), she states bluntly.


    I sigh, (I¡¯ll need to get used to these cheats. Continue like this and I¡¯ll believe that everything is on easy mode in this world, well, maybe except the monsters. So? What exactly does that tell us?)


    She responds, (Dunno. Let me think about it some more.)


    All that build-up and no payoff, thanks.


    As I walk through the village entrance I look around. I don¡¯t see any corpses but a faint smell of blood is in the air, smells kinda delicious ¨C please tell me I won¡¯t lose control over myself when that stench gets stronger. No not stench, it smells rather sweet, not like the blood smell I was used to.


    Elly has arrived at a conclusion, (Gzeph mentioned regular occurrences of monster floods, maybe there were signs of one starting soon?)


    (Of course, it will, what other timing could I have), I frown.


    Suddenly a hand grabs me from behind and tries to drag me along, ¡°Please, we need your help!¡±


    ¡°Hey, hold up, what¡¯s going on?!¡±


    After a few steps, the hand lets go and I can have a look at who tried to vampnap me. Before me stands a half-panicked boy armed with a bow and an anxious-looking girl with a spear. Apart from a mane and tail, the boy looks human.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ted</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">panic</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ranger 12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lionman 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">685/1993</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">480/480</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">827/1907</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">285+62 (Bow) or +42 (Claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">317+25</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">254+30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">127</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">96</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">95</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">159</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Shortbow, Tunic</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Bow Training 12, Natural Weapon 11, Tracking 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I have to wonder, (The boy has no arrows to his bow? Do they just come out of thin air when needed?)


    Elly explains, (No, arrows are used just as in your old world.)


    (Strange.)


    The girl has nothing special about her, as plain as a human girl from a backwater village can look.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Eila</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">panic</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hunter 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Highlander 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">841/1410</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">780/780</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1185/1845</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">300+90</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">300</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">210+30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">150</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">180</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">180</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spear, Tunic</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hard Worker 10, Spear Training 10, Stamina Boost 10, Tracking 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (No last names? Or are those more private than anything else?)


    (No idea, maybe orphans?), Elly suggests.


    After a moment the girl steps forward, ¡°Please, my brother Tevin is wounded and trapped in a cave. We have got to get him out of there. You¡¯re a Silver Elf, right? That means you can heal him. Please, we can¡¯t leave him behind.¡±


    Ok, so what silver elves can do seems to be common enough knowledge but are they really that easy to identify? Well, Eva only said they had silver hair, sooo...


    (I have a bad feeling about this whole thing.)


    Elly adds, ([Appraise] said they are both panicking. So I guess this is not a trap. Do you help them or not?)


    (And here I don''t even know how strong my healing magic would be.)


    957/1143 MP says I have one maybe two uses of cure depending on when we arrive. I get like 1 MP per minute back.


    Ah fuck it, ¡°Sorry, I only have 1, maybe 2 casts of Cure left... but I''ll see what I can do. Lead the way and explain the rest while we get there.¡±


    This better not become a habit.


    While they lead me further into the forest towards the cave they quickly introduce themselves.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have family names, don¡¯t you have parents?¡±, I ask them. Well, that is none of my business but I''m curious.


    Eila reacts to that question, ¡°What are ¡®parents¡¯?¡±


    Ted responds, ¡°I think he means that ¡®family¡¯ thing nobles have.¡±


    (Oh my me, what is going on with this world...)


    Elly tells me to put that thought on hold, (We can research that later.)


    ¡°Never mind then.¡±


    They continue to explain the general situation, ¡°So as you should know, it''s monster season soon.¡±


    I ask my not-so-imaginary mind-friend, (I guess they mean the annual monster flood?)


    Elly agrees, (I assume so.)


    ¡°Yes, so?¡±


    Eila continues, ¡°Some of the older hunters found signs that it will start a few weeks earlier this year. And it''ll be worse than any of the recent ones.¡±


    Ted interrupts, ¡°The adults prepared the evacuation of the village. Her older brother took us with him to secure some last-minute provisions. Get some more herbs for medicine. Stuff like that. Then... we got ambushed by some weird wolves. They were not like the usual ones. Tevin got bitten... a lot... We were in no condition to transport him while fending off more monsters. So we had to leave him behind in a cave. Hope he won''t be found by more of these strange creatures.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    (Exactly as you guessed, Elly.)


    I look around but find no monsters.


    ¡°What exactly is the plan then?¡±


    Ted answers, ¡°Eila will bring you to Tevin, I secure the entrance, you heal him.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see what I can do but no promises.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s... all I ask¡±, Eila clearly doesn¡¯t like the prospect of losing her brother.


    Wait a minute...


    (How do they call him ¡®brother¡¯ but have no idea about parents or family?)


    (Later. Focus on the task at hand, Jared), urges Elly.


    (This totally doesn¡¯t give me any strange ideas.)


    I check my stats. HP, MP and SP seem unaffected by the physical activity.


    (At least my SP doesn¡¯t go down from all the running, not even a bit out of breath.)


    Elly explains, (Well, yes, you¡¯re [Undead], remember?)


    (Hey, finally an upside to that.)


    ¡°Say, when all this is over, could I join the evacuation?¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t you?¡±, Ted is perplexed, ¡°Why would we leave anyone behind in face of a monster horde?¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯m an outsider?¡±


    Eila is confused as well, ¡°So what?¡±


    I''d have assumed for people to be more suspicious of foreigners if you have literal monsters that can pretend to be human... like me... Well, I¡¯ll see what this is worth when we get there.


    After a few more minutes we arrive at the cave, my MP has jumped up to 996/1143. So one cure shot now, and another in 3-4 minutes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll guard the entrance, you two go ahead¡±, Ted points towards the back of the cave.


    ¡°Come, come quickly¡±, Eila urges.


    It is quite dark in here but my eyes have no problem with it. Eila seems to have only a few more problems with vision than me, probably already knows the cave layout.


    The smell of blood is in the air and gets stronger with every step.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Finally, I can see the wounded man.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Tevin</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">bleeding (0.3 HP/s)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hunter 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Highlander 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">189/1446</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">798/798</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/1889</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">308+91</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">308</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">215+30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">122</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">153</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">184</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">185</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spear, Tunic</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hard Worker 10, Spear Training 11, Stamina Boost 10, Tracking 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Brother, we¡¯ve brought help, we¡¯ll get you through this!¡±


    Tevin expresses confusion, ¡°A Silver Elf? Where did you pick one of them up? I thought the demons wiped them all out centuries ago!¡±


    ¡°You can talk later¡±, I interrupt them, ¡°let me get to work first.¡±


    Both nod and Eila hurries back to the entrance, ¡°I¡¯ll help Ted keep watch. Shout when you¡¯re done.¡±


    (Hey, Elly, how exactly can I treat the bleeding?)


    (Just like when using attack magic you just have to imagine it. Though instead of choosing a shape you focus on whether you want to heal HP or status. Simple, really.)


    ¡°Ok, I¡¯ll start with the bleeding.¡±


    I reach out my hand and...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: desired skill cannot be used at this time!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Fuck.


    (What did I do wrong, Elly?)


    She sounds clueless, (No idea, try again, maybe you got the image wrong?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: desired skill cannot be used at this time!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Shit. Of all the times for the system to bug out...)


    ¡°Sorry, I... don¡¯t have the MP to cure this...¡±


    ¡°... don¡¯t be. At least you tried.¡±, Tevin is clearly upset, and afraid but also somehow resigned to the inevitable.


    scream


    ¡°What now?¡±


    Tevin coughs, ¡°That was Eila, go, I¡¯m... already done for. Please at least... save my little sister.¡±


    I nod and hurry back to the entrance.


    Ted lies on the ground, a wolf biting him. [Appraise] can¡¯t target him anymore. He¡¯s... dead.


    I don¡¯t have a clear shot at the wolf with Eila in the way. The wolf turns its attention to Eila who¡¯s already on the ground paralyzed by fear.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dire Wolf 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">925/1764</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">315/315</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">712/1050</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">399</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">231</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">21</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">147</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">126</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">21</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">63</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Deadly Fang 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ice</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Ice is good, I have that - what is that skill?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Deadly Fang


    218 SP


    Bite attack with 250% physical attack power.


    Can inflict bleed with a rate of 20.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Before I realize how much danger this skill with its high STR means the Dire Wolf jumps on top of Eila and bites her.


    crunch


    screams


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Eila</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">panic, bleeding (0.1 HP/s)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hunter 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Highlander 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">37/1410</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">780/780</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1185/1845</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">300+90</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">300</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">210+30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">150</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">180</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">180</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spear, Tunic</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hard Worker 10, Spear Training 10, Stamina Boost 10, Tracking 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Shit. Shit. Shit.


    I shoot an ice bullet at the wolf. Doesn¡¯t matter anymore if I miss, Eila¡¯s done either way.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 1036 damage to Dire Wolf and defeated it.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    It... doesn¡¯t matter... it''s too late... all of them... are as good as dead...


    While I just stand there, Eila turns to me, stretches her hand to me, shaking, tears in her eyes, ¡°you... you can heal... this, right? We¡¯ll... make it out... of this, right? Please.¡±


    (It has failed with Tevin but maybe this time?)


    (...), Elly stays silent.


    I wipe the tears from my eyes and reach for her hand. This time it has to work. It has to.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: desired skill cannot be used at this time!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...


    (Shit. What did I expect), tears roll from my eyes.


    ...


    The smell of blood gets stronger. I¡¯m kinda getting hungry and there''s delicious food right in front of me. Urgh, why do those thoughts cross my mind now?


    ...


    She¡¯s still staring at me, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why don¡¯t... you heal me? Can''t you...?¡±


    As she says that her eyes go wide as a realization hits her, ¡°You... you tricked us! You¡¯re a m-monster, you tricked us!!¡±


    I want to say something, anything, just to calm her down. But then I feel that my fangs have come back. My concentration was broken.


    I don¡¯t really know why, but I try to get closer. I want to.


    ¡°Calm down, all will be... better soon, I promise.¡±


    Eila screams full of fear, ¡°NO! NO! Stay away! STAY AWAY FROM ME!¡±


    I reach her and try to take her into my arms. Try to console her. At least that is what I tell myself.


    She tries to shake me off. But despite her higher stats she can¡¯t.


    "LET ME GO, GO AWAY!", her panicked screaming continues.


    The sensation of blood is too tempting. I give in to the hunger and sink my fangs into her neck.


    And start drinking.


    With [Appraise] I can see how her HP drops to 0.


    I continue drinking as her struggles to shake me off relent.


    Finally, she goes completely limp and the blood flow stops. I let go of my prey.


    ...


    (I¡¯ve done it now. I¡¯ve killed someone I wanted to help.)


    Elly tries to console me, (No you didn¡¯t, she was about to die anyway.)


    (Not a word. NOT. A. WORD.), I shout in my mind, angry at myself.


    sigh


    Sulking won¡¯t get me anywhere. I chose this life, now I have to deal with the consequences.


    (I really should¡¯ve given the vampire thing more thought. The whole drinking blood thing is way harder than I could¡¯ve imagined.)


    Elly sounds apologetic for some reason, (That is not something that can be changed anymore.)


    (...I know.)


    sigh


    (I should drink Ted¡¯s blood as well, maybe have them ¡®reunite¡¯ within me, as little as that means with the whole artifact thing.)


    Elly asks, (Was the taste that good?)


    (Shut up! ...but yes. Imagine drinking only water all your life and then being offered champagne. Something like that. It''s terrifying, really. Elly, at least try to prevent me from going feral again like that.)


    She responds, (I''ll... do what I can.)


    I walk over to Ted¡¯s dead body, bite him in the neck and try to drink some blood. Then recoil in disgust.


    (Why does his blood taste like fucking sand!?)


    Elly explains, (Vampires don¡¯t subsist on the blood itself but the life force contained within it. When the soul leaves the body the exit reaction destroys all the remaining life force in the body.)


    (So I just drink HP?)


    She elaborates, (No, life force is separate from HP. You can theoretically separate blood from a still-living body and store it in something similar to the blood packs you were given. If the body is then killed it does not affect the life force contained in that blood storage. But as you¡¯ve just tasted, the other way around does not work for you.)


    (You could¡¯ve warned me in advance. I specifically ordered you to do that!)


    She tries to weasel her way out, (Yes but that would have robbed you of this valuable experience. And considering your goal of becoming stronger it felt right to not say anything.)


    (Shit, ok, how much exp was that worth?)


    For some reason she sounds cheerful, (A whole one. So you¡¯re now sitting at a massive 21 exp total.)


    (Fuck you.)


    Well, Tevin is also a lost cause, might as well complete the triple. Maybe desensitize myself a bit to the intense taste of blood.


    I walk back to Tevin and don¡¯t bother with recreating my disguise.


    He¡¯s still in his corner, bleeding, leaning against the cave wall.


    ¡°Hey, Tevin, I¡¯m here for a family reunion.¡±


    He¡¯s still bleeding like nobody¡¯s business, ¡°I¡¯ve... heard enough screaming... to guess what is going on. You here to finish your work, fiend? I won¡¯t... go down without a fight.¡±


    He can¡¯t even point his spear at me without it swaying around. I''m not sure he can even do anything to me with his 0 SP.


    I take my weapon and swing it to knock his weapon out of his hand.


    Clank


    ¡°You were saying?¡±


    ¡°...¡±, it seems he¡¯s resigned to his fate.


    When I bite into his neck he doesn¡¯t even bother to resist.


    His blood tastes different from Eila¡¯s but still good and in contrast to Ted''s sand blood, it is filling.


    I can still see his status with [Appraise] while my fangs are in his neck even if he is sitting at 0 HP for a long time but the moment they release their victim the window closes. Maybe it was waiting for me to choose an [Embrace] option? I don''t care about those; even if those bring the body back from the dead they''d not be themselves anyway.


    Even if no one can hear it, ¡°I promise you I won¡¯t let your sacrifices go to waste.¡±


    I don¡¯t think I have much time before the evacuation starts. I quickly check Tevin for anything worth looting but only get 20 coins.


    Wanton murder, theft, ignoring main quests, I''m just like an RPG protagonist.


    (Elly, I don¡¯t have fire magic, any other way I can dispose of the corpses?)


    She answers, (You could try rank 0 magic. Those are usable even without the relevant skill but then they are much more expensive. Normally rank 0 magic is meant for household tasks.)


    I¡¯ll probably not need to cremate them but better safe than sorry. If vampires are real there''s a good chance necromancy exists as well and I''d rather not have that happen to them.


    I go to the entrance to fetch the other 2 bodies.


    But something is missing, (Wait, where¡¯s the wolf corpse?)


    Elly tells me, (Monster bodies dissolve about a minute after death.)


    (Convenient...)


    I check Ted and Eila but only find 3 and 8 coins. I doubt these 31 coins amount to much.


    Then I drag the 2 corpses to Tevin and create a couple of small sparks until they catch on fire.


    The whole thing wastes 750 MP leaving me at 67/1143. I probably shouldn¡¯t have done that.


    (What a shitty start. Not even a day in a new world and I''ve already killed more people than monsters, fucking great.)


    (...), Elly remains silent.


    I recreate my disguise and hurry back, hoping not to run into any more encounters.


    (Shit, what will I tell people when they ask where the three are? A wolf was too hungry? Monsters got them? Shit...)


    She gives me a cover story, (I think you should just stick to the ¡®truth¡¯: when you arrived it was already too much for your, uh, (non-functional) [Cure Magic] to repair and a Dire Wolf ambushed the two while you checked on Tevin.)


    (Probably.)


    I arrive back at the village, Elly had to course-correct me only five times.


    A few guards are waiting at the entrance for me, ¡°where are the other three? Where are Ted, Tevin and Eila?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, it was already too late for Tevin. I didn¡¯t have enough Cure Magic to stop the bleeding. And while I was trying to heal him a Dire Wolf ambushed the other two. When I got to them Ted was dead and Eila shortly after bleeding out.¡±


    As if they would believe an outsider just like that.


    I think I just saw a faint green shine from his pocket? Ah, I¡¯m just imagining things, probably mentally exhausted from the MP drain.


    The guard breaks out in tears, ¡°...it... it''s alright... you did more... than we could ask for.¡±


    I¡¯ve no idea what he is getting at.


    (What is with these people?)


    The man urges me, ¡°Just... get in the carriage, we need to leave before we lose even more people.¡±


    Yeah, questions can wait.

 Ch. 8 – Tired of the Odds

    POV: Gzeph


    I finally find someone to take care of this troublesome world and that freak of a boss Alex just has to interfere at every critical moment.


    sigh


    At least I can finally stop pretending that everything is ok for the rest of the week. Pulling myself together in front of clients is always exhausting. Not looking forward to next week...


    Too many things deviated from the plan, I need to get the numbers straightened out, won¡¯t get any sleep otherwise; that mess will just eat away at my nerves.


    My sleeping schedule is already a mess... if this situation continues like this it will be the death of me.


    So what does the simulation say...


    With my original plan, the chance of success should¡¯ve been 85.3% to a 5% chance for catastrophic failure but that didn¡¯t account for personality... if I adjust the numbers accordingly...77.6% to 6.6%. Worse but still tolerable.


    Oh, wait no, Alex just HAD to occupy the company¡¯s business net for private purposes today.


    And I suspected the guys in the lab at first; goddammit, guess I owe them more than a round at the bar for the scene I made...


    So because of Alex, the upload stalled at 82.6% and only 71.4% of the total files are usable, so with totally insufficient information...


    carry the infinite


    we¡¯re down to 49.5% to 22.1%. Basically need to win three coin flips in a row. Shit odds but still better than just sending someone blind.


    Unbelievable how much effect those few notes have. It shows that the centuries of preparation were worth it ¨C or would have been!! If that freak hadn¡¯t forced my hand today... I explained multiple times to the big wigs what the consequences would be so why did they listen to that braindead moron?!


    Urgh, I need a beer...


    Oh, damn, right, the fridge is empty. Didn''t have time to go shopping today.


    So there¡¯s finally a candidate that has some compatibility with Deteoh and then he has to make outrageous demands!!


    table slam


    I mean I get it, we¡¯re asking the impossible from one soul, and even if not, a reward is certainly in order.


    But couldn¡¯t it have been something that is paid afterwards? ...knowing Alex he¡¯d certainly do everything in his power to avoid paying the promised reward, so no, it had to be upfront, shit.


    I didn''t even notice my hand reach for my forehead - it is frighteningly cold.


    And instead of letting me at least finish within those restrictions, Alex has to interfere AGAIN. Something about one girl dumping him yesterday and another being unhappy about a jewel necklace he gave her earlier that day. Goddammit man, you¡¯re married!! I''m not your thrice-cursed relationship counselor!!


    I should¡¯ve just recorded the conversation and forwarded it to his wife. I don¡¯t have time for your shit, Alex! Do the universe a favor and get divorced, or better yet, jump into a black hole!


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ...


    Now, what did the soul take at the end? I search through the doorstopper of a report on the case.


    Eva, neither you nor I have a gift for brevity, huh?


    Her report says it was Vampire Lord and Silver Elf. At least they stuck with the Wizard option. A double waste. I can''t really argue against the former, it is the price the soul wanted after all. But that fire weakness alone is crippling.


    A real dragon is already nigh undefeatable, add its main weapon as your weakness and it gets beyond ridiculous. Maybe we¡¯re lucky and the dragon just stays home. Ah, who am I kidding? Given the shit of today, I''d be surprised if it hasn''t laid eggs and raised a whole family. Maybe comes to visit in the first week.


    What were the skills on Silver Elf again... a cure ability, undead can¡¯t use those. Can¡¯t really blame them, I forgot to mention that. Stealth at least is half decent.


    sigh


    But seriously, just find a decently sized settlement, go to the ruler, flash your ¡®Lost One¡¯ credentials and most of the problems you could want to solve via Silver Elf would already be addressed!


    So the current config is down to... 11.8% to 60.1%.


    I think I¡¯d have suggested Rune Elf which would be... 19.7% to 33.8%, almost double. Too bad there¡¯s no way to change that now.


    A massive far cry from what it should¡¯ve been, thanks boss, just thanks.


    Getting too tired, barely can see colors anymore. Not that I could see half of them correctly in the first place.


    Ok, so already down to 11.8% to 60.1%.


    sob


    Why¡¯s there more in Eva¡¯s report? They also changed age and gender. I should''ve talked with them about the reason - goddamn Alex!!


    I run the simulation again and the numbers are dropping and dropping.


    Please just stop already...


    Please... stop...


    sob


    11.3% to 63.2%


    sob


    No, no, I can still salvage this.


    As long as we don¡¯t go below 10% to above 70% I can still pull this around from here...


    I have to. I owe it to you, Yulia.


    What else is changed...


    sniff


    Oh, right we would have needed all 20 titles.


    And that Vampire setup wastes... a minimum of 2, potentially even 3 title slots? Shit, are you kidding me!?


    I take a deep breath.


    I¡¯m THIS close to throwing the computer out of the window.


    ¡®Nobility¡¯ just to reach the second tier, can¡¯t avoid the prerequisite, wish we could, ¡®Daywalker¡¯ to not instantly melt in the sun, that one is necessary, and with a 92% likelihood, they take the bugged ¡®Blood Addict¡¯ title... just perfect.


    sigh


    Where do we stand if we get the 8% chance, which 2 titles can we spare... yeah those two would go. They have the lowest impact.


    So now it is... 10.6% to 69.5%


    Shit. Shit. Shit.


    My vision gets even blurrier...


    No calm down, there¡¯s still a massive 0.5% wriggle room... Damn you, Alex!


    And the more likely case that they take ¡®Blood Addict¡¯ let''s see, I think we should take out that one title... 9.1% to 72.8%


    and now add the bugged title...


    sob


    That leaves us at... 4.2% to 84.4%


    sob


    From the original 85.3% to 5% all the way down to 4.2% to 84.4%.


    Fuck you, Alex.


    Wish I got a way to send them the optimized build plan, or at least a warning not to take that title. Anything...


    thud


    I don''t even notice how my head lands on the desk.


    ...


    I should just proceed as if that soul failed.


    This is frustrating. And all because of that freak...


    Graham needs to fix that shit title yesterday. No way around it. If he can''t... maybe I''ll see you soon, Yulia,  can I at least have that? No, thought so.


    Fuck, even getting close to Graham''s office is always a pain with that moron Alex around, as if he got nothing better to do.


    ...do I dare ask if it was even an advantage to send a soul at all?


    It''s so late into this whole mess that the odds for it to get solved natively can''t be above 0%. Please tell me that would be something like 1% to 99%.


    sob


    Please, I need... some meaning in what I¡¯ve done...


    sob


    I run the simulation with no ¡®Lost One¡¯...


    5.4% to 72.7%. You¡¯ve got to be shitting me, Alex!!!


    crash


    There goes the computer.


    ...


    ...


    ...


    Good, only the monitor is affected.


    I should¡¯ve listened to my guts and not sent that soul, protocol be damned.


    Sending no one would have been 5.4% to 72.7%, we had a chance of a 5.4% to still save that world... and a 72.7% chance of a demon lord escaping from there and threatening all of creation.


    All because Alex had to be Alex.


    Boss, I regret not punching you harder. At least you''ll be out of my hair for a couple of weeks.


    I turn to a drawing of my late fiance, ¡°Please tell me... I did the right thing, Yulia, please... tell me it wasn¡¯t for... nothing.¡±


    Finally... I pass out.

 Ch. 9 – Unwelcome

    The evacuation is about to start, the thirty or so villagers are distributed over several horse-drawn carriages. And by ''horse'' I mean red-fured horses with six legs. Nothing out of the ordinary.


    I got lucky and can sit in the middle under the cover where the sun won¡¯t reach.


    During the ride, I ask the man sitting next to me what the deal with the crying soldier at the gate earlier was.


    He tells me, ¡°Oh, Evan. He is... was the mentor of the kids you accompanied. They were really close. Have been for almost 5 years.¡±


    Great. Flag raised for pissed of foster father coming to hunt me down later. I should probably have checked his status earlier so I at least know what revenge-driven monster will come for me...


    ¡°Sorry, there was nothing I could do... I did all I could but it was not good enough¡±, I try to make an excuse.


    Just keep kicking me while I¡¯m already down, will you? What was I supposed to do? Cure refused to be used and the two would have bled out anyway... At most, by not being there I might have spared Ted and Eila if they never went back.


    ...fuck, what¡¯s done is done. Even if they didn¡¯t like it, their blood was put to some good use.


    ¡°Say, since I¡¯m not from around here I¡¯m curious. What exactly were the signs that the flood appears earlier than normal?¡±


    The man explains, ¡°You¡¯d have to ask Evan that once he¡¯s calmed down a bit. He¡¯s the most experienced of our hunters.¡±


    As if I¡¯d voluntarily step on that landmine, ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll keep it in mind when I get the opportunity.¡±


    My seat-neighbor gets curious, ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me asking, what brought you to these lands? I was always under the impression Silver Elves went extinct during the reign of the previous demon lord.¡±


    ¡°They... missed a few. We¡¯ve got decent stealth skills after all. But you have to understand that I¡¯m quite hesitant to tell just anyone where the rest are hanging out.¡±


    He agrees, ¡°Oh, certainly. And your personal reason for leaving home?¡±


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s the funny part. I don¡¯t really have a proper reason. One day I just had a strange dream about this place and then curiosity got the better of me, now I¡¯m here.¡±


    He accepts it, ¡°A vision is as good a reason as any other.¡±


    I continue to have meaningless small-talk with other passengers but don¡¯t really learn anything of note.


    The carriage ride takes a bit over 2 days. The drivers just take turns so we don¡¯t have to stop; one sits at the reins while another sleeps in the back.


    We take a couple of quick stops to distribute food, eat and answer nature¡¯s call, or in my case pretend to. I... just force the food down, it tastes absolutely awful and provides no nutrition to me but I have a cover to keep up.


    And sleeping? I¡¯ve no idea how anyone can close their eyes with all the shaking of the carriages.


    As much as I hate wasting time I can¡¯t see the menu stuff with my eyes closed so I can¡¯t even start on Jeff¡¯s notes. No sleep, no reading, just the maddening noises of snoring refugees and the carriages.


    During the ride, the caravan is attacked a few times by low-level monsters, well low-level compared to the hunters. They get dispatched without any issues and we suffer no major injuries which means less threat to exposing me for being unable to heal.


    (Elly, couldn¡¯t you have reminded me to also change my hair color so I¡¯m not immediately recognizable as a silver elf?)


    She responds, (I don¡¯t know when I should¡¯ve done that. Before our little accident, I was convinced that you would be able to heal so it¡¯d be fine. Afterwards... people had already seen you so changing it would probably have made everything worse. Sorry, Jared.)


    I have to agree, (Right, makes sense.)


    A bit later, a fortress gets finally into view. I¡¯ve no words for how wide the whole thing looks, by my estimate about twice as big as my history teacher said the biggest one in our history was. But considering the constant threat of monsters and what all has to fit into it, it makes sense for it to be so massive.


    Thinking about it, (why are there even mostly unprotected settlements out there? Especially with the annual floods this makes little sense to me.)


    Elly guesses, (From your talk with the villagers I got the impression that they flee the villages each year during the flood and return when it is over.)


    (So commute on a big scale?)


    She agrees to my comparison, (Pretty much.)


    (I don''t feel like this is a good way of living. But it''s probably just a cultural thing.)


    There are a lot of soldiers standing at the entrance checking the caravan in front of us. They have only a quick look into the wagons and then wave them through.


    I [appraise] some of the soldiers, mostly 35-70 levels total each, but two in particular stand out to me.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Erwin</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">17</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Scout 3, Fighter 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dwarf 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1372/1550</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">624/624</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">418/1526</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">220+62</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">265+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">216+65</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">94</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">92</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">99</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">143</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Shortsword, Reinforced Leather, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sword Training 2, Disguise 4, Danger Sense 3, Hard Worker 2, Health Boost 2, Poison Resistance 2, Sleepless 4, Undead 4, Vampire Hierarchy 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Wind, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    A vampire?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Niles</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">21</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Warrior 4, Berserker 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Highlander 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1452/1873</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">280/280</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">523/1747</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">313+97</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">211</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">226+65</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">76</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">103</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">151</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">152</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Handaxe, Reinforced Leather, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Axe Training 7, Disguise 4, Hard Worker 3, Sleepless 4, Stamina Boost 3, Undead 4, Vampire Hierarchy 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Poison, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And another...


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    (Honestly, I wouldn¡¯t have expected there to be any vampires at all.)


    Elly notes, (They are clearly in disguise so that may not mean anything.)


    (Really now, they have 4(!) weaknesses each and I can use none of those. Somehow this whole thing seems stacked either against me or undead in general, haven¡¯t decided yet. Say can everyone [Appraise] the skill lists to such details? If so, my massive list of skills would just give everything away...)


    She boasts, (Luckily, no, that is a unique feature of yours truly.)


    (Can you tell me about their ''Sun Guard Rings''?)


    She refuses, (Not until you get your hand on one.)


    (Ok, another point for the to-do list.)


    They finally finish with the caravan in front of us.


    From what I can see, they have a longer talk with Evan who leads the whole evacuation. He¡¯s probably telling them about the ¡®outsider¡¯, me. Shit. Too late to run now...


    A few minutes later some of the soldiers come to check on my carriage, one of the vampires, Erwin, is among them.


    They just have a quick look around and then leave, ¡°All clear here¡±. No idea what they are looking for if they leave so quickly.


    I swear I could just see Erwin grin for a second. Creep.


    One of the soldiers waves our carriage finally through the gate. A different soldier leads the caravan to an open spot in the fortress and asks us to get out. I hope that it doesn¡¯t take too long, the sun is up and I¡¯ve only two hours with my cloak.


    ¡°Everyone present?¡±, he begins, ¡° You¡¯ll need to wait here a bit. The flood arriving this early has caught us as much by surprise as you so we¡¯ve not readied enough camps for you refugees yet. Food is still a problem as well.¡±, he frowns, ¡°Evan has informed me about the general make up of your group.¡±


    Ah, that is what they talked about for so long.


    He continues, ¡°As such, I¡¯d like to ask everyone to do their part as much as they are able to. Those able to fight will be asked to support our men, farmers to tend to the farms and so on. One of my men will fetch you soon and bring you to your temporary homes. Tomorrow someone will come to lead you to your new jobs. Food will be rationed until we¡¯ve figured out the situation, until then you¡¯ll only be served one portion a day around midday. Any questions?¡±


    Some of the other refugees murmur but no one speaks up.


    ¡°Good, may the god of refinement watch over us all¡±, with that he takes his leave.


    (What the fuck is a ¡®god of refinement¡¯?)


    (Could you please ask questions I can answer? Just once?), Elly sounds a bit down again.


    Seeing as our group was positioned right next to a few houses separated by a shady alley, I sneak off and take shelter from the sun there.


    While waiting I see on the other side of the road how a group of injured soldiers is transported, I assume to the local counterpart of a hospital ¨C seems like not all evacuations were as smooth as ours.


    Most of them are around the same level as the other soldiers but one stands out:


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Darius</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">unconscious</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">28</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fighter 18, Captain 17, Cleric 18, Commander 17, Paladin 20, Knight 16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Enlightened (Human) 17</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">452/6382</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">117/2617</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/6068</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">868+221</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">807</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1129+206</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">393</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">470</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">719+76</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">635</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Steel Sword, Full Plate, Great Helm, 2x Engraved Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sword Training 51, Mace Training 18, Shield Training 34, Armor Training 16


    Cure Magic 35 (Rank 3), Holy Magic 18 (Rank 2), Healing Hand 20


    Battle Order 17, Guard Order 17, March Order 17, Multi Order 17, Warding Aura 20


    Blessed Weapon 20, Eagle Eye 17, Luck Boost 17, Stamina Boost 35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...final boss spotted? What kind of monster got to him, I don¡¯t want to ever meet. Not that I¡¯d want him as an enemy either.


    Shit, if he counts as normal leadership I¡¯m in for a brutal game of hide and seek. Even if we became good friends, he might just accidentally kill me when he passes me a butter knife...


    I¡¯ve still no clue how to proceed from here. With the threat of the oncoming flood, I¡¯m pretty much stuck here. But just staying here won¡¯t make me stronger. It also still bothers me that the two vampires were so ¡®low level¡¯ compared to everyone else.


    But before I can make any headway with my thoughts another soldier approaches our group, ¡°Now where is... ah over there!¡±


    The eager figure rushes over to me.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jack</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">17</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fighter 12, Knight 8, Scout 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Halfling 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2135/2531</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">754/754</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1672/2572</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">321+150</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">408</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">336+128</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">85</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">85</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">218+28</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">236</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Iron Sword, Full Plate</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sword Training 20, Shield Training 12, Armor Training 8


    Danger Sense 3, Hard Worker (maybe) 11, Luck Boost 11, Tracking 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lightning</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    [Hard Worker (maybe)]? Great a slacker. Not sure what qualifies him as a ¡®halfling¡¯, he¡¯s about as tall as me.


    ¡°Hey, you, long-ear, you come with me¡±, greets me the false dwarf.


    ¡°What, not even a ¡®hello¡¯ first?¡±


    He shakes his head, ¡°No, sorry, I¡¯m already on boss man¡¯s shit list. And he¡¯s already buried in enough other tasks that want his attention. I¡¯d rather not let him wait longer than necessary.¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine.¡±


    Jack takes lead, I follow, ¡±where exactly are we going?¡±


    He tries to keep me calm, ¡°Oh, nothing to worry about. We just have to make sure all newcomers are ¡®clean¡¯; the leader of your group was checked with a truth gem and guaranteed for all the other villagers but he doesn¡¯t know you so we have to do some extra work.¡±


    I can¡¯t believe I¡¯ll get done in by paperwork ¨C again.


    ¡°I¡¯m Jack by the way¡±, he adds.


    ¡°Yeah, I know.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±, he is confused.


    ¡°What is there to ¡®huh¡¯ ¨C I used [Appraise]. Why wouldn¡¯t I when a suspicious person runs at full speed towards me.¡±


    He frowns, ¡°Come on, I¡¯m not suspicious... enough for a 300 MP spell, right? I mean most people can¡¯t even cast that spell in the first place, stupid 300 MAG requirement.¡±


    (Uh, Elly, explain. I do NOT have 300 MAG. Are you cheating again?)


    She admits, (I... might be.)


    sigh


    (Ok, note2self: do not disclose again that I can cast that spell.)


    As we walk around I can see several other groups of refugees.


    None of noteworthy strength but I notice a huge variety of races: humans, dwarfs, gnomes, elves, all of various flavors. Among the beast people, we have stuff like centaurs, a harpy and other half-animal hybrids, yes, including catgirls. Not sure if that counts but there was also what I would group under constructs: a human-shaped robot.


    Elly told me that there are still a few broader categories missing. They weren¡¯t kidding when they called Deteoh a fantasy kitchen sink.

 Ch. 10 – Gameover

    We finally arrive in front of what seems to be the office building of the military facility.


    ¡°We¡¯re here¡±, says Jack, ¡°now go in there and get your OKs. Well, my part is done, so see you later¡±, he runs off before I''ve even answered.


    (He totally forgot to wait until I¡¯m actually IN the building. I can still run off, you moron!)


    I enter the building and look around.


    I see a middle-aged woman at the desk mulling over some papers, she seems ready to rip someone¡¯s head off because they forgot to dot an i. At the other end of the room are two soldiers desperately looking for some documents in a couple of cabinets.


    ¡°Uh, excuse me, Jack told me you wanted to see an unaccounted-for silver elf. Here I am?¡±


    ¡°What? Oh, right ...did Jack run off already?¡±, if looks could kill we¡¯d have to hold a funeral for Jack now, ¡°that¡¯s typical of him. Do us all a favor and DON¡¯T mingle with him. The world can¡¯t handle two of that type. Now give me a minute I need to finish this.¡±


    She fills in a few more fields on a sheet in front of her then starts shouting ¡°Ok, done. CLARA!¡±


    One of the soldiers runs over.


    The secretary hands her a sheet of paper, ¡°Here¡¯s your corrected form, now off with you to the captain.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, haven¡¯t found your other document¡±, she counters.


    Therese responds, ¡°Well, that is not your problem anymore but thanks for trying. Before you leave, can you quickly fetch the last truth crystal from the supplies and bring it to me?¡±


    ¡°Sure¡±, answers Clara.


    The office lady addresses the remaining soldier, ¡°Ted, you can leave as well¡±, he salutes and leaves.


    (Life, there are more names than just ¡®Ted¡¯!)


    Elly strikes back, (You¡¯re just salty that ¡®Ted 1¡¯ died under your watch.)


    (...maybe...)


    Finally, she turns to me, ¡°Ok, follow me to the backroom, the needed equipment is there.¡±


    She grabs a couple of papers from a drawer and we go to the appointed room. Yeah, this totally looks like a stereotypical interrogation room.


    She sits down on one side of the table and points me towards the chair on this side, ¡°I¡¯m Therese and I¡¯ll be handling this case. Well, case is a bit much. I just have to ask you a couple of routine questions and verify the answers with the truth gem I asked Clara to fetch. I mostly need to make sure you¡¯re neither a criminal nor another kind of dangerous entity.¡±


    ¡°If there¡¯s any chance of me being dangerous why are you alone in here with me? Shouldn¡¯t you have some more people to take me down if needed?¡±


    She answers, ¡°Trust me, if there was someone I can¡¯t take on my own none of the available soldiers in this fortress would matter either. With the commander out of commission, I¡¯m the strongest fighter here right now.¡±


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Therese</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">don¡¯t ask if you value your life</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Brawler 20, Bruiser 19, Pugilist 18, Secretary 16, Monk 18</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Highlander 18</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4879/5005</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1066/1444</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2418/5920</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">822+120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">837</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">882+84</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">327</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">330</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">637</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">498</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Unarmed Fighting 57+3, Unarmored Defense 39+3


    Iron Fist 19+3, Stun Fist 20+3, Opportunity Attack 18+3, Reckless Attack 18+3 Vacuum Fist 18+3


    Enlightenment 18, Meditation 18+3


    Hard Worker 18+3, Stamina Boost 18+3, Tracking 18+3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Phew, and here I was afraid she was a dragon in disguise.


    Her MP just dropped by 300¡­ crap ...can I run now?


    She continues, ¡°And as I can see I vastly outlevel you, Jared. Wait level 1? And vampire as well¡­ urgh, more paperwork. Stupid regulations.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve no idea what you mean.¡±


    She sighs, ¡°Yeah, that is not really your fault but of the monster that turned you into what you are now.¡±


    I mean, I asked for it so it kinda IS my fault. But if I tell her that¡­ I don¡¯t want to imagine; she looks pissed enough as is.


    Therese frowns, ¡°To try and make a long story short there is a law that no ¡®innocent¡¯ is to be harmed. And ages ago one of the ¡®Lost Children¡¯ had the great idea to automate the enforcement of that particular law. Probably to limit the influence of some corrupt nobles. The intentions were good but the execution leaves a lot of things to be desired. Initially, it worked as intended, we could still get rid of monsters like you. But some time later around the time more and more skills started showing strange characters in their descriptions we found out the hard way that the condition was changed. Normal monsters are still excluded but the extra cases like vampires that build on top of a ¡®human¡¯ race are suddenly included in the ¡®innocent until proven otherwise¡¯ group. We lost hundreds in the confusion.¡±


    She tips her fingers on the desk, ¡°that¡¯s at least what the records from a few thousand years ago say.¡±


    (Lucky me. The glitches work for once in my favor.)


    ¡°What exactly is the punishment for ¡®harming an innocent¡¯?¡±


    She scoffs, ¡°Of course the death penalty. And since no one knows how to switch the automatic system off we¡¯re stuck with tolerating you. No sense wasting a well-trained soldier for a low-level monster.¡±


    ¡°Sorry. Can¡¯t help you there either.¡±


    Therese responds, ¡°Don¡¯t even try to build sympathy with me. I¡¯ve had enough of your kind. Playing nice while anyone looks but attacking our people in the zones where the rules don¡¯t apply.


    I¡¯m sick of it.


    Just in the last year out of now eight vampires five were bad eggs, cost us several strong men. Then there¡¯s you and the other two who aren¡¯t exactly trustworthy either. But until any of you three commits a proper transgression my hands are tied. Count yourself lucky - for now!! Stupid selective auto-magical rule enforcement.¡±


    I get where she is coming from, I¡¯d probably want to do the same in her situation.


    She seems to be lost in thought for a moment, ¡°Sorry, the current situation has been very stressful. You deserve as much a chance as all the other sapient people. Technically when people get turned into a vampire there will remain enough of the old personality, it is the new parts that are the problem.¡±


    ¡°What if I told you that I was completely still ¡®me¡¯?¡±


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    She shakes her head, ¡°No, that is impossible.¡±


    ¡°But what if it isn¡¯t impossible?¡±


    Therese gets serious, ¡°Listen. I appreciate that you try to cling to your humanity. But you have to face reality ¨C you are NOT who you were before.¡±


    I disagree. But¡­


    Elly offers me an out, (You COULD convince her if you revealed that you are a ¡®Lost One¡¯, think about it.)


    (I¡­ don¡¯t trust her enough for that. Neither can I trust what Jeff said on the matter. He was way too confident despite the supposed lack of information. Too risky.)


    Therese continues, ¡°Well, you¡¯re in luck, this time I can check in advance via truth gem. All the last cases smuggled themselves in via other people that made the mistake to trust them. We can quickly check if you are as innocent as you pretend to be.¡±


    (...not after the stunt with Ted¡¯s group¡­)


    Elly urges me, (You can still -)


    I cut her off, (NO!)


    She think-backtalks, (I think you are too stubborn about this...)


    ¡°And I guess you don¡¯t have the manpower to check every single refugee or immigrant.¡±


    Therese says, ¡°Not even close. We don¡¯t have many people that are good enough with [Appraise] and are not desperately needed elsewhere. Even if we had people for it the gem has limited charges left.¡±


    We¡¯ve nothing more to say to each other so we just wait in silence.


    We wait and then wait some more.


    Clara finally enters the room and brings the gem. It is a clear-colored thumb-sized diamond.


    Therese takes the gem, ¡°Thank you. Now we can finally begin. You can leave, Clara. And please remind your boss that he still owes me a coffee.¡±


    And just as quickly Clara leaves again after bidding her farewell.


    Therese takes a deep breath and starts explaining, ¡°Ok so, this crystal will shine green when you tell the truth, red when it detects a lie or grey when it can¡¯t determine anything ¨C it is not able to make predictions about the future or make judgment calls about someone not present. Be careful what you answer, if anything points to you being a risk I¡¯m allowed to end you¡±, she grins maliciously.


    ¡°Ok, understood¡± ¨C the gem shines green.


    She begins her interrogation, ¡°Do you intend to kill any of the people of this fortress?¡±


    That¡¯s an easy one, ¡°Only if I have to, such as in self-defense¡± ¨C green.


    She checks the gem, ¡°Ok, acceptable answer, next. Would you tell me how long you¡¯ve been a vampire?¡±


    ¡°About three days¡± ¨C still green.


    I see Therese moving her fingers as if she were doing some simple math.


    ¡°Just three days ago¡±, she mumbles, ¡° so the ¡®Vampire Noble¡¯ that turned you could still be around. Do you recall anything about them?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, sorry.¡± - the gem turns grey, why?


    ¡°Uh, that¡¯s unexpected¡±, she''s as confused as I am.


    (So if the question works on the wrong premise the gem can¡¯t verify the answer), I tell Elly.


    ¡°The first thing I remember as a vampire is waking up in a forest a short distance from the village of the people I came with, never learned the name¡± ¨C gem turns green again.


    ¡°...I can work with that, I think", Therese thinks for a moment, "Ok, so we have a potentially powerful ¡®Vampire Noble¡¯ in the area and no lead. This day is getting even better.¡±


    I never mentioned a ¡®Vampire Noble¡¯ but as long as I tell no one where I really came from that is a sufficient cover story.


    She continues, ¡°I don¡¯t get it, why do these monsters continue to turn people into vampires if they inevitably lose control and let them run away¡­¡±


    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s the plan? Sow distrust since ¡®anyone¡¯ could be a vampire, doesn''t matter if good or bad, maybe have them whittle down more competent soldiers with sneak attacks and so over time destabilize the fortress until they can take it over? At a minimum they got you to waste a lot of time and resources on us ¡®small fries¡¯¡­¡±, I hate finding myself at the bottom of the power hierarchy but that is where I currently am...


    She frowns, ¡°A good a guess as any. But such guesses don¡¯t help us to locate the one responsible.¡±


    ¡°Even if you had the location what can you do with the incoming monster flood? I doubt that you have the time or manpower to take care of them until then.¡±


    ¡°I guess¡­¡±, she clearly doesn¡¯t like being told she¡¯s got no choice.


    She seems to think hard about something.


    While she is distracted this might be a good opportunity to perform some intel gathering of my own, ¡°Hmm¡­. two plus two is five¡± ¨C red.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±, Therese questions my sanity.


    ¡°I wanted to make sure this thing works. Ok, next: I¡¯ll regain my memory¡±, red again, ¡°Shit.¡±


    Ok, there¡¯s no point in asking if Jeff told the truth, what else can I verify...


    Therese explains, ¡°No, that is¡­ normal. Getting turned into a vampire does many things to you; it warps your personality, destroys a part of your memory and, well, the whole becoming a monster part¡± The gem shows green.


    (So the devas lied to me? About what else?)


    (I... don''t know...), Elly is distraught.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t need to hear that. Not that I¡¯ll never remember anything about the before, my family, anything...¡±


    Therese sounds apologetic, ¡°Sorry.¡±


    ¡°You know a bit about vampires, do you know if I can regain the ability to cast [Cure Magic]? I tried when some acquaintances needed it the most¡­ and now they are dead.¡±


    She responds, ¡°No, this is not possible.¡±


    ¡°Shit. All for nothing¡±, what a letdown. There goes half the reason I chose this race.


    ¡°Last one: I¡¯m still myself.¡± -green.


    At least one positive thing.


    Wait... shit, that tells me nothing. Does it go by memory, spirit, soul, or personality? Too much philosophy...


    Therese has to process what she just saw, ¡°Sorry, but I have to ask: have you killed anyone?¡±


    I have to think for a moment. Start with ¡®yes¡¯ and I¡¯m probably dead before I can explain...


    ¡°...they were bleeding to death anyway. I tried to heal them but couldn¡¯t. One thing lead to another¡­ then I ended them. At least partially to spare them even longer pain.¡±


    The gem stays green.


    She sighs, ¡°you put me in a tough situation. Normally I should¡¯ve killed you on the spot for admitting to murder ...but you said you tried to help them and the gem didn¡¯t turn red, so I have to give you this one chance. DON¡¯T! MAKE ME! REGRET THIS!¡±


    She¡¯s visibly struggling with this prospect.


    ¡°Ok, now what?¡±


    She hesitates, ¡°I can¡¯t afford to have a vampire run around unsupervised even if everything points to you not being a threat. As such, I¡¯ll have you join the military here. This is not up for debate.¡±


    ¡°I guess this is the best way to get a bit stronger.¡±


    Therese frowns, ¡°...I fear that is unavoidable. Well, you¡¯re so far behind that I don¡¯t have to be afraid you¡¯ll become a credible threat to the whole fortress at least.¡±


    ¡°I guess.¡±


    She tells me, ¡°Your class is wizard, we don¡¯t have a trainer for that, or any magic class really. But regulations require that I put you under someone that can train you. Great, not only do we get a potential security risk but also need to waste a ¡®Class Core¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Jeez, drop it already. You don¡¯t have to mention every 5 seconds that you hate me.¡±


    She answers sincerely, ¡°...sorry.¡±


    She takes a moment to think, ¡°Given your low stats we¡¯re also restricted on which class you can take. Ok, we¡¯ll figure that out later. Jack, the guy that should have brought you in, will fetch you tomorrow, you¡¯ll accompany him for the day. Either late tomorrow or early the day after we¡¯ll talk again about who you¡¯ll train under. I think most we can do is either Brawler, Fighter, Hunter, Ranger, Scout, Survivor or Warrior.¡±


    She pauses for a moment.


    ¡°You know what¡±, she continues agitated, ¡°until our next talk YOU figure out which of these you can even take with your low stats. Make sure you set in the classes tab that you¡¯ll be trained, that would reduce the stat requirement by a large amount. Brawler, Fighter, Hunter, Ranger, Scout, Survivor or Warrior. Got it?¡±


    ¡°Uh, yes. Say, how come we¡¯re limited to those options?¡±


    She sounds agitated, ¡°To train someone in a given class you need at least level 15 in it yourself. Not everyone is as lucky as you to be born a mage. God, how much did getting turned ruin your mind...¡±


    I ignore the insult, ¡°Maybe, but it can¡¯t be that rare. Like half the options I¡¯ve seen in the class tab look magic related to me.¡±


    Therese explains, ¡°That¡¯s not how it works. We¡¯re talking closer to 1 in 500,000 to get any of the magic classes at birth here.¡±


    So far I¡¯ve not seen anything that would suggest a reason why this world is ¡®balanced¡¯ in such a way ¨C balance by rarity is like the most braindead design method ever; and not in an acceptable way.


    ¡°Would it help if I trained some people in my class when I get to that level?¡±


    She agrees, ¡°That¡­ would actually be appreciated. Though we¡¯d have to see how many could even take that class then. The stat requirements will be steep. We¡¯ll get to that when we get to it.¡±


    She adds some notes to the documents in front of her. I take the lull to check the possible classes.


    (Elly, do I see that right that I could take none of them?)


    My mind-guest answers, (I¡¯m afraid so. Most people your age should be at least level 10 which would bridge the stat gap.)


    ¡°So, uh, ¡®good¡¯ news, I qualify for none of the classes.¡±


    The truth gem lets out a final flash of green and then shatters.


    She looks up, and moves her hand to her forehead, ¡°Perfect... There goes the last one...


    How many more levels would you need to qualify for any of that?¡±


    ¡°Eh, how should I know that?¡±


    Her mood is clearly getting worse, ¡°No, I was just thinking. I guess Survivor is the one you¡¯ll unlock soonest, out of the options it has the lowest SP, STR and DEX, stats wizards aren¡¯t exactly known for. So the requirements should be more up your alley.¡±


    ¡°And if I don¡¯t want that class?¡±


    She frowns, ¡°Don¡¯t test my patience on this. If you don¡¯t want it, go outside the gate and hug some wolves until you¡¯re not my problem anymore.¡±


    What a hag¡­ who does she think she is to decide over people¡¯s lives like that...


    She continues talking to herself, ¡°I¡¯ll need one of them to get you up to par, organize one ¡®class core¡¯, file a ton of paperwork¡­ yeah, we¡¯ll do it like that.¡±


    She finally snaps back and talks with me again, ¡°As you¡¯re a vampire you don¡¯t need a bed to sleep right, so just stay in this room until morning. Someone will get you then and tell you how we''ll proceed.¡±


    She gets up and storms out of the room before I can say anything.


    ¡°Hey, wait!¡±


    slam


    She has already closed the door.


    (Hey, Elly, remind me to make her pay sometime in the future.)


    She answers, (I would have even if you didn¡¯t ask.)


    (What is with these people and always running away before the discussion is officially finished...)


    I try to open the door but it doesn¡¯t budge.


    (First day in this fortress and already robbed of any freedom I might have had...)


    (You really should¡¯ve just shown her your ¡®Lost One¡¯ title), reminds me Elly.


    I frown, (Should¡¯ve, didn¡¯t, too late now. FML)

 Ch. 11 – Manfred

    Luckily, the interrogation room has no windows, so no sunburns for me. But then, I¡¯d like to at least see a bit more from the whole fortress.


    All I have to work with is an empty table, two chairs and a door. I don¡¯t have much experience with point-and-click games but this looks like a softlock to me.


    Elly switches on some appropriate background music.


    (Thank you, Elly.)


    I think back to what I¡¯ve seen so far in the fortress, (It is kinda weird how I saw no ranged attackers earlier if they are preparing for effectively a siege, no archers, no mages, no pots with boiling oil or anything, nothing.)


    Elly responds, (You have to ask that someone else who knows the situation here better, or at all. Might even earn you some brownie points if that is revolutionary tech.)


    (As if no one ever thought of just throwing stones from the top of the walls in thousands of years. That is as unlikely as the shitty soap clich¨¦ ¨C all the parts are there but only the dumbass protagonist can smash them together, put them in a pot and stir once for a result.)


    Against my better judgment I check the status screen for a crafting tab - and find it, (...oh hey, there are even craft recipes for all of the clich¨¦ isekai ''revolutionary'' items already. So that is at least off the table.)


    Elly asks, (But then why no arrows or rocks?)


    I sigh, (Don¡¯t tell me gravity is on vacation...)


    I pick one of the coins I looted from the tutorial party and throw it at the wall. It drops as expected.


    I can just scratch my head in confusion, (So that¡¯s not the problem.)


    Another thought crosses my mind, (Say, if I can¡¯t bust the door open with my non-existent STR what prevents a big ass rock from an earth spell from achieving that instead?)


    (You certainly can try that but I¡¯d recommend not to), she advises against it.


    (Because then I¡¯d have an army on my ass that are afraid of a rampaging vampire?)


    (Because then you¡¯d have an army on your ass afraid of a rampaging vampire), she echoes.


    Yeah, I have to stay here alone for now.


    (At least you have me to keep you company?), Elly reads my mind.


    (Oh yes, sure, my schizophrenia will keep me from being lonely.)


    She defends herself, (No, no, I¡¯m real, I swear! Even god approved!)


    (Good, then give me a hug.)


    (I... can¡¯t do that), Elly sounds down.


    (Waifu case closed.)


    I check the menu for any interesting tabs. The ones with glitched names can¡¯t be opened, admin still wants a password I don¡¯t have and... (I take the fact that there ISN¡¯T a pay-to-win cash shop as proof that this is real life and not just fantasy a gaming session under drug influence.)


    She asks, (What does this revelation change?)


    (Not much. Besides driving home the fact that I died and don¡¯t even know how or why.)


    I feel tears rolling down my cheeks.


    So far it hadn¡¯t set in. It could still have been a dream. But this is real. I¡¯m a monster now, got some children killed. Drank their blood and was happy about how good it tasted. What a messed-up rollercoaster. And there¡¯s no happy end in sight for anyone.


    Especially not if I fail my job.


    (Thinking too much again?), Elly shakes me out of my thoughts.


    (Yep, guilty as charged.)


    She asks, (As a distraction, how about looking through the available titles and choosing one?)


    (I don¡¯t feel like I¡¯m up for such a heavy decision right now. Got something more lightweight?)


    She responds, (I feel like the ¡®Help¡¯ section would be too much as well then. How about checking out some of Gzeph¡¯s notes? Maybe they have some hints in there that¡¯ll make you feel better about whatever ails you right now.)


    (I doubt it. But give it a shot.)


    Elly adds, (I¡¯d suggest we start with the files regarding which classes and titles he thinks you should take.)


    I follow Elly¡¯s advice and look for the entry marked ¡®Ideal Class Build¡¯.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">File corrupted.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Of course, it is, (Why am I surprised...)


    (Uh, sorry?), she sounds sincerely apologetic.


    (I think I just want to spend the rest of the night verifying what we guessed about classes, races, mechanics and such. Not in the mood for even more disappointments.)


    Elly points out several relevant notes from Jeff. From what we understand we weren¡¯t wrong so far but didn¡¯t learn anything new that seems relevant.


    I learn that aside from the shapes I can add status effects to my spells by wasting another 30 MP. Bah, status effects. They never work when you need them anyway!


    The biggest revelation is how much [Cure Magic] actually sucks. Undead can¡¯t use it, ever; already found that out the hard way... Additionally, there seems to be no AOE healing and on a MP for MP basis, attack spells deal about 10(!) times as much damage as a cure can heal. Well, if the target has no magic defense. But then damage spells can roughly double that by hitting a weakness or critical spot.


    In some other document, Gzeph tries to argue that defense is near worthless but considering it does still something and I don¡¯t get a second chance if my HP hits 0 I¡¯ll still take all the def I can get, thank you very much, four-eyes!


    By morning, I check my exp. The 2 days of travel and the night of ¡®research¡¯ were worth a massive 62 exp, bringing me to a total of 83 exp. Heck yeah! I¡¯m almost ready to take on the final boss.


    knock knock


    ¡°You know I couldn¡¯t open the door if I wanted to - and I don¡¯t.¡±


    Unhandsome Jack opens the door, ¡°Hey, uh, I hope you don¡¯t bite?¡±


    ¡°Only if you want me to, though given the choice I¡¯d prefer a cute girl.¡±


    ¡°Funny. Here, Therese told me to give this to you¡±, he gives me a medium-sized bag.


    Inside is a blue-silver uniform, (how the hell did they get my size?)


    (For what? Clothing can be size and color adjusted in the inventory), explains Elly.


    (It can what!? You want to tell me I could¡¯ve changed the ugly green of my ¡®Sun Clock¡¯ all this time?)


    She answers, (Uh, yes? Sorry, I didn¡¯t think it was important.)


    (Elly, whatever do I have to do to you...)


    I adjust the shade of green on my cloak to look less like vomit.


    The system identifies the uniform as a robe.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Robe</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">+35 VIT, +20 MAG, +10 WIL</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Doesn¡¯t look worse than what I had and has better stats than my ¡®Tunic¡¯, deal.


    ¡°Too bad the robe doesn¡¯t come with a wizard hat.¡±


    Our resident slacker responds, ¡°Those are freaking rare ¨C if you want a shot at getting one you¡¯d need to reach the top ranks in the main branch in the capital or something. No one knows how to produce those relics anymore.¡±


    ¡°But they had such a powerful robe just lying around?¡±


    He explains, ¡°I think we had two or three of those, and besides you, there are no magic users around. The best we can do currently is just plain armor, nothing fancier than pure defense and then only low-quality stuff.¡±


    Besides the uniform, the bag also contains a rock, a tag and a ring.


    The rock is supposedly a ¡®Class Core¡¯; it is a blue, smooth rock with several orange squiggly lines on it. I can¡¯t use it currently so into the inventory it goes.


    ¡°What¡¯s with this lump of metal?¡±, I ask Jack pointing at the dog tag lookalike.


    He answers, ¡°That¡¯s your ID. You should wear it at all times. Yours is a bit special, it contains a beacon that can be located with a special magic device, it is a... special measure in case you betray my expectation.¡±


    ¡°I hate being observed; what expectation do you even have of me?¡±


    ¡°Eh, I think I¡¯ve got a talent in judging people¡¯s character at first glance and you don¡¯t seem to me like you¡¯ll cause too much trouble, at least not more than me...¡±, Jack twiddles his thumbs.


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°And the beacon is not actively tracked. The guys in the central have a crystal ball or something that can be used to get the current location but it only gives rough coordinates of where this thing is right at that moment. And... the resources on that are as limited as the truth crystal ¨C by the way, Therese is really pissed, she says you pulled some stunt yesterday that completely depleted the gem. If you value your hide you better don¡¯t get in her way for the near future.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t plan to.¡±


    As for the ring, jackpot!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Sun Guard Ring</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">Blocks up to 100.000 damage from sunlight exposure; recovers over 24h. Can negate at most 30 damage per second.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I ¡®equip¡¯ it in my second ring slot.


    (Hey, exactly what I needed.)


    Elly explains, (Well, it gives you about an hour and it will only work for the next few levels, after that you¡¯ll again take damage even during that hour.)


    (Any way to properly hide it? Don¡¯t want to expose such an obvious weak spot during the day.)


    She answers, (Same way you changed the cloak''s color, you can set it to ¡®not visible¡¯ ¨C though that option doesn¡¯t exist for weapons and body armors for logical reasons.)


    I change the cloak more to a blueish-grey color so it doesn¡¯t clash as badly with the blue-silver uniform it is attached to.


    I point at the ring, ¡°If Therese wanted to propose to me I would totally accept, but I¡¯d prefer if she did it in person.¡±


    Jack is exasperated, ¡°Dude, what did I just say, she¡¯ll kill you if she hears you say that.¡±


    ¡°I know, I was just joking. She isn¡¯t my type at all.¡±


    While Jack isn¡¯t looking I set both rings to hidden.


    ¡°So what¡¯s the plan now? I understood that I should get trained in the Survivor class and last I checked you don¡¯t have that.¡±


    He tells me, ¡°Yeah, all of them are stuck helping with the other refugees. I¡¯m just here to have an eye on you and maybe show you around a bit.¡±


    ¡°As long as you don¡¯t drag me too long through the sun. I¡¯d kinda like to keep the ''un'' to my ''dead'' for the foreseeable future.¡±


    He scratches his head, ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m... aware of that restriction.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of who else all knows what I am?¡±


    He shrugs, ¡°Probably not many. Therese likes to keep such topics on a need-to-know basis. People... don¡¯t take too well to the presence of you undead.¡±


    I totally understand that, ¡°Can¡¯t fault them, I¡¯d feel the same."


    A thought crosses my mind, shouldn''t I adjust my appearance? "Say, I have the [Disguise] skill, is there any reason against me changing my hair color at this point? It is basically common knowledge that we Silver Elves natively get [Cure Magic] and... well, I can¡¯t use it for ¨C now ¨C obvious reasons. Don¡¯t need a repeat of... that incident.¡±


    Jack has to think for a moment, ¡°I¡¯d say don¡¯t do that. Everyone who is informed about you would be looking for a Silver Elf, if I suddenly present them a ¡®Sun Elf¡¯ or something they¡¯d probably be pissed. Trust me, most of them don¡¯t have much tolerance for such a stunt. Also, you¡¯d need to be able to imitate the natural skills of whatever race you choose as a facade; you¡¯d just trade one problem for another.¡±


    ¡°I guess that makes sense.¡±


    He adds, ¡°And really, at least civilians won¡¯t randomly ask for your help. This uniform tells them that you belong to the military here and as such your skills ¡®belong¡¯ to whoever is your acting superior, meaning from tomorrow on the guy that¡¯ll train you in ¡®Survivor¡¯. Now enough talking, let''s get going. And... if I should forget about your time limit feel free to kick me.¡±


    I nod, ¡°Gotcha.¡±


    Jack guides me through half the building to what looks like the living quarters.


    We halt in front of a door.


    Jack searches through his pockets, ¡°Ah, here you go, the keys to your new home for the near future.¡±


    He opens the door and hands me the key, ¡°Lucky you, mages are valuable, so you get a private room.¡±


    I look inside. There¡¯s a single bed, a wardrobe, a desk with some drawers and two chairs. The sole window is covered by thick, grey curtains. It seems like they suffice to protect me against the sun while I¡¯m in the room.


    Afterwards, Jack also shows me where various facilities like the kitchen and toilets are; besides pretending to be ¡®normal¡¯, I have no use for any of them.


    He shows me where the training grounds are. It is an open space with some training dummies.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dummy 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???/1000</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">200</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">200</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Training Dummy</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Do I... talk at it until it screams ''dummy, dummy, dummy!''?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Training Dummy


    Passive


    Training equipment.


    Can''t act. HP cannot change.


    Immune to status effects.


    Unlikely to come alive.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Jack explains that while they are indestructible hitting them still grants some experience though less than even a Lv1 monster.


    He leaves me alone for a moment to answer nature¡¯s call.


    I take a few swings with my staff.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 69 damage to Training Dummy.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Nice.


    My whole SP pool... translates into 1 exp... ONE!!


    At least I know now that defense is no linear subtraction, yay?


    I try my spells.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 418 damage to Training Dummy.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Eh, 2 short of a keeper.


    My whole MP pool gives me 3 exp. ALMOST worth it. Not even a whole year until Level 2!!


    Shit.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±, Jack scolds me.


    ¡°Trying to get some exp ¨C but a whole day¡¯s worth of MP and SP doesn¡¯t even give me as much as an hour of learning.¡±


    He stops me, ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re doing that wrong. Doesn¡¯t matter today. Tomorrow your new trainer will show you how to train properly.¡±


    (We clearly don¡¯t know enough. I doubt there was anything in Jeff¡¯s files?)


    The voice in my head denies this possibility, (No, nothing as far as I¡¯ve seen.)


    (Figures. Still waiting for any of them to be worth something.)


    After this waste of resources, we leave the military grounds and head to town.


    Jack just gives me a rough tour, mostly where I find shops.


    He can¡¯t answer my question if there is a library, or rather he knows that there should be one somewhere but not where or if it still exists; he can¡¯t read so it was never of importance to him.


    We end the tour in front of a giant mansion.


    If there ever was a building that screamed ¡®corrupt noble¡¯s private manor¡¯ this was it.


    Jack stammers, ¡°This is both the most, quote-unquote, ¡®important¡¯ and at the same time most useless building in this fortress. It is called a ¡®Lord¡¯s Mansion¡¯.¡±


    I feel conflicted. On one hand, nobles tended to be the cause of way too many conflicts in history. On the other... I have the ¡®Vampire Noble¡¯ subrace, so am I not a noble myself?


    Jack continues, ¡°It is currently unclaimed, has been since way before I was born.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by unclaimed? If no one lives there can¡¯t you repurpose it for something else?¡±


    ¡°Ah, right, the memory thing. How to explain it...¡±, he thinks for a moment, ¡°the building is really important, we can¡¯t just do things with it. If we did this whole fortress would just go up in smoke, literally.¡±


    Wait, what? ¡°I¡¯m not sure I understand.¡±


    Jack tries to explain, ¡°The ¡®Lord¡¯s Mansion¡¯ is like the heart of a fortress or other settlement. Rip out my heart and I die, same for a fortress and its main manor.¡±


    ¡°That is... a disturbing picture. So why is it still abandoned if it is so important?¡±


    He elaborates, ¡°The house has a mind of its own. It doesn¡¯t just accept anyone. Each manor has its own requirement and since they are buildings they don¡¯t exactly talk our language. So we can¡¯t figure out what flavor of rules this house wants. And any noble that tried so far was rejected.¡±


    ¡°What kind of requirement could it even be?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know¡±, Jack looks kinda dejected.


    ¡°As I keep telling you¡±, a strange voice booms, ¡°I just want three things: a noble, able to cast spells from six types and a good beer.¡±


    ¡°Did... did the house just speak?¡±, I ask confused.


    Jack responds, ¡°Yes, it does that but no one understands what it says.¡±


    The, uh, house sounds upset, ¡°What is there not to understand? I don¡¯t even use big words!¡±


    ¡°I guess someone is upset¡±, I tell both of them.


    ¡°Of course I am¡±, Jack responds, ¡°you don¡¯t yet understand how important for the future of the fortress it is that we find a compatible noble¡±, he wanders off, AGAIN forgetting about me.


    ¡°Hey, wait! ... eh, too late.¡±


    I turn to the house confused, ¡°Did I hear you right earlier? You want a beer?¡±


    The voice from nowhere answers, ¡°Of course! Do you have any idea how dry I am? Hadn¡¯t anything to drink for centuries!¡±


    ¡°Understandable, so a beer, will add it to my list.¡±


    I still don¡¯t understand ¡®how¡¯ the house talks. No part moves. Probably a form of sound magic. Whatever.


    Some onlookers are puzzled as to what is going on. I hear them mumbling that I¡¯d be speaking a strange language. Wait, I am what? I hadn¡¯t noticed. Eh, the why or how can wait.


    It wanted someone able to cast six ''types''. Do my four elements plus the defective cure count for five and I just need one more?


    ...I don¡¯t like where this is going. I don¡¯t want to be responsible for government shit.


    But... asking can¡¯t hurt, right? I''m not a cat, curiosity! So you can''t kill me! Ha!


    ¡°You said six types of magic, does my [Cure Magic] count towards that even if I can¡¯t use it because I¡¯m undead?¡±


    ¡°Hmm... ¡±, it has to think.


    This whole scene is too bizarre. I¡¯m talking with a freaking house and arguing about magical details.


    Finally, it answers, ¡°I¡¯d be fine with it if the beer is good enough.¡±


    sigh


    I must be insane. That is the only sane explanation for what is happening right now.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me asking what exactly is the purpose of you ¡®accepting¡¯ someone as a ruler, what does that entail?¡±


    The house explains, ¡°I don¡¯t mind. It has been ages since I had a chance to properly talk with someone. I¡¯m not entirely sure what the consequences are for me being ¡®unclaimed¡¯, I can¡¯t really see much with the state my fortress is in. You¡¯d be better off asking some of the humans if you want to know what is missing currently. But once I accept someone as a new ruler and ¡®awaken¡¯ once more my fortress can flourish again. My walls can expand, houses will be able to grow again, new ones may spring into existence ¨C it has been some time since I went to sleep. I¡¯m a bit... fuzzy on the details. I just recall the previous rulers feeding me a lot of gold and me becoming stronger from it, greater, more majestic. Oh, how I yearn for those days. Now I¡¯m just a shriveled-up puny pile of rocks.¡±


    (I get some HoMM3 vibes here, you, Elly?)


    She answers, (That is certainly a possibility for what it means. We have the RPG elements down, so some form of malformed city builder isn¡¯t out of the picture.)


    (I swear this whole world is getting too game-like for my taste. What¡¯s next? Stupid low-effort mini-game and then fade-to-black instead of normal relationship stuff?)


    By my understanding, it is important that this fortress gets a new lord, ¡°You seem dissatisfied with your current state, so why are you so picky then? I don¡¯t see how being able to cast a few spells relates to someone¡¯s ability to be a good ruler.¡±


    ¡°Pride", it states bluntly, "I¡¯ve always chosen that way and never once was it a bad pick.¡±


    "You know what, I can get behind that."


    We talk some more but mostly small talk, I learn little of value.


    After some time, Elly reminds me, (Hey, uh, we should leave soon. The ¡®Sun Cloak¡¯ is almost depleted.)


    ¡°Ah, sorry. Thanks to my... state I can¡¯t really stay outside too long. We¡¯ll have to continue another time.¡±


    The mansion replies, ¡°I understand. No worry, I¡¯ve plenty of time. It¡¯s not like I can run away if I wanted to.¡±


    Jack never gave me a heads-up about where else I should go or what I should do if we get separated so I take my leave and return to my room.


    (Hey, Elly, any idea why I could understand that house? There¡¯s no ¡®speak all languages even made up ones¡¯ skill in any of my classes.)


    She answers, (I¡¯m not sure. One option I can think of is a side effect of the ¡®Lost One¡¯ title. It lets you speak the three most popular languages fluently. I would have guessed that you just get the local equivalents of Chinese, English and Spanish. But if there are only one or two ¡®human¡¯ languages it might be possible that ¡®house speak¡¯ is in the top 3.)


    (That sounds sufficiently absurd. So this must be the right answer! God this day.)


    ...


    Dear diary, today I befriended a mansion.


    I think I need two beers.

 Ch. 12 – Flood of Training

    knock knock


    ¡°It is open¡±, I yell.


    A nondescript soldier enters the room, ¡°Comrade Jared? Jack lost contact with you earlier.¡±


    I still need to get used to that name...


    ¡°Yeah, he ran away without saying anything. Didn¡¯t know where he¡¯d gone to. And my time limit was almost up¡±, I say pointing at the ¡®Sun Guard Ring¡¯, ¡°so I had no choice but to return here. At the entrance, no one knew what to do with me so they told me to go to my room until further notice.¡±


    The soldier stands there for a moment, seemingly confused at what I meant by that. Doesn¡¯t seem like he knew about my case, so just a messenger.


    ¡°Understood, typical Jack again¡±, he facepalms, ¡°I¡¯ll pass that along.¡±


    ¡°Did they say anything about what I should wait for?¡±


    He answers, ¡°Nothing for today. But I was told that most likely captain Chloe will take care of you starting tomorrow. You should be on the training grounds at 800 then, someone will be there.¡±


    ¡°Is she someone important I should know about?¡±


    The soldier replies, ¡°She¡¯ll be your acting superior, that should be important enough for you.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    With that, the soldier leaves my room.


    With nothing better to do, MP and SP depleted and physically unable to sleep I turn to Elly, (So I have the whole evening and night to earn exp, the best way seems to be trying to ¡®learn¡¯ in some way?)


    Elly agrees, (I think so too. I¡¯d suggest starting going over the titles first.)


    (Again with the titles), I sigh, (at the moment I¡¯m more interested in those mansion things. Truth be told I don¡¯t really want to take such a responsibility on myself but from what our new friend told me I¡¯m just one small requirement away from qualifying. So before I check out your titles and accidentally make a choice that snowballs into a takeover I¡¯d like to at least understand what I¡¯m getting into. Eva may have said that ¡®fate¡¯ isn¡¯t real but this whole thing is too many coincidences for my taste.)


    She thinks for a moment, (What if they chose this starting location in hopes you¡¯d take the government seat eventually?)


    (Wouldn¡¯t make sense. Jeff emphasized too much that they have very little information, so they shouldn¡¯t be able to make such a choice. Unless that part was also a lie. At least the part about being able to regain my memory was wrong according to the truth gem.)


    She tries to make excuses for the devas, (What if it was true until you became undead?)


    (Then he should¡¯ve told me. He tried a lot to make that option unappealing to me. Though, now that I think about it, he never offered me a better alternative.)


    Elly puts on some calm instrumental music and I dig through Jeff¡¯s notes searching for info on ¡®Lord¡¯s Mansions¡¯.


    TL;DR: he knows nothing that helps me in any way.


    There are volumes upon volumes of assumptions about how they work on a technical/magical/biotechnical level. But most of this makes little sense to me. Not even a hint of what the practical features are.


    I get a headache from this.


    Did that madman really write a whole library of notes on a topic under the assumption that whoever has to read them is from a world that even has such niche knowledge?


    Shit, he makes plans upon plans for centuries and never even considers that he has to introduce someone from a world that isn¡¯t sufficiently advanced. To me, all of that is just technobabble, ¡®Sine Half-Wave Interference Theory¡¯ my ass.


    I should¡¯ve just taken the eternal office job, the pain would¡¯ve ended sooner...


    (Yeah, all of that crap is useless to me. Not a hint of what I''d be getting into with the whole ''Lord''s Mansion'' business. At least none I understand... Now what?)


    Elly answers, (I assume your tutor will know a bit about this, so interrogate her later?)


    (I meant besides that, Elly.)


    She replies, (How about you marvel that you spent eleven hours on this fruitless endeavor and gained only 27 exp for the headache? Total is 114 exp by the way.)


    (I ... WHAT?)


    I cautiously gaze behind the window curtain. Yep, it is already morning.


    I make my way over to the training area and hide in the hallway. The clock over the door says it is 20 minutes before the meeting time.


    There¡¯s some commotion going on outside, maybe I should check that later.


    A few minutes later I¡¯m greeted by a voice, ¡°There you are, you fake.¡±


    If it wasn¡¯t for [Appraise], I wouldn¡¯t really be able to tell this armored person apart from any other. The face is well covered. The armor doesn¡¯t live up to the fantasy bikini armor trope either, it is proper armor.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Chloe</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sentinel 14, Survivor 18, Captain 13, Scout 12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Changeling 17</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3377/3377</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">715/1615</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1658/1658 [3658]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">546+133</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">558+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">601+95</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">311</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">298</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">413+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">384</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Reinforced Spear, Half Plate, Iron Helm</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Armor Training 14, Spear Training 18


    Create Food&Water 18


    Opportunity Attack 14


    Battle Order 13, Guard Order 13


    Disguise 17, Low Profile 17


    Danger Sense 12, Dexterity Boost 12, Tracking 17, Trap Lore 18</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Fake? You¡¯re one to talk.¡±


    She¡¯s taken aback, probably didn¡¯t expect me to figure out she¡¯s a shapechanger, ¡°D-don¡¯t you dare tell anyone about that! And stop wasting precious mana on peeking at a lady. That¡¯s rude!¡±


    What? Does that mean she uses the skill only to remedy a few imperfections? Eh, not my problem.


    She sets her helm to hidden, revealing a normal human head, with brown hair and eyes. Probably not worth remembering if we''re talking about a shapechanger.


    ¡°So you¡¯re Chloe?¡±


    She responds, ¡°You¡¯ll address me as ¡®captain¡¯ Chloe.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll think about it, C.C.¡±


    She scoffs, ¡°So as luck would have it because I¡¯m dealing with YOUR kind we get to use the sole indoor training room, that one is nicer than the outside areas. So follow me, the rest of the group is waiting there.¡±


    We start walking.


    ¡°Uh, ¡¯Group¡¯ doesn¡¯t sound too big, how many are we talking about?¡±


    Chloe answers, ¡°Just five more. Beginner groups are kept small because of the party size limit, which makes it easier to organize dungeon dives. You should¡¯ve gotten a Class Core with the uniform because of your... circumstances, did you already use it?¡±


    ¡°No, still have it. My stats are too low to take the ¡®Survivor¡¯ class as Therese ordered me to. The other trainable classes seem even further away than it. Not that I want any of them in the first place.¡±


    She sighs, ¡°Why couldn¡¯t she just put you under a cook or some other production job, those ignore the stat and core requirements. Or just fork over a total of five cores, that¡¯d skip the stat requirements as well.¡±


    ¡°You can do that? You make it sound like you have Class Cores lying around by the dozen.¡±


    She shakes her head, ¡°No, not really. Collectively we find maybe two to three per year in the dungeon.¡±


    ¡°Is there another way to get those aside from dungeon diving?¡±


    Chloe explains, ¡°None that we know of. Just kill a lot of monsters in a dungeon and eventually you get lucky. Well, ¡®lucky¡¯. While you are under our watch, you''re supposed to hand them over anyway. What we don¡¯t understand is why we can get cores ¨C or any item really ¨C from monsters only while they are in a dungeon. Any monster you kill outside? Nothing. Even if they are the same type. Don''t want to imagine how much better our position would be if they did; probably another 2-3 cores per year at least just alone from the floods. Well, we have to keep going to the dungeon even while there are billions of monsters outside.¡±


    ¡°Why? What could they possibly drop that is important enough to weaken the fortress¡¯s defenses?¡±


    ¡°Materials, food ingredients, rarely a couple of drops of blood for you monsters. Without a ruler... regular food production is greatly reduced¡±, she looks dejected.


    ¡°That reminds me, Jack showed me the Lord¡¯s Mansion yesterday but he ran off before explaining what it really does.¡±


    She lectures me, ¡°...we could start expanding the fortress, create new buildings. At a minimum once a ruler is back in office things like the fields will yield a lot more and the tax money can be put to some use again; we¡¯re currently paying a ton in taxes and only a fraction is for upkeep.¡±


    (So they can¡¯t manually build houses, Elly? This world is weird.)


    ¡°That sounds very important¡±.


    Do I really have to take this responsibility on myself?


    Chloe dissuades me, ¡°If you even consider taking it over ¨C DON¡¯T!! Every Lord¡¯s Mansion requires a nobility title among other things; a vampire with that title would become a Vampire Noble. When that happens they lose whatever was left of their humanity. If there¡¯s still some hope for you now, after that the ¡®you¡¯ will be gone.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll... keep that in mind.¡±


    Better not tell her then that I already have the relevant class... or that I''m just a beer and a spell type away from conquering that place, ¡°Not that I¡¯d even have a way to tell what the remaining requirements are.¡±


    She agrees, ¡°Yeah, true that. There are myths that the Lost Ones of old could but we haven¡¯t seen one of those in decades.¡±


    We finally arrive at the training room. The other five are present and running laps. While in armor. The mere thought that I¡¯d have to do the same kills me.


    I hold back on appraising all of them, it would be hard to explain to Chloe how I have 1500 MP to spare despite being level 1 and can still do whatever she has planned for my training menu. Just one slip-up with the appraised info and we''d have an uncomfortable talk.


    Chloe calls everyone together.


    ¡°This is Jared, he came with the latest group of refugees. You can introduce each other sometime later. Jared is a Silver Elf Wizard. We have no one that can train him in magic classes so it has been decided that he¡¯ll take the Survivor class. In other news, earlier today this year¡¯s monster flood has begun.¡±


    I guess that is what the commotion was.


    Chloe continues, ¡°As such our schedule will change. Effective after I¡¯m done. For the near future, we will keep our dungeon visits on Thursdays, so tomorrow. The schedule for those days remains unchanged. On all other days, you¡¯ll perform unsupervised warm-up practice for two hours, then head to the western gate and assist in defending it, the other gate will be taken care of by some other groups. You¡¯ll listen to whatever captain is on duty at the time. I¡¯ll supervise Jared for the first week and then join the captain rotation afterwards. Any questions?¡±


    No one says anything.


    She orders, ¡°Then finish your warm-up and afterwards head over to the gate¡± - and with that, the meeting is already over.


    Chloe moves over to me, ¡°This way I don¡¯t have to shout so much. The original plan assumed we¡¯d still have at least another week before the flood starts so we had to change a lot of things around.¡±


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    ¡°Bluntly speaking, how can you even supervise me for ¡®only¡¯ a week? Therese made it sound like it¡¯d be an indefinite thing.¡±


    She answers, ¡°That is for a state of normalcy, this... is a minor crisis. As long as you behave the problem called ¡®Jared¡¯ is not even on the radar.¡±


    ¡°I can work with that.¡±


    She gives me a Training Spear, ¡°Use this and not a regular weapon. Now hit the practice dummy with it a couple of times.¡±


    I do so and my SP doesn¡¯t decrease but neither do I get a damage readout, what a strange thing. I continue for about an hour and then my SP goes down by 100 and I gain 7 exp.


    Chloe explains to me, ¡°You can also run laps instead, which gives about the same result as long as you alternate the training methods every once in a while.¡±


    I run laps, hit the dummy and do sit-ups for another four hours. Another 30 exp.


    Enough for today, ¡°I¡¯m tapped, down to 56 SP. ¡±


    She responds, ¡°Understood. Well, a couple more levels and you can last another hour.¡±


    ¡°Now what do I do the rest of the day, you got a library or something?¡±


    She thinks about it, ¡°There is one but you need special authorization for it.¡±


    I can almost hear a blue-haired girl scream in terror.


    ¡°Why is that?¡±


    Chloe explains, ¡°Just a precaution. We have no way to produce new books until the fortress awakens again and even then books are expensive.¡±


    ¡°I guess that makes sense.¡±


    She thinks for a moment, ¡°It is really weird how much you¡¯ve forgotten.¡±


    She probably suspects there¡¯s going more on with me.


    She asks me, ¡°Your MP is still full, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, why?¡±


    She says, ¡°I don¡¯t have a training method based on MP but I think it¡¯d be useful if you at least cast some spells at the flood monsters.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I can do that. Though I could really use a shower to get rid of the sweat.¡±


    ¡°Eh, just use household water magic. Here, today it is on me. I¡¯m not using the MP for much else anyway¡±, her hand glows blue for a moment and then the sweat and dirt on me are gone.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    She gestures for me to follow her, ¡°Now let''s go.¡±


    We leave the facility and head towards the gate.


    On the way there, we pass what looks like a garbage dump. Little in the way of food leftovers but more fragments of furniture, tableware, some split arrows, dented helms and armors, and a few weapons.


    Different world, same garbage disposal problems.


    We arrive at the gate. I can see that five soldiers are crammed into the gateway at the same time and fighting off monsters while a captain shouts orders at them and other soldiers are on standby, probably waiting to switch when another soldier gets hurt or depletes their SP.


    We head through a side tower to the top of the wall.


    ¡°Shit, this looks bad¡±, Chloe concludes, ¡°they said that the flood would get much more intense this year but not like THIS. Can¡¯t even see a single blade of grass between the monsters.¡±


    I take a look myself, ¡°I thought the ¡®flood¡¯ would be a bit less literal than this.¡±


    On the upside, this should help me a bit depending on how good aoe spells are.


    Earlier I saw no archers while we entered the fortress, still see none, ¡°Is no one else is up here?¡±


    She is confused, ¡°Why would there be?¡±


    ¡°Archers? At least observers if any bigger threats are approaching?¡±


    She explains, ¡°Don¡¯t have many arrows left. Maybe a dozen or so. We keep them in reserve in case some fliers appear. Can¡¯t produce new arrows until this fortress gets finally a new ruler.¡±


    Sigh, another flag set.


    I look around and find some loose stones.


    Below us is an unending mass of monsters, can¡¯t even see an end to it.


    ¡°How about this?¡±, I throw one stone into the monsters below, it dissolves on impact.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 84 damage to Baby Slime.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And another stone.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 84 damage to Dire Wolf.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Great, even weaker than my staff...


    I try to throw a third stone but it won¡¯t leave my hand. I forgot, attacks require SP and I¡¯ve blown it all on training earlier. But I don¡¯t regret that.


    Chloe looks at me in confusion, ¡°Nobody has a throwing skill so the damage is low.¡±


    ¡°Low damage is better than none. And if I saw right earlier you can only have a handful of soldiers fight at the same time so most are just standing around waiting their turn.¡±


    ¡°Even so, where would we get enough stones?¡±, she asks me with a dumbfounded expression.


    ¡°Does it have to be stones? Maybe some parts of garbage could be used. A chair to the face should hurt just the same.¡±


    She thinks for a moment, ¡°I will ask for some volunteers to give it a try. Depending on how this works out this would also reduce the need for new garbage dumps.¡±


    She asks, ¡°So will now cast some spells or not?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sure. Any idea which element would be best? I have lightning, earth, ice and dark.¡±


    She responds, ¡°No idea, elements are not something I usually have to pay attention to. To most people here they are just a waste of space in the [Appraise] readout. Well, if they can even use that in the first place.¡±


    (Elly? Your opinion?)


    Elly answers, (No idea, too many different types.)


    [Appraise] reveals next to the Baby Slimes and Dire Wolves I already know a few more monster types.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth Golem 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3075/3075</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">375/375</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2200/2200</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">525</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">150</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">450</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">175</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">150</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">575</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">50</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth Resistance 5, Physical Resistance 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I don¡¯t think I could even damage that thing...)


    Elly answers, (Well, we have the meat shields below for that.)


    (But can they even damage it? It has massive defenses and resistance on top.)


    She says, (If you can damage a dummy they can smash that rock, no problem.)


    I''ll accept that for now.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Crawler 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1584/1584</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">396/396</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">880/880</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">220</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">198</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">132</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">198</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">176</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">44</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">66</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Just a big centipede. Except that the mandibles are more like sabers. At least it has no skills or stats to back that image up.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Slime 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1932/1932</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">345/345</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2875/2875</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">299</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">138</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">69</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">322</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">184</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">23</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">46</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Acid Skin 3, Rapid Regeneration 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I ask Elly, (And Rapid Regeneration is?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Rapid Regeneration


    Passive


    Adds passive HP, MP and SP regeneration of (0.25% of max + skill level / 5) per minute.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I don¡¯t have fire but compared to some of the other monsters they are just tanks, not actual threats.)


    Speaking of, one of the big threats is...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ragelope 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3105/3105</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">345/345</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1357/1357</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">483</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">276</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">115</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">138</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">115</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">115</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">92</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ram Attack 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ice</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I don''t like its stats.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Ram Attack


    233 SP


    Attack with 280% physical attack power.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Elly begins chanting, (Even in your isekai, F.O.E.!)


    (If there are such strong monsters among the hordes it seems likely that our friends in the gate will get hurt a lot and quickly... I¡¯m not even sure I could survive a single ram attack.)


    I think there are more creepies than the big deer monsters, so I try a stone aoe spell. That should be 145 MP for 110% damage to a lot of targets. I reach out my hand and a big rock shoots forward. It smashes into a crawler and shatters into smaller rocks that hurt the nearby monsters.


    Too many damage popups...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 291 damage to Baby Slime.


    You¡¯ve inflicted 289 damage to Slime.


    You¡¯ve inflicted 581 damage to Crawler.


    You¡¯ve inflicted 105 damage to Earth Golem.


    You¡¯ve inflicted 227 damage to Ragelope.


    You¡¯ve inflicted 581 damage to Crawler.


    You¡¯ve inflicted 291 damage to Dire Wolf.


    You¡¯ve inflicted 289 damage to Slime.


    You¡¯ve inflicted 291 damage to Baby Slime.


    You¡¯ve inflicted 289 damage to Slime.


    You¡¯ve inflicted 581 damage to Crawler.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Considering the golem has about twice the magic defense as I have magic power 105 damage is actually quite a lot.)


    Elly guesses, (Maybe Gzeph was on to something with his written argument that defense is useless?)


    (No, we¡¯ve just now clearly seen that it is worth something. The near-defenseless slimes took almost triple the damage of the golem, that is a massive difference.)


    If I hit the same crawler three times with that area spell they¡¯ll be dead. I don¡¯t have the fire element for the slimes or water for the golem and the deer is way too sturdy.


    As selfish as it sounds I need the exp more than maybe shortening the flood by a day. So I focus my remaining six stone canons so I can at least kill as many Crawlers as possible for me.


    ...no idea how many monsters I¡¯ve really hit and disposed of, way too many damage popups.


    I¡¯m now at 128/1143 MP.


    Wait, what was that just now in the damage readout?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 183 damage to D???i???????r??????e???????? ??????W????o??????l????????f???????.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I look around and find a ''Dire Wolf'' that is slightly off-color.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">D???i???????r??????e???????? ??????W????o??????l????????f??????? 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1329/1512</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">360/360</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1800/1800</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">144</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">216</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">528</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">216</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">48</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">D??????e??????????a???????d???????????l??????????y???????????? ??????F?????????a????????n??????g????????? 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Physical</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I don''t like the looks of that skill.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">D??????e??????????a???????d???????????l??????????y???????????? ??????F?????????a????????n??????g?????????


    0 SP


    I???n???d???e???f???e???n???s???i???b???l???e??? bite attack with -5% physical attack power.


    Can inflict bleed with a rate of 768.


    The inflicted bleed status damage is always equal to u???s???e???r???''???s??? ???c???u???r???r???e???n???t??? ???H???P???.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I step back in shock, (That skill looks nasty. Is there any way to stop the bleeding in time?)


    Elly denies that possibility, (With what we have, no. Seeing the messed-up state of that skill, the bleeding would be even stronger than what Tevin suffered from.)


    I frown, (The deer would one-shot me with their tackle, this wolf spells guaranteed doom with a bite, is there anything here that doesn¡¯t send me to the grave with a simple high five? ...at least that confirms that not even living beings are safe from that glitch crap. For good or bad.)


    Well, I¡¯ve only enough for a simple stone bullet. Guess I¡¯ll just be selfish and go for the exp.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 1089 damage to Crawler.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    28 MP left.


    (You¡¯ve just gained a 23 exp. Total 174. Only 826 until Lv2!!), Elly notifies me full of enthusiasm.


    (Guess magic is worth something at least. Say considering I could still damage the golem despite its massive magic defense I want to try the big aoe, rain shape or whatever next time. Please, remind me.)


    She happily agrees, (Sure, will do. Worst case you waste a single day. Since you won¡¯t have enough afterwards for even another aoe projectile you could combine this experiment with a status effect.)


    (I doubt that it will work.)


    She lectures me, (Don¡¯t say that yet. This isn¡¯t a game ¨C status effects COULD still end up being powerful! Or did you already forget how a little bit of bleed was already a death sentence for the two kids last time?)


    (Obviously, you won¡¯t let me.)

 Ch. 13 – Downtime

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t look too bad¡±, Chloe commends my magic, ¡°seems like you took out a dozen or so crawlers and dealt decent damage to everything that isn¡¯t a golem.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I make much difference. The golems and deers are too sturdy and the big slimes will just regenerate most of the damage before they get in range of our soldiers.¡±


    She consoles me, ¡°Eh, don¡¯t beat yourself up over it. You should¡¯ve gotten at least some nice exp out of this.¡±


    ¡°Slightly more than half of what I got from the training earlier.¡±


    She says, ¡°See? That should hurry you along on your way to take the Survivor class.¡±


    Chloe stays silent for a moment, thinking, so I try to break the silence, ¡°What now?¡±


    She''s directionless, ¡°Oh, emmm. Honestly not sure what to do with you now. The early arrival of the flood broke my entire timetable. I wanted to show you around a bit, finish what Jack should¡¯ve done...¡±


    ¡°Uh...¡±


    She explains, ¡°But now I have obligations where I can¡¯t keep watch over you... Can you promise me that you¡¯ll behave? Go a bit through town, familiarize yourself with the closer area. Don''t wipe out humanity. Those kinda things. Uh, here¡¯s a map. Just stay away from the slum section¡±, she hands me a worn-out map and points to a section marked ¡®slum¡¯.


    Even in a fantasy world, there are still those less fortunate.


    I wonder what kind of issues they have that they can¡¯t be trained under this level system¡­


    ¡°Why? What¡¯s wrong with that area?¡±


    Chloe clarifies, ¡°It is¡­ outside the fortress¡¯s jurisdiction. Meaning if you meet someone there like Therese who doesn¡¯t like your face, you are dead.¡±


    But wouldn¡¯t that also go the other direction? Vampires can feed there without the law enforcement getting triggered?


    Thoughts for later, ¡°Ok, I¡¯ll avoid it. Why even are there slums? From what I gathered from Therese, you would need all the help you can get."


    She says, "That is... a longer topic and I don''t have the time right now. Anything else urgent or can I let you off now?"


    "We got a bit sidetracked earlier; what would I need to do to gain access to the library?¡±


    She thinks for a second, ¡°Ah that. Hmm¡­ Not sure actually. I¡¯ll see what I can do about that later.¡±


    At least that is not a no yet, ¡°Good enough for me.¡±


    (Can I even read the local language, Elly? Speaking is one thing¡­)


    Elly answers, (Only one way to find out.)


    (Yeah, the chance is 50:50 ¨C either I can or not.)


    She scoffs, (Somewhere a statistician is crying...)


    ¡°One last thing I wanted to ask what is up with the soldiers¡¯ equipment, why is barely anyone wearing a helm?¡±


    Chloe elaborates, ¡°Those are¡­ expensive. Standard gear only encompasses a weapon and armor. Anything after that comes out of our own pockets.¡±


    She gets lost in thought for a moment.


    ¡°Oh, right that reminds me, here¡±, she hands me 100 gold coins.


    ¡°What is that for?¡±


    She responds, ¡°A reward for your idea of throwing stuff at the monsters. No idea yet how much this will change the course of the flood but if it means we can save a few more lives by weakening the more dangerous monsters it''s worth my savings to me.¡±


    ¡°Wait, that is ALL of your savings? Uh, how much salary do even we get per month?¡±


    Chloe explains, ¡°I get 5 coins, please don¡¯t tell anybody; a regular recruit starts at a single gold and 50 silver. Though living expenses are already taken care of. As for you vampires, I think you only get like 60 silver. Though you get a share of the blood phials other people find in their dungeon hunts.¡±


    (Ok, timeout. She just gave me 20 months'' worth of her income!? This was just a stupid little idea.)


    Elly adds, (I¡¯m more concerned then how the three kids had 31 coins among them.)


    (Yeah, those are the same type of gold coins as Chloe just gave me. Where did they get that much?)


    She asks, (So what does that tell us?)


    (Nothing really. They could¡¯ve just saved up for a long time, could¡¯ve originally been on an errand for their mentor Evan or even stole it somewhere ¨C and honestly? That¡¯s not my problem.)


    Elly responds, (Fair enough.)


    I put that thought to rest, ¡°Are you really sure that¡¯s it ok to give me that much money? Don¡¯t you need it for anything?¡±


    Chloe replies, ¡°Not really, general expenses are already taken care of and there¡¯s not really better gear I could buy ¨C at least not until we get the ¡®Lord¡¯s Mansion¡¯ active again and the new ruler decides to upgrade the smiths. The only thing I could think of would be another ¡®Class Core¡¯ and they are¡­ ridiculously expensive. So if it can get you jump-started to becoming useful ¨C worth it.¡±


    ¡°Ok, sure then, thanks.¡±


    She waves goodbye, ¡°Well then, see you tomorrow, same time and place as today. Just as a reminder, tomorrow is dungeon time. And please stay out of trouble.¡±


    I shortly wave back, ¡°Certainly.¡±


    I make my way into town following the instructions on Chloe¡¯s map.


    I have some money now so I want to spend it on something to increase my survival chances.


    My new robe is probably the best I can get here but I have nothing on my head so that has priority if I can afford something. Maybe some extra accessories or a ring, no idea what the stacking rules are, are two rings the limit? I never understood that arbitrary limitation, usually people have ten fingers to put rings on.


    A better staff may be possible? Though I doubt there will be much on offer if magic users are that rare.


    Blood probably won¡¯t be sold at all.


    Potions¡­ may not even exist.


    Eh, I¡¯ll just look at what is available and then decide.


    Between my cloak and ring, I have only 3 hours to work with so I do my best to stay in the shade on the way to my destination.


    The way leads me just past the slums but I stay clear of them. No sense in risking anything right now. This can wait until I¡¯m either stronger or at least certain my [Stealth] skill keeps me undetected.


    Though I think I saw Niles, one of the other two vampires, heading into the slums. Alone.


    If the slums are as lawless as Chloe claimed I can already guess what he is up to.


    I¡¯d be a hypocrite to stop him, I already had the same idea.


    Damn, I should be better than this...


    A few blocks later I see another disgusting sight: slave traders.


    Presenting their ¡®wares¡¯ in the middle of town as if they weren¡¯t talking about living beings.


    Some were dirty and just dressed in rags, others slightly more cleaned up but still in chains. Most of them are just kids or teens...


    They don''t even refrain from hitting them with a whip to make a showing. Disgusting.


    I have to suppress my desire to click my tongue at this, and I need to avoid staring too much as well. Until I know what the culture here really is like, I can''t afford to let it affect me.


    I don¡¯t want to look at this any longer or I¡¯ll hurl...


    (Elly, please add to my list that this practice needs to be ended. Bloodily if possible.)


    Elly replies, (Eh, sure, but currently you¡¯re in no position to do anything about it. You have neither the political power nor the personal one to force a change.)


    (I know¡­ but then I have to take down a demon lord anyway, this is basically the same thing. Also, this doesn¡¯t make much sense. Didn¡¯t Eva and Jeff say that there were multiple Lost Ones before? Like sixty or so? Supposedly worshipped like minor deities? How come ALL of them were such horrible people as to tolerate slavery?)


    (Yeah, no idea how to defend that one), she''s clueless as well.


    (Only way I could think of was if all of them managed to get themselves killed before they were revealed. Which raises even MORE questions.)


    (Such as?), Elly doesn¡¯t understand where I¡¯m going with this.


    (Simple. If ALL of them failed early, how could the deva guys figure out that the Lost Ones are oh so important to the people here DESPITE their weakness.)


    She agrees, (True, so that can¡¯t be the case.)


    (So the next option is that they don¡¯t do much of a background check on who they send, or even worse don¡¯t care. Let''s leave the lives of billions in the hands of apathetics or sociopaths, whatever could go wrong.)


    She happily adds, (Well, they got you now.)


    (That just proves my case.)


    (...), Elly is speechless.


    (Stop speaking ellipsis. And, well, you get the idea. Everything so far points to something being massively off.)


    She asks, (But what if the gods are actually fine with slavery?)


    (Then I''ll have to become a proper Demon Lord and usurp them. If this is the world I¡¯m stuck on for the rest of eternity there WILL be changes.)


    She consoles me, (Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be behind you on this. All the way.)


    (With or without a knife?)


    She sneers, (Ha, ha, funny.)


    I leave the ¡®auction¡¯ before I do anything stupid and cause a scene.


    But I WILL be back! You¡¯ll rue the day you¡¯ve offended my morals!


    After some more minutes of walking, I finally reach the real marketplace.


    I look around at the shop signs. Groceries, clothing store, cutler, dungeon supplies, shoe cobbler, weaponsmith¡­ yeah, let''s start with that one.


    Oh, damn, it is closed today.


    Wait, why am I going to a regular weapon shop? Didn¡¯t I say I wanted to start with checking for a helm? Weird¡­


    I look a bit more and find an armor shop. The shop owner shows me his limited selection of headgear.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Great Helm</td>


    <td style="width: 35%">+30 VIT, +10 WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 15%">200 gold</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Full Helm</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">+25 VIT, +10 WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">180 gold</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Iron Helm</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">+15 VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">125 gold</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Sallet</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">+10 VIT, +10 WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">95 gold</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Leather Cap</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">+5 DEX, +10 VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">20 gold</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Headband</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">+10 STR, +10 VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">70 gold</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Just look at the prices, (That is very expensive. Even the plain leather cap is 4 months of saving for someone of Chloe¡¯s rank.)


    Elly suggests, (I¡¯d say wait for now and check the other shops if they have something more important. Considering your salary and lack of other income, I doubt you¡¯ll get that much money again any time soon.)


    I agree, (Yeah, you¡¯re right.)


    For comparison, I take a look at body armor. Cheaper for the defense gain but I¡¯ve already taken a liking to my robe. And losing its +20 MAG would limit my exp gain even more which I can''t really afford.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Full Plate</td>


    <td style="width: 35%">+120 VIT, +20 WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 15%">350 gold</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Half Plate</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">+80 VIT, +15 WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">120 gold</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Chest Plate</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">+75 VIT, +10 WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">85 gold</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Reinforced Leather</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">+65 VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">25 gold</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Reinforced Suit</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">+60 VIT, +10 WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">35 gold</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Kinda feels like an MMO with the protection making little sense compared to how much the armor covers the body and the near 100% price increase for barely any defense more each step.


    More defense would be nice but I¡¯m not paying 20 MAG from the robe and all my money for maybe being able to take one extra hit. I need a much bigger HP pool before that makes any sense.


    And until then it seems like I can hide behind meat shields my fellow soldiers.


    I ask the shopkeeper, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to carry any items with MAG increases?¡±


    He answers, ¡°Oh gracious, no. I¡¯d need to upgrade my license at least two more levels before I¡¯d be allowed to sell any of them. Not that I could do that while the fortress is asleep. And honestly, I doubt you could afford such a thing anyway, they start in the four-digit range. Maybe 500 gold if you¡¯re lucky and looking at a low-grade robe.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s out of my price range for quite a while. Does that apply to weapons as well?¡±


    He shakes his head, ¡°Sorry, that I can¡¯t tell you. I only deal in armors. Though the same license restriction should apply and the weapon shop owner is not old enough to have been around when it was possible to get a better license.¡±


    ¡°Got it. How about bracers or gloves? Cheap low-defense extra accessories?¡±


    He quickly denies this option, ¡°No one produces those around here. With the materials needed you¡¯d be looking at like 200 gold for just +5 VIT gloves. Not worth it, unsellable.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, makes sense.¡±


    The shop owner scratches his chin, ¡°from your queries I take it you¡¯re a mage then?¡±


    ¡°Uh, yeah, though I only just got ¡®Wizard¡¯ a few days ago, still level 1. Even with my whole mana pool I only managed to pick off a few crawlers.¡±


    He thinks for a moment, ¡°Hmm¡­ I think I might have a suggestion for you then.¡±


    I hope this goes some place useful, ¡°Ok, I¡¯m listening.¡±


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    He rubs his hands, ¡°Buy something from me and I¡¯ll let you in on a little secret item I¡¯m not allowed to sell. Anything is fine.¡±


    He just said that with his current license he¡¯s not allowed to sell +MAG gear, so maybe¡­


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯d take a leather cap then.¡±


    The man is disappointed, ¡°What, not even haggling? Spoilsport.¡±


    ¡°Uh, sorry, where I¡¯m originally from haggling is illegal.¡±


    He scoffs, ¡°Whoever made that rule over there sounds like a total killjoy.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I can see that.¡±, I laugh a bit.


    I give him the 20 gold, ¡°Mind giving me a few pointers on haggling then? Take the difference as a tutoring fee.¡±


    ¡°Now we¡¯re talking¡±, he hands me a leather cap and teaches me a few basics in haggling.


    The lesson takes about two hours.


    He pats me on the back, ¡°Thanks for indulging this old man¡¯s haggling addiction. So as promised here¡¯s my little ¡®secret¡¯ item¡±, with a satisfied smile he hands me¡­ a book on crafting?


    ¡°Not sure I get it yet.¡±


    The old man explains, ¡°Two things. First, the book lists all the basic techniques and crafting recipes. You seemed quite curious about the whole process so that should sate your curiosity.¡±


    ¡°But I don¡¯t have the necessary job to make use of that knowledge.¡±


    He explains, ¡°Maybe not but it should at least tell you what materials are needed if you¡¯re looking for some uncommon items. If you should get your hands on those most crafters perform such custom orders for relatively cheap if you provide all the materials needed.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to know ¨C and the second use of the book?¡±


    He tells me, ¡°Put it in your shield slot.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Just do it¡±, he urges.


    ¡°Ok¡­¡±


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border-style: dotted">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">Basic Craft Recipe Book</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">+5 MAG, +5 WIL</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s neat.¡±


    He pretends to not know, ¡°I totally don¡¯t know what you might be talking about, dear customer. Regulations aside all normal books give the same stats. If you want a better ¡®shield¡¯ for that purpose you need a proper magic tome. But those cost a fortune as well.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry this will help quite a bit.¡±


    After some more small talk, I bid the merchant farewell and take my leave.


    Next up I visit the dungeon supply shop. More or less miscellaneous stuff as expected.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Food Bag</td>


    <td style="width: 35%">a single bland meal</td>


    <td style="width: 15%">12 silver</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">First Aid Kit</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">can cure up to 1000 status damage</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">50 silver</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Rope</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">10 ft long rope</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">20 silver</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Pole</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">5 ft</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">30 silver</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">HP Potion</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">recovers 200 HP</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">10 gold</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">MP Potion</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">recovers 150 MP</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">30 gold</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">SP Potion</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">recovers 150 SP</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">15 gold</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">EXP Potion</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">gain 2 exp</td>


    <td style="width: 25%">1 gold</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Not even antidotes or anything.


    And 30 gold for 150 MP? So like two years of salary for a single spell? Who can afford that crap!!


    I buy 3 First Aid Kits, 1 Rope, 1 Pole and 1 EXP Potion.


    2 exp per gold seems useless but maybe this is as bugged as other stuff?


    I try to drink the EXP Potion ¨C it tastes like vomit.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: Potions cannot be used by [Undead].</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I''m getting angry with all of these bugs and hidden mechanic traps, (What? Why?!)


    Elly answers, (No idea, neither the skill nor the item mentioned such a restriction.)


    (Do I at least gain alternative 2 exp for making this discovery?)


    d20 noises


    Elly checks my status, (Uh, yes you got 2 exp.)


    (Seriously, the people in charge need to get their shit fixed...)


    ding


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">System updated to Version 199.7.03.2605.012</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Changelog:</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">


    <ul style="list-style-type: circle">


    <li>fixed auto-updater not running while near dogs</li>


    <li>fixed non-functional parts of skills: Bark Skin, Story Teller, Supernatural Toughness and Undead</li>


    <li>shouting ¡®fire at will¡¯ no longer results in double damage when accidentally hitting an uninvolved person called Will</li>


    <li>fixed issue where Dire Wolves don''t count as beasts</li>


    <li>fixed exploit that allows swimming in walls (attempt #258)</li>


    <li>fixed passive HP regeneration: it now again heals status damage equal to 10% of regenerated HP</li>


    </ul>


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I sigh, (I asked, I received... Is that the work of this Graham guy Eva mentioned?)


    Elly guesses, (Not sure, wasn¡¯t she saying his role was ¡®balance¡¯? This seems more like just bug fixes.)


    (Well, if it is true that he is the only guy working on this at all there might just not be a difference.)


    I hear a scream in the distance, ¡°GODDAMMIT!!¡±


    Seems like someone doesn¡¯t like the update.


    I check [Undead] again.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Undead


    Passive


    Gain weaknesses to fire, light and holy damage.


    Gain resistance based on skill¡¯s level to ice, dark and poison damage and effects.


    [NEW] Adds immunity to general mind effects.


    Breathing is no longer necessary.


    Unable to produce biological children.


    Healing effects from hostile sources will be harmful instead at four times the original strength but subject to WIL.


    Exposure to sunlight will inflict (20 + highest class level + highest race level) damage per second.


    [NEW] Cannot use potions.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Ah, good. The descriptions are still automatically updated), mumbles Elly to herself.


    (What?)


    She apologizes, (Oh, right, didn¡¯t tell you. The skill descriptions aren¡¯t entered manually but automatically generated from the internal effects of them. If someone asks you don¡¯t have that info from me.)


    (Riiight. Well, I think I¡¯ve had enough for today. Any objection to going home?)


    (None! Can we finally go over the titles? Please?), she requests.


    I sigh, (FINE.)


    I go back to my room.


    It has been some days since¡­ that incident. Hadn¡¯t had any blood since then and I¡¯m starting to feel a bit hungry. So I check if no one is watching and then take out one of my 643 blood pack starter kit.


    I prick a hole into it and start drinking.


    It is a very different flavor than what Eila¡¯s or Tevin¡¯s blood had. Not bad, just different. Ok, a bit worse. If the blood from the two was a nice steak this blood is like bacon.


    I so have to watch out that I don¡¯t get addicted to this.


    (Ok, Elly, since you¡¯re pushing so much for it, give me the rundown of the titles I have and can get.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">God¡¯s Lost Child (Deteoh Ver.)


    Visitor from another world.


    A title emblem can be displayed as proof of this title¡¯s ownership.


    20% penalty to HP, MP, SP.


    50% penalty to combat exp gain.


    Spell ranks are limited to 1.


    Automatically acquire the ability to fluently speak the three most popular languages on Deteoh.


    Also includes the ability to read and write these languages if the title owner could read and write at least one language before.


    Acquired languages: humanoid common, m????a??????n????????o????????r?????????? ??????c???????????a???????n?????????t???????, 4???0???4???:???n???o???t???f???o???u???n???d???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Oh hey, my old friend, glitch text. Long time no see. Next?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Nobility


    No direct effect.


    Can be a requirement for specific classes, titles or deeds.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Yeah, just about what I expected.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">World Navigator


    Adds sentient helper to status screen.


    Removes cost of [Appraisal] and makes it always reveal stats and skills.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Ok, so nothing new here. Any other titles I already have?)


    Elly answers, (No, these are all. Can I continue with your current title options? You don¡¯t HAVE to accept any of them. The limit seems to be 20 titles total but they are less impactful than classes so don''t waste too much thought on them.)


    (Ok, got it.)


    She continues, (so I¡¯d like to start with this one. Given the goals you¡¯ve outlined to me it should be an obvious pick.)


    (Alright, tell.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Vampire Progenitor


    Gain extra race ¡®Vampire Progenitor¡¯.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (That doesn¡¯t tell me much about what that specific extra race does. Got any info on that?)


    Elly responds, (Not until you pick it. At a minimum, you¡¯d be the top of the food chain for the ¡®Vampire Hierarchy¡¯ skill. Meaning another +50% power if the two vampires give you trouble or there should be ghouls in the flood or dungeon.)


    (I guess it comes with 2-4 skills like any other race.)


    I can feel how the voice in my head wants to shrug, (Sorry, I have no information that either confirms or denies this assumption.)


    (I¡¯ll think about it later. Go on with the next title.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Cat Lover


    200 MP upkeep


    Create a cat-like spirit with race ¡®Cat Folk¡¯ and class Scout both at level (1+skill level / 5).


    Otherwise functions like a regularly summoned creature.


    Behaves like a regular cat except that feeding is optional.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I¡­ don¡¯t remember having a cat in my previous life, did I have one?)


    Elly guesses, (No idea. Maybe you didn¡¯t have one but wanted it?)


    (If it wasn¡¯t for the title limit I¡¯d take it. So¡­ I don¡¯t think I can afford it, doesn¡¯t look very useful. If it behaves like a regular cat it''d sleep like 90% of the time anyway and be absolutely no help in combat.)


    She pouts, (Pity, I¡¯d like to have a cat.)


    (Maybe we can find a real cat once all of this is over, Elly.)


    She suggests, (If not you can always ask some of the slavers for a catgirl? Would be close enough.)


    (...do you want to find out what it is like if I turn the ¡®assistant¡¯ feature, as in YOU, off, Navi?)


    She sounds scared, (Please don¡¯t¡­)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Coward


    Increase movement speed by 20% when moving away from all enemies in sight.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I probably got that because I hid on the walls behind all the soldiers. Sounds way too conditional; like when one enemy is behind me and one to the side the bonus is gone. Or who even counts as an ''enemy''? Depending on how generously that is interpreted I may never get that bonus since there''s always someone out in the world who is not behind me. Don¡¯t think I want to risk that.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Blood Addict


    Can receive partial nutrition from any blood that previously didn¡¯t offer any.


    Blood nutrition rate set to (1+ skill level / 10)% of the base value.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (At a first glance this looks like a worthwhile title. As if I''d gain a way out of my ''human food'' dependency.)


    Elly agrees, (Correct, it¡¯d allow you to also feed on monsters and animals. Though instead of 1-2 humans you¡¯d need to hunt 60-100 monsters per week, I think. So you gonna take it?)


    (...no, my gut says this is a trap title. Look how it doesn¡¯t mention anything about taste. I don¡¯t think I could mentally endure eating ¡®sand¡¯ for eternity. And more importantly, it SETS how much a drop of blood is worth and this DOESN¡¯T exclude otherwise good types of blood. This would make the 643 remaining blood packs instantly useless. And just think about it, where would I find that many monsters each week? Or get the necessary MP/SP pool to fight them.)


    She suggests, (How about from the dungeon?)


    (No idea, we don¡¯t know anything about dungeons. For all we know there are regulations in place that restrict me to either one dungeon trip per three days or only 20 slain monsters per week or something stupid like that.)


    She says, (True, I guess we find out tomorrow?)


    (Possibly. Put the title on the maybe pile and we¡¯ll talk again when I drop below a dozen blood packs. But currently, I¡¯m leaning towards no.)


    She concurs, (Noted.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Iron Stomach


    Negate side effects of eating spoiled or incompatible food.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Guess pretending to eat human food had consequences. Useless. Pass.)


    Elly agrees, (Yeah, gaining no nutrition isn''t really a ''side effect''. Means it should do nothing for you.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Demon Lord Candidate


    Owner has shown sufficient mental makeup to be on their way to acquire a ¡®demon lord¡¯ divine class.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I have so many questions and I¡¯m not sure I want any of them answered¡­)


    Elly inquires, (Such as?)


    (What the hell have I done to deserve such a title? What is a divine class? And wouldn¡¯t I need to be a demon in the first place? Last I checked I was an elf. Also, why is it ¡®A demon lord¡¯ and not ¡®THE demon lord¡¯?)


    She adds, (I can spoil you that much, Gzeph¡¯s files on that topic are also corrupted.)


    (You had one job, Jeff. ONE!)


    She teases, (Well, there¡¯s always the hard way to find out. Wanna?)


    (Tough one. By my understanding there should only be one Demon Lord, so stealing that position might be worthwhile. But the description implies that there can be multiple, worst case I¡¯d only add one and not even prevent another hostile one from showing up anyway. And knowing my luck it would break the Lost One title so that I couldn¡¯t even reveal myself as such anymore. ¡®Oh hey, I¡¯m the chosen one sent by your god and I¡¯ve stolen a major power from the enemy, can you lend me some help?¡¯ - ¡®Oh no, it is a demon lord KILL HIM!¡¯, yeah, no thanks.)


    Elly suggests, (Then how about getting someone important on your side first and then taking it?)


    (For now, no. I might change my mind depending on what we learn. But that can wait.)


    She asks, (Even if I told you that ¡®divine classes¡¯ don¡¯t take up one of your 10 class spots?)


    (Yes.)


    She gives up, (Uh, sure¡­ so, that were all titles you could take right now. Well, looks like I failed at my job.)


    (What job are you talking about, Elly?)


    She sounds down, (Uh, you know how you stated your goals at the beginning? I try my best to support you but found nothing I can help with... We have no access to several Class Cores or sufficient stats to make use of them. Adding another race requires a method we don¡¯t know nor do the stat increases from that look even significant in the first place. And exp wise¡­ we¡¯re looking at 2-3 years of intense training before you could even match a peasant in close combat.)


    (Ok, I get that ¨C but why does it sound like you desperately WANT me to take the demon lord thing?)


    She hesitantly answers, (...just a hunch? Dunno, I just felt like it¡¯d be your best bet.)


    (Just drop it, ok? I don¡¯t wanna hear another thing about becoming a Demon Lord. That is just way too much for what we know.)


    Elly questions, (But what if a real Demon Lord appears before you decide? We could be in an even worse situation than now!)


    (...preying on FOMO is not cool, for that you¡¯ve earned yourself a timeout.)


    She panics, (W-wait! Please, please don¡¯t! Pl---)


    Click


    I¡¯m probably overthinking this.


    I did tell Elly that I want ¨C need - to grow stronger, she¡¯s just looking for ways to achieve that.


    I''m pretty sure I stated that survival is my top priority and this demon lord thing is just a landmine waiting to be stepped on.


    ¡­


    What am I thinking¡­


    Both of us just need to cool off from the Demon Lord topic, I just need to explain it properly and then all will be good again.


    ¡­


    I think back to the Progenitor title.


    My biggest objection to it would be that there might be a way to expose me as such a monster. But¡­ any method that could find those should also be able to find the lesser Vampire Lord that I already am¡­


    Ah, screw it. I take it.


    Alone the 50% advantage against ghouls and lesser vampires is worth more than the small bonuses other titles have shown me.


    If the extra race comes with 1-2 skills that aren''t complete garbage it is already worth it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Title ''Vampire Progenitor'' acquired.


    The newly acquired title also adds the following extra race: Vampire Progenitor</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Now I''m curious what that one gives in detail.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Vampire Progenitor</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">2 HP, 2 MP, 1 SP, 0 STR, 0 DEX, 1 VIT, 0 MAG, 0 FTH, 0 WIL, 1 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Low stat gains, about as much as I could expect from an ''extra''. And there are its new skills.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Intimidation


    500 SP upkeep


    Project aura of hostility around the user.


    Affects every creature that can see or ¡°feel¡± the user.


    Targets that have a level of this skill¡¯s level or below are automatically frightened and take 5% social damage; other targets may be affected by fear at a rate of 25.


    As for all mind-affecting ailments, circumstantial modifiers to the infliction rate may apply.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Vampire Noble already had this, so just a skill level boost. I¡¯d have preferred a new skill but it''s not half bad.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Charm Eye


    60 SP, 2 seconds of eye contact


    Inflict charm at a rate of 40.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I should¡¯ve seen this coming.


    The [Familiar] skill was just screaming that it needed something like this for synergy.


    Charm someone then make them a familiar since they already count as ''willing'' and ''bam'' free new servant for life.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Supernatural Toughness


    Passive


    When taking non-weakness damage recover (20+skill level / 2)% (max 100%) of damage taken back as HP over 2 minutes.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Not bad. I¡¯d need the HP pool of a final boss to make this really annoying but not bad.


    Well, and a way to remove the weaknesses. Even if I got this all the way to skill level 160 my three weaknesses keep this ¡®balanced¡¯.


    I spend the rest of the night skimming through some of Jeff¡¯s notes trying again to decode the nonsense he wrote on ¡®Lord¡¯s Mansions¡¯, looking for a beginner¡¯s guide to his physics nonsense ¨C of course not included.


    Is there even anything worthwhile in his notes? He could¡¯ve just as well written all in Latin for the little sense that it makes so far.


    I gained 38 exp total since bombarding the monsters.


    Current status, barely made any progress...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 1, Noble 1, Lord 1, Progenitor 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor


    Title Level 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">212</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">828/828 [1036]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1144/1144 [1431]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">556/556 [696]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">127+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">148+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">127+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">253+35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">189</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">189+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">149</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wooden Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 1 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 1 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 1 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 1 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 1 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 1 (Rank 1)


    Unnatural Claws 1


    Charm Eye 1, Embrace 1, Familiar 1, Greater Vampiric Bite 1


    Disguise 1, Intimidation 2


    Ageless 1, Beast Killer 1, Enhanced Regeneration 1, Sleepless 1, Stealth 1, Supernatural Toughness 1, Undead 1, Vampire Hierarchy 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    With Elly in timeout, this is like the loudest silence ever...

 Ch. 14 – Rain on Dungeon Parade

    When morning arrives, I make my way again to the training room. Two of the others are already present and practicing on the training dummies, hitting them with wooden practice weapons.


    I¡¯m actually not sure if disabling the navigator feature would also remove the 100% discount on [Appraise] so I¡¯d rather not risk 30% of my MP just to check on them. As buggy as the system is the if-condition it triggers might not just be around the Elly feature but around the whole presence of the title...


    I try to greet the two but they pay me no attention, so I start my own training. A few minutes later two more come in, bickering about something. Not my business.


    Then Chloe arrives. She looks around and shakes her head. Seems like our seventh person being late is a normal occurrence. No one else stops doing their thing so I also continue running laps.


    Right before the first hour of practice is over our missing one graces us with his presence, yawning. Chloe wastes no time to chew him out.


    After the fifth hour is up and my SP is again insufficient to continue I head over to Chloe who has been doing her own practices.


    "I''m done with my training. Can I blow up some monsters now or do you need to accompany me again?"


    She replies, "I think you can go on your own. Just be back here within two hours."


    "Alright."


    I make my way over to the gate and climb the tower again. At the top I see three soldiers throwing garbage at the monsters. Seems like my suggestion didn''t go to... waste. Well, technically it did.


    One of them notices me, "Ah, there''s the guilty party. Here to show us some more underhanded tricks?"


    "What? You''d rather be down there and get your face clawed in?"


    He answers, "Maybe. At least it sounds better than digging through smelly trash."


    "I can see your point. I actually expected they''d just recruit some of the slum dwellers, give them something productive to do", not completely false but...


    Another soldier sneers, "Hmph, who wants those around..."


    And yet another thing that needs investigating. This is a life or death scenario and people are picky about who they want around, great.


    I look down at the monster flood, seems like there are still the same types as yesterday. At least I don''t see any new monster types.


    I wanted to try the big ''rain'' aoe spell variant with status effect today. I feel ''ice'' today, maybe it gets an HP draining cold effect? But I don''t really know how big the affected area will be. So I aim as far away as I can see.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: target out of range</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ok, how about a bit closer?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: target out of range</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I repeat it a few more times and then finally see my MP dropping to 114/1144. And then... nothing happens. Great. Wasted a boatload of MP. Well, can''t change it now...


    I have enough MP left for a single spell, so I shoot another rock and aim for a crawler - and miss...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 555 damage to Baby Slime.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Should''ve just stayed in bed today...


    I take a deep breath and then turn around. As I''m about to enter the stairs downwards again I get another damage popup.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 5 damage to Baby Slime. Failed to inflict a status effect.


    You¡¯ve inflicted 5 damage to Dire Wolf. Failed to inflict a status effect.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I head back up the wall and see it starts to hail. Seems like my Ice Rain spell took a while to take effect. The damage report grows longer and longer...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 5 damage to Baby Slime. Failed to inflict a status effect.


    You¡¯ve inflicted 5 damage to Dire Wolf. Failed to inflict a status effect.


    You¡¯ve failed to inflict damage to Earth Golem.


    You¡¯ve inflicted 3 damage to Crawler. Failed to inflict a status effect.


    You¡¯ve inflicted 5 damage to Ragelope. Failed to inflict a status effect.


    You¡¯ve inflicted 5 damage to Slime. Failed to inflict a status effect.


    ...</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Hundreds if not thousands of entries. I need to set this to hidden somehow...


    I check my menu. One of the tabs is labeled UI, maybe there... jackpot! I can change the readout for area attacks to a summary!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Rain'' spell has inflicted a total of 473885 damage and 0 status effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That is a lot of damage. And what did I expect, status effects are only good versus players and never when used by them...


    Wait, what is this? Below the summary option is another setting: ''stat precision''? What is that supposed to be? Options are: ''normalized'' which is currently selected, ''shorthand'' and ''absolute''. Ok, what does ''shorthand'' do to my status...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">100%</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">10%</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">10%</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">pitiful</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">pitiful</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">pitiful</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">low</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">low</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">low</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">pitiful</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yeah, that is useless. And ''absolute''? How do my stats look not?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">9,189,580,356/9,189,580,356 [11,498,073,972]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">1,265,232,078/12,696,714,888 [15,881,992,137]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">621,517,512/6,170,781,012 [7,724,574,792]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">1,409,512,929+776,896,890</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">1,642,581,996+55,492,635</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">1,409,512,929+665,911,620</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">2,807,927,331+388,448,445</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">2,097,621,603+221,970,540</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">2,097,621,603</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 25%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 75%">1.653.680.523</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Why do I feel like I''m in the wrong movie? These numbers are some Disgaea level of stat inflation. Back to normal with this setting.


    I take this opportunity to check how much exp I''ve gained from the rain spell ...314, holy shit. Not even a single monster kill but a massive amount of exp.


    With all my MP burned away I''ve nothing else to do here and return to the training room, leaving the garbage disposal workers to their dirty deeds, maybe not done dirt cheap.


    When I get back, the others are finishing their training and Chloe tells everyone to get together.


    She uses some water magic to clean everybody up a bit and then we head out.


    I still have no clue who is who.


    Chloe then leads us outside the facility towards what is supposedly a dungeon. On the way there she explains - mostly to me - how dungeons work:


    <ul>


    <li>When you enter a dungeon our MP and SP are refilled which explains why Chloe wanted us to burn our MP and SP beforehand with training. HP is explicitly not part of that package.</li>


    <li>While inside a dungeon sleep provides no benefit. Good thing I can''t sleep anyway.</li>


    <li>While you''re inside a dungeon time outside is stopped.</li>


    <li>You can enter only one dungeon per week. If you had access to two or more dungeons you can still only visit one of them. This sadly rules out instant restoration exploits.</li>


    <li>The inside of a dungeon is unique for each individual or party that enters; no running across other groups to get out of a sticky situation here.</li>


    <li>Between each floor is a safe zone that regular monsters can''t enter. A marking on the walls of said zone indicates the floor number.</li>


    <li>Bosses however can leave their floor once provoked. Furthest reported deviation is 5 floors. It is not clear if that is the limit or if the reporting group just left someone behind as bait.</li>


    <li>Every tenth floor is either a boss or a puzzle or something else special.</li>


    <li>This dungeon is supposedly 120 floors deep but no one in recorded history has gone past 70 just rushing through, and for regular monster drop farming it is rare to fully clear even the first ten floors. Most groups can only handle 3-5 full floors.</li>


    </ul>


    We arrive at a small hill. It has an entrance made of a marble frame around a silvery semiliquid that covers the entrance itself. Kinda reminds me of an off-color stargate missing the dialing symbols.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Another group is just entering it and a moment later they return from the other side of the hill.


    Chloe makes her final preparations, "Ok, next up it''s our turn, everyone join up. And remember to not leave through the portal behind us until I tell you to, Allen. You know we can only visit once per week. Don''t waste it again."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You received a party invitation from Chloe.


    Accept?</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Still too MMORPG like...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve entered a party with Chloe, Kay, Marca, Geofrey, Allen and Gabella.


    Party size: 7/7


    No more invitations can be sent at this time.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Huh, seven is a strange limit for party size. Why is there even one?


    "Ok, that is everyone, now move into the dungeon", Chloe commands then everyone steps through the dungeon gate.


    I stop in front of it and try to touch its silvery horizon. It feels like it is not even there. A tear in reality and you can''t even feel it... I gather my courage and step through.


    I wonder how long they''ve waited for me now? For me, it was a moment but supposedly time is stopped outside - how does that even work? ...I''ll just say it''s magic and move on...


    "Ok, the usual formation", Chloe says, "Marca and Kay in the front", she points to the two soldiers carrying a sword and shield, "Allen and Gabella right behind", that goes to the two with spears, "and Geofrey, Jared and me take the rear", that left only the giant with the axe.


    "Jared, keep your spells on ready but only use them when I tell you to. This is a routine job but we still need to be prepared in case something goes south. Best case you don''t cast a single spell and can then decimate the flood a bit further."


    Free exp? Yes, please.


    The first floor is a wide area, a slightly overgrown cave. It only contains the slimes I know from outside, about 20 total. They are dispatched without any issues by my companions.


    The second floor is a smaller cave with a few rocks and stalactites as obstacles. This cave is populated by ''Math Rabbits''. I reflexively [appraise] one.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Math Rabbit 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">836/836</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">330/330</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1804/1804</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">132</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">616</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">66</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">132</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">110</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">88</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">176</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generate Offspring 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Wait, Elly is still disabled. Did this cost me MP? Good, it didn''t. Should''ve tested this earlier. And as for the skill...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Generate Offspring (Math Rabbit)


    20 SP, only usable while in a dungeon, 2 minutes cooldown


    Create a wild Math Rabbit of a level equal to this skill''s level.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ah great, they are champions at ''multiplying'' ...and running away. The floor started with only 4 of them but as soon as they spotted us they make like trees. It seems their ''survival'' strategy is to just run away until they can spawn another rabbit and then use one of them as bait, repeat until we''re exhausted. If all monsters have such a suicidal survival instinct an eventual full clear will be nasty.


    What little is left of our formation breaks in the chaos of trying to corner Math Rabbits and slaying them. I try to shoot a rabbit down but Chloe stops me while I''m preparing the spell. Well, as it is they can spawn new rabbits faster than we can take them down so this will be the last floor already.


    Once everyone''s SP is depleted there are at least a dozen rabbits still alive. We return to the first floor and the other soldiers hand over their spoils to Chloe. I ... got nothing because I wasn''t allowed to do anything.


    Then Chloe signals everyone to leave through the gate we came in.


    I go last again. Or rather I stop before going through the portal and start thinking.


    If time is stopped outside and I regain HP, MP and SP passively can''t I just ditch them and farm a bit by myself? No one would know if I got some lucky drops. Well, not today because I have absolutely nothing to occupy my time while waiting for the resources to build back up but food for thought next time.


    Outside Chloe dismisses the rest of the group for the day and then takes me to the side, "So that''s roughly how dungeons will go with you for the near future. Until you''ve built some levels and can help with melee combat you''ll just be on standby and can then like today put the remaining MP into thinning the flood outside. And train a few more hours with the SP you haven''t used. The training room is empty after 1800 if you want."


    "Isn''t that a bit too advantageous for me? I''m not really doing anything but still leeching exp", not that it was much. Even the strongest of the five needed two hits to take down one rabbit and was missing almost half his swings. Well, with his SP pool he still took down about twenty. Which is one more than I got in exp total for this visit.


    She encourages me, "No, don''t worry about it. Everyone will be helped a lot if you can deal some big blows to the flood with your spells. No one wants to be imprisoned here longer than needed."


    "Yeah, that makes sense. Got a few minutes for some questions?"


    She nods, "Yes, sure. But we can talk on the way. I''ve to introduce you to one more facility anyway."


    "Fine by me."


    We start walking, Chloe leads the way. I start with my questions, "So first off, I''d like to get my hands on some books or other learning material. Nights are kind of wasted right now", not entirely true, I''ve still got Jeff''s useless notes... something more useful would be welcome.


    She replies, "You could borrow some from the library once you''re allowed to go there. I guess today I''ll prioritize getting you access there - expect news on that tomorrow or the day after."


    Sounds good, "Works for me. And the other thing I''m curious about - what is with the slums? We kinda need all the manpower we can get but when I brought them up earlier some soldiers seemed quite offended that I''d even consider them as fellow citizens."


    Chloe explains, "In the slums are mostly people with production jobs for which there are no more openings. Like accountants, nurses or ammunition producers - the latter because the factory can''t be operated at all while the fortress is dormant. There are also a handful of people with combat classes that require said ammo - archers and gunners. No ammo means no purpose for them either. So people consider them ''useless'' and want nothing to do with them."


    "Can''t they at least learn a different job? I mean I know that you don''t have class cores lying around to retrain them into something like sword fighters but why not for example smiths?"


    She hazards a guess, "Stigma? Most people just don''t want to be associated with ''them'' even if they managed to get out of the slum. And the few that might care enough to give them a chance got better things to do."


    "That''s... stupid."


    She shakes her head, "No, that''s life."


    "Don''t talk to me about something I don''t have. But seriously, why don''t they even value nurses or doctors? I don''t see the majority of soldiers getting away from the gate without harm."


    Chloe explains, "Again, limited job capacity. Until some noble is found that can finally wake this stupid Lord''s Mansion up we can''t expand them."


    Mansion this. Mansion that. Can''t you ''mansion'' something besides this dumb manor thing...


    She continues, "So unless you''ve got a miracle up your sleeves we''re stuck with just ten nurses or healers total."


    "Ten for... hundreds if not thousands of wounded soldiers?", that... hit different.


    She is unhappy, "Tell me about it. Between the ten of them, they can barely keep them from dying and then it''s still weeks they are out of commission. Not that the low budget for medical supplies helps any. So if the flood is as bad as we suspect this can only end... well."


    "The only ''well'' I''m seeing is the one I''ll throw the idiot in who designed this."


    We arrive at our destination, "This is the vault", Chloe introduces it, "all the loot from a dungeon trip goes here." She waves one of the workers over and tells him, "Ephran, this is... you know who. Got all the paperwork sorted out?"


    The man responds, "Totally. Got any good haul today?"


    "No. Just the usual stuff", she hands him the materials.


    "Good, let me sort it out quickly and then you get your stuff", he winks at me and then goes to the back of the office.


    "What was that about?", I ask Chloe.


    "Ah, nothing important", she whispers, "we''ll talk about that later."


    We wait a few minutes then Ephran comes back and hands me a small bag, "Here you go, anything else I can do for you?"


    "No, that''s all for today", Chloe tells him off. Ephran looks dejected. Maybe he enjoys talking with her especially. "Let''s go."


    After a few steps outside she explains, "There are some blood phials inside for you. Drink them when you''re alone. ''We'' may know about you but the people in charge would like to keep it on a need-to-know basis."


    I put the three flasks away, "Understood. Thanks."


    Chloe says, "So that''s it for today. You should''ve still all your MP so do us a favor and blow up some flood monsters."


    "Yeah, that''s what I planned. The spell I tried today was way more fruitful exp-wise, though not so much in the kill count. At least the slimes have probably healed all the damage I''ve dealt to them."


    She shrugs, "Eh, it''s fine. Consider it a long-term investment. Now go and work some magic. Literally."


    "Sure, but what''s the plan for tomorrow?"


    Chloe answers, "Unless someone of sufficient rank tells you otherwise, just go to the training room around 800 each morning, do some training and then waste some monsters with your spells. Except for Thursdays, those are our dungeon time and will go like today. Any other questions?"


    "You remember about my library access?"


    She responds, "Yeah, yeah, I''ll see what I can do. Now go, I have stuff to do."


    It is still weird to me how strict everyone was in the beginning but now on the third day, I''m already left to my own devices without even a hint of what to do. Main quest where are you!?


    I make my way back to the gate. Maybe I still need to learn about the area better because I come by the slums. There waits a slightly familiar figure for me: the vampire Erwin.

 Ch. 15 – Three little words

    Erwin seems to be waiting for me in front of the slums. I guess this is where the staple newbie hazing happens? Only a law dodging adventurer guild to go on my isekai bingo card.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Erwin</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">17</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Scout 3, Fighter 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dwarf 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1268/1550</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">624/624</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">45/1526</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">220+62</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">265+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">216+65</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">94</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">92</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">99</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">143</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Shortsword, Reinforced Leather, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sword Training 2, Disguise 4, Danger Sense 3, Hard Worker 2, Health Boost 2, Poison Resistance 2, Sleepless 4, Undead 4, Vampire Hierarchy 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Wind, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Worst case he can attack me once, it is unlikely that he poses a threat.


    I get closer to him, can''t beat the sh-... wait one vampire too many for that ref.


    After a few more steps he finally starts moving towards me, "Hey newbie, come, I wanna show you something... fun." With a wicked grin, he grabs my arm and pulls me into the lawless area.


    "Where are we going?", I ask him.


    "I need to show my new brother-in-arms how to take care of himself. These humans clearly can''t do that."


    As we go we pass by several people. Most look lifeless. Just sitting somewhere or walking aimlessly, barely paying attention to their surroundings. Only a few even bother to look in our direction.


    I try to quickly glance at what classes they might have but most of them seem valuable so why are they here? We have the likes of medics, nurses, archers, gunners - wait guns exist in this world? - and all kinds of production jobs. I can barely understand why the healers are here if the job openings are limited but what stops them from being employed outside of those posts? Just open a clinic or something.


    Erwin interrupts my thought, "So I don''t know what they''ve told you but the few blood vial handouts they give us won''t get you far."


    "What are you - ", he doesn''t even notice that I interrupted him.


    "And outside this area getting your hands on some fresh food will get you killed. But here? No one cares what happens to these people. Just make sure no one sees you." He is very pushy about this subject.


    We walk a bit further and reach a dead end. There are two apathetic, destitute-looking men sitting on the ground, covered in rags that could fall apart any moment now.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Kevin</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">malnourished (20%, 1 MP/s, 1 SP/s)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Farmer 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Tainted (human) 13</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">809/1004 [1255]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/660 [825]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/1886 [2358]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">216 [271]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">188 [236]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">189 [237]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">79 [99]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">107 [134]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">108 [135]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">161 [202]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Curse Touch 13, Low Profile 13, Physical Resistance 13</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">all elements</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The other man, Kenny, isn''t any better off.


    The status reflects the hopelessness in their eyes. Even if they could manage to fully recover they''d be out of SP within half an hour.


    "No better time than now", Erwin demands, "Get over there and drink. Don''t worry, your new instincts will do the rest", he gives me a push on the back.


    Now I''m between a rock and a hard place. Refuse and I''ll get into trouble with that vampire and probably his friend, too. Go along and... wait, I don''t have to kill the man, I can just pretend - at least if the skill [Greater Vampiric Bite] works as described. Time to find out...


    I walk over to one of the two men, Erwin to the other and we both bite our victim. I drink a bit, just enough to make the man unconscious then release my grip.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You can now-


    Contact lost: resorting to default option.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Uh, did it want to say something important? I hope not, the message was gone when my fangs left their victim. Your timing really isn''t the best, system!


    ...


    I [appraise] my victim, great, still alive as intended.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Kevin</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">malnourished (20%, 1 MP/s, 1 SP/s)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Farmer 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Tainted (human) 13</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">242/1004 [1255]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/660 [825]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/1886 [2358]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">216 [271]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">188 [236]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">189 [237]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">79 [99]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">107 [134]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">108 [135]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">161 [202]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Curse Touch 13, Low Profile 13, Physical Resistance 13</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">all elements</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Whatever this choice was it doesn''t seem to apply to that man. Note to self: next time stop drinking but keep the fangs in and read the goddamn thing!


    Erwin''s victim however yields no response when I try to [appraise] him, he''s dead as a doornail.


    I wipe a smidge of blood from my lips. Then Erwin turns to me, "So, how was it? Great, am I right?"


    "I''ve had better", the blood was a bit stale. Seems like the taste relates to how ''healthy'' the target is.


    "Oh, we have a picky eater here. Sorry to burst your bubble but until we''ve succeeded in our little scheme this is as good as it gets. Oh, right. That''s why I actually wanted to talk to you."


    Why do I feel like we''re getting into elven-dwarf hostility territory...


    He gathers his thoughts for a moment, "Me, my pal Niles and our boss have this little plan going on. We''re sick of those inferior creatures commandeering us around, limiting who we can feed on. So we want to take over this whole place. And this little ''Lord''s Mansion'' over there is our ticket. Just need to find a fitting noble and turn them, can''t be that hard."


    He''s clearly not the brains of their operations. Talking so open about their plan without checking whether I''m even leaning that way...


    Also, they clearly don''t know what the mansion wants, at least I can take solace in the fact that they''ll fail - if there was just a suitable noble running around I bet they would''ve already taken over this place.


    For once in this world, I know more about something than my conversation partner, this better be a trend break.


    At least I know now that there''s a third vampire running around and seeing how he calls him boss probably a noble. Just knowing that there is in fact one around is bad news. Need to get rid of Erwin ASAP and then... no idea who to involve. Certainly not Therese, she''d happily take this excuse to end me.


    Erwin walks closer to me and continues in a threatening tone, "You in or not?"


    "Let me think about it for a moment...", what I should do here is all too clear, "yeah, I have a satisfying answer for you."


    "Oh? Let''s hear it", he grins. So do I.


    I''ve finally finished preparing my spell, "Sneak attack, BITCH!"


    Always wanted to say that.


    130 MP disappear and turn into a huge rock shooting from my hand towards where his heart should be.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Critical hit! You''ve inflicted 1967 damage to Erwin and defeated him.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "W-wha - ", and now there''s just a big gaping hole in his chest and a pained look of surprise on his face. And I didn''t even need to hope that I proc a status effect to buy time for a second shot. Seems like either critical hits are overpowered or [Vampire Hierarchie] works, probably both.


    Before the vampire can drop to the floor he turns to dust and only leaves his dog tag behind. Damn, I wanted his ring instead... well, can''t change that now. Bad news for all robbers - you need to keep your victim alive or they take their possessions with them to the grave.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    After gathering my thoughts, I make my way back to the gate. While I walk out of the slums, none of the people there seem to notice me even if at least some paid minimal attention earlier. Seems like my [Stealth] does its job as long as no one is looking explicitly for me or draws attention to me as Erwin did earlier. But then what is the difference to [Low Profile] that Eva wanted to get me in the beginning? Sounds like they do the exact same and that seems just wrong.


    Well, now that I''m already this far in I guess I can as well use this place and my stealth to get some extra blood from time to time. The blood packs won''t last me forever. But maybe I should at least keep the other vampire around? As minimally plausible deniability. Not sure what that is worth though, as I learned earlier that most people don''t seem to care what happens to these people...


    I hate that I didn''t even consider these slum dwellers as ''people'' just now...


    I arrive at the gate and climb the tower again.


    For efficiency''s sake I should just cast another rain spell, maybe try another elemental flavor. But now I''m curious. Elly''s description said that the large rain aoe only has 5% of the base damage and I guess this affects the status chance. So what if the base chance of added status is around 20%? 5% of that may be 1% or rounded down to none.


    I won''t level up today anyway even if I cast another ice rain, so I try the ice aoe cannon with the status effect added.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Blast'' spell has inflicted a total of 2934 damage and 4 status effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Some status effect landed? Neat, now what does that look like...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">cold (0.2 HP/s)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ragelope 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2569/3105</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">345/345</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1357/1357</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">483</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">276</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">115</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">138</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">115</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">115</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">92</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ram Attack 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ice</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So those affected will eventually die? Though that may take a few hours. Well, maybe not the hyper-regenerative slimes but still totally worth the 175 MP spell if I want to thin out the flood. I need to check how much exp this will be once the effects have ended. Currently gaining levels has priority, extending the flood may even be to my benefit...


    Now I''m curious what the other elements have for status effects. Maybe not dark. This could raise some uncomfortable questions. Next up earth and on a different group so as to not waste the inflicted dots.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Earth Blast'' spell has inflicted a total of 3566 damage and 3 status effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Good, landed some effects with this spell as well. So what status does the earth spell inflict?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">fractured (11)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Crawler 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">992/1584</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">396/396</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">880/880</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">209 [220]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">187 [198]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">121 [132]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">187 [198]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">165 [176]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">33 [44]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">55 [66]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Maybe good to nerf a boss or something but not for exp farming. And finally lightning.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Thunder Blast'' spell has inflicted a total of 2721 damage and 7 status effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    A lot this time, yay randomness?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">stunned (4,7s remaining)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dire Wolf 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1467/1764</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">315/315</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1050/1050</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">399</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">231</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">21</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">147</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">126</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">21</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">63</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Deadly Fang 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ice</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Also not an option for grinding. Too bad. So three more ice spells it is.


    shatter


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Blast'' spell has inflicted a total of 3056 damage and 5 status effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    shatter


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Blast'' spell has inflicted a total of 2633 damage and 2 status effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    shatter


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Blast'' spell has inflicted a total of 2934 damage and 3 status effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I don''t feel like doing another 5 hours of training, need a break from this day. The weapon shop was closed yesterday but according to the shop-hours plate is open today and closed again tomorrow. Maybe a look can''t hurt. Not that I expect them to have anything worthwhile.


    I make my way back to the marketplace and as advertised the weapon shop is open today.


    I''m greeted by a girl of my size with a petite figure despite wielding a big hammer, brown eyes and long black hair, "Ah, sorry, the master is not in. Maybe I can help you?" Seems like she works as an apprentice here.


    "You''re cute. Wanna go out?", wait what am I saying? "Umm, sorry. That was a bit.. forward, not sure what came over me."


    No idea what is wrong with me. Going by what I recall from my last life she would be my type, yes, but I''m undead now. I shouldn''t be ABLE to feel this kind of attraction. Well, I can at least take solace in this being a different feeling from hunger.


    The girl crosses her arms, "Urgh, no, I''m used to it. Now if the little vampire is done thinking with his wrong head what can I get you?"


    "How''d you know what I am?"


    She is clearly frustrated, "...experience. Seriously, the only guys that hit on me are you vampires, for some reason. It is kinda creepy."


    "Can''t understand why. You ARE cute."


    "Drop it. Also, you got the wrong eye color. Silver elves either have grey or pale brown eyes, not blue", she says in a teasing manner.


    "Whoops..."


    I sort my thoughts, "So I''m mostly just looking around. As a caster, I''d like something better than this tree branch to increase my MAG but I was told that I''m out of luck in this fortress."


    She answers, "Yeah, that''s true. Sorry, can''t help you there. I''m just an apprentice so I couldn''t craft you something of that level even if I had the materials. And even my master couldn''t help you because of license restrictions."


    "So basically the same as over at the armor shop."


    She shrugs, "Yeah, pretty much. The most I could help you with are regular weapons."


    "Well, I''m supposed to get the Survivor class next, so I guess I could have a look at some spears. What do you have in that direction?"


    "Let''s see...", she searches through some boxes, "no, sorry, the best we have left are just the same the military should also provide you - did they run out of stock?"


    "Not to my knowledge. But I didn''t say anything about being with the military."


    She points at me, "Uh, your robe? It has all the insignia on it. And I honestly doubt you would wear it so openly if it was stolen."


    "Oh, right that one", what''s wrong with me? I''m usually not that forgetful.


    "Anything else you want to have a look at?", she asks me.


    "Sure, how about your smile?"


    She sighs, "Ok that was lame but as far as vampire flirting goes you''re at least in the top 3, far above Erwin''s ''be mine and you''ll be in the front row when I paint the town red with blood'' spiel."


    "Oh, Erwin? Well, if you miss him that much I have to disappoint you", I show her Erwin''s dog tag, "he''s... indisposed."


    The girl is ecstatic, "Oh my god, can I have that as a souvenir?"


    "Sorry, still need that as proof that we have one problem less."


    "Awww", she pouts, "ok, jokes aside, how did that happen?"


    "Well, I was returning from the dungeon and met him near the slums, he kind of invited me for a ''drink''..."


    She sounds concerned, "And did you accept?"


    "...yes."


    "...", she''s speechless.


    "Ah, don''t worry, the person is still... alive, for what it is worth."


    The girl is confused, "Huh?"


    "I mean it."


    "Keep your lies to yourself! Out! Now!", she shoves me out of the door and slams it shut. I hear some crying behind the door, "at least all of this will be over soon."


    Smells like a plot hook. Well, she''s unlikely to tell me what she meant in her current state so this has to wait for another time. Did I really forget to ask her name or at least get it via [appraise]? I''m clearly not at the top of my game today...


    It is a bit too early to go ''home'' but too late to do much in the way of training, don''t want to today anyway. What to do... maybe a quick chat with ''Manni''.


    I make my way back to the Lord''s Mansion.


    "Hey, you awake?", I ask the house.


    It rumbles, "Kinda am, kinda not. How''s it going?"


    "So-so. Went to a dungeon for the first time, rained destruction on the flood monsters, dusted a vampire. Average day, really."


    It asks me, "Oh, you vampires don''t get along with each other? Pardon me. I know very little about your kind. In all my thousands of years, I''ve seen very little of you."


    "Really? I got the impression that vampires were already a problem for a long time."


    The house seemingly has to think for a moment, "Hmmm... not as far as I am concerned. Last time I was awake you vampires didn''t exist yet on this world."


    "That''s... interesting. Do you know where they came from?"


    It recalls, "I do not really ''know''. I''ve just heard rumors nearly 2000 years ago. Supposedly a ''Lost One'' was the first vampire. At first, they were the greatest champion of the people. They refused to drink blood and the people didn''t know about their diet yet. It seems like they kept their condition a secret from their closest friends and party members. After achieving some great victories against the monster hordes they were granted nobility. They... insisted their followers gain the same honor, that wish was granted. Over time they started turning their party members into vampires to strengthen them but the nobility instantly promoted them into ''Vampire Nobles'' and the stronger ones directly to ''Vampire Lords''. And then... the ''Lost One'' lost control of their kin and was killed by their blood-crazed former friends and loved ones. It is said the ''Lost One'' didn''t resist the assault but it didn''t matter, of their friends was nothing left, only monsters wearing their skin. Ever since then the world has been plagued by the bloodsuckers."


    Sounds like someone screwed up big time. Need to make sure we don''t get a rerun.


    "That''s an interesting story. Did it really happen like this?"


    The house sounds uncertain, "No idea. This was just the story I heard."


    "At a minimum, it is a cautionary tale."


    Wait why do I get the feeling I''ve already screwed that up?


    After a bit more small talk I call it a day and head to my room.

 Ch. 16 – Consequences

    I arrive back in my room. It has been a too eventful day. A dungeon visit, killing Erwin, the origin story of vampires and whatever happened with the girl in the weapon shop.


    I make sure that the curtains properly block the incoming sun and then sit down in a chair. I eye the three blood vials I got earlier from the vault, the inventory calls them low-grade. I don''t feel hungry right now I drank earlier after all but... I''m curious how this offering tastes. ...garbage. About as bad as the sand blood from Ted. Bah, disgusting. Need to waste a blood pack just to wash that taste down... wait, no, endure that, me. Each blood pack wasted would just shorten the deadline by nearly a week. Can''t afford that at the moment.


    ...


    I think Chloe hinted that they got the blood vials from monsters so it probably is just monster blood which I can''t taste because I''m not a low-grade vampire. Well, there''s nothing I can change about that. No idea what I can do with those vials then. Donating them to a fellow vampire would only cause problems.


    (Hey, Elly what can I...), wait she''s still in timeout.


    Click


    (Elly, are you back with me now?)


    (P-please never send me back there again), she seems frightened, (I beg of you! I promise I''ll be good just don''t ever send me back there. T-this day was unbearable...)


    (How so? You''re just an AI.)


    She protests, (Rude! I may not be a ''real'' person but I still have feelings!)


    (Spare me the theatre. What was it really like?)


    She sobs, (It was an eternity of ...nothing. No visuals, no sounds, no menu, nothing.)


    (So you spend the time thinking about what you have done?)


    Elly answers, (I tried. But I still don''t understand what upset you.)


    I sigh, (Fine. Let me try to explain, Elly.)


    She affirms, (Yes, please.)


    (I did say that my topmost priority was my safety, right?)


    She agrees, (Yes, you did, Jared.)


    (This includes my mind, my personality. Becoming a Demon Lord would most likely affect me in some way.)


    Elly disagrees, (No, it wouldn''t. You only gain titles that match your achievements or mindset, not the other way around.)


    (That''s news to me.)


    She looks for an excuse, (Errr, emmm... I''ll... just claim it is part of this world''s common sense? It should''ve been obvious though.)


    (I''ll ignore that. Independent of that, I guess becoming a Demon Lord should be treated as a landmine. Everyone and their grandma has access to [Appraise] so it would take what? Ten minutes at most before someone would see that I''m one? And then I''d be in an even worse position than now.)


    Elly explains, (You''re wrong about that. Divine classes like demon lords and heroes don''t show up in regular [Appraise]. Neither do their skills. Those are just as hidden as your evolved extra races of ''Vampire Noble'' and ''Vampire Lord''.)


    (But my ''Vampire Progenitor'' is visible?)


    She is surprised, (What, you took the title? Didn''t think you''d do that if you''re so against the Demon Lord one. You really need to update me on what I missed today.)


    (I just figured that any method that could identify me as a ''Vampire Progenitor'' would even easier find out that I''m a ''Vampire Lord'', so no point in delaying that.)


    She says, (I see. So as I was saying whatever Demon Lord class you get exactly it would not be visible in regular [Appraise].)


    (Not in regular? But with you, I''d be able to see them?)


    (Exactly), Elly is very smug about her superiority in this sense.


    (Right, so what else did you keep a secret from me in that regard?)


    She responds, (Uh, nothing really.)


    (...ok, I''ll just accept that. So the easiest reason against taking the title now: several people have seen my stats. If I become a Demon Lord and they see me with suddenly 20 more VIT or something with no change in levels to justify it, they WILL know something is up.)


    Elly asks, (Uhhh, doesn''t that already apply to ''Vampire Progenitor''?)


    (Shit, you''re right), I facepalm, (well, too late now, 4-5 HP is less of an obvious change than whatever a game-breaker Demon Lord class would give.)


    She confirms, (Ok, so I think I get it now, Jared.)


    (Also even if it does not affect me mentally, who is to say it wouldn''t introduce physical changes that I can''t hide with the [Disguise] skill.)


    She adds, (Answering that would require knowing which Demon Lord class exactly you qualify for.)


    (So you DO have data on those classes?)


    She denies it, (Not as such, sorry.)


    (So, can you give up on making me take that title?)


    She kinda complies with my request, (Only for now. But I''ll keep it in the back of my mind in case I find a good argument.)


    I sigh, (Good enough for now.)


    I tell Elly most of the important stuff that happened today.


    (So you hit on a nice girl), she''s baffled, (and she turned you down?)


    (That was... different. So far I assumed that I should not be able to feel any kind of romantic attraction, being undead and all.)


    Elly guesses, (Not sure, none of your skills or classes say anything about such a restriction. Maybe that was completely normal and she just is your type?)


    (I don''t think so. I had a few crushes in my previous life but not to that extent. It is almost disturbing how strong the feeling of ''I must win her over'' was.)


    (Huh. What even was her name?), she asks.


    (No idea, I failed to ask and wasn''t of the mind to [appraise] her.)


    Elly teases, (So you were too busy to check her out to... check her out. Great. I''m just gone for a day and you''re already cheating on me.)


    (How would I do that? We''ve already established that you aren''t sufficiently real for that to count.)


    She suggests, (So a threesome then?)


    (You want timeout again?)


    Elly pouts, (...please, no.)


    After some more banter, I check my exp progress, I''m sitting at 653 exp total. After some estimation, I find out that the aoe spells were worth less than 70 exp even with the extra damage from status effects. So the rain variant is simply superior for now.


    A bit later in the morning but way before I would need to get up to be at the training place in time, I hear some... bells? And they don''t stop. Probably some kind of alert.


    I look out of the window and see several soldiers running around in a panic in the court, others gathering around what is probably an officer. I decide to make my way down there as well.


    I look around but see no one I know. Ah, the problems of being new and not knowing the emergency protocols...


    "...situation is as follows", I overhear one of the group leaders, "we have a ghoul outbreak in the slums and need to strike it down before it gets out of control."


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Uh-oh, there weren''t any ghouls there yesterday. So is the other vamp noble around and did his thing recently or...


    "Ah, Jared!", Jack approaches me, "That spares me the search for you. Chloe has her group gather in front of your training room."


    "Why there?"


    He seems desperate, "Dunno, just get going."


    "Uh, sure."


    I run over to the meeting place. Everyone else is already there.


    "Ah, good you''re also here", Chloe notices me, "as I was saying there''s a ghoul outbreak in the slums but you five need to defend the gate today so the slum is not our responsibility. So you just continue the day as if nothing happened. Dismissed."


    The five soldiers enter the training hall and start their morning routine.


    Chloe takes me aside, "Mind filling me in on where you were yesterday?"


    "I''m not sure what you mean."


    "Ok, listen", she tells me agitated, "someone saw you yesterday enter the slums with the other vampire, Edgar or something, and today we have all those ghouls in there. While, yes, it can just be a coincidence, it is still suspicious."


    "I''ve honestly no idea where those ghouls come from, haven''t even seen one in my entire life but", I hand her Erwin''s dog tag, "as for what happened there yesterday between me and Erwin..."


    Chloe stares at the tag, "Wait, is that?"


    "Yes, I killed him", I tell her matter-of-factly.


    She sounds a bit perplexed, "I need a more thorough explanation than that."


    "Yeah, that is something I wanted to report on today actually."


    She sounds angry, "From what you said so far you SHOULD have reported it yesterday, but go on."


    "Yeah, sorry, I was... a bit, or rather very confused back then. So Erwin supposedly works with Niles and one other vampire he just called ''boss'' on a plan to take over this place. I''m not sure what it is worth but I suspect that ''boss'' to be at least a noble, from what I''ve seen Erwin doesn''t strike me to be one that submits to someone weaker than him. So anyway, he wanted me to cooperate with him and tried to force me to kill a few of the slum dwellers by drinking their blood, probably as some kind of blackmail. Well, I refused to kill the man, one thing lead to another and then I killed Erwin with a lucky critical hit from my spell. Truth be told I have no proof beyond my words so take it for what you will."


    Chloe scratches her head, "Just perfect. So we really do have one vampire noble running around? Therese had a suspicion in that direction, there were a few cases where people died in the lawless area but all vampires had a sort of alibi. So that would add up at least. But our only witness is a suspect himself. Sorry, but I''ll need to keep you under closer observation for now."


    "Understandable. But don''t you have those truth gems to verify whether I''m guilty or innocent?"


    She is angry, "If you recall YOU were the one to break our last gem."


    "Oh, right I forgot, sorry."


    "Yeah, and don''t you forget again ''mister'' De..la..", she stops mid-word as a realization seems to hit her.


    Then she wrestles me to the ground, "Hey, w-what are you doing?", I can only scream in pain.


    "How could I forget? You have a family name. I clearly saw it in [Appraise]. I''m so stupid", she says with tears in her eyes.


    "I''ve... no idea what that has got to do with... anything", her grip on me is very painful.


    "You don''t? No? Only NOBLES have family names!", she barks at me.


    "Are you STUPID? Where I''m from everyone has a family name!"


    "What?", she lessens her grip a bit, "and where... where should that be?"


    "I already told Therese I don''t remember where I''m from, the first thing I know was waking up in that forest!"


    She finally releases the grip, "Sorry. But I have a hard time believing that such a place can be real. None of the nobles I''ve met would tolerate commoners having a proper family."


    "Who says we had to deal with nobles at all?"


    She reluctantly agrees, "...point taken."


    "So I''m off the hook now?"


    "No", she shakes her head, "just because you having a family name doesn''t prove you''re the cause doesn''t mean you''re 100% innocent."


    "Fair enough. How''d we do that?"


    She thinks for a bit, "Not sure - I think vampires have full control over the monsters they''ve created. So we two just go to the slum, you ''order'' the ghouls to attack each other and if they don''t THEN you''re off the hook."


    "Sounds like a plan."


    Well, she''s explicitly wrong about that according to the skill description but saying that would prove that I have that skill, Catch-22, huh?


    We make our way to the slums. And press ahead into a passage where no other soldiers are yet.


    There I meet a familiar face. Still hungry, just the wrong diet and a bit more green or brown.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Kevin</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Farmer 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Tainted (human) 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ghoul 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1071/1071</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">525/525</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1638/1638</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">189</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">147</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">189</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">63</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">84</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">105</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">126</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Curse Touch 1, Low Profile 1, Physical Resistance 1, Undead 1, Vampire Hierarchy 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">all elements</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Oh, hey Kevin, you let yourself go quite a bit. But at least you''re no longer starving?


    Growl


    Yeah, thought so.


    Two more ghouls walk next to him.


    "I told you what to do", Chloe orders me, "so get to it."


    "Hey you three, attack the ghoul in your middle."


    But the three ghouls continue to walk towards us. No surprise there.


    I ask Chloe, "You see I''ve tried, is that good enough for you?"


    "Yeah", doesn''t sound fully satisfied, "let me dispatch them quickly."


    She swings her spear a few times and the three ghouls collapse, moments later they turn into dust just like Erwin had yesterday.


    "Well, let''s go back", she orders, seemingly not really satisfied with the outcome.


    With that, we walk out of the lawless area again.


    Outside she relays her conclusion, "I''ll be honest with you I''m not fully convinced you''re innocent but my test failed and I have neither the time nor available men to have you 24/7 under supervision. So you''re off the hook for now. But please stay somewhere where you don''t attract any more trouble."


    "Yeah, sure. Will I need to testify about what I''ve told you about Erwin and the other vampire earlier?"


    "Maybe later. I''ll write a report about this so don''t worry about it for now and just stay away from Niles", she takes a more threatening tone, "And if you find out something new about this tell me EARLIER! Not a whole day later! Consider this a final warning."


    "Got it, got it. Can I return to my training routine now?"


    She sends me off, "Sure. See you tomorrow."


    I do my 5 hours of training then produce a rain spell on the flood monsters, this time without status, and then an ice shot with status in the hope of killing one of the big deadly deers.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Rain'' spell has inflicted a total of 479775 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Crash


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have inflicted 480 damage to Ragelope. Status effect was not inflicted.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Elly informs me, (The rain spell has just put you at 1005 exp. You can take the level of Wizard.)


    (Good, I''ll do that in a moment.)


    I sit down for a moment and meditate on taking the Wizard level, a few seconds later I feel my status changing.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 1, Noble 1, Lord 1, Progenitor 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor


    Title Level 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">212</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">828/852 [1066]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">14/1182 [1478]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">79/576 [720]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">131+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">153+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">132+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">261+35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">195</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">196+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">154</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wooden Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 2 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 1 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 2 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 2 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 2 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 2 (Rank 1)


    Unnatural Claws 1


    Charm Eye 1, Embrace 1, Familiar 1, Greater Vampiric Bite 1


    Disguise 1, Intimidation 2


    Ageless 1, Beast Killer 1, Enhanced Regeneration 1, Sleepless 1, Stealth 1, Supernatural Toughness 1, Undead 1, Vampire Hierarchy 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Ok, so the level increase does not come with the newly gained HP, MP, SP being filled up. Good to know that it only increases the cap.)


    Elly agrees, (Better to find out now than when you need and don''t get it. By the way, the next Wizard level needs 1250, go for that next?)


    (Yes, we go straight for Wizard levels until I can either take the Survivor class or the exp cost exceeds 4000, then we may look at the race levels.)


    She responds, (Understood. Anything else I can do for you? I feel... kinda useless.)


    (Jeff''s notes were kinda incomprehensible so far. Can you check if there''s something I''m missing in them? I feel like they would be important to understand but we''re missing something essential.)


    She answers, (I''ll see what I can do.)

 Ch. 17 – Have Actions

    POV: Therese


    Chloe just handed me her report on Jared. I skim through it.


    "Are you kidding me?", I can''t believe what is written there, "You CAN''T be serious!"


    "I''m afraid I am", responds Chloe.


    She must be mistaken, "How can that be? We''ve both seen that he has a family name. He MUST be a noble, a ''Vampire Noble''. You know as well as I do that commoners aren''t ''allowed'' to take a family name. The accursed nobles won''t let us."


    Chloe sounds uncertain, "He claims there where he is from this is different."


    "A place spared from nobles? Get real. Not even in fairy tales do those exist!"


    She is insistent, "What if it is true?"


    "I won''t believe it until I see it. None of the 24 Lost Ones god sent us managed to free us from the noble''s terror, didn''t even make any lasting change to that problem. So why should a random vampire know of such a paradise... Did he say where that should be?"


    She shakes her head, "No, he couldn''t recall."


    "Of course not because it can''t be real, Chloe. I believe that as much as his cover story. The conveniently deceased vampire Erwin supposedly was in a conspiracy with an unknown vampire noble. For how stupid does he take me!?", I hit the desk in my anger.


    "Calm down, Therese!", Chloe tries to quell my anger, "he wasn''t the vampire that killed your daughter, you know that! That was years ago!"


    I suppress my tears, "I... I know... I never even got to properly know her."


    She comforts me, "Yeah, I know the story of how the nobles drove you apart."


    knock knock


    "Hi, it''s Jack."


    I sigh, "Guess we''ll need to continue this later", I order Chloe, "Can you let him in, please?"


    Chloe opens the door and Jack stumbles in, "So, what did you order me here for?"


    "Three! Three times!"


    "Uh...", Jack has no idea what I''m getting at.


    I''m getting worked up, "Alone in the last week you''ve abandoned a suspicious person you were supposed to escort THREE times before they arrived where they were supposed to go."


    "Oh come on, nothing bad happened", he just shrugs it off.


    "NOTHING?", does Jack really not ever get anything? "We''ve potentially a Vampire Noble running around and your charge is a prime suspect. A lot of people died in the ghoul outbreak. And you say nothing bad happened? You were supposed to keep the situation under control!"


    "Therese, calm down", Chloe interjects, "we''ve no lead that links him to the incident."


    Jack is puzzled, "Who are you two talking about?"


    Chloe gives him a push on the back, "Jared, the silver elf. Turned out to be a vampire. Ring any bells?"


    "Oh, him. Dunno, I have a feeling he''s a good guy. Maybe a bit too curious for his own good but at least not hostile."


    I''m not in the mood for guessing games, "as if I''d believe that. Out of over forty recorded vampires since I started working here EVERY! LAST! ONE! just caused problems."


    Chloe scolds me, "Therese, please stick to the facts. I think your judgment is clouded by your experience with nobles and vampires."


    "Did you - did you just imply Jared is a noble?", Jack is going a bit pale.


    "At least by the rules we know", I explain, "he has a family name after all. Chloe has seen it as well."


    Jack doesn''t sound convinced, "Weird, he didn''t give me the impression that he''d be one of those arrogant jerks."


    Chloe tells him, "I think Therese is overreacting because of her history with those two groups."


    "Maybe...", I kind of agree with Chloe.


    Jack asks, "May I know what this history is?"


    Please don''t...


    "So you know how in some areas nobles are so fanatic that they not only disallow us commoners to take a family name", Chloe explains, "but also literally hunt down any commoner that dares have a relationship that goes beyond creating and offspring and then dumping said child in an orphanage?"


    I slam on the table, "Hey! That is private!"


    Jack ignores me, "I''ve only heard rumors of this messed up behavior, so does that really happen?"


    Chloe answers, "Afraid so, she lost her lover that way and then fled here while pregnant."


    "Can you please stop reminding me", I feel some tears on my face. I didn''t need to recall that event...


    Chloe continues, "Over here it is better just because we''re currently spared from having any nobles in charge at all."


    "And what happened to the child?", asks Jack.


    Ah, screw it, might as well finish it myself, "I had to give my daughter up to an orphanage. Even if you don''t have a noble hunting commoners here, not having a family is too ingrained into the culture. I... wasn''t even allowed to watch over her, then lost sight of my child. Years later I found out that she died during a vampire attack..."


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Chloe frowns, "Sorry for bringing this up, Therese."


    "Yeah, I''ll pay you back for that once I can recall any of your embarrassing past stories."


    She sweats, "As long as it isn''t the story of how I asked out Max I''m fine with it."


    Jack wants to know, "What was with Max?"


    "She - "


    "I SAID YOU TAKE THAT TO THE GRAVE!", Chloe has turned quite red.


    Jack is done processing what he has heard, "Okay but how does that relate to Jared?"


    I take back the lead, "He is a vampire, we know that much for certain. And we saw with [Appraise] that he has a family name. He claims that he is from an area where nobles didn''t forbid commoners from having a family name but I''ve never heard of such a region. I know at least enough about this continent."


    "And if he is from a different one?", Jack asks.


    Chloe explains to him, "How would he have come here? Sea travel is impossible since the uprising of the sea demon lord three hundred years ago. And I don''t see Jared having a form of space magic."


    Jack scratches his head in embarrassment, "Yeah, sorry, thinking isn''t my strong suit."


    "Geez, I would''ve never guessed."


    ...


    I need a moment to compose myself again, "Well, since we''re lacking any Truth Gems I have no way to verify one way or another. Chloe risked her neck by going to the slums with him earlier but her findings were just as inconclusive. Of course, she didn''t take the opportunity to dispose of him in a different fashion."


    Chloe cuts me off, "Hey, what was I supposed to do? You know as well as I do that if I killed him there the law enforcement system would end me when I get back to civilized grounds... I... kinda forcefully pulled him into the slums so it would know that it was intentional on my part."


    "Yeah, true. Should''ve sent some disposable grunt like Jack here instead."


    Jack objects, "Hey!"


    "What? All I''ve seen from you so far just points to you being a liability, not a reliable soldier."


    "That''s... fair enough I guess", Jack admits sheepishly.


    ...


    "Hey, so that might just be my inexperience", Jack offers his ''expertise'', "but IF Jared was a ''Vampire Noble'' as you suspect wouldn''t he be way higher level? I always thought that when monsters evolve to their next stage that all their levels increase by quite a lot. In the mission paper I got it said he was still level 1."


    "That''s...", could he really be right? "We don''t really know if this is true. In the stories about how vampires came to be this was indeed the case but no one really ever had the opportunity to verify. At this stage, it is just a theory."


    "You''re as skeptical as ever, Therese", Chloe interjects, "why not give him the benefit of doubt for now? We''ve both seen with [Appraise] that he is too weak to be a threat to us even if he tried. And honestly? We seriously need mages. Especially with how bad this flood has turned out."


    I know the need but not like this, "And how do you intend to keep him from going blood crazy? You know as well as I do that vampires can''t subsist on two or three vials of monster blood per week. Not for long. If we''re honest they need more like six to seven at a minimum. We just don''t find enough in the dungeon. This is just an accident waiting to happen."


    "Uh, hey", Jack speaks up again, "how''d you then manage to keep the other vampires under control for so long?"


    "Honestly? We don''t. We know that they go to the slums and kill people there. It is just that we don''t have the manpower to catch them in the act. So we... just turn a blind eye."


    "You can''t be serious!", Jack is appalled. If Jack of all people calls you out you just know you''ve messed up.


    "Morally it is wrong. Legally it is questionable but the system ignores it. And personally? I have no way to change it and have bigger problems to care about. I''d rather sacrifice a few bums than lose another soldier. We''re already barely holding on as is."


    And that''s not only limited to the gates...


    "Therese - ", Chloe is disappointed in my flippant handling of those people.


    "If you know a better way just tell me. I don''t. I just deal with the hand I''m given and currently? It sucks. Big time."


    You haven''t the faintest clue how bad our situation truly is, and it is better if it stays that way.


    "Yeah, sorry. I got nothing", Chloe looks down, clearly frustrated.


    "Seriously, as long as something like today doesn''t happen again or you catch them in the act my hands are tied. If you don''t like it give me an alternative. I''m not born to be a leader, never learned it. I''m just in charge now because everyone more competent is out of commission or dead."


    "I think you''re doing a decent job", Chloe says trying to console me, "But hear me out. We just continue with Jared as we have. And when we either catch him in the act we can just deal with him then."


    "Urgh, FINE. But only until Darius wakes up and takes charge again, everything after that is not my problem anymore."


    "So, uhh, can I go now?", Jack tries to get away, "We''re done now, right?"


    "No. We''re not finished with your evaluation!"


    Jack winces, "Worth a try..."


    "As I said you were three times in charge of bringing Jared somewhere and all three times failed to see it through, let''s ignore the other dozen infractions from last week alone."


    Jack tries to weasel his way out, "Hey, how was I supposed to know that he''d be a vampire the first time?"


    "It was an ORDER!", I sigh, "I really don''t know what to do with you. It is just one disappointment after another."


    "Hey, Therese, how about just putting Jack in charge of Jared for the near future?", suggests Chloe.


    Jack is terrified, "You want me to run around with a bloodsucker on my neck?"


    I point at him, "Hey, YOU said that you trust him to be not dangerous. That''s the perfect opportunity to put your money where your mouth is."


    "Me and my big mouth...", curses Jack.


    I don''t need long to agree, "Good enough for me. That way at least two problems are in the same place."


    Chloe asks, "Umm, Therese, how about giving Jared library access? He asked about it earlier and honestly if he''s busy reading he won''t have time to cause trouble elsewhere."


    "Good idea. Do that."


    Jack is confused, "Wait, does that mean I''ll have to learn how to read?!"


    "I don''t think you''ll have time for that. Just let him borrow some books and then keep him busy for the rest of your shift. If he feels hungry subtly nudge him towards the slums and ''lose'' track of him, I''m certain you''re an expert in that field."


    "But how would I keep him busy then?", Jack interjects, "He only has one hour in the sun with the ring. What then?"


    "Not my problem, just let him lead the way. Your task is just to make sure he doesn''t cause any trouble for the people that matter."


    Jack doesn''t really seem to care anymore, "Got it. And what about nighttime? I''m not taking him in with me!"


    "We''ll just leave that to the night patrols. We don''t have sufficient manpower for 24/7 observation anyway. Just... do as much as possible and pray I''m wrong about my suspicion."


    Jack agrees, "Understood. I''ll... start with that tomorrow. When should I pick him up?"


    "We start training at 800", Chloe adds, "he currently manages five hours, then casts some spells at the west gate."


    Jack is relieved, "Perfect, I can sleep in at least."


    I scoff, "We''ll certainly need to take some disciplinary actions with you... Jack, you''re dismissed. Get out of my sight before I change my mind and decide on a proper punishment for you."


    "Yikes, ok bye", Jack hurries out of the room.


    "He doesn''t take this seriously at all...", Chloe sounds frustrated.


    "Yeah", I agree with Chloe, "all of our lives are at stake here."


    She asks me, "Therese, did the doctors say anything about how long it''ll be until the commander is ready to take lead again?"


    "Darius? No, they don''t know. Probably at least another week until he wakes up and then some more days before he can leave the bed again. Why? Dissatisfied with my job?"


    She avoids looking me in the eyes, "No, not really. But Margret... she didn''t take the news well."


    "She''s still crushing on him?"


    Chloe nods, "Yep, clear as day. But don''t tell her. She still thinks that is a secret between her and me."


    "Goddammit, girl", I facepalm, "He''s got what? Ten years on you."


    Chloe guesses, "I think it is only eight."


    I sigh, "Bad enough."


    "Wanna help me set them up?", she asks.


    "I give her three weeks. After that, we can force the issue."


    Chloe sounds happy, "You''re on."

 Ch. 18 – Unrevelation

    (So where are we off to?), Elly asks me.


    (There''s something I wanted to confirm. Supposedly the connection from this world to the afterlife is cut off. I want - I need to know if this is true.)


    She questions me, (How do you want to do that?)


    (Simple. We''ll go to the church. If there''s any place that has the highest chance of still having ''signal'' it is there.)


    She scoffs, (...I don''t like where this is going. Have you considered that the church is a ''holy place''? It is possible that it would burn you as much as direct sunlight.)


    (The [Undead] skill didn''t say anything about that in specific. And if it was just generic holy damage regular people would probably also not be able to endure it. Well, that is the second thing I want to find out.)


    She warns me, (Just... be cautious. If you feel anything off let us return immediately.)


    I agree, (Yeah, sure. That was the plan.)


    I check the map I got from Chloe and find where it lists the church''s location. I make my way there, it is basically on the other end of the fortress. I lose my way a couple of times but Elly course corrects me again.


    I arrive where the map said the church should be. I guess ''church'' is a generous term. It looks like it is ten minutes away from being declared a ruin.


    (Are you sure this is the right place, Elly?)


    She answers, (At least according to the map it is.)


    I shrug, (Well, it''s either that or we''re off to raid a tomb. Both work for me.)


    I step towards the door and try to open it, then my hand is overcome by pain again. My HP has dropped to 850/852.


    (Dunno. I was expecting that if the church hurts me it would be a bit more damage. Like ten times the amount.)


    Elly agrees, (Yeah, two damage per second is not a good deterrent in case of a zombie apocalypse.)


    (I guess I can just bear with it? I''d have seven minutes I think.)


    She tries to dissuade me, (Honestly, I''d rather not...)


    "Hey", I hear a familiar voice, "what are you doing here? This is not your feeding ground!"


    I turn around and see the girl from the weapon shop again, this time dressed in a more religious dress, "Me? There''s something I have to confirm if the gods are willing to answer."


    She thinks for a moment, "Are you perhaps... no, never mind."


    "Am I what?"


    The girl sighs, "...a recently created vampire? It is strange, you seem to know too little even for the normal... memory loss of getting turned."


    "Oh, that... it was not even a week ago."


    She doesn''t believe me, "Right, right. So let me spell it out for you, Jared, the divine voice doesn''t answer undead. And... recently it has even been silent for normal people."


    "I never introduced myself, how do you know my name?"


    She scoffs, "Eh, hello? You''re a silver elf and a magic user. I''ve heard rumors of only one magic user recently. Real casters are so rare that every single one is noticeable."


    That worries me, "Why ''real caster''? Is that to differentiate from those that only have magic skills from their race but have no class that supports it?"


    She confirms, "Yeah, exactly. Just like... people like me. Err, before I forget again, I''m Lucia."


    "Nice to meet you, Lucia."


    She tells me off, "Screw that! I know that... you vampires aren''t really attracted to ''me'', but to... my skill", she sounds sad while saying that.


    "Huh?"


    She plays it down, "Yeah, it is a... curse. Don''t bother using [Appraise], it doesn''t show up there."


    (Ha! We''ll see about this!), Elly is a bit too eager to prove her wrong.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lucia</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">17</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Smith 15, Nun 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sunbound (human) 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Holy Maiden 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2297/2297</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1126/1126</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1982/2682</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">406+85</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">302</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">385+65</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">174</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">211+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">274+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">262</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Smith Hammer, Reinforced Suit, Habit</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cure Magic 5 (Rank 2), Fire Magic 14 (Rank 1)


    Hard Worker 14


    Undead Bait 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dark</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And we were only talking about divine classes recently...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Undead Bait


    Passive, Divine Skill


    The owner is highly attractive to the undead.


    F???a???t???e???f???u???l??? ???c???h???a???n???g???e??? ???r???e???v???i???s???e???s??? ???c???l???a???s???s???.???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Oh, hey, glitches again, (That''s a tough one to swallow...)


    Elly sneers, (So much for romance.)


    (Yeah, yeah. But what''s the point? I thought a ''divine class'' was something super special with powerful fate-defying skills. This reads like a death wish.)


    (No idea), Elly is also clueless.


    "Holy Maiden?" Shit! Wait, I shouldn''t be able to see that!!


    Lucia is confused, "Huh? You can see it?"


    "Well... uhhh... maybe I was allowed to see it because you wanted to show me?"


    "Hmmm...", yeah she clearly doesn''t buy it.


    "So what does your skill do?", as if I hadn''t already peeked at it.


    She sounds sad, "...undead become highly attracted to me, in one way or another. Disappointed?"


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "A bit. The feeling reminded me of a crush I had before. Was nice while it lasted."


    She shrugs it off, "Yeah, sorry, it is just a skill, not... really real."


    "Say, how do you deal with that? It sounds like half the ghouls in the slum incident would make a beeline for you."


    She grabs her shoulder, suppressing a shudder, "I try not to think about it too hard. Neither about that skill nor about the oracle I got some years ago", it seems like life has left her eyes.


    Do I dare ask what it was about?


    "Wanna tell me what it was about?"


    "No, I don''t want to", she looks like she''s about to cry, "but it doesn''t matter what I want. The oracle was about my... death. I am to die the same year the next Demon Lord awakens."


    (Then it is a good thing I didn''t take that title, RIGHT ELLY?)


    My mind''s roommate apologizes, (...sorry.)


    I go over and hug Lucia, "No it is not. Some crap like destiny is not real. This ''oracle'' can only come true if you give up. Be strong and fight against it."


    "Don''t be dumb - and let me go", she frees herself from the hug, "oracles are from God himself, they are never wrong."


    "The gods are never wrong? Then tell me, why did they need to send multiple Lost Ones over the years and we still have to deal with this doomsday scenario to this day? Trust me, the future is not set in stone. As long as you live you can change it!"


    She starts laughing, "You''re funny. Do you even realize where we are?"


    "In front of a church, so what? Just because the gods are powerful doesn''t mean they know the future."


    She gets lost in thought for a moment, "I think you''re right. The teachings of the ''god of balance and refinement''", she points at the status to the side of the church I oversaw earlier," tell us to better ourselves each day. Just accepting defeat would go against this. Thanks, I guess, I needed that."


    "And this statue?", I point to the stone figure in front of the church.


    She answers, "Supposedly depicts this church''s god."


    "Kinda looks like Jeff."


    ...shit, this [Undead Bait] skill screws with my ability to keep my thoughts in my head...


    Lucia is confused, "Uh... why is it that you don''t know the most basic things but have an idea of what our god is called? Most people don''t know it. Basically, only the upper church ranks do", she whispers, "Well, the pronunciation is a bit different from what they used."


    "Maybe just a vague memory from before? But I feel like ''balance'' is clearly not his department, that goes more towards Graham, I think."


    She looks like she caught someone reading her diary, "...fine be that way. You wanted to try your luck with a prayer?"


    "Yes but the church burns me alive. I''d have like six to seven minutes."


    She offers assistance, "Well, I could give you another minute, maybe two, if I use my single heal spell of the day on you. Want to give it a try?"


    "Are you sure you want to waste it on me?"


    She nods, "Yeah, why not. I feel like I owe you after your encouragement."


    "Thanks. I''ll tell you when I''m below half HP."


    Lucia gives me instructions, "Great. So just head over to the altar, kneel down, fold your hands like this", she shows me the procedure, "and then just... pray. If the gods want to answer you''ll know it. Wait, give me a minute I''ll check with the reverend mother to make sure we don''t get a problem with your... condition."


    She runs into the church.


    Thinking back, (I think I may have said too much there.)


    (About what, Jared?), asks Elly.


    (The whole Jeff thing. I''ve seen that she has the Nun job. So me name-dropping their god like it was nothing just has to tip her off.)


    She responds, (If you''re that worried about that you can still show her your Lost One title. Though I''d be more worried about this being a trap.)


    (Not sure. I don''t get the feeling that she is hostile but that might just as well be the [Undead Bait] skill messing with my head more than you are. Didn''t the patch notes say that I''d be immune against such mind effects?)


    Elly explains, (No, only against generic mind effects. This one seems very specific to me.)


    (Great. Then I''m counting on you to keep my head straight while near her.)


    She agrees, (I''ll do my best. Regular or yandere style?)


    (Regular please.)


    Lucia returns a few minutes later, "Ok, no one is present currently. They are teaching some of the orphans in the classrooms."


    "More questions for later."


    She urges me to start moving, "Yeah, yeah, get going."


    I enter the church, it burns as expected. Lucia leads me towards the altar. It is devoid of any decorations, just a scale with a miniature sword on one side and a hammer on the other scale.


    The whole atmosphere feels uncomfortable.


    I kneel down and try to perform the gesture Lucia showed me earlier.


    I silence my thoughts and try to ''pray''...


    ...


    Nothing happens.


    ...


    Ah, now!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">404: no signal</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yeah, as expected. So that part was true at least.


    632/1066 HP left.


    I rise from the pose and try to leave again so I tell Lucia, "Yeah, no response as expected. But thanks for indulging me anyway."


    Lucia accepts my thanks, "Sure, how you''re holding up?"


    "I lost a bit more than 400 HP."


    She asks, "No intense pain?"


    "Just the continuous burning from being in this place."


    Lucia concentrates for a moment. Then a green light rushes from her hands towards me.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve been healed by Lucia for 282 HP.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Thank you."


    She follows me outside, "So what are you up to now?"


    "Not sure. I''m out of MP and SP so not really sure what I can do today anymore. Why do you ask?"


    Lucia answers indifferently, "Nothing special. I''ve just duty in the church today but the reverend mother is still busy so I have to wait before I can do anything. Just... wanted to waste some time with a little chat if you don''t mind."


    "Sure why not. Is your duty here related to your special class?"


    She nods, "Yeah, I got it about five years ago and when someone from my neighborhood found out they condemned me to work here. Claiming I NEED to prepare for my ''destiny''", she air-quotes and sighs, "At least they allow me to continue with my smithing apprenticeship."


    "Huh, I thought you''d help here voluntarily."


    She gets agitated, "Are you joking? I was literally BORN to be a blacksmith. Sitting around, listening to people and trying to help them turn their life around is... not something I''m good at. Which doesn''t even get into the main problem...", she averts her eyes from me.


    "And that is?"


    Lucia explains, "Just because I have this special class people expect me to accompany the ''chosen hero'' once the real one is found and inevitably fall in love with him, urgh", she sticks her tongue out in disgust, "I mean do you get it? Nothing I do now matters. I ''must'' play the damsel for some haughty jerk just because our two classes say so. That''s... not fair."


    "Harsh. Sorry, no idea how to defeat peer pressure. That might be the one enemy harder to slay than a Demon Lord."


    She scoffs, "Yeah, tell me about it. At least I''m ''lucky'' and will be through with it soon."


    "Hey, are you still going along with that stupid oracle? I thought you''d decided to fight against it?"


    "Yeah, true", she doesn''t really sound confident, "I have the choice between dead-dead and only mostly dead because my choices are not respected. What a great prospect for my future. I hate it."


    "But what if you meet the hero and he isn''t an insufferable jerk? What if you actually fall in love with him for real?"


    She teases me, "What? You got hopes that it''ll be you and you can win me over? Puh-lease."


    "Don''t worry, I have it on the highest authority that I can''t be a hero."


    "...", she looks at me questioning my sanity.


    "What?"


    Lucia shakes her head, "You talk the weirdest things."


    "Yeah, maybe I do. Do you feel like talking about your religion here?", I don''t really care too much about it but if they have Jeff as their figurehead it can only be a big joke, wonder what the punchline will be?


    "Eh, sure why not", Lucia shrugs it off, "not sure I can tell you anything you shouldn''t already know."


    "I''m sure you can at least get me back up to speed. Half the time I''m not sure if I just don''t remember or never knew in the first place and my brain just makes shit up."


    Lucia explains, "Riiight... so the main tenets are pretty simple:


    one) be willing to help those that ask for help if you''re able to


    two) strive for improvement of the self and the community


    three) no one knows exactly what is meant by ''balance'' but the current consensus is to avoid the extremes or keep everything in moderation."


    "That sounds way more reasonable than what I''m used to. No mandatory prayers, weekly mass or forced conversions of ''unbelievers''?"


    She mocks the idea, "No, why? Who''d want such barbarism?"


    "Don''t ask me. A religion with actual practical guidelines instead of just wasting everyone''s time with preaching, hundreds of laws and demanding tribute sounds like such a novel concept to me."


    She suppresses laughter, "That... sounds like a poor way to live if you ask me."


    "Yeah. So if I wanted to keep it short: assistance, self-improvement and moderation?"


    She thinks about it, "Hmm... good enough for me."


    "So how exactly does this church ''work'' then?"


    She explains, "We help with the orphanages, give the young ones some education or try to offer advice to anyone who seeks it. And if no one here can help there''s always what you tried - prayer. "


    "Ok, but what does that have to do with your... class?"


    Lucia responds, "Uh, absolutely nothing? I think most people just have no idea. They probably think just because my class has holy in its name that I MUST belong to the church. The reverend mother disagreed but was overruled somehow, I don''t really understand what happened back then. It just... kind of happened and then I was never in a position to go somewhere else..."


    I don''t really know what to say to this...


    "Say, shouldn''t you hurry back soon?", she asks me. It seems this discussion has hit a sore spot... she''s looking for any excuse to end it, "As far as I know you got a ring for joining the military that only protects you for about an hour from the sun."


    I really should pay attention to the luxury my cloak grants and not take it for normal, "Oh, yeah, true. Thanks for reminding me. I blame the effect of your skill for that! Well, see you around, Lucia."


    I take my leave and wave her goodbye.

 Ch. 19 – Literacy and Excuses

    I''m back in my room.


    (Hey, Jared), Elly starts, (why did you try to charm Lucia instead of charming her?)


    (Did you really just go there?)


    She doesn''t sound the slightest bit apologetic, (Uh, yes, why?)


    (...if I was to start a relationship I''d like it to NOT be this disgusting. It is important to me that a relationship is based on mutual attraction and not just applied mind rape.)


    Finally, she apologizes, (Right, sorry.)


    (And for the same reason I don''t think I''d even want to get together with her - I''d never be sure whether I like her because of her or just because her skill forces me to. And that''s not even getting into the mental age difference which makes things... weird...)


    The voice in my head mocks me, (Yeah, true. She''s a couple of years ahead of you in that regard.)


    (ELLY!! Do you want to go in timeout again!?)


    (Uh, no thanks.)


    One thing doesn''t leave my mind, (Do you have any idea what the point of the [Undead Bait] skill is? From what I''ve learned she is supposed to join the hero''s party and then assist in taking down the demon lord. But that skill seems very counterproductive, like you want to keep hidden to plan an ambush but every undead in the country has advance warning of where you are. That doesn''t add up.)


    She thinks about it for a moment, (I agree. Maybe someone sabotaged the skill? Half the description is bugged out after all.)


    (Not sure. I don''t think the system administrator would let it stand this way. They should make backups after all - ah, who am I kidding. On the off chance that backups are made half of them are corrupt anyway. Totally not speaking from experience. So much for that angle. )


    Elly takes a guess, (So just random corruption of the skill effect?)


    I have to think about this option for a moment, (No, this seems too deliberate to me. The skill name and the effect match as far as we can see. Whatever the original skill and effect were if both ''randomly'' change to something that still matches with each other this is too much of a coincidence. I wouldn''t buy that for a second.)


    She takes a guess, (True. But if it is intentional sabotage why just stop there? If you want to disable the ''Holy Maiden'' holder you could just as well make it an automatic self-destruction.)


    (Yeah, also a good point. This whole thing makes too little sense for what we know. Well, that assumes whoever is responsible has that much control over skill effects in the first place. It could just be an incompetent hack job.)


    She asks, (Also if it was sabotage why draw attention to it by giving it such an obvious name?)


    (Maybe because a skill with a mismatched effect would draw more attention?)


    (Why then not disguise it as a glitched skill? Those are... widespread enough. Yeah, this doesn''t make much sense either way), Elly gives up.


    I can think of another dumb option, (What if it is the original name and only the effect got messed up by a glitch?)


    She asks me, (Uh, and what should the original effect be?)


    (No idea. But honestly, sabotage is the most likely cause. Otherwise, it is too unlikely that the effect still somewhat matches the name.)


    Elly reluctantly agrees, (I think so too but no idea what this changes.)


    (Hmm... beats me. But it is something to keep in mind if we ever break the demon artifact.)


    Not making any progress there either... how about, (Oh, right I hit Wizard level 2 - do I qualify for an additional class by now?)


    Elly holds back laughter, (No, you''re still quite a ways off from ''Survivor''.)


    (And any other class?)


    She scolds me, (Err, you want to risk incurring Therese''s wrath?)


    (Why not? I doubt there are actually laws that allow her to dictate which classes I take. And if she could just drag me outside the law enforcement area to kill me without consequence she would have done so already - or ordered Chloe to. So this tells me someone would still suffer consequences when they go back.)


    Elly disagrees, (I don''t think this counts as proof. Maybe as a mage you are more valuable than you think?)


    (...damn, outsmarted again by a hallucination. Fine, I''ll abstain from misappropriating the ''class core'' for now. But can you at least sate my curiosity if I had any other class options available?)


    She explains, (Not without a capable trainer. Speaking of, Chloe is already registered as your trainer according to your status screen.)


    I''m surprised, (What? Why? It has just been three days and I don''t even have the class! She has been barely around to observe my training at all!)


    (No idea why but that''s just what it says here.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Trainer (1/1): Chloe


    Apprentices (0/5): none</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (If she''s already locked in as a trainer can I even leave later once I''m ''done'' with the Survivor class? I don''t see a ''Leave'' type button there but it says 1/1 next to the trainer entry...)


    Elly double-checks, (Don''t see one either, we''ll have to see once you get another Class Core and are done with leveling Survivor.)


    (Yeah, seems like it.)


    Once morning arrives I go to training as usual. Afterwards, Chloe approaches me, "So after the... scene yesterday I''ve good news and bad news for you."


    I''m still a bit angry about how she treated me, "...didn''t need to remind me of that."


    She brushes it off, "Yeah, sorry. But you''ve to understand that everyone''s on edge after the outbreak."


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Yeah, yeah. So what is the news?"


    "Good news", she hands me a card, "you''re allowed to visit the library. I''ve... never been there, to be honest", she admits sheepishly, "so I don''t really know what you need to keep in mind. Just try to not cause any trouble."


    "I''ll try my best. And the other news?"


    She answers, "...we''ve no lead on who created the ghouls so it was decided that we can''t let you run around any longer unsupervised. Well, that''s... partially my fault, sorry. Well, since I''ve no time Jack was volunteered to accompany you."


    I scoff, "Knowing him he''ll disappear before the end of the day anyway."


    Chloe agrees, "You''re... not too far off. That is what got him into trouble after all. Again."


    "Ok, fine. So where is he?"


    She looks around before responding, "He''s... supposed to pick you up once you''re done at the gate."


    "I think I can deal with that. Is that all?"


    "Yes, that''s all for now. And... sorry for overreacting yesterday", she apologizes again, this time sounding more sincere.


    "Its... I, I understand. Don''t sweat it", you almost KILLED ME back there!!, "see you tomorrow then."


    I head towards the gate and cast Ice Rain as usual.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Rain'' spell has inflicted a total of 479694 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Damage hasn''t really increased with the level up, damage per raindrop seems the same. The damage penalty on rain spells is too big to see a change with just a single level up, should''ve guessed as much.


    351 exp total today so far.


    I walk down the tower stairs again and see Jack in the distance. I would have guessed he''d just slack off, "Hey, totally didn''t expect to see you here today."


    Jack sounds insulted, "Hey, I''m not that unreliable! Did Chloe tell you what''s up?"


    "Enough to know that you screwed up?"


    He brushes it off, "Ugh, yeah, yeah. I ''swear'' I''ll better myself", he mutters under his breath, "Or at least not get caught again."


    I mock him, "So... will you run off after five or ten minutes this time?"


    Jack responds, "Fifteen, I mean NO, I''ll not do that. Promise."


    The clock is ticking, buddy.


    I roll my eyes, "Sure, we''ll see it. So what''s the plan now? I wanted to hit the library."


    He shrugs, "Just do whatever. I''m only supposed to keep you out of trouble. Got nothing beyond that."


    "Yay, I have a private babysitter."


    He explains, "Trust me, I''m not happy about this arrangement either. But what has to be done has to be done."


    "Like when you ''had to'' get me into the office and just dropped me off in front of it and I could''ve just run off?"


    "Exactly like... HEY!", he''s clearly not the brightest.


    "Ok, whatever, so according to the map the library is... quite a ways off."


    Guess he''ll set a new record of sticking to a task today.


    Jack looks over the map, "Oh, yeah that''s far. Probably 1200 DU or is it 1300? What time is it again right now?"


    Fuck DU, really.


    I mutter, "Yeah, that''s the first thing that has to go..."


    "What?", Jack is confused but I won''t grace him with a response to that.


    Neither of us is proficient with maps but at least I have Elly to bail me out.


    Eventually, we arrive at the library. Jack - of course - waits outside. I bet 2 gold he''ll be gone by the time I''m back. Not my problem.


    I''m greeted by an elderly woman who seems to be the librarian here, "I take it you''re new around here, can you show me your card?", she demands, "Access to the library is restricted."


    "Yes sure", I show her said card, "just got it earlier today."


    She looks at it thoroughly, "Hmmm... good, seems to be in order. Is this your first time visiting a library? Need an introductory course?"


    "Yes, please."


    She lectures me, "Very well. As you can see we''ve several bookcases in this room each covering a separate topic." She points towards said bookcases.


    There are no chairs or tables in sight, so maybe it is not intended to read books here without borrowing them?


    The librarian continues her explanation, "Just look through them until you find the book you want to borrow then bring it to me. For each borrowed book you''ll need to make a deposit of 5 gold, you''ll get that back when you return the book and it isn''t damaged beyond repair."


    "5 gold is... quite a lot."


    "That it is but books are very expensive. We''re very limited in our options to restore damaged books or create new ones, so please handle them with care."


    "Yes, I''ll keep that in mind."


    I look through the available sections: mostly history, some legends, a bit of politics, some rundowns on animal and monster types. Nothing in the way of textbooks, reference books or magic guides.


    I grab a dictionary, good, I can read it.


    (I think I can afford to borrow 10 books at once. Or do you know any reason why I''d need a lot of money in the next few days, Elly?)


    Elly answers, (No, we should be fine for now. Worst case it would take an hour to just return them, so just go for it. But why do you want that many books at once?)


    (Simple. That little bit of Jeff''s notes that I could use so far is quite dubious. I want to cross-review what is written in his notes with what the local books say. If they agree we can trust it to 99%. If they disagree... we at least know what we don''t know. Also, I plan to extend the next dungeon visit, wait until the rest of the group is done and leaves then continue by myself. I have passive regeneration and enough blood packs but need something to pass the boring wait.)


    She doesn''t disagree, (Sure, works for me. But what do you expect from that? The exp gain per monster isn''t really much and I doubt the dungeons will be neatly packed like the flood outside.)


    (Supposedly only in dungeons do monsters drop items. And I seriously need some Class Cores. So I either get lucky and gain them directly or at least some other rare stuff that lets me eventually buy one.)


    Elly reminds me, (I''ve not seen one for sale - do you know if they are even sold and if yes for how much?)


    (No, but human greed will find a way to monetize even air so I''m pretty sure there will be at least a black market for that somewhere.)


    She reminds me, (Ok, but for your dungeon plan, keep in mind that your supply of blood packs is limited. You''d shorten how long you have until you need an alternate sustainable blood source.)


    (Yes, I know. I''m aware of that risk. Remind me again when I drop below 300 packs and still haven''t solved that issue.)


    Elly sounds giddy in anticipation, (Sure thing.)


    I take the dictionary, two different books on monsters, three history books, one on contemporary politics and three more on various legends. I take them to the librarian. She''s composed but you can just feel as if her jaw would''ve dropped, "Are you sure you can afford the 50 gold deposit?"


    "Yes", I hand her the money, "there it is."


    She quickly counts the coins, "Thank you for your patronage."


    I store the books in my inventory. With that, I have still 61 gold left.


    As I leave the library I see to my total surprise... that Jack is indeed missing again. Now, who gives me the 2 gold for the bet? Yeah, thought so.


    I wait a few more minutes in case he''s just taking a leak or something, (Uh, Elly, do people of this world even need to use the bathroom? I don''t have to.)


    Elly responds, (Well, you''re a special case because you''re a monster or an undead. And otherwise, I''ll just assume they are the same as the people from your old world until proven otherwise.)


    (Yeah, let''s go with that. That way of thinking leads to way fewer headaches than doubting every single detail.)


    A few more minutes pass but Jack is still nowhere to be seen, (I guess he doesn''t come back, exactly as expected. Where to now...)


    Since it came up earlier, I''m now curious if there''s a shop that would sell a Class Core and how much they are worth. So I make my way to the marketplace and look around. I try the dungeon supply shop again but they don''t sell those. It is not like I have that kind of money anyway, all the gold I have is basically from Chloe''s savings and she wanted another core as well and couldn''t afford one. But asking for a price can''t hurt.


    I check a few more shops but none carry cores. I''m told that my best bet would be asking directly at the military or dealing with the black market that operates from within the slums but I am also advised to stay away from there for ''obvious reasons''.


    I was in the slums but I saw no hints of a market, illegal or otherwise, (Wait, how big are the slums? I never checked. Where''s the map again...)


    Elly tells me, (To me it looks... big. By my estimate, it covers about 20% of the whole fortress.)


    (And that much of the fortress is ''outside'' its jurisdiction? I was thinking 5%, 10% at most but this is madness.)


    She asks me, (And what does that change for you?)


    (...nothing. Yet. But there are too many signs hinting that the ''Lord''s Mansion'' needs to be taken over, the sooner the better, and I seem to be the most likely candidate and then it will be my problem.)


    (I guess so. You finally give up your resistance against that idea?)


    (No...), I clench my fist, (I''m not... fit to be a leader.)


    Elly is curious, (Any specific reason for that?)


    (Just a bad memory from my past. Some fools let me take lead once, didn''t end pretty.)


    (May I ask for details?)


    (...ask their corpses. Even years later they never got over their drinking problems.)

 Ch. 20 – Aftercare

    POV: Eva


    What a day. I need a key to archive 7zU=w4 but the usual suspects don''t have one. Nastja gave hers to W-Nwu who is on vacation, I think, and Yrgudys gave his to Georgette who gave it to Vladalaja. And no one knows where she is. A big scavenger hunt just to prove that Gzeph''s boss didn''t forward an order for new parts again, ''forgot'' to put his signature under it and just tossed it in the archive as if it wasn''t his problem. AGAIN. Those replacement parts don''t order themselves, you know! Graham needs them!


    On the upside, the responsible boss is very angry that Graham doesn''t get his needed parts and operations are in danger of coming to a halt. Well, it took a lot of work to convince him that Graham had submitted the request for new parts on time months ago, now it is just a hunt to find who messed up. And as usual, the prime suspect is that jerk.


    I just need to get those order sheets and rub that in the boss''s face and then I should be rid of him, hopefully forever. This is like the tenth time his negligence brought operations to a screeching halt.


    Let''s see. Office 6002134 - that''s Alice. Office 6002135, Treva, also not who I need. Office 6002136, Gzeph, he is still in hospital - wait, why are there lights on?


    I knock on Gzeph''s office door, "Come in", greets me an exhausted voice.


    "You look even worse than last time. Aren''t you supposed to be in the hospital? I thought you collapsed from overwork!"


    Gzeph sounds unconvincing due to his tiredness, "Overwork? Me? Why I never!"


    "Then what were the medics doing in your house on the day when we finally sent someone to your little pet project? And the figure they carried out of your room supposedly looked kinda like you too, I wasn''t there but that''s what I heard."


    He sighs, "...great, so everyone knows about it, huh?"


    "Whether you want it or not you are a minor celebrity at least. Some eyes will always be on you especially when shit like that happens. So what ARE you doing here? It has been barely a week."


    He ignores my concern, "My work isn''t finished, I need to see this through."


    "And just collapse again? Who does that help? Tell me one good reason why I shouldn''t call the medics on you right now."


    "..."


    "Three..."


    "..."


    "Two..."


    Gzeph concedes, "Fine. Let me just finish this one document and make two calls, then I go back."


    "Deal. I''ll... wait here."


    He continues filling out the document, "So what was going on while I was away?"


    "Nothing much. Your boss is pissed because you punched him. Everyone''s panicking because they have to pick up your work and no one knows the passwords. Business as usual. Which reminds me. I need a key to archive 7zU=w4 but everyone I talked to has passed the key on to someone else, last I heard either W-Nwu or Vladalaja have one."


    He tries to think, "Oh, V? Yeah she gave me the key before she left. Will supposedly be a longer trip."


    "Cool, can I have it?"


    "Knock yourself out, it is in my coat somewhere", he points towards it.


    "Thanks", I go to the coat rack and dig through the pockets for the key... "found it."


    "Good... for you", he almost nods off while speaking.


    "You really don''t look well."


    "Don''t really feel it either but I have to -"


    I interrupt him, "No, you don''t! You may feel like you let a lot of people down if you don''t finish this now. But you know what? If you collapse again you won''t be able to help them either AND may never be able to again if it gets really bad!"


    He concedes, "Yes... I know..."


    "Then stop forcing yourself."


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    "...", he is about to start a call but stops, "Yeah, you''re right."


    He instead writes a short message, "This has to be enough then. Mind giving me a hand getting back?"


    "...just sight tight and let the professionals do that."


    "I really should."


    I push a single button on my smartphone, "Well, too late now if you change your mind."


    Gzeph sounds insulted, "Am I so predictable that you just needed one button for that?"


    "That''s what 3000 years with the same coworkers get you."


    "Hah, figures."


    "But don''t worry. You''re not the only one that is bad off. I heard Todo, the biggest boss, caught something nasty as well, like two days before your collapse but they kept it under wraps. He''ll be out for a couple of months at least."


    "Heh, not surprised. He''s ancient even from my perspective and an even worse workaholic than me."


    We both laugh and I agree, "Yeah, you know how he is."


    "But there''s one thing I don''t understand", I tell Gzeph, "the day the news of him getting sick got out they sent an order to shut down ''the machine''. It seems like the soul we sent to Deteoh will be the last one to use it."


    He asks me, "What? Maintenance or real shutdown?"


    "Real shutdown. Seems to be permanent this time."


    He scratches his head, "Weird timing. What does the rumor mill say? Are his sickness and the shutdown related?"


    "A few say so but most think it is unrelated."


    "Doesn''t make sense", Gzeph tries to think but is visibly tired, "this is half of our business model. How else... are we dealing with those... worlds?"


    "No idea. Seems like the upper brass still has to figure that one out."


    He scoffs, "Seems very shortsighted."


    "Yeah, it is. Speaking of shortsighted - I''m sure you''ve done the math already, what''s the situation with your Deteoh plan?"


    He digs through his pockets for a sheet of paper, "Single digits for success assuming the most favorable situation for several factors I''ve no intel on. Realistically you''re more like to win the lottery three times in a row. Consider it a guaranteed failure at best. Worst case we''ve half a dozen high-world demon lords more on our ass than predicted."


    "That bad... got a plan B ready?"


    He tries not to fall asleep, "More like plan R at this point - ''R''eally last hope."


    "Understood. Send me the notes and I''ll prepare what I can while you REST."


    "Thanks. That''s appreciated", he begins typing on his phone.


    "...really now. You should finally open up more to others. I''m not the only one able and willing to help you with this."


    "You know that I can''t do that. My trusting people is what... caused Yulia to..."


    "Yeah, I know that. But you can''t let one mistake dictate your entire life!"


    "I know, I know. It is just easier said than done...", he gets lost in his thoughts.


    After a minute it seems he''s finished sorting his thoughts, "Was anything else going on while I was out?"


    "Not really. Oh, yeah, there was something I wanted to ask you when you get back. It seems like ''someone'' has tampered with configurations in the data center. There are some anomalies as to which worlds were available for transmigration - not that it matters anymore now that they shut down the machine. Would you happen to know anything about this?"


    Gzeph thinks for a moment, "Oh... right, yeah, that was me. Forgot to set it back."


    "You, WHAT!??"


    "You heard me right. I set it so that if Deteoh was one of the available targets about 90% of the best non-deteoh compatibilities are thrown out."


    "You can''t be serious."


    "I can and I am."


    "And... may I ask why you thought this was a good idea? This is a massive scandal if or rather when this gets out."


    He sighs, "You know the situation. I''ve prepared this thing for centuries. And even if it wasn''t for Alex''s interference we wouldn''t have much time. There isn''t much time left until... THAT event."


    "And you didn''t get any suitable candidates so you had to force the issue, yeah, yeah, I get it. I''m not happy about how you stole some potentially great futures from a couple of million poor souls but I concede that... it was necessary. But how did you manage to change the config? Nick would''ve found out within minutes!"


    "Oh, he''s in on this."


    "That old stickler for the rules? HOW?!"


    Gzeph shakes his head, "He knows what is at stake. If we fail there won''t be any rules left worth following."


    "And in reality?"


    He lowers his head, "...he pities me because of what happened to Yulia. So he''s turned a blind eye."


    "Yeah, that sounds much more like him", I sigh, "You are aware that I have to report you for this breach of protocol?"


    "I am... aware of that. As long as my plan succeeds I don''t care what happens to me."


    "...you are impossible. Just think about what Yulia would have wanted."


    I hit a sore spot there, he gets angry, "Don''t talk like she''s dead. If she was... we''d have seen her here..."


    "...I''m not telling you to give up on her. But think about it that was millennia before I was even born."


    "Yeah, you better... not... say... that...", he falls asleep in his chair.


    I sigh, "You never learn, do you? When do the medics finally arrive?"


    It takes a few more minutes then I finally hear some commotion on the floors. I go outside the office and wave them over, "He''s in here!"


    The medics run over to me and into the office, "In what shape did you find him?"


    "He was working on some stuff despite looking terrible", I answer, "I forced him to stop working and just sit down. We had a bit of a talk and then he passed out."


    "Understood, this matches his past behavior. We''ll take it from here."


    "Yes, please do, he''s a good friend of mine... If you need some help with him, here''s my number, he... doesn''t have any family left."


    "Sure, thank you."


    I just stand by while they transfer Gzeph onto a stretcher and then carry him off carefully.


    Once they are gone I take the key I got earlier from Gzeph''s cloak and make my way to archive 7zU=w4. Once there it doesn''t take long to find the needed document. And just as expected the signature is not under it. The form was declined but the field for the reason of denial is empty. Typical.


    The form starts from Graham, passes through some more hands and then dies in that jerk''s office. Why is he that way? Those expenses don''t come out of his personal pocket, not even his department''s budget, so why let it expire? Graham needs those parts soon, half of his equipment is falling apart...


    Well, nothing to do now but make sure Gzeph''s boss gains an ex for his title for his ''outstanding'' accomplishments. Then... we can finally start fixing some things.

 Ch. 21 – Distinguished Dungeon Dive

    It has been four days since I got library access but they were mostly a waste. Well, I got about 400 exp per day and managed to reach Wizard level 3 at least but beyond that...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 1, Noble 1, Lord 1, Progenitor 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor


    Title Level 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">634</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">876/876 [1096]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1220/1220 [1525]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">595/595 [744]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">135+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">158+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">137+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">269+35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">201</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">203+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">159</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wooden Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 3 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 1 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 3 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 3 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 3 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 3 (Rank 1)


    Unnatural Claws 1


    Charm Eye 1, Embrace 1, Familiar 1, Greater Vampiric Bite 1


    Disguise 1, Intimidation 2


    Ageless 1, Beast Killer 1, Enhanced Regeneration 1, Sleepless 1, Stealth 1, Supernatural Toughness 1, Undead 1, Vampire Hierarchy 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Still not enough stats to unlock a new class and only 634/1587 towards level 4.


    Despite repeated reminders that Jack had certain orders to keep watch over me he always manages to slip away somehow even if I watch closely where he is. If I couldn''t [appraise] him I''d think it is a unique skill he has...


    I''ve currently nothing of interest to check out in town so I just wandered around a bit aimlessly. I checked a few shops that were way off from the marketplace but they don''t have anything different to offer and prices are more or less the same.


    On two occasions after losing Jack yet again I slid into the slums again to have a little drink. This time I made sure to not turn them into ghouls again. I half expected to meet the other vampire in the slums but he has probably a more reliable ''babysitter'' than me. I don''t want to imagine what will happen in a few days... he''s basically being kept as a pet but fed too little, can''t be too long before the blood hunger takes over and he goes berserk. Strange how the law enforcement is ok with that kind of provoked assault but seemingly even punishes murder that happened off the grid if the would-be murderer is the one that dragged the victim there - where''s the difference? Seems very arbitrary.


    Aside from that, I spent the last few days mainly reading through two history books which could be summed up as over 12000 years and 56473 ways to say that ''mankind'' was at war with ''demons'' and ''monsters''. Impressively enough not even the dictionaries define what ''demons'' are, as if you just had to know. But at least I found out that the collective of humans, elves, dwarves and what else is running around here is summed up as ''mankind'' despite there not being many kind men around. Not that the women are any better.


    Both of these books implied that the legends of some guy called Gyev, Hjeph, Jzuph or something were true. Neither the history books nor those about that specific legend agreed even remotely on the spelling. Supposedly this Gyev person was one of the few ''Lost Ones'' that actually achieved something great - in his case, he is said to have brought down the first demon lord though at the cost of his beloved fiance. Despite how crushed he was by the loss he fought on and acted as an inspiration for the people. Weird how none of the stories mention how the girl died exactly.


    Here''s where the stories diverge. Some say he ascended and became a minor deity and co-founded the religion of ''balance and refinement'', in others he is the first acknowledged saint, yet others claim he was named by his parents after the actual first saint and has nothing to do with the religion itself.


    Well, if the story is real and really 10,000 years old there''s a non-zero chance this Gyev was the one that brought down the original story bubble. Too bad that was too long ago, would''ve liked to exchange stories with him when this is over.


    However, I learned about a quirk from one version of that story: supposedly no one knows how strong he really was. Some versions estimate him as ''low'' as 300 levels in total, others go as high as 500. The only certainty is that [appraise] didn''t work on him as the skill only works if the target allows it or if the skill user isn''t significantly overpowered by the target. Elly feigned ignorance when I asked her why I could then see Therese''s status - after <del>threatening timeout</del> some friendly convincing she admitted that the ''World Navigator'' title also removes that restriction for me. Convenient.


    Well, later today is dungeon time again, time for the big experiment. As long as I watch my surroundings it should be fine. Maybe, that is a bit too optimistic... at least I exchanged yesterday the two books I''ve finished so far so I have ten unread books to pass time during recovery. I think I''m as prepared as I can be under these circumstances.


    Morning training and ice rain spell on the flood go as usual, another 335 exp today.


    Jack is nowhere to be seen today, maybe he was told that he only has to watch over me after the second flood bombardment on Thursdays? ...not my problem, really.


    A bit later I arrive back at the training room. Everyone has finished their warm-up and is gearing up.


    "Alright", Chloe addresses the group, "the recent events have no influence on our schedule so business as usual. Jared, you''ll again keep your spells at the ready but only use them when I tell you to. As a reminder, your spells are more valuable to cut down on the threat the flood poses. Well, that''s what the higher-ups have decided, I''d rather make more progress in the dungeon in the hopes of staving off the food shortage but orders are orders. Any questions?"


    I shake my head, no one else says anything either.


    Chloe continues, "Good, then let''s go."


    With that, we start marching toward the dungeon gate.


    Nothing out of the ordinary happens at the gate, we just have to wait for two groups which just takes three or so minutes. We form a party and enter the gate the same way as last time.


    The first dungeon floor greets us with different monsters than last time, a dozen elite crawlers?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Crawler 1, Rogue 1, Sentinel 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 1, Elite 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2434/2434</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">562/562</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1829/1829</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">344</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">363</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">261</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">212</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">191</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">132</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">194</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Back Stab 1, Opportunity Attack 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (It says Elite and it has a lot of classes but I would''ve expected them to at least match a Ragelope and not still be only half as dangerous.)


    My mind mate responds, (This is not a game, forget your expectations of ''balance''. Some monster types are just fundamentally stronger than others. ''Levels'' at least for monsters don''t mean much. A level 1 Ragelope would still be a credible threat to you in 20 levels, a level 30 Baby Slime would still just be target practice.)


    I have to agree, (Yeah, I guess that makes some weird form of sense.)


    There are twelve of these elite crawlers and the five soldiers dispatch them without breaking a sweat by just piling on them. At least it seems like it. I''m... not a good judge of medieval team tactics. Should probably learn about them at some point.


    The second floor is comparatively gigantic and populated by regular Crawlers. About forty of them. The rest of my team just breaks formation again and storms at them. I''m not sure what to make of this scene. Is that normal in this world? These are ''tactics'' I''d expect from a MMORPG pick-up group and not a well-trained team.


    After a few more minutes all the Crawlers on this floor are defeated.


    "Ok, report", Chloe asks, "how''s everyone on SP?"


    One of the soldiers responds, "Low, not enough for a single rat."


    "Same here!", others also agree with that assessment.


    Chloe waves it off, "Ok, then that''s enough for today, let''s return."


    (The exp gain today was quite sad, 9 points, not even half as much as last time.)


    Elly guesses, (I guess the monsters'' worth in exp is related to how threatening they really are - and crawlers are just bundles of HP.)


    (Don''t think it is that simple. Otherwise the Ragelopes I hit each morning would make a bigger dent in my exp pool. I don''t think they are worth even double what a Crawler is.)


    She disagrees, (I don''t think you can really math that out from the chaos that are rain spells.)


    (Yeah and doing anything else is just a waste of precious exp.)


    We return to the entrance of the first floor, I go last and stop after everyone else has entered the portal.


    I''m excited, (No better time than now.)


    Elly sounds disapproving, (You''re really risking this?)


    (At least looking can''t hurt. Want to at least verify if safe zones are really ''safe''.)


    She reminds me, (We were already told they are not safe from bosses.)


    (But beyond that. Can I just lure regular monsters to the ''wall'' separating the safe zone and regular room and then shoot them from safety? Things like that.)


    (Sure, but be careful. I don''t want to die...), she begins to whisper, (not again)


    (Huh?)


    Elly pretends she didn''t say anything, (N-nothing!)


    (If you say so), I''m sure she''s hiding something.


    I hadn''t noticed last time because of how much my group tried to get through this ordeal as fast as possible but there is regular daylight in the dungeon, well, it doesn''t hurt even without my sun protection active, weird thing.


    (Any idea why this light here doesn''t hurt me?)


    Elly explains, (Uh, dungeons are weird like that. They count as ''outside'' but the light in here is unnatural or at least not pure sunlight, so your weakness to the sun doesn''t trigger.)


    (Works for me.)


    I go to the safe zone between floors 2 and 3. My group rushed through so I didn''t have time to take a proper look before. But it seems it is true what I was told, towards one side of this room is an arrow engraved in the wall with a 3 on it that points towards floor 3, on the other end the same with a 2 towards floor 2. The room itself is small, barely big enough for a tent and a campfire if I had those.


    On the third floor, I see familiar non-faces. About ten to fifteen of the walking stone men.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth Golem 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2829/2829</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">345/345</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2024/2024</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">483</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">138</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">414</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">161</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">138</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">529</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">46</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth Resistance 3, Physical Resistance 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Elly summarizes the screen, (Slightly weaker than the golems outside, they were level 5.)


    (So I guess the monsters have the same level as the floor they are spawned on?)


    She agrees, (Seems likely. And I haven''t seen them move very fast so kiting should be easy for you.)


    I still don''t have water but if I can land the ice damage over time effect...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have inflicted 325 damage to Earth Golem. Status effect was not inflicted.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Damn. Again!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have inflicted 325 damage and a status effect to Earth Golem.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Great!


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">cold (0.1 HP/s)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth Golem 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2179/2829</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">345/345</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2024/2024</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">483</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">138</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">414</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">161</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">138</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">529</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">46</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth Resistance 3, Physical Resistance 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (That may take a while to wear it down but I don''t have to waste any more MP on it.)


    Elly quickly calculates, (It will take about 6 hours to kill it though. Instead of just standing there you should get moving or it''ll get to you.)


    (Uh, right), I run back into the safe zone followed by the slowly moving pile of rock.


    I reach the safe zone and wait until the golem catches up.


    Then it stops moving around where I suspect the border between the safe zone and regular room to be, (so that does indeed keep them away. For the sake of science does this also limit my attack options?)


    I shoot another ice bullet at it but it dissolves a few steps before the target, (That''s... fair. Annoying but fair.)


    I walk up to it and take a swing with my staff. It bounces off the invisible wall, (Seems like it goes both ways.)


    Elly asks, (What now?)


    (I don''t feel like walking directly into its arms to get a shot at a different golem so seems like I have to wait until the status finishes it off. Hmm... one thought comes to mind...)


    I walk a few more steps forward and swing my staff again but with my arm ''behind'' the invisible wall.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have inflicted 46 damage to Earth Golem.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The golem tries to punch me but I pull my arm back quickly and the golem just bounces off the wall.


    (Weird stuff. So as long as the attack ''starts'' on the same side of the wall as the target it goes through? Dumb but I take it.)


    Elly wants to know, (Uhh, what does that change?)


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    (I can pull all the mobs in range, lure them to the safety zone wall and then blast them with an ice aoe spell by sticking my hand out at the last second before the spell starts. Seriously, as long as they don''t outspeed me by a ridiculous degree or catch me from behind this is a very abusable feature.)


    (So once you''ve drawn their attention you really only have to worry about bosses?)


    (Seems like it and for the former I''d like to get some summoning skills ASAP. Well for the latter they''d be helpful as well. Until this one perishes I can only wait. Hmm... I wonder if I can use my SP to ''train'' a bit. Just running some rounds or sit-ups and push-ups don''t require special equipment so I should be able to waste some time that way.)


    She agrees, (Worth a try. Want some ''Eye of the tiger'' with that?)


    (As a start, yes. How''s that little project coming along?)


    Elly sounds apologetic, (Not too good. I''m stuck at like 70% or so of all titles you know. The memories of the rest are too vague to recreate them.)


    (Eh, 70% is enough.)


    I start my training on floor 2, running laps, sit-ups, push-ups. After some time...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">The Earth Golem was defeated.


    Acquired a small loaf of bread.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Having said that... the spontaneous training session doesn''t work. I performed said exercises long enough for the golem to have died but neither my SP nor my exp moved, (So that''s a failure. What is different to the training room? Just the location?)


    Elly guesses, (I feel like with how strange the law enforcement is and how nonsensical the limitations on nurse jobs are... that is the most likely answer.)


    (Shit. So need to think of something else. If I want to eventually get deeper in the dungeon I need something else to pass time, just reading for months on end would make me go insane.)


    She sneers, (Well, too late for that.)


    (Hey, Elly. I heard you need a little vacation. We have an opening in timeoutville.)


    Elly is quick to decline, (No, I''m good, I''ll pass on that offer.)


    I make my way back to the third floor. I see another 12 golems. After a few steps into the room, all of them start walking towards me so I turn back towards the safe zone. It takes them about 2 minutes longer to arrive there. All of them are neatly grouped together at the invisible wall so I prepare an ice aoe spell and only stretch my hand outside the area at the last second as planned.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Blast'' spell has inflicted a total of 1548 damage and 5 status effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I cast two more of these spells and check with [appraise] - seems like every single one of the golems is now suffering from cold damage over time. They don''t have a way to undo it so it is just a matter of a few hours until they get promoted to Earthn''t Golems.


    (Not sure what to do with my SP. It is just going to waste. I could risk striking the golems but that wouldn''t gain me anything, maybe shorten their demise by a few minutes but I need to wait for MP regeneration anyway.)


    Elly thinks for a moment, then gives up, (I don''t have a good idea either. As we found out training doesn''t work for some reason, and staff attacks don''t change the time because of MP regeneration issues... maybe you could try ''Charm Eye''? Make them friendly to you and just walk past them towards the next floor and start there a bit earlier while they freeze to death.)


    (The description on that didn''t mention that they follow my orders so that''s the best use case for that skill currently. Unless I can make them my familiars and then command them around?)


    She disagrees, (I doubt that works. I guess they''d lack the intelligence to even join your family.)


    (Well, it could be worth a try? Worst case our guinea pig will be dead soon anyway.)


    Elly approves, (Sure why not.)


    I concentrate on one of the golems and stare into what I assume are its eyes.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve failed to inflict a status effect on Earth Golem.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Once more!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve failed to inflict a status effect on Earth Golem.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have inflicted a status effect on Earth Golem.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Finally!


    "You!", I point to my new ''friend'', "Punch the golem next to you!"


    Nothing happens.


    ...maybe if we''re more ''familiar'' with each other?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: mindless creatures can not be made familiars.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Oh, come on! What is the point of the skill if I can''t use it even on low-level mooks!)


    Elly scoffs, (Should''ve seen that coming. Half your skills were useless so far.)


    (Just continue to rub it in, see what good it does for you!)


    She half-heartedly apologizes, (Sorry...)


    (I guess they really are more PvM or rather MvP than PvP skills. Well, back to reading about some history until the golems fall apart.)


    On the next few floors, the overall strategy is pretty much the same. Goad monsters into following me towards the safe zone, blast them with ice status aoe spells until all of them freeze to death then read for the better part of a day to recover most MP.


    <hr>


    Floor 4, 28 Grey Wolves


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Grey Wolf 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2112/2112</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">408/408</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1248/1248</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">408</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">312</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">24</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">144</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">48</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">72</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Deadly Fang 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lightning</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    These wolves are just like the dire variant except, well, greyscale and a few stat points off. Still fall to the almight of a safe zone. This is the first time I can exploit an elemental weakness here!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Thunder Blast'' has inflicted a total of 9360 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    1488/2112 HP left... so I''d need to hit every wolf four times and each aoe only hits about half of them. I have barely enough max MP for the 8 casts to clear this room but going forward I''ll stick with damage over time for now, thank you very much. Need to get a whole lot stronger before I can do brute force tactics - and the monsters outpace my leveling to a ridiculous degree.


    <hr>


    Floor 5, 16 Zombies


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Zombie 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2900/2900</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">375/375</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1000/1000</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">300</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">150</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">200</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">150</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">125</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">50</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">50</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Undead 5, Zombie Bite 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    If the golems were slow these are even slower. But the smell, urgh. Luckily they don''t have the regeneration from my [Sleepless] skill. Wait, does that mean zombies do need to sleep? Weird world.


    <hr>


    Floor 6, 5 Elite Golems


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth Golem 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 6, Elite 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4744/4744</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">692/692</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4026/4026</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">776+12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">386</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">712+12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">220</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">220</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">778</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">186</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Unarmed Fighting 6, Unarmored Defense 6


    <del>Sword Training 6, Shield Training 6</del>


    Earth Resistance 6, Physical Resistance 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Time to find out how sturdy the invisible wall is. At least they are as slow as their regular brethren.


    Thunk


    ...and yes, the wall still holds. So much for elite status.


    After this I take a drink from a blood pack, it has been a few days already.


    All this reading and fighting has bumped me to 1308 exp. Only 279 more to go! I could leave now, cast a rain spell and achieve the next level... ah, while it is this easy I should continue to push on.


    <hr>


    Floor 7, 39 <del>Navis</del> Wisps


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wisp 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2079/2079</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1080/1080</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1782/1782</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">270</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">432</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">54</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">324</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">162</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">108</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">162</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Flight 7, Glowing Body 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dark</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Flight seems obvious but the other skill?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Glowing Body


    Passive


    Contact inflicts 25% light elemental magic damage each second.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So slime''s [Acid Skin] Mk2. Touching these glowy balls would be painful but I don''t let it come to that. As much as I want to power through them by exploiting the dark weakness I have to admit that I''m too weak to do that. Ice status still works the best. 1-3 aoe hits to trigger the status effect instead of a guaranteed 4 hits to kill with the weakness, yeah, that''ll come later.


    <hr>


    Floor 8, one Elite Ragelope


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ragelope 8, Farmer 8, Merchant 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 8, Elite 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5164/5164</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">484/484</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3332/3332</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">832</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">540</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">348</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">176</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">204</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">248</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">312</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ram Attack 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ice</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (''A sudden Gust of Wind'' and all that. One hit from its special WILL kill me, no doubt. But so far elites still obeyed the safety zone restriction so it should be fine. Also, why farmer and merchant?)


    Elly cracks another joke, (First it ''farms'' corpses and then you buy a farm from it?)


    Groan


    A worried Elly asks me, (May I ask what is going on with you? Usually you''re much more cautious and now you''re heading in to face a monster that can potentially instantly kill you.)


    (True, but I won''t always have the luxury to hide behind a wall, literal or otherwise.)


    She scolds me, (I don''t think this is a good idea...)


    But I don''t listen to Elly. Luckily the tactic still works as before.


    I have a suspicion, (Could this still be some lingering effect from Lucia''s [Undead Bait] skill that makes me do some foolish shit to impress the girl? I really need something to block its effect for sure...)


    Elly can''t refute my guess, (That I do not know.)


    I shoot the monster three more times with ice spells to accelerate the damage over time and then get to reading as usual.


    <hr>


    Floor 9, 31 Dire Wolves


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dire Wolf 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2436/2436</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">435/435</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1450/1450</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">551</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">319</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">29</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">203</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">174</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">29</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">87</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Deadly Fang 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ice</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Nothing special. Their own high aggro range makes my tactic against them even easier. Just two steps past the safety zone barrier all of them already come rushing in. This will be easy!


    Wait, why does this one wolf not stop at the wall? Fuck!


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">D???i???????r??????e???????? ??????W????o??????l????????f??????? 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1827/1827</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">435/435</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2175/2175</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">174</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">145</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">261</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">638</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">145</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">261</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">58</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">D??????e??????????a???????d???????????l??????????y???????????? ??????F?????????a????????n??????g????????? 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Physical</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yeah, I don''t want to find out what that bite attack does. Lightning spells for stun it is!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 425 damage and a status effect to D???i???????r??????e???????? ??????W????o??????l????????f???????.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    It moves significantly slower but does not stop entirely. Next spell! Each cast takes about as long as the stun lasts.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 425 damage and a status effect to D???i???????r??????e???????? ??????W????o??????l????????f???????.


    You''ve inflicted 425 damage and a status effect to D???i???????r??????e???????? ??????W????o??????l????????f???????.


    You''ve inflicted 425 damage to D???i???????r??????e???????? ??????W????o??????l????????f???????. Status effect was not inflicted.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Shit, shit, shit! The wolf lunges at me and I dive to the site, the bite barely misses. I can feel its breath creeping down on me. In panic, I swing my staff at it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You¡¯ve inflicted 182 damage to D???i???????r??????e???????? ??????W????o??????l????????f??????? and defeated it.


    Acquired I???t???e???m???:???N???u???l???l???P???o???i???n???t???e???r???E???r???r???o???r???.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (This was too close for my taste. Well, at least I know now that even some non-bosses don''t give a fuck about personal space.)


    Elly scolds me, (I hope you learned your lesson from this.)


    (Yeah, yeah. Any clue what this strange item is? ...can''t even take it out of the inventory. Perfect.)


    She is confused, (None. Any form of identification just throws errors.)


    With that floor beaten, I''m now sitting at 1607 exp. Enough for Wizard 4 finally! Now 20/2025 towards Wizard 5.


    Elly reminds me, (Hey, that''s enough to finally take Survivor!)


    (Really? Great, I expected another five to ten levels of disappointment!)


    I use the class core to gain the new class.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 4, Survivor 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 1, Noble 1, Lord 1, Progenitor 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor


    Title Level 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">876/934 [1168]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1220/1276 [1595]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">595/643 [804]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">145+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">168+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">148+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">282+35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">212</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">216+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">168</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wooden Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 4 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 1 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 4 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 4 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 4 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 4 (Rank 1)


    Spear Training 1, Unnatural Claws 1


    Charm Eye 1, Embrace 1, Familiar 1, Greater Vampiric Bite 1


    Disguise 1, Intimidation 2


    Ageless 1, Beast Killer 1, Enhanced Regeneration 1, Sleepless 1, Stealth 1, Supernatural Toughness 1, Undead 1, Vampire Hierarchy 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>

 Ch. 22 – Spoils, ers…

    Floor 10 is supposedly a boss floor. Instead of the usual cave layout, it is a properly constructed stone room, like an entrance hall in a castle. And a bit in the distance I can see the boss monster waiting for me.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Grey Rock Plague</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth Golem 10, Knight 10, Fighter 10, Hunter 10


    Miner 10, Smith 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 10, Boss 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">81924/81924</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1260/1260</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">6580/6580</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1190+120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">740</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1080+50</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">370</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">350</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1090+50</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">300</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster Sword, Monster Shield</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sword Training 20, <del>Spear Training 10</del>, Shield Training 10, <del>Armor Training 10


    </del>Tracking 10


    Earth Resistance 10, Physical Resistance 10


    Unsafe Zone 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    A gigantic golem wielding a massive sword that even Guts would call too big. Just what the doctor ordered for a bad day.


    I''m exasperated, (Pardon the language but what the fuck is this shit? 81924 HP AND insane defense stats on top? This was supposed to be a tutorial boss and not an endgame raid boss! If this is what passes for normal, I''m surprised anyone has ever beaten a boss here period.)


    Elly tries to appease me, (That may seem a lot to you but imagine if you had a group of Thereses. They''d probably deal at least 500 damage with each hit to it. 160 hits spread over 5-7 people go by relatively quickly. Especially when you don''t have to cast a spell for over three seconds each time.)


    (Yeah, no, screw this, I''m out.)


    ...am I really?


    Elly asks dumbfounded, (Why aren''t you moving then?)


    (As dumb as it sounds I have to know... none of its skills suggest that it can move faster than the regular variants and even the elites were just like their normal cousins just with slightly higher stats but not faster.)


    She sighs, (I''d like to stick on the side of caution and say ''go home'' but if you''re serious about dungeon diving I''m afraid we''ll eventually have to find out how the properties of the base race translate to the boss variant.)


    (I''m quite confident it''ll be fine. The elites weren''t different from the regular variant either, just the inflated stats and extra skills the additional classes suggested.)


    I shoot a regular ice shot at the boss to draw its attention.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 226 damage and a status effect to Grey Rock Plague.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Good, status effects still work! But that damage is pathetic...)


    Elly scoffs, (Do you think it''ll die before retirement?)


    I snark back, (At least before my old world achieves world peace.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Grey Rock Plague</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cold (0.1 HP/s)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth Golem 10, Knight 10, Fighter 10, Hunter 10


    Miner 10, Smith 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 10, Boss 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">81698/81924</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1260/1260</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">6580/6580</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1190+120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">740</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1080+50</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">370</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">350</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1090+50</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">300</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster Sword, Monster Shield</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sword Training 20, <del>Spear Training 10</del>, Shield Training 10, <del>Armor Training 10


    </del>Tracking 10


    Earth Resistance 10, Physical Resistance 10


    Unsafe Zone 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Stomp Stomp


    And sure enough, the boss starts walking in my direction with the same speed as its lesser variants. I continue running ahead towards the floor 9 safety zone while stopping every once in a while and shooting another ice shot at it until my MP is depleted.


    Stomp Stomp


    We pass through the safety zones between floors 8 and 9 continuing until we reach the zone between 5 and 6. Even there it still doesn''t stop following me.


    (I''m beginning to think this was a bad idea. Chloe said that bosses only go up to three floors away from their spawn, this is already four!)


    Elly urges me, (Keep running. Floor 2 was big so if it gets that far you can kite it there.)


    I agree, (Sounds like a plan.)


    Stomp Stomp


    We arrive at the safety zone between floors 3 and 4 - and now the boss seemingly can''t go any further, (So its 6 floors and not 3... do I want to know if the increased range is from a glitch, is boss specific or does the boss just not feel like fighting anymore?)


    Elly responds, (That''s something we''ll have to find out eventually unless you can gain some sort of tank summon or three to stall bosses for you.)


    (How about both?)


    She agrees, (Both sounds fine.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Grey Rock Plague</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cold (1.1 HP/s)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth Golem 10, Knight 10, Fighter 10, Hunter 10


    Miner 10, Smith 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 10, Boss 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">78952/81924</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1260/1260</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">6580/6580</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1190+120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">740</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1080+50</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">370</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">350</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1090+50</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">300</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster Sword, Monster Shield</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sword Training 20, <del>Spear Training 10</del>, Shield Training 10, <del>Armor Training 10


    </del>Tracking 10


    Earth Resistance 10, Physical Resistance 10


    Unsafe Zone 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (It will still take some time to freeze to death. And I don''t feel comfortable sitting within range distracted by reading in case it decides to suddenly ignore the safety zone wall again.)


    Elly corrects me, (Yeah, same here. Also, replace ''some time'' with close to twenty hours!!)


    Bang Bang


    It seems like the mobile mountain loses its patience, it slams its sword repeatedly into the invisible wall between us. Then it throws the sword away and starts pounding the wall with its fists, clearly frustrated with the whole situation.


    (I hope this wall doesn''t have limited HP... Hey, Elly. While we wait, how about you give me everything you''ve got on all of its skills.)


    She hesitantly asks, (All of them?)


    I nod, (Yes.)


    She complies, (Well, you asked for it.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Weapon Type> Training


    Passive


    Can use <Weapon Type> without attack penalty.


    Increase effective STR by (skill level) for equipped <Weapon Type>.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    About what I''d expect.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Shield Training


    Passive


    Can equip non-makeshift shields.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I guess my book would count as a makeshift shield then.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Armor Training


    Passive


    Can equip medium and heavy armor.


    Increase effective VIT by (skill level) while equipped with medium or heavy armor.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Oh, so I couldn''t have used much better armor even if I had bought it? Dodged a bullet there.)


    Elly guesses, (Maybe the armor merchant would''ve allowed you to return it if you can''t use it?)


    (That''s just blatant guesswork. Go on, next skill, please.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Tracking


    Passive


    Increase tracking skills.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (That''s... a non-description if I ever saw one.)


    Elly sounds sarcastic, (Useless and 100% accurate, my favorite.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Element Type> Resistance


    Passive


    Gain (skill level) points of resistance to <Element Type> damage and related status effect chances.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I wouldn''t call ''physical'' an element but then earth isn''t an element either. Not that anyone around here would know anything about proper chemistry. Neither do I, really. Considering how little the difference between an earth spell and another element was on the regular rock golem I don''t think a few points of resistance are too much to worry about.)


    Elly replies, (I agree. The whole system seems to boil down to a big game of rocket tag.)


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    (Should''ve been obvious once we found out that damage over time status effects do not wear off naturally. Tag something that doesn''t have super high natural regeneration once with a bleed, cold, poison or probably fire effect and you can go on vacation.)


    She urges, (Speaking of that, maybe you should aim for one of those elements so you can branch out a bit. Just ice spells all the time gets boring.)


    (Hey, I''m just using what works. This is real life, I don''t get a second chance. So if I can overcome an 80 levels disadvantage by spamming the boring ''overpowered'' element I''ll gladly do just that. Playing ''fair'' is for suckers and soon-to-be-dead people.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Unsafe Zone


    Passive


    The owner can bypass a number of safe zones e???q???u???a???l??? ???t???o??? ???t???h???e??? ???n???u???m???b???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???c???l???a???s???s???e???s??? ???o???w???n???e???d??? from its spawn point.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Of course, the skill is broken, (Hello, glitches, my old friend. You''ve come to talk with me again...)


    Elly interrupts me, (Now if we could just read the garbled text we could make a better guess of how safe we are right now.)


    (Yeah, but we can''t. For all I can read, it may change the limit every 5 minutes or so.)


    She agrees, (True, ok, last skill.)


    (Huh? But that should''ve been all already.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Mindless Monster


    Passive


    Overwrites owner''s will.


    Automatically hostile to any creature that does not possess this skill.


    Can''t enter dungeon safe zones.


    Unable to gain exp.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Great, now there are also hidden skills. Are there more of those? How''d you even find it if it doesn''t come up with [Appraisal]?)


    Elly is astonished, (Huh? But... but I found it with that skill. It still shows up there.)


    (...maybe there''s a filter option. Let me check my menu.)


    I check through the UI tab, nothing. Maybe under skills? Yep, there''s a sub-option for appraisal. And there''s a filter list: [Mindless Monster] is the only entry there. What happens when I remove it... great, now I see the skill in Mr. Rock''s appraisal window as well. I think I''ll filter it out again, should be obvious who has it.


    I sigh, (That''s... one mystery cleared up at least. I should really spend more time checking for such traps in the menu. What moron even sets that as the default!?)


    I just observe the boss for the remaining time until its life runs out, sneaking in another ice shot whenever my MP allows me to. Some time later its assault on the invisible wall stops. It collapses to the ground like an old man giving in to desperation.


    ...did it just look up and give me puppy eyes? Sorry, ''pal'', your fate is already sealed. It was over the moment you got your [Mindless Monster] skill.


    After what feels like an eternity the gigantamax rock finally dies.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><del>Achievement Get!</del>


    <del>Win a staring contest with a rock!</del></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Uh, I mean:


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Grey Rock Plague was defeated.


    Acquired a truth gem (72% charge remaining).</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Huh, that could be useful.)


    Elly asks, (Who do you plan to interrogate?)


    (...myself.)


    She''s confused, (I don''t follow.)


    (There are some things that don''t add up with my memory. Like I''m fairly certain I couldn''t ever see blood, would feel nauseous at the merest sight of it. But now? I can see and drink it without the slightest issue.)


    Elly guesses, (Probably just because you''re now a vampire. It would be... difficult if you got sick every time you, umm, eat.)


    (Good, and if they''ve messed with ''me'' in that way, who is to say they haven''t manipulated even more?)


    She''s dumbstruck, (Huh, yeah, didn''t think about that. I agree that is worth checking out. And how do you plan to do that?)


    Elly, did you really just ask me to reveal the details of my plan so that it is guaranteed to fail?


    (Observe.)


    I take the item out of my inventory, "My memory has been tampered with."


    The gem shines grey, (Ok, now I''m man enough to admit that that would''ve been too easy... but come on, cut me some slack every once in a while!)


    Elly suggests, (Maybe just state some of the things you remember from your previous life and see if they come up as correct?)


    I agree, (That''s the next best thing, yeah.)


    "I fainted when I saw blood in third grade" - the gem turns red, (Huh?)


    "I worked over ten years for the same company" - it stays red, (What?)


    "Jeff lied to me" - grey, (Ok, that''s fair. How should it know that. Really, that one is on me.)


    "Umm... I dated Daisy Smith in high school" - red.


    "I didn''t date Daisy Smith in high school" - also red.


    (Ok, what the fuck is going on!? Those last two statements are mutually exclusive. They can''t be both false at the same time!!)


    Elly joins me in my disappointment, (Yeah, I got nothing either. Maybe this crystal is just defective?)


    "I''m a vampire now" - green.


    "I was not a vampire before" - green.


    (So much for that angle.)


    Elly wants to give up, (Just put it away for now. You can try again later when we have a better plan.)


    (Yeah, true.)


    I drink another blood pack and then move on to floor 11. There I see... hundreds of regular-sized bees - just what I was missing today.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Zombee 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1643/1643</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">527/527</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3255/3255</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">217</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">434</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">93</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">186</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">155</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">62</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">93</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Flight 11, Undead 11, Zombie Bite 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I scoff, (And this is where the pun monsters start? Well, same tactic as before.)


    As soon as I step out of the safe zone all of the bees start charging at me.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Blast'' has inflicted a total of 29304 damage and 32 status effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I repeat my tactic a few more times. Each Ice Blast lands about 30 to 40 status effects and on a few casts, I get stung a couple of times when sticking my hand out to blow the little buggers up. Nothing I can''t regenerate over a couple of hours while I wait for MP anyway.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 120 damage from Zombee''s attack.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I could survive up to 7 stings at once but they never land more than 4 whenever I stick my hand out to cast another Ice Blast. The required regeneration makes this floor take a few days longer than necessary but rather that than dead.


    And next is floor 12. Eight old friends wait for me. Welcome to slime Thursday, gentlemen.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Slime 12, Berserker 12, Battle Mage 12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 12, Elite 12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5280/5280</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1116/1116</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5832/5832</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">788</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">488</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">296</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">596</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">424</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">200</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">220</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><del>Axe Training 12</del>


    Fire Magic 12 (Rank 1), Weapon Magic 12


    Acid Skin 12, Rapid Regeneration 12, Reckless Attack 12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I guess this is where the fun stops. They have fire magic, just the right thing for my undead weaknesses and with the last update their [Rapid Regeneration] also clears status effects. So I can''t make a dent into their HP and I''m in constant danger of getting one-shot from range. Exactly what the doctor ordered to cure good mood.)


    Elly half-heartedly asks, (Try it anyway?)


    (No. Too risky. I had a good enough idea with for example the Ragelopes how their ram attack works, I could see it being used against our gate guards. But with monster magic? No clue. For all I know, they don''t need to chant for spells and can just instantly shoot them. And seeing how even my spells fly as fast as gun bullets - forget it, there''s no way in hell I can dodge that. Aside from that, I doubt I can get past their HP and status regeneration anyway. This is the end of this dungeon trip.)


    She fakes disappointment, (Finally, err, I mean... good thinking, we''ve made plenty of progress after all.)


    (I wouldn''t really call it progress. I got a lot of exp, yes, but I don''t have anything to show for it. The new skill does nothing for me, my stats have barely gone up and what I''ve read in those books can be summed up as: ''eternal war of mankind with demons and monsters.'' Really, nothing in them even hints that the people here have any idea what ''peace'' would even be.)


    Elly asks, (Which reminds me why did you focus so much on history books? Wouldn''t something from Gzeph''s documents be more useful?)


    (...his stuff gives me a headache. It is either unreadable because of file corruption or unreadable because he assumes the reader already has critical knowledge - which I lack.)


    She sounds a bit reserved, (Say, I wanted to surprise you when I''m done but I''m working on restoring some of those documents. Ok, restoring is a bit much. But in the end, it is just text so I can at least make parts of them readable again.)


    (That''s some good news. How much progress have you made so far?)


    She sums up her results, (I''m about two-thirds done with the file on titles.)


    I sigh, (Again with the titles...)


    Elly gloats, (Of course! You said you wanted to know more about the ''Demon Lord candidate'' title so I thought this would be the best place to start.)


    (Yeah, that makes sense. Sorry, I take it back. That should be very helpful.)


    (Also speaking of titles -)


    I interrupt Elly, (I had to put my foot where my mouth is...)


    She continues, (- over your little dungeon exploration you''ve unlocked a few more titles, wanna hear them?)


    (First, tell me if I still have the candidate available. I''m just dying to know that I''ve gained another nigh-impossible-to-beat opponent.)


    Elly assures me, (No, that''s still there.)


    (Neither option would''ve been satisfying so I take it. What are the new titles?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Bookworm


    Improves reading speed.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (That''s all? No thanks. One of the main reasons I read is just to pass time and if I took that I''d run even faster out of ways to stave off boredom. The selection in the library is already very limited. Next?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Destroyer


    Whenever you inflict at least 10,000 damage with a single hit to a target, you can inflict fear at a rate of 20 to all witnesses.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I''m confused, (Why do I even have that? My attack power is pathetic.)


    Elly explains, (I read in the note about titles that you gain this time for dealing 100,000 damage with a single attack and you... rained on someone''s parade for more than that.)


    (Anyway, pass. I''m lightyears away from dealing that much damage with a single hit. And if I cared about inflicting fear I could just switch [Intimidation] on.)


    She agrees, (True enough.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Daywalker


    Undead only.


    Gain (skill level) points of resistance to sunlight damage.


    Reduce damage taken from natural sunlight through the effect of ''Undead'' by (skill level).</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (In principle I''d want that. Currently, I take 25 damage per second in the sun, reduce that by 1 is... well, not much better, really. I''d last maybe 1-2 seconds extra. And the experience with the golems tells me 1 point of resistance isn''t really worth much either.)


    Elly lectures me, (Maybe but when you increase your title level it would start to make a much bigger difference. But then you should already have enough time to sunbathe between the cloak and the ring.)


    (You know what, I''ll take that later. Going over 5 titles supposedly increases the cost for title levels and looking at this, it needs several levels to become useful. And before you tell me another good title in a moment, I''ll postpone it.)


    (Ok, will keep it on hand for later.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Brave One


    Gain (skill level) points of resistance to fear effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I assume that fear is a subset of mind effects and I''m supposedly already immune to them.)


    Elly concurs, (Yeah, that wouldn''t do anything for you. Last one.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Weary Soul


    Recover (skill level) MP and SP when hearing a bad joke.


    Each unique joke counts only once per day.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Oh, that''s easy, (Hey, Elly, quick, come up with 200 dad jokes!)


    She declines, (Uh, no?)


    (See? Another pointless title.)


    She sighs, (...sorry, another wasted session.)


    (Maybe. I''ll need to read up on demon lords in this world. That means studying some legends from books in the library until you''ve restored the document about titles and then we''ll check that one. I may take that title and maybe ''Daywalker'' if I''ve some exp to waste on rising titles a little bit. Depends on what exactly it does.)


    She accepts my decision, (Gotcha.)


    I go back to the dungeon entrance and wait until MP is full again and only then leave. On the other side of the gate, everyone is also still leaving the dungeon, to them my ten days long expedition doesn''t seem to have happened.

 Ch. 23 – …and ed

    Geoffrey, Kay, Allen, Marca and Gabella hand their spoils from the trip to Chloe then head off to... do whatever it is they do after exhausting themselves. Ah crap, I forgot again to check their stats. I hope this won''t become a running joke with the punchline that one of them is the final boss...


    After they are gone Chloe comes over to me, "You coming?"


    "Do you have a moment first? I''ve... something important to discuss. And I''d rather not do that in public."


    She sounds suspicious of me but still agrees, "Does it have to do with... Alright, we can talk in my office."


    Elly questions me, (What exactly are you planning?)


    (I got my hands on a lot of food that is useless to me but the people here desperately need. If I play my cards right I might get a lot out of this.)


    She objects, (You don''t really have many cards to play, so to say. How often and far you can go in the dungeon is pretty much limited by your stack of blood packs.)


    (I know what I''m doing, hopefully.)


    We head over to the building with the vault where we left the spoils from the dungeon visit last time. Before entering it we take a turn right, "My office is a bit further in."


    We go to a small room a bit further behind in the building. Once we''re inside she locks the door and puts the key on the table. Despite her saying it is her office it looks more or less the same as my room; a bed, a desk, two chairs, some drawers, not much else.


    After we sit down she gets down to business, "So what did you want to talk about?", she sighs, "You better not tell me that you''re already starving..."


    I prepare myself, "So you ordered me to preserve my MP while in the dungeon. I may have ignored that. My curiosity got the better of me so after all of you left, I went back and killed a few monsters", I hand her a quarter of the food drops.


    She is surprised, "A few? That''s a lot of food! About as much as the rest of the group combined. How, how long did you spend in there?"


    "I''ve about twice as much left if you want it. Took a couple of days though, why?"


    Color leaves her face, "Don''t you understand what that means? You have to remember that you are a vampire now. You may feel fine right now but eventually the hunger WILL catch up to you. You''ll fall into a frenzy! We-we can''t afford to lose you... as a mage you are very much needed... ", she sighs, "Even if all of our groups pull their dungeon loot together there are honestly not enough blood vials to properly feed one vampire per week, let alone two or three - and then you add even more strain with an extended dungeon visit. Please don''t do this to me..."


    "Hey, I''m not just a tool!"


    Chloe sounds apologetic, "Sorry, force of habit. I... no, I''ve no excuse for that. But please keep in mind that I''ve many people I''m responsible for. I can''t afford to hold back... if I screw up a lot of people will die to the monster flood."


    "Doesn''t mean you can''t be a bit less blunt about it."


    She needs a moment to collect herself, "Please, tell me honestly, how are you holding up?"


    "Mostly fine, though I''m getting a bit hungry."


    Chloe frowns, "Was afraid so. Please don''t keep that up, I don''t want a starving vampire breathing on my neck."


    "I''m guessing that that''s why you''ve tasked Jack with ''observing'' me?", I air-quote.


    She feigns ignorance, "What do you mean?"


    "I''m not dumb. He conveniently leaves whenever no one looks so that I can enter the slums ''unobserved''. Do I have to spell out what happens next?", I may have pulled a Hagrid there...


    "No, I... I can guess. It is honestly pretty much expected", she is visibly pained from having to admit that, "If it was up to me we wouldn''t sacrifice any of the slum dwellers. But I tell myself that their sacrifice is somehow for the greater good. Please don''t take that from me."


    "So it is pretty much an open secret."


    "P-pretty much", she looks like she is about to cry.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Chloe</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised, fear, panic</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sentinel 14, Survivor 18, Captain 13, Scout 12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Changeling 17</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1824/3377</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1615/1615</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">98/1658 [3658]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">546+133</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">558+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">601+95</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">311</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">298</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">413+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">384</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Reinforced Spear, Half Plate, Iron Helm</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Armor Training 14, Spear Training 18


    Create Food&Water 18


    Opportunity Attack 14


    Battle Order 13, Guard Order 13


    Disguise 17, Low Profile 17


    Danger Sense 12, Dexterity Boost 12, Tracking 17, Trap Lore 18</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I didn''t even use a skill and she''s already suffering from fear and panic... when you consider that I pretty much just implied that I''ve killed several people on her watch, it is quite understandable. With how game-like everything else seems, I sometimes forget that some aspects are still ''real'' and behave like they should. You don''t have to get hit by a fear ray to rightfully feel fear.


    It might backfire on me big time but I need to put my plan into action now. I take out the truth gem I got from the boss, "You know what this is, right?"


    She stares at the jewel, "Where did you - "


    "I defeated a boss and it dropped this as a souvenir. Also found out the hard way that the boss could cross six floors, not just three. Just FYI."


    "What? You defeated a boss monster?", she goes silent for a moment, "That can''t be. How - "


    "Not important."


    She jumps at me, "Not important? It very much is! I doubt you managed to reach the tenth floor alone in just a day or two!"


    I admit, "I was in the dungeon a bit over ten days actually."


    She looks at the green shining gem and goes pale.


    "Chloe? Hey, Chloe? Are you still with us?"


    Chloe tries to process what she has heard, "Uh, yes... ten days... are you serious... there''s no way you... won''t frenzy any moment now."


    "I don''t know about ''frenzy'' but as I said I''m getting a bit hungry. Maybe you are up for a... trade?"


    This probably sounds more threatening than I wanted. I need to get the discussion back on track before it escalates, "Chloe, let me tell you a secret. I may have taken a bite or two from the people in the slums but no one died because of it", Chloe''s eyes are glued on the green glow, "as long as neither of us does anything stupid now, it can stay that way."


    She clearly refused to believe what I said, "How''s that possible?"


    "I have a rare skill for that."


    "...alright", she''s visibly shaking.


    Uh, have I said something wrong?


    "S-say", she stutters," how did the blood from the vials taste like? ...though I feel like I would regret it if you told me the truth about that."


    "Honestly, it tasted disgusting, like dirt. Still have two of them on me."


    "...is that so... so are you-", it seems like she has a frightening suspicion.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    "What I wanted to get at is I''d prefer if you kept quiet about this whole meeting. Just let me continue to clear the dungeon by myself after everyone else has left, I''ll leave most of the item drops with you, they are useless to me anyways."


    Chloe inquiries, "And w-what is in it for you?"


    "Honestly, not much. I just want you to cooperate with me. Maybe perform two or three little favors."


    Finally, she asks the big question that is on her mind, "...tell me. Are you, are you a noble?"


    "I assume you want to know specifically if I''m a ''Vampire Noble''?"


    She nods.


    "Then I have to disappoint you. I never for a moment was one. From the moment I was created I was already a ''Vampire Lord''."


    She flinches, "I, I see... I... understand. It all makes sense now... I-I''m not getting out of this alive, am I?"


    "That is entirely up to you. You may not believe me but I don''t have any intention to harm you or other people, at least not in a lasting way. So don''t worry about the details too much. Just trust me and all will be perfectly fine. I may need a little bit of your help but I promise I won''t ask anything of you that you''ll find unreasonable."


    Chloe is clearly fearing for her life, "And w-what do you want me to do?"


    "I want reassurance. Make Jack''s ''negligence'' as good as an official thing, meaning I get permission to do whatever in the slums."


    "But many would suffer...", she protests.


    "That''s already how it is anyway. Or tell me another way how I can get some blood without it becoming a problem for anyone, especially me. I''m fine either way."


    "I don''t know -"


    "Then I want information regarding the ''Lord''s Mansion''. I know it has been vacant for ages but I want to know what the exact consequences and effects are."


    Her voice trembles, "You don''t plan on taking it over, do you?"


    "As if I could. Even if I met the last requirement, I''d just have a riot on my ass within minutes, am I right?"


    She agrees, "Yeah, I-I guess so."


    "Unless of course, you want me to? Then I''d be totally up for it", not really but a bit of intimidation can''t hurt, though I''m probably taking a bit too much joy from the teasing, "And lastly, I want some payback for the takedown a few days ago. Some of your blood should suffice, maybe every two months? Alternatively, you could become my servant."


    "So you do carry a grudge..."


    "I wanted to let it slide. But I HATE when people can''t see me as anything but a tool to exploit!"


    "I-if that is what it takes... it''s a price I''m willing to pay", tears roll from her eyes, "just promise me that you won''t kill anyone else."


    "Why would I? It is in my personal interest that you stay alive!"


    "...", Chloe.EXE has stopped responding again.


    Elly chimes in, (What are you waiting for? Make her your [Familiar]!)


    (What? Why? That wasn''t what I wanted to achieve.)


    My little mind mate is perplexed, (You don''t? Huh, could''ve fooled me. From my view, it totally looked like you wanted to. And it seems like she expects something like this as well.)


    (...I don''t... feel like I should.)


    She reassures me, (Trust me, it is for the best. It won''t change her personality or anything. The only thing that changes is that she can''t become hostile to you!)


    (Urgh, fine. For your sake I hope the dark side has delicious cookies.)


    Darth Mindbug cheers, (Of course! Only the best! ... erm, I mean, what are you talking about? We''re totally the good guys here, pinky promise!)


    (If I was, I would have just shown her the ''Lost One'' title and not tortured her like that.)


    She sighs, (Good isn''t always nice, and you said yourself that you can''t afford the risk yet. I''m seeing it a bit differently but in the end, you are the boss.)


    (Right.)


    I stand up, walk over to Chloe and lay my hand on her shoulder. I ''want'' her to become my familiar and after a moment I feel that something has changed, she seemingly doesn''t resist it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have taken Chloe as your familiar.


    You currently have 1/1 familiar(s).</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I ask her, "How do you feel?"


    She forces herself to answer, "Still terrified, though not nearly as much as before. And a bit lightheaded... But for some reason I can''t bring myself to dislike you anymore... what exactly have you done to me?"


    "I''ve taken you as my familiar. I''ve never had one before so I don''t know exactly what that means. The skill description just says that you will always be at least ''friendly'' towards me. Well, that sounds wrong when I put it like that."


    She chuckles, "Maybe a little bit."


    "And the other thing it does is that it allows me to share one of my skills with you. Though that choice is final and the same for all my familiars if I should take more, so I''d rather not make a hasty decision there."


    Chloe agrees, "...that''s understandable."


    "Feel good enough to bring the dungeon loot to the vault?", I try to get up from my chair.


    She stops me, "No, let''s... talk a bit more. I''ve... so many questions right now."


    "Fine by me", I sit down again.


    "There''s one thing I absolutely must know. A-are you... responsible for the ghoul outbreak?"


    "I don''t know who caused it", I suspect that I''m at fault but I''m not certain and the gem agrees by staying green.


    Chloe accepts that answer, "...fine."


    "Mind if you put that crystal away? Otherwise, we''ll deplete it within the day."


    "Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Therese will already be pissed enough that it is down to", she checks her inventory, "43%. The last one we found in the dungeon had at least 80%, this one must have been what? 47-50% maybe? Well, that''s nothing we can change."


    "Well, I might have tried to find some things out by questioning myself. Didn''t go too well."


    She responds, "That shouldn''t take too many charges either. Anyway, do you really intend to keep going to the dungeon and let us have at least the food items?"


    "Yes, it is exactly as I told you. To me that food is useless and selling it to someone for profit while half the people here are starving, would feel kinda unethical to me. Before I forget, here''s the rest of the food", I transfer the remaining food-related loot to her.


    She checks the items I''ve transferred to her, "So much... Tell me, why do you care? You are a vampire, a lord even, we''re just... food to you."


    "You are not thinking long term. If all of you die then I can''t get any blood from you anymore and will just starve."


    "I don''t get it. Why are you so different from the other vampires we''ve had to deal with?"


    "Either because they are greedy idiots or... sorry, that''s... not something I''m willing to tell just yet."


    "Alright...", now she looks like a dejected puppy. All the hints of fear seem to finally be gone.


    "There''s something I want to achieve by my own power and not just because of some title I was given. After that, I can tell you."


    "I can live with that. Last thing I need to know - how could you go so long without blood? To my knowledge as a Vampire Lord you can''t survive on monster blood anymore, no matter how strong you are, and you were over a week down there."


    "That''s also related to the other reason so you''ll just have to be patient for that answer as well. Just know that I can''t repeat that for too long, maybe another year or two on this side. That''s all I''ll say."


    "Fine...", she''s way too easily satisfied with my non-answer. Maybe that''s a side effect of becoming my familiar?


    "Are that all questions for now?"


    Chloe nods, "Yeah. I just need to think about what I can tell Therese where I got all that food from without exposing any of your secrets."


    "That''s just asking for a ''no good deed goes unpunished'' joke at this point. Can''t you just hand over a bigger portion than usual and say your five nooblets have finally started getting their stuff together?"


    She grins, "I''ll think about that option."


    "Speaking of - what would it take to get another Class Core? If I am to help you decimate the flood, it would be appropriate if I got a little power boost. I might want to become a vampire hunter, just not a vampire hunter. Urgh, forget it, that was a bad joke. Well, anyway. You can vouch for me, right? I told you that I''ve no intention to cause a massacre and the truth gem confirmed it."


    Chloe weakly tries to decline my request, "You''re certainly asking a lot. Tell you what, I still don''t feel too well. Let''s get the vault business over with, need to tell some people to cover for me then we can... continue."


    "Fine with me."


    She suggests, "Also when they hand you blood vials just take them and keep them in your inventory. I know that you don''t need them but -"


    "People would just ask uncomfortable questions, I know."


    I hand her all the drops I got from the dungeon including the truth gem, then we head to the vault. Chloe hands over some items and the lady handling the procedure asks her, "Chloe, you don''t look too well. Did something happen?"


    Chloe tries to brush it off, "Nothing unusual. We just had bad luck with some floors and I nearly died."


    The vault lady asks her, "Still don''t have your group under control?"


    Chloe scoffs, "Not even close. You can count on one hand the times they''ve kept to the battle plan. And with the flood out there we''ve no time for proper formation training."


    I interject, "How about doing that next time we go in there? Worst case we lose a day but gain more stability in the long run."


    She agrees, "Yeah, we should give it another try then."


    "And is our little mage here behaving?", the lady tries to tease me.


    "No, he also needs to work on his following orders skills. But what do you expect? It''s been just a week and no opportunity for any team practices besides the two dungeon visits."


    "Don''t worry, that''ll come with time", she hands me four blood vials this time. I say my thanks and we go back to Chloe''s room.


    She locks the door again, "Could you turn around for a moment? If I can trust you that I won''t die when I give you some blood, I''ll probably at least pass out and I''d rather not sleep in my armor."


    Why is that on the table? Did she take my jab about payback really seriously? I really need to work on my people skills... Well, it is not like I''ll say no when a nice girl invites me over for dinner.


    "Uh, sure. Say I talked with some with one of the merchants a few days ago. Supposedly silver elves don''t have blue eyes, only grey or pale brown?"


    She sounds unsure, "Hmmm... if that is true it is at least not common knowledge. Not that there were any silver elves around for ages. Supposedly gone extinct."


    "And with all those monsters around people had better things to do than care about eye colors?"


    "Pretty much."


    A few moments later she is done changing into her nightdress, "Let''s get this over with", she sits down on her bed, "Please don''t make this weird or turn me into a monster or anything! If you do I''ll, I..."


    I jokingly threaten her, "And what do you think you''ll do?"


    "...I can''t think of anything our bond will let me do. But I''d at least give you a real stern talking!"


    I can''t stop grinning, "Don''t worry. It won''t come to that."


    I take her in my arms and bite her neck to drink some blood. There is no resistance, no struggle, just the delicious taste of blood. Best one I had so far. I let go of her neck before anything bad happens to Chloe.


    Contrary to expectations she didn''t pass out but is still weakened, "I expected it to hurt, not feel... like that."


    "As a lord, I got a skill that lets me increase the pain of the bite or... do the opposite. It''s the same skill that makes it non-lethal."


    She frees herself from me, "Whatever, I''m still exhausted. Just let me sleep."


    "Sure, good night."


    She lays down and closes her eyes.


    Elly is cheerful, (Way to go, champ! Barely a week has gone by and you''ve already been invited to a girl''s room and can even watch her sleep!)


    (That doesn''t count. And please don''t be creepy about it. I just can''t leave now without either locking her in or leaving the door unlocked, and neither option feels right to me.)


    She brushes it off, (Yeah, yeah. Jokes aside, did you accomplish what you wanted?)


    (I way overshot. I just wanted a guarantee that they leave me alone. I expected for her to negotiate about the rest, maybe force some compromise. But I played the ''evil vampire'' role a bit too hard and she just caved.)


    Elly suggests, (Maybe you should apologize to her tomorrow and tell her what is really going on with you? As your familiar she shouldn''t be able to cause you trouble with that knowledge.)


    (...I''ll think about it. I''m still not entirely on board with that whole ''familiar'' business.)

 Ch. 24 – Silence breeds trouble

    "Hrngh", Chloe is waking up.


    "Good morning, sunshine. Slept well?"


    "W-what are you doing in my room, you creep!?"


    "I could hardly leave without either leaving the door open or locking you in - and I''d think you want neither. Also, I wanted to make sure that there are no side effects from the familiar bond."


    "Wait, that was real? I, I thought this was just a nightmare."


    "Afraid it is", I point towards my neck.


    "What do you...", she touches the spot where I bit her, the bite marks are still visible, "oh, crap. What have I... what have I done..."


    "Is it all coming back to you?"


    "Yes..."


    "Does anything hurt or feel off?"


    "Apart from everything, not really. I, I just have to get used... to being under your control... slave to a monster..."


    "Are you really? I don''t think I have any unnatural control over you or anything."


    She looks up surprised, "You don''t? Then what else is that for?"


    "It mostly forces us to be on ''friendly'' terms. And also lets me share a skill or three with my familiars later on."


    "Sorry, I don''t believe that. You went through a lot of effort back there and I don''t buy that you''re that bad at making friends", she''s very upset while saying that for some reason.


    "Ouch, that hurt. Well, if you don''t believe me how about a simple test? I command you to kiss me."


    "How about no, perv? ...why did I even consider it for a moment..."


    "See, you''re still yourself. Mostly."


    "Yeah, no. Something inside of me wanted to follow your command, it was faint but it was there. You''re definitely up to something."


    "Chloe, I mean the things I said yesterday. I want, I need to coexist with the humanoids here. We need each other if we want to end the threat of the demons."


    "No, we don''t need you! We just need to endure until the gods send us another ''Lost Child'' and then they''ll turn everything around. They''ll know what needs to be done. They have to."


    "Sure, just like all the ''Lost Ones'' in the past managed to end the demon menace once and for all."


    "Don''t be like that. It may be true that the 28 ''Lost Children'' may not have saved us forever but they still gave us a lot of hope."


    Wait, only 28? Didn''t Eva say it were 59? Where''d the rest go?


    "...what if I told you that they can''t send anymore? What if... they''ve already done all they could?"


    "Where''s your proof? The gods would never abandon us!"


    Elly chimes in, (stop being stubborn and just show her the ''Lost One'' symbol... you''ve really nothing to gain by antagonizing her now.)


    (I''m never sure with you if you try to play the shoulder angel or shoulder devil.)


    (Neither, I''ve only your best interest at heart. I want to live, well, exist. When you mistake dust for a vein I''ll also perish.)


    "Have you been to the church recently? Or tried to pray? There''s no response! The gods have left you!"


    "That can''t be..."


    "Go and try if you don''t believe me."


    "...I''ll, I''ll do that."


    (...I''m afraid this was a big mistake.)


    (I know but I still don''t trust the ''familiar'' status.)


    "Sorry to break it to you like that, I know I should''ve handled that better. I''m... not good with dealing with this social stuff. I''m truly sorry about this. But I need your help if we want to make it through all of this. And for that, I don''t want to rely on lies."


    "Yeah, I''ve noticed..."


    "One other thing, I''m curious about something. Yesterday you said that you can''t afford to hold back anything but here you go wasting over half your SP on ''makeup''. How come?"


    "A monster like you wouldn''t understand. We morphs... aren''t pleasant to look at."


    "Can it really be worse than having a vampire running around unchecked?"


    "...okay, you''re asking for it..."


    She undoes her transformation. Whatever her form is supposed to be it wouldn''t be misplaced in an H.P. Lovecraft story.


    Her skin takes an unhealthy blue-grey shade, black holes replace her eyes, two rows of triangular-shaped teeth fill her mouth, her arms gain a second set of elbows... And whatever other kinds of wrongness I may have missed. Good thing I''m immune to regular mind effects?


    After about a minute she goes back to her ''human'' imitation form.


    "Happy now?"


    "Yeah, it is... quite something to take it... sorry for asking."


    "It''s... fine. People don''t really hate us morphs, we still count as ''human'' but everyone still finds our true appearance unsettling and I understand why. Now would you be so kind and leave? I''ve to get ready for work and I''d rather not have someone see you here and start asking questions. Can you tell the others that I''ll not come to training for a couple of days? Tell them I''m feeling a bit sick and will only do some basic paperwork."


    "Sure, also make sure to cover up the bite marks. They got through your disguise."


    "Yeah, right. I don''t usually cover up scratches and wounds."


    I go to the practice hall and arrive first. Today everyone is on time for a change. I inform them of Chloe''s absence and everyone does their thing as if nothing had changed. So I do the same. My increased SP now lets me train for one more hour than before, which means like 3 more exp per day compared to spending that hour reading. Am I that much of a slow reader? Well, it doesn''t use SP so I guess that difference is fair.


    Later when I climb on top of the fortress walls to unleash my few spells I''m greeted by new faces - the flood composition has changed, most of the old types seem to be depleted and in their stead are new ones. Math Rabbits and Zombies I''ve met in the dungeon, though the latter don''t take well to the sun so are unlikely to even reach the gate. But there are also some monster types I''ve never met before.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Snolem 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2880/2880</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">456/456</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1992/1992</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">480</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">144</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">408</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">192</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">144</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">528</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">48</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Snow Cannon 4, Ice Resistance 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    A walking snowman with a nasty skill, I wonder why it doesn''t melt in the sun like the zombies but that''s probably monsters for you; they don''t have to make sense...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Snow Cannon


    500 MP


    Ranged ice attack with 200% magic attack power.


    Inflicts damage to targets in the target area.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (So it can''t use that skill at the current level. Why do I get the feeling we''ll be sieged later by high-level versions that will cause massive trouble with that attack?)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Teddy Warrior 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2645/2645</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">345/345</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1840/1840</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">414+53</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">299</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">184</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">138</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">161</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">115</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster Axe</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Axe Training 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Take a teddy bear, make it the size of a teenager, give it a frown and an axe and you have this monster.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    And last what I assume to be the biggest troublemaker of the new bunch:


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Necromancer 7, Cleric 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 7, Elite 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4535/4535</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3982/4019</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2715/2715</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">394</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">373</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">198</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">613</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">334</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">387</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">377</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Animate Dead 7


    Cure Magic 4 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Light</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And sure enough the skill...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Animate Dead


    1 MP, 1 corpse


    Create a zombie-type monster of (skill level) level from the target corpse.


    The zombie keeps general classes and features of its original but limited to (skill level) levels.


    Does not grant control over the created zombie.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (That skill is as good as free to use... given enough corpses they can just overrun any defense position.)


    (So same as before. There was no end in sight to the monsters already. This barely changes anything.)


    And true enough to their ''NPC status'' the necromancers make a beeline for the nearest monster corpses they can find and animate them without even considering that they''ll perish in the sunlight before achieving anything.


    Between the absence of monsters with an ice weakness and more bulky ones, my overall damage contribution takes a hit.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Rock Fall'' spell has inflicted a total of 309601 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ''Rock Fall''? More like pebbles... what was worth around 300 exp before is now around 220 exp, sitting at 725 exp total now. I really need a better element... well, and more magic power and MP of course as well. Just levels in general, I guess.


    Huh?, (Did you see that as well, Elly?)


    (No, what did you see?)


    (Not sure. I think there was some movement in the moat below.)


    (I see nothing and [appraise] doesn''t pick up a target either.)


    (Strange... then I probably just imagined it.)


    I won''t deal any lasting damage with those necro-clerics around but I may at least get them to burn some of their MP on healing others.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Rock Blast'' spell has inflicted a total of 5822 damage and 5 status effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And as expected they rush over and heal the afflicted ones, which should save us a couple of hundred zombies at least.


    Jack waits for me next to the stairs as usual, "hey Jack, how will you ditch me today?"


    "Oh, quite easily in fact. I don''t accompany you at all."


    "How come?"


    "I, uh, was told that someone important wants to meet you in front of the church. That''s honestly all I know."


    "That sounds stupid and suspicious even for you. Tell me at least who it is."


    "No idea."


    "Really?"


    "Really."


    "God, you are useless. And why wouldn''t you at least bring me there?"


    "It seems I''ve messed up something again so I am to have a talk with Therese, again. She seems extra pissed today."


    "You never learn, do you?"


    "Nope."


    "Fine, keep your head on your shoulders, I might need you as a meat shield someday."


    "Heh, sure. See you later."


    <hr>


    POV: Therese


    knock knock


    "Come in, it''s open."


    Chloe enters my office. She looks absolutely awful, pale and is shaking. Whatever happened to her?


    "Chloe? How can I help you?"


    "I don''t know what to do anymore, I''ve made a big mistake..."


    "Ok, first sit down, take a deep breath and then explain. I don''t know yet what you''re talking about. But I''ll try to help as much as I can."


    "Right..."


    "Wait a moment, I''ll get us some tea. You look like you need something to calm your nerves."


    I quickly go to the kitchen. I order one of the staffers to prepare us some tea and deliver it to my office. When I get back to my room Chloe has at least managed to sit down.


    "Sorry, they didn''t have any tea ready but will prepare and deliver some soon."


    "I don''t mind."


    "Now mind filling me in on what has happened? You look horrible."


    "...", it looks like she tries to speak up but can''t for some reason.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Chloe</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised, fear, panic, confused, charmed</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sentinel 14, Survivor 18, Captain 13, Scout 12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Changeling 17</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2500/3377</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1615/1615</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1658/1658 [3658]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">546+115</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">558+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">601+95</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">311</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">298</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">413+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">384</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Reinforced Spear, Half Plate, Iron Helm</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Armor Training 14, Spear Training 18


    Create Food&Water 18


    Opportunity Attack 14


    Battle Order 13, Guard Order 13


    Disguise 17, Low Profile 17


    Danger Sense 12, Dexterity Boost 12, Tracking 17, Trap Lore 18</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "What''s with all those statuses? No wonder your head is such a mess..."


    "Yeah..."


    "Then I suspend you from your duties effective immediately until you''re clear in the head again. In your current state, you''re too much of a threat to your own well-being."


    Normally I don''t like playing favorites, I really shouldn''t but she''s one of my only friends...


    "But-"


    "No buts! Now, please, tell me what''s going on. I want to help you but I need to know with what."


    "I don''t think I can..."


    "I believe in you, you can tell me anything. If you didn''t want to you wouldn''t have come to me today, right? Just start somewhere, whatever is easiest for you. Just get it out and everything will be better, trust me."


    "I, I''ll try. But it is... difficult."


    Chloe takes a moment to gather her thoughts, "so I was at the church earlier today... Jared told me something disturbing and I had to check if it was true."


    "What do you mean?"


    "He said that God has abandoned us. He won''t send us another ''Lost One'', we''re on our own now."


    "How does that relate to the church?"


    "I tried to pray. I know most prayers just aren''t answered but this time it was actively rejected."


    "...that''s quite something to take in. But how would a vampire know about that?"


    "I... don''t know."


    "I didn''t take you for such a pious one... and I don''t see how that revelation changes anything for you. It hasn''t been that long since the last one, we weren''t likely to see one in our lifetime anyways."


    "Th-that''s not the bad part yet."


    knock knock


    "Yes?"


    "Your tea."


    "Ah, yes, please bring it in."


    One of the staffers comes in and serves us the tea.


    "Thanks", I tell him. The man leave again as quickly as he arrived.


    Chloe takes a gem out of her inventory, "Jared gave me this."


    "A truth gem? Just like that? How?"


    "After we were done in our dungeon trip yesterday he continued on his own."


    "I take it that gem didn''t come cheap?"


    "He gave me the gem and a ton of food for ''free'', as a sign of goodwill, probably. He alone made about as much food as my whole group in a month."


    "That sounds good so far, we need all the food we can get with the limited production and all those refugees around. What''s the catch?"


    "A couple of things. He wants a Class Core, information on the ''Lord''s Mansion'', that we... give him free reign over the people of the slums basically... and..."


    "That almost sounds like he''d be a vampire noble planning a takeover. Bring him here, we can use the truth gem to sort this out."


    "Don''t bother. I''ve... confirmed he wasn''t the one that caused the ghoul outbreak", she''s clearly struggling to get those words out.


    "...Chloe, what else aren''t you telling me?"


    She undoes a part of her transformation, two holes appear in her neck, "see that? I''ve... accepted the deal. The final condition was... some of my blood..."


    "You stupid... why did you accept that! The mere fact that it didn''t kill you means you''ll turn into one of those monsters yourself!"


    "It, it doesn''t. He has a unique skill that prevents all side effects."


    "I can''t believe you. If you don''t care about yourself at least consider how it would affect those that care about you, your friends."


    "Friends? What friends? I don''t have any! Everyone... just avoids me because I''m a changeling."


    "What about me? Aren''t we friends?"


    "When do we ever interact outside of work? Never. And Jared, he made me feel needed, wanted. Even when I insisted he respect the military hierarchy he treated me like an ''equal'' despite seeing through my disguise. He was a bit rough about it but it felt like the right thing to go along with his plan."


    "Sorry, but that just hurt. I, I thought you understood. I know I''m always buried in my work but wasn''t I always there when you needed me?"


    "...I don''t know. You were willing to listen, yes, but it always felt like it was just for the sake of work and not because we''re ''friends''."


    "Is that so, I... I understand, I''ll try to work on being a better friend in the future. Now you said it was a ''deal'', now how do we get out of it?"


    "I don''t think we should try to cancel it. Please."


    "...then tell me what you think we get out of it. Cause I don''t see the worth of it. Almost lost a friend already and now you''re asking me to give up any hope for the slum dwellers completely."


    "I, I don''t really know. I don''t fully trust him but the gem has verified everything he has told me so far. It is weird. It seems like he wants to get along with everyone and it is only his dietary needs that get in the way of that."


    "Do you really feel that way?"


    "I think so, yes."


    "Fine, then I''ll play along. But promise me that next time you won''t follow a monster just because you need a friend. You have me for that."


    "Thanks, that... means a lot to me."


    Normally I''d say no, I don''t negotiate with monsters but Chloe needs my help... "Ok, so first thing. We''ve absolutely no say over what happens in the slums. I hate sacrificing them but as we discussed last time we don''t have the manpower to stop him. Maybe we could tell the nightguards that he is allowed to be outside at night... well, these are all the concessions I can make. Whatever happens in the slums happens."


    "Ok, I''ll tell him that."


    "Info on the ''Lord''s Mansion'', I don''t want to give that to a potential vampire noble on the chance that he can take it over. If he truly wants that info bring him with you next time", my eyes land on the truth gem, "that risk is not something I want to take lightly."


    "I already told you-"


    "That he is not responsible for the ghouls? Yes, but that doesn''t exclude the possibility that there are two or more vampire nobles."


    "..."


    "Face it, you are in no condition to make any sound judgments at the moment. And the last thing he wants another Class Core... that is a steep cost for some extra food every week but as long as he keeps contributing against the flood monsters I have no objection."


    "Thanks."


    "He''ll get that when you bring him for the other discussion."


    "A-alright."


    My dear Chloe, I don''t know what he did to you but you''re behaving suspiciously.


    knock knock


    Who''s it this time? "Come in."


    Jack enters the room, "so you called for me again?"


    "Yeah, but something came up. Can you come back later? Let''s say in two hours."


    "Yeah, sure. I can do that. See you around."

 Ch. 25 – Secret Keeper

    Jack just told me that ''someone'' waits for me at the front of the church but not who or when they expect me there. I take this opportunity to make a detour to the library to return some old books and borrow new ones. I want to borrow some more books than before but the librarian tells me each customer is only allowed to borrow 10 books at the same time. Pity, but I''m not arguing about that.


    I arrive at the church and one nun is standing in front of it. She approaches me, "am I right to presume that you are Jared?"


    "That I am. I was told someone wanted to see me, would that be you?"


    "Oh, no, the sister awaiting you is a very busy person. I''m just here to welcome you. Please wait a moment. I''ll get her."


    "Alright. Though I''ve no idea why this person asked for me specifically. I''m no one special."


    "I''m sorry, I was not informed of the reason. It is best if you ask her yourself. Excuse me, it''ll only be a moment."


    "Certainly."


    The nun goes into the church. I hide myself in the shade of a nearby tree. After a few minutes, a familiar face comes back for me, "Ah, Jared! Couldn''t get enough of me so you had to come and see me? Hehe~"


    "Hi, Lucia. Are you the ''important'' person that wanted to meet me?"


    "Yes. Well, actually there''s a different person I want you to meet."


    "And here I thought you had come around to my charms. Mind telling me who this person is?"


    "Someone who is not long for this world..."


    "Ah, so you want to introduce me to one of your parents before they pass on."


    "...please don''t make such a joke. You know that we commoners aren''t allowed to have a family. Now come, it is quite a distance to there."


    We start walking and continue talking on the way, "Sorry I was not aware of that. Where does that restriction on ''family'' come from?"


    "Powerhungry nobles. Some of them even made a sport of hunting down commoners that formed a proper family. Because of that most grow up in an orphanage and do not learn what parents or a family are until they are at least 12 years."


    "That... would explain a thing or two. Is that a widespread problem?"


    "Basically everywhere. Some areas like this one are technically spared by not having any noble in charge but it has been so ingrained into our culture that couples break up once the woman gets pregnant."


    "What a loveless world..."


    "Tell me about it..."


    "So who are we meeting then?"


    "One of our church''s biggest donors. She''s sick and we can''t cure her no matter what we try."


    "I don''t see how that relates to me. You know that I can''t use cure because of... my condition."


    "Not specifically you. She was just always very curious about myths and legends, and here we have a live silver elf, supposed to be extinct or never have been real in the first place."


    "As long as you keep silent about the mythical vampire part."


    "Why would vampires be mythical? There are several of them around. Too many of them, if you ask me."


    "There were none where I''m from. Not that we didn''t have other ''monsters'' instead. But seriously, do you really think this is a good idea? You know what effect your... skill has on me and I''m not too keen on finding out what the unreadable part of it is."


    "I''m confident you can deal with that. But if not, well, it would just mean my oracle came true. So, uh, win-win?"


    "What did I tell you just a couple of days ago?"


    "Right, sorry. It is just... as long as I have my divine class I will get pressured into following the path set out for me..."


    (I doubt this is something I can change even if I make her a familiar.)


    (I hate to tell you this, Jared, but you can''t save everyone. Not even your sweetheart.)


    (Drop it!)


    "So if you don''t see a way to avoid the fatal outcome why not say ''screw it'' and live your remaining days to the fullest?"


    "That''s not that easy. I can''t just abandon those that rely on me."


    "So duty-bound to the bitter end?"


    "Pretty much."


    "You really need to learn to live a little."


    "Says the walking corpse."


    "Touch¨¦."


    After that, we just have some more small talk until we arrive at our destination, a collective accommodation. The woman we are to visit lives in a small two-room apartment or whatever the medieval equivalent is called.


    "Hi, it''s me, Lucia, I brought our guest. Can we come in?"


    "Yes, please."


    "Hello", I greet her as well.


    "So it was true, you have actually found a silver elf."


    "What?", Lucia pouts, "you didn''t believe me?"


    "So what am I to do now?"


    "Nothing much *cough* I just wanted to see a silver elf before I leave this mortal coil."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Maude</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">sick: reaper plague (TTL: ~4 days)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">31</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Merchant 18, Smith 17</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Grey Dwarf 17</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1298/1298 [2596]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/1402 [2804]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">218 [437]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">221 [442]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">210 [420]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">27 [54]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 [37]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">119 [239]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">206 [413]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth Resistance 17, Hard Worker 17, Physical Resistance 17</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    It says she''s a dwarf but I can just see a sickly old grandma in front of me.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    She does look very old for a supposed thirty-one years... is that a side effect of the illness?


    "May I ask what this illness is you have? I''ve never heard of that one."


    Lucia scolds me, "are you peeking again?!"


    "...maybe."


    "Hoho, to be young", the old woman is seemingly amused.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You received a party invitation from Lucia.


    Accept?</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Can you please accept the invitation and then appraise her again? That way I can look as well. Appraisal windows are shared between party members."


    "So much for no peeking."


    "Just do it, please?"


    (Good to know that I SHOULDN''T appraise monsters willy-nilly during the weekly dungeon visit. Wait, shouldn''t they have gotten a flood of appraisals after I left the dungeon?)


    (Maybe it is limited by range? Or just some weird interaction that blocks it for them while they were frozen in time from our point of view.)


    (This world gives me a headache...)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve entered a party with Lucia.


    Party size: 2/7</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I use [Appraisal] again.


    "Reaper plague, I know that one. There''s... no known cure for it."


    "But aren''t plagues highly contagious?"


    "What are you talking about? It is just a name. It doesn''t mean anything."


    (What.)


    (Don''t ask me. I''ve given up on making sense of this world.)


    (Same. At least I now know that illnesses are not just mundane versions of status effects, meaning they can''t be cured by regular cure magic.)


    (And it only took one incoming death of a random person we never met before.)


    (Too soon, Elly. Too. Soon.)


    Lucia goes to the old lady, "Maude can I speak with you in private for a moment?"


    "Alright, alright, I''m going. I''ll wait outside for you. Okay?"


    "Yes, please do that."


    "What do you want to talk about, Lucia, dear?"


    And I''ve already left the room before their private conversation goes anywhere.


    (I still don''t get what the point of this trip was. Lucia should''ve known that I can''t cast cure magic.)


    (It probably just is as she said. You''re a silver elf, a race said to be extinct, and the old lady wanted to see one before she buys the farm.)


    (Maybe that''s enough for her but it only makes me depressed. If I hadn''t insisted on immortality I might''ve been able to do something.)


    (I doubt it. You said it yourself regular cure magic doesn''t seem to suffice for illnesses, at least for this one. You wouldn''t have made a difference here. And it is more important what long-term differences you can make.)


    (And the situation with Chloe tells me the changes I''ve made aren''t necessarily for the better.)


    (...see it as an investment?)


    (Investment? So you mean a price that other people have to pay? Yeah, that fits.)


    The door to Maude''s house opens again, Lucia comes out, "can you go and talk with Maude a bit? It seems... those are her last minutes, so can you do her this favor, please? It would mean a lot to me."


    "Right, I can do at least this much."


    Lucia smiles for some reason. With her, I can''t tell if it is because she''s happy that I do the old lady this favor or because Lucia has tricked me again.


    I go back in to Maude and close the door behind me, "You wanted to talk with me?"


    "Lucia has told me what you really are."


    "...and you''re not afraid?"


    "Why would I be? I''ll be dead in a few days anyway."


    "Ok, now what?"


    "I want you to drink my blood. As I said I''m not long for this world anyway and if my sacrifice can go to some good use it is something I''m willing to do."


    "That''s... quite sudden."


    "Hmpf, let me tell you. Life rarely goes like we want. If it did I would''ve had a child with the man I loved but it wasn''t meant to be. Anyway, there''s one final thing I want to ask of you. Please take good care of Lucia. She''s... like a child to me. If we were allowed to have those... argh, you know what I mean."


    "I think she doesn''t need my help. But if she wants it I won''t say no. Any final goodbyes?"


    She shakes her head, "no. Just get it over with before I change my mind."


    "Alright. Then... good night and have a safe journey on the other side."


    I do as she asked and bite her, drink her blood until it stops flowing. After that, I lie her on her bed. If it wasn''t for the bite wounds you could think she had peacefully passed away in her sleep.


    I hear a whisper behind the door, "...with that, I guess he passes."


    I wipe away the tears from my eyes and open the door, "and what would you mean by that?"


    "Eep, don''t surprise me like that!"


    "You weren''t exactly silent with your eavesdropping."


    "..."


    "So what exactly have I ''passed''?"


    "...I wanted to know what you really are. I had a suspicion but I wasn''t sure."


    "We had already established that I''m a vampire on our first meeting."


    "I mean aside from hungry."


    "Strange I thought you were some variant of human. Didn''t know I was talking to a Sass Elemental the whole time."


    "I think that you are more than ''just another vampire''. If I had to bet my money would be on ''Lost Child''."


    "Don''t be ridiculous. My sense of direction isn''t that bad."


    "I''m serious."


    "Ok, I bite. Well, in the figurative sense this time. What gives you that idea?"


    "Several things actually."


    "This better be good."


    "First you should''ve instinctively known that undead never get their prayers answered, yet you went and tried anyway."


    "...I''m not the smartest person?"


    "You knew the name of our god just from seeing the statue, hardly anyone not in the upper ranks knows it, pronunciation notwithstanding. Or you know that there''s not only one god but two and you knew the name of the second as well."


    "Maybe I was a cleric before I got turned?"


    "I think you have the wrong class for that. How about Maude didn''t scream from the pain of you biting her? To my knowledge, the bite of a regular vampire is highly painful. The skill needed to change that is only available with a higher vampire rank."


    "That seems unrelated to your main point."


    "Not if we add that you are too ''sane''. You try and understand how this ''Holy Maiden'' business affects me, you try to help me, encourage me. As futile as it is."


    "And if I was just trying to trick you?"


    "Also you used appraisal without having enough MP", she says dismissively, "and saw my divine class with it, which is impossible without a title only the gods can personally grant. So there''s that."


    "...fine, you win. Now what?"


    "I honestly didn''t think I''d get this far. I expected you to try harder to keep it a secret."


    "Emphasis on try. Your [Undead Bait] skill still messes too much with my head."


    "Upper or lower?"


    Embarrassed I have to admit, "...both."


    "What I don''t get is why are you a monster? According to the records of the churches, the previous thirty ''Lost Ones'' were either variations of humans or elves. Some theorize there were also dwarves among them but no proof either way."


    "Did you just say thirty?"


    "Yes, why?"


    "...when I talked with Jeff he hinted that I''d be number sixty coming here."


    "You talked with a god personally!?", she starts fangirling, "What was he like!!?"


    "Honestly? Relatively normal just plenty overworked."


    "Huh, not what I expected."


    "Was the same for me. Who would have thought that the guys in charge of the entire universe are just people like you and me. Now, could you please promise me that this whole thing stays between us?"


    "Yeah, if word got out that even gods can suffer from overwork -"


    "I meant the ''Lost One'' business."


    "...right, if I have to. But think about it. People would be way more willing to help you if they knew about it."


    (I agree with her, ''Seiya''. Now that the secret is out can you PLEASE tell at least Chloe as well?)


    "Yeah, sure. It''s not like you''ve already tricked me two or three times."


    "Hmm... should be at least four times now?"


    "See? Between you being that unreliable and the missing twenty-nine former ''Lost Ones'' this... is not a risk I''m willing to take."


    "Fine, fine. Under one condition. Can you please show me the holy symbol that comes with being a ''Lost One''? I''ve always wanted to see the real deal once in my life."


    "I guess that can''t hurt."


    I stretch out my hand and will the signal into existence. In the air above my hand appears a blue glow with a few symbols in it dancing around.


    (Did those symbols just read ''1337%¦Ð=w''?)


    (That is the question and you know the answer.)


    (42? And what is that supposed to MEAN?)


    (Dunno, ask Gzeph when they get the phone line fixed.)


    (Well, if you get the question that easily it would explain why everything is so utterly bizarre around here...)


    She grins, "and that''s five."


    "Ok, how this time?"


    "Oh, nothing big. Only that a head priest or something should receive an oracle about the arrival of a ''Lost Child'' soonish? Nothing to worry about for you."


    "I swear I''ll get you back for this..."


    "Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I swear I will keep silent about you. I''m just... happy that I got to meet a living legend before my time is up."


    "Keep talking like this up and I''ll personally send you to the afterlife."


    "There are certainly worse ways to go, I''ll... keep that offer in mind."


    "I''d rather keep you around alive. You''re only like the fifth-worst girl to have around from those that I''ve talked to since I got here."


    "I''ll take that as a compliment."


    "Okay, but seriously, keep the whole ''Lost One'' business to yourself. If people found out... well, best case they''d force us two to be in the same party as the hero eventually. You know how risky your skill is with undead like me around."


    "Yeah, I''ll... take it with me to the grave."


    "I don''t like that phrasing, Lucia."


    We chat a bit more on the way back to the church and after bringing her home I go home as well.

 Ch. 26 – Uncrossed fire

    I''m back in my room after all the screw-ups of the day.


    (So Lucia found out, probably knew since the last meeting. Chloe is... not herself thanks to ''familiar'' and if I had to guess she probably did her best to let Therese know despite her promises to play nice.)


    (What makes you so sure?)


    (Hello? I''m not blind! She was visibly distressed by the whole situation and wanted help. I couldn''t offer any since I''m the ''enemy'' in her mind, both figuratively and literally, and from my impression, Therese is a friend of hers. You don''t just throw away your lifelong friendship just because a stranger, me, asks you to!)


    (I''m not sure. I''ve seen Therese as well and I doubt she could be anyone''s friend.)


    (Well, out of the people I''ve seen here she''s certainly the one that needs a friend the most. Just like Jeff she seems to just ''live'' for work and not even like it.)


    I spend the rest of the time reading through some legends on the search for hints about the demon lord title or class but nothing new comes up. They don''t even overlap in which abilities a demon lord supposedly has. Sometimes it is just a very powerful warrior or mage, other times it is a person that can actually command our friends the mindless monsters, one story claimed that they can corrupt the minds of people and turn them into monsters as well. I just hope that the shreds of notes Elly can restore shed more light on what I''d gain if I took that title. Not that I really want to.


    (How far are you with restoring the file on titles?)


    (I should be done sometime today.)


    (Alright, after that focus on the file with Jeff''s plan for a class build. I doubt I''d even agree with half of it but it might give a nice hint of what kind of classes exist. After that - just classes in general? If they actually agree on giving me another class core I''d like to make some plans on which classes I want first.)


    (Alright, I''ll do that.)


    It seems like Survivor has increased to level 2 without me using exp.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 4, Survivor 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 1, Noble 1, Lord 1, Progenitor 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor


    Title Level 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">812</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">934/968 [1210]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1276/1294 [1618]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">643/672 [840]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">151+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">173+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">154+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">287+35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">217</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">222+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">172</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wooden Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 4 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 1 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 4 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 4 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 4 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 4 (Rank 1)


    Spear Training 2, Unnatural Claws 1


    Charm Eye 1, Embrace 1, Familiar 1, Greater Vampiric Bite 1


    Disguise 1, Intimidation 2


    Ageless 1, Beast Killer 1, Enhanced Regeneration 1, Sleepless 1, Stealth 1, Supernatural Toughness 1, Undead 1, Vampire Hierarchy 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I thought I''d only get the free level up when Chloe trains me in her class?)


    (Maybe it is enough if she''s just registered as your trainer?)


    (That makes just as much sense as all the rest so far. Wait, I never even told her I''ve already added the class... should finally do that today.)


    (And tell her about you being a ''Lost One'' while you are at it.)


    (I''ll think about it.)


    (...with you that is worth as much as a no.)


    (Yeah, yeah.)


    Morning has come so it is time for training. Chloe is still absent.


    Training and nuking of the flood monster proceed as usual, (it is still the same monster mix as yesterday so it wasn''t a one-off loss of experience per rainfall. Just great.)


    (Yeah, I''d also prefer the previous mixture back. But I''ve no idea why it has suddenly changed.)


    (It is no new month, it is still the middle of the week. So probably not a scheduled or seasonal thing.)


    (Hmm, the only thing that wasn''t normal I can think of was that we went to a dungeon.)


    (That can''t be connected. All kinds of people go to the dungeon every day. And if it was just because specifically I went there it would also have changed between the second and third day I was in this fortress.)


    (True. So I guess they just ran out of the first set of monsters and now we''ve advanced to stage 2.)


    (let''s hope stage 3 has again some monsters with a weakness I can exploit or at least way less WIL.)


    When I try to leave, I expect for Jack to greet me as usual but he is also absent today. Instead, I''m greeted by Chloe, "Hey, are you done for today?"


    "Yeah, just finished. Do you feel any better already?"


    "Not really but that doesn''t matter now. Therese wants to... negotiate with you regarding your proposal."


    "Right, I can see where that is going."


    (I shouldn''t have given them the truth gem, they clearly want to use it against me.)


    (Too late now.)


    "Lead the way. Say what''s happened to Jack?"


    "He''s been suspended for lack of reliability."


    "I have totally no idea why that would be. Did he try to make any dumb excuses?"


    Chloe shakes her head, "yes, for several hours. Therese was ready to rip his head off."


    "Thanks, Jack. Now I have to take the brunt for you angering an emotionally challenged person."


    "Don''t call Therese that. She has a lot of problems on her plate."


    "Including me?"


    "Including you."


    "...I''ll take it as a win when I leave the room with the same number of living people as I entered it."


    We''re back in the office building of the military facility where I first met Therese, this can only go well...


    Therese is working on some documents like last time except there''s no one else this time here, "I didn''t think you''d come here today."


    "Oh, I thought I...", Chloe stammers, "truthfully, I just wanted to get it over with."


    "Understandable. Follow me, you two, we''ll talk in the interrogation room", Therese goes on ahead.


    "Great, this will totally not devolve into a repeating trauma."


    Therese signals me to sit on the chair, she herself sits on the other side of the table, Chloe... has to stand? "What about Chloe?"


    "She can stand, this won''t take too long."


    "Yeah, no. Given recent history, this will be a very long talk again. Chloe, if you want, you can sit on my lap."


    "How about no", Therese looks about to snap, "Chloe, get a chair from the room next door!"


    "I''d be fine with just standing but if you insist I''ll grab one. Anything else we''re missing?"


    "No, I have the truth gem already with me."


    "Then take it out and let''s get it over with."


    "Patience, Chloe needs to hear this as well."


    "If you say so, Therese."


    "I''ll let it slide for now since there was no time for proper education but you should address your superiors as sir or ma''am."


    "Alright, sir or ma''am."


    "Smartass."


    Chloe comes back with a chair and sits down next to Therese''s side, "why do stay that far away from me? Do you think I bite? Oh, right, I do. *sigh* I need to update my vocabulary."


    "Please keep the jokes to yourself. This is a serious issue."


    "I know, I know. So how will this go?"


    "Chloe has told me some very... concerning stories regarding you. And with all those status effects that plague her mind, I''m not sure how much I trust any of that."


    I practically saw that development coming. Though Therese looks just as unhappy to be hear as I am.


    "So you want to interrogate me - again - and confirm it with the truth gem I donated?"


    "Exactly."


    "Good, then take the gem out and let''s get it over with."


    Therese does as told, "where to start?"


    "If you don''t know, I do. Let''s make a long story short. I do not know who caused the ghoul outbreak. I have a suspicion it may have been my fault because I was distracted by Erwin and didn''t pay attention to a system prompt but I can''t say for certain either way. All I can say is if it was indeed me it was not on purpose. Does that address one of your main concerns?"


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "I...", both of them look at the green shining gem, "fine it does. I''m not certain yet how to handle that though. What I''m most concerned about is what has happened to Chloe."


    Chloe seems surprised by what is going on, "Therese? Why are we interrogating him like this now? I thought we agreed on - "


    "Chloe, dear, I know I said that. But have you looked at yourself? You''re not in any position to make a clear-headed decision since you met Jared last time. I must make sure that nothing funny is going on with you two."


    "...", Chloe is left speechless.


    "So Jared, can you tell me anything about what happened to Chloe?"


    "It is more or less like I told Chloe. I want to coexist with humans, I''m fairly certain we need each other if we want to overcome the current threat to this world. I regret to tell you but the gods can''t help us this time, I assume you''ve confirmed that, Chloe?"


    She nods, "yes but what has that to do with anything?"


    "I approached you because I want to make this cooperation official so to speak. As of now, I''m weak, yes, but that is what the trade is for. Anyway, I wanted to talk with Chloe about that, kind of... lost control of the situation and... stuff happened."


    Therese tries to process what I just told her but then gives up, "that doesn''t tell me anything."


    "She''s now what is called a familiar and bound to me."


    "I swear, if you tell me this is some strange ''power of friendship'' nonsense..."


    "According to the description it just keeps us on friendly terms so... close enough I guess."


    Therese demands, "release her! Please."


    "I''m not sure I can. Give me a moment I''ll check my menu. Have you checked on your end, Chloe?"


    "Tried but had no luck of course."


    I check my menu and there''s a new tab under skills fittingly labeled ''familiar''.


    (Elly, was that there before?)


    (If it was I didn''t notice it either.)


    (Ok, so each time I get or use a new funny skill I need to check here. Got it.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">limit</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">0/1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">active familiars</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">Chloe</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I would''ve thought that it says I have 1/1 active familiars but I guess it means how many more I can make.)


    (It is just as backwards as everything else.)


    (And there''s no option to release her so I guess we''re ''safe'', or well, the opposite of that.)


    "Seems like I can''t."


    "Re. Lease. HER!"


    "I told you. That is not something I can do. Ask the gem if you don''t believe me."


    "Goddamn vampires", she''s about to cry, "always steal from me what is dearest to me."


    "I''ve not stolen anything, she''s still here. Nothing I''ve done prevents you from staying friends."


    "FINE. Then tell me what do you intend to do to her."


    "Nothing that wouldn''t have happened anyway. Currently, I need to become stronger and she was supposed to train me anyway."


    Chloe finally speaks out, "I think you''re taking this too far, Jared. First, you do... this to me and then you have no use for me? Am I... not good enough?"


    "Ok, timeout. Why do you sound disappointed? Did you want to be mind-controlled or turned into some monster or something?"


    "Don''t mind her", Therese explains, "she''s always had trouble making friends and your ''friendship bonds'' gave her some hope and now she''s down again."


    "I don''t mind being friends in the normal way, just give me some time to get used to her true form. But, well, the familiar thing doesn''t have anything to do with it."


    "I find it hard to believe that it does nothing of consequence. We''re talking about some creepy skill of a monster here."


    "Chloe", I demand, "please tell her that we already did that sketch. I don''t want to repeat myself."


    Chloe just nods.


    "Thank you."


    Therese slams her fist on the table or rather tries to and stops before it hits the table.


    "...fine. Can you at least tell me why you want to cooperate with us? All other vampires I''ve met don''t care. They just... see us as food."


    "Do I really have to spell it out again? The others are stupid. For one I need a sustainable food source. Sorry to put it so bluntly but if all humans die out I''ll starve as well. Two, the monsters are hostile to me as well. It doesn''t matter how strong I am or become there''s a limit to how many enemies I can fight off. Even if the limit is just MP or SP."


    "And where do you suppose we get that many willing sacrifices? I for one am not willing to throw my life away just so a random vampire can have a snack."


    "Umm...", Chloe tries to speak up. It seems like the bond won''t let her.


    After Chloe''s futile struggle to speak out I take it upon myself to defuse the situation.


    "It''s alright, Chloe. You don''t have to force yourself. So, Therese, you may have noticed the bite marks on Chloe''s neck. To me, she looks very much alive."


    "That''s probably just because of your forced bond. Everyone else would just die or become another monster."


    "No. Thanks to a certain someone''s negligence I had enough opportunities to feed a few times in the slums. No one ever died from that thanks to one of my skills."


    "That''s...", she looks at the truth gem again, " Is this thing broken? I refuse to believe any of that. It is just too out there."


    "I wish... it would explain some uncomfortable results I got from a short self-interrogation."


    Therese has a hard time swallowing all of that, "now what..."


    "I think I''ve sufficiently established that I''m not a threat and Chloe should be fine after some proper rest as long as you don''t ask her to harm me."


    "I''ll... keep that in mind. But you''ll have to understand me, us. Accepting that God has abandoned us is too much to ask right now."


    "Totally understandable. I didn''t want to believe it either at first."


    The two women have to think about what was just said and confirmed by the gem.


    Finally, Therese asks the obvious question, "say, where did you learn any of that?"


    "I could claim that it is something I heard from Lucia, she''s a nun working at the local church but... truthfully it is something I remember from before becoming a vampire, happy now?"


    "Not really. I still had some hope that this is just some elaborate joke you and Chloe play on me, that there would still come a day a ''Lost Child'' arrives to get us out of this mess."


    "If you want miraculous help out of nowhere I''m probably the only thing you can get for now."


    Therese struggles with herself, "I don''t want to but I''ll just accept that for now. Don''t expect any special treatment from me."


    "Of course not. That''s why I''ve proposed a deal, an exchange of help."


    "Yeah, yeah, Chloe told me about it. I''m not sure yet what either side really gets out of this."


    "It is honestly more of a long-term kind of partnership. You turn a blind eye to whatever I do in the slums - though I wouldn''t be opposed to an alternate source of human blood - and I organize a lot of extra food from the dungeon each week, though I have no guarantee how far I can get each time. The last trip was ended rather harshly by some slimes with way too much HP regeneration. Eventually, I should be able to reach a high enough level that I can train some people in the wizard class, maybe a different caster class as well if ''Class Cores'' allow. After that... at a minimum, I should be able to become powerful enough to wipe out huge chunks of the next floods."


    "And for that part, you just want said core and information on the mansion?"


    "Pretty much."


    Speaking of cores, I finally remember that I never told them, "oh, by the way, Chloe, I''ve already achieved Survivor level 2. Well, two more weeks and I''ll get to the point where I need to spend exp on it to make any more progress."


    "Huh?", Chloe is surprised, "I didn''t even know you have already taken that class."


    "Ah, sorry. I took it while in the dungeon and then I kind of forgot about it."


    Therese is eager to get the discussion back on track, "okay then this is my last question before I decide: what do you intend to do with the information on the ''Lord''s Mansion''?"


    "Mostly I want to sate my curiosity. It came up in conversations all the time when I started here and it''s driving me crazy that such an important topic is just a gigantic gap in my knowledge. I already know enough that the conditions for a takeover are not known."


    "I''m still skeptical to cooperate with you but..."


    "No, no, don''t worry about it. That''s understandable."


    "...I can make these concessions", she hands me another ''Class Core'', "you get our last core. If it helps you make a bigger dent into the monster flood that''s already a price I''m willing to pay. Our experts guess that the current flood could last from half a year up to almost when the next one would start, so close to a year total. Worst case we''re stuck in these walls for a couple of years even."


    "I was expecting maybe 2-3 months but years..."


    "Regarding the slums... ", Therese takes a deep breath then continues, "we''re understaffed anyway. Most I can or have to do is tell the night patrols to just let you go. What happens after that is up to you. Don''t overdo it. The little stunt with the ghouls had already injured several soldiers that will be out for a week or so. Everyone''s on edge because there is, was, no lead on the cause and we''re just short on people anyway."


    "Good enough, for now, I can work with that."


    "Wait that reminds me. You reported to Chloe that Erwin said something about working for a ''boss'' on some kind of conspiracy?"


    "Yes, but he didn''t go into more detail just that he wanted me on board and... I declined by ending his unlife. He also said that Niles would be in on it as well."


    "Great. If you should happen to meet Niles in the slums feel free to dispose of him as well. Getting the identity of the ''boss'' out of him is a secondary concern. As it is now your survival is more important than that. Also, I doubt that boss would be in this fortress anyway."


    "I won''t hunt for him but if by chance he crosses my path he''ll be dust."


    "That is acceptable. And as for the information you wanted on the mansion... it feels like this is the part I''ll regret most of this proposal."


    "Fine, we can postpone that a bit. Take some time to work out what you can tell me without endangering your peace of mind. And we''ll get to the rest once you''re ready to accept me, at least as a business partner."


    Therese pauses to think for a moment, "...no, let''s get this over with. Just don''t make me regret this, okay?"


    "Sure, I''ll be careful. Can you start with what the mansion does exactly?"


    "If you compare it to a human body it is the ''heart'' of the fortress. Without it, no new buildings can be made. We tried a lot of things but without an active mansion everything we''ve created anew fell apart within days."


    "So it needs to be ''alive'' for new buildings to be built... is that related to why you can''t make use of more nurses and doctors?"


    "Yes. We can only employ a given number of people in production jobs. When we try to employ more their skills just don''t work. It is vexing."


    "I can imagine. But with that, it makes sense why can''t make much use of the slum people. What else does the mansion do?"


    "It lets the acting lord change the taxes and laws - not all of them but several."


    Even in another world, it is always about money...


    "Speaking of - what happens to the taxes without an acting lord?"


    "They still get automatically collected and put towards basic maintenance of existing structures. When we can''t pay even that buildings start to degrade until we can pay the upkeep or the buildings are just ruins."


    "And the rest? I imagine there are at least some leftovers from the tax money with that many people around."


    "It just sits around and gathers dust. Not that there''s really much leftover. Without a lord, the upkeep is almost 50% higher."


    Wait, if that is 50% higher if the lord goes to pay the piper what happens if the mansion rejects his children?


    "That sounds like it is just a problem waiting to happen. How can a fortress survive the change of generations? No matter what race you are, old age will eventually catch up to you."


    "It isn''t that dramatic. Usually, a mansion accepts it when a lord passes their rule on to one of their children. Usually. There are records of exceptions where the successor was rejected."


    "So it chooses ''death'' over an unfit lord?"


    "Don''t make it sound like it is alive. In the end, it is just a house."


    "...I didn''t get that impression. If it was just a pile of masonry how would it be able to choose a lord in the first place?"


    "Don''t ask me. That is just like it is."


    I think I''ve heard enough about the money side, "Fine. Are there any other effects while the fortress is ''asleep''?"


    "In addition to being unable to create more working space for production jobs all existing jobs also lose about 20% of their efficiency. Like farmers getting a lot less produce from their farms. Some theorize that it also affects what we can get out of dungeons but since that is entirely up to chance there''s no hard data on it."


    "So there hangs way too much on a single building. Is that all?"


    "That''s about all I know on that end."


    She thinks for a moment, probably wants to avoid me knowing about the next thing but then gives up.


    "The final topic should be how someone can claim a ''Lord''s Mansion''...", Therese is visibly anxious to tell me that and Chloe tries to signal her to stop.


    "Don''t bother, I know already all I want to know about that point."


    "What?"


    "You need to be a noble and then fulfill a couple of specific requirements that vary from mansion to mansion. Or did I miss anything?"


    "Please don''t do this. You almost gave me a heart attack there. For a moment I thought you already know how to take it over."


    "Would it be that bad?"


    Concern crosses her face, "...I''ve no idea how to answer that. Yes, we need the fortress active again but... I refuse to live under the rule of a monster, most would agree with me. Please tell me you were just joking."


    "I wasn''t joking, just asking about a hypothetical scenario."


    "Good, keep it that way. And to answer your question: as long as I''ve to say anything I will not allow that to happen!"


    "Got you loud and clear."


    "I think that is all you wanted?"


    "Yes, that is enough for now. Do you have anything else you want to discuss?"


    "No, I''m, I''m already plenty overwhelmed."


    "Ok, then I''m off - see you two around. And Chloe? You really need more rest."


    I leave the room. That went honestly better than expected.


    <hr>


    POV: Darius


    A familiar ceiling... wasn''t I just fighting a crystal bear? ...so it landed its god-forsaken claw attack... where''s my sword... I need to get back...


    "Hey, he''s moving again! Quick, get the doctor!"


    Stop shouting! My head already hurts enough.


    After a few minutes, an entourage of medical personnel arrives. The head physician tries to explain to me my medical condition, "listen up, doc. This isn''t the first time I''ve been wounded like this and it certainly won''t be the last. Just finish my release papers and let me out by tomorrow, I know what I''m doing."


    "I can''t comply with that. From my point of view, you are in no position to be released."


    "Don''t you know who I am!?"


    "Chief commander of this fortress, I am aware. And you should be aware that I outrank you in concerns about your health. I swore an oath that I''ll cure my patients to the best of my ability and I damn well mean it."


    "...fine. How long are we talking? Three days? Four?"


    "A minimum of a week. ...I know you well enough commander. Please refrain from having your subordinates bring your work here. I can allow at most two, three hours of reading documents or reports. But anything beyond would be strictly detrimental to your health. We''re talking long-term complications that would prevent you from performing your job at all. Please keep that in mind if you should consider ignoring my orders like last time."


    "I''ll keep it in mind."

 Ch. 27 – Minmaxing

    Nuking the flood on the day after the meeting with Chloe and Therese proceeds as normal for the most part. Though this time again something feels off like there was just a moment ago some movement in the water - and exactly like last time, neither Elly nor [appraise] find something. I give up.


    I did my 6 hours of training, MP is empty from a bit of rain and most of what I see on the fortress map doesn''t interest me at the moment. Guess it is time to study again. Pulling an all-nighter like an university student before an important exam. Except that I don''t have to deal with the tiredness and fatigue from that.


    Before I can begin reading Elly chimes in, (so I guess I have good-ish news and bad news. The good news is that I''ve finished restoring Gzeph''s files on titles and the class build he wanted you to go for.)


    (And the bad news is that they are empty?)


    (Not quite but close enough. I''d like to go with you over the build file since... there''s not much to go over. Out of the maximum of ten classes, I could only restore six, two of which are half guesses. And as for titles... I got only three. Everything else on that is lost to the ages.)


    (Good enough. Tell me what you have. I''ll probably ignore it anyway.)


    (Right, so the first one is Wizard which should''ve been clear already since you both agreed on that during the initial setup.)


    (Yeah, but it''s good to know we''re at most 90% wrong in what we do.)


    (Second seems to be Cleric, wait let me get you the stats.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Cleric</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    40 HP, 38 MP, 27 SP, 6 STR, 4 DEX, 6 VIT, 5 MAG, 8 FTH, 6 WIL, 5 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Cure Magic Rank 1


    Able to use curative spells at rank 1.


    Basic cure magic costs 500 MP per use, single-target only.


    The healing effect can freely be split between HP and status damage.


    A???b???s???o???l???u???t???e???l???y??? ???u???s???e???l???e???s???s??? ???f???o???r??? undead.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 5></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (What? Did he want to achieve some kind of red mage? Not that I would mind, it is one of my favorite class archetypes in RPGs. And with the 20% penalties, I wouldn''t be able to operate as a single-minded specialist anyways.)


    (True that. The biggest benefit I see from this class is already covered by your race - if it wasn''t for the restriction through [Undead]. So I guess we can skip that.)


    (I agree with that. The class might have something critical in the two unknown skills though I don''t know what that would be. Clerics in games tend to have some form of blunt weapon skills and maybe buffs or a super-effective anti-undead move. For the latter fire magic should work well enough as a substitute, assuming that the real anti-undead power wouldn''t rip me to shreds while casting it in the first place. Blunt weapon... I guess my spear skill or eventually my claws should suffice.)


    (Speaking of - why didn''t you try them last time in the dungeon? You weren''t using SP for anything else.)


    (I simply didn''t think of it. Not that it would''ve changed much. The damage over time status was enough for even the boss and the fire slimes would''ve turned me into ash before I get even close enough.)


    (And what about the wolf that never learned about personal space?)


    (I was panicking. I was too certain I''d be safe behind the zone wall. I simply I didn''t think of it at the time.)


    (Ok, then next class. I''ve no idea why that is in there but here goes.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Battle Mage</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    39 HP, 45 MP, 32 SP, 6 STR, 5 DEX, 6 VIT, 6 MAG, 5 FTH, 6 WIL, 3 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">(Choice) Magic Rank 1


    Gain one Rank 1 Magic skill of a chosen element from:


    fire, ice, lightning, wind, water, earth, poison, light, dark


    Also, gain the elemental affinity for the chosen type.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Weapon Magic <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Active


    Able to infuse a weapon temporarily with a damage spell.


    The used spell is applied at a third of its original strength on the next 5 weapon attacks.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Uh, why does it display the level 5 skill? None of the other classes did so far.)


    (I had a good hard look when we encountered the elite slimes on floor 12.)


    (And why didn''t you do the same for Survivor with Chloe?)


    (I did.)


    (...so then why not tell me what I''ll gain later?)


    (They are nothing to write home about but here you go.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Trap Lore <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    Enhances ability to find and disarm traps.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Create Food and Water <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Once per day


    Create one meal''s worth of bread and water.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Trap Lore is certainly something I want ASAP. The other... kind of a letdown for what is effectively a mark of mastery.)


    (Hey, not having to worry about starving when lost in the wilderness is certainly useful!)


    (If you can eat the stuff. I can''t.)


    (Ok, so back to Battle Mage, hmm... not sure about that one. Too melee heavy for my taste. Sure, if it works as written there I could deal about three times as much damage for the same MP cost by applying a spell to my weapon instead of throwing it directly but that is single-target only. I don''t have a ''sword rain'' option and I sure as heck am not standing in the middle of the monster flood for a roundhouse slash.)


    (I get the feeling Gzeph''s build plan relies on knowledge we don''t have or even runs contrary to the current situation.)


    (I mean it sounds like it would give me a tiny bit more survivability but stat-wise it doesn''t look like too much of a difference to what I already have. When even the weakest monster I''ve seen would deal 150 damage to me after applied defenses a difference of not even 10 HP is meaningless, not to mention the stronger ones that would exceed 1000 damage or like estimated 2000 damage for the fire casting slimes.)


    (Yeah, so next is the last of the regular classes I could identify from his plan.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Scholar</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    29 HP, 27 MP, 43 SP, 4 STR, 5 DEX, 6 VIT, 6 MAG, 5 FTH, 6 WIL, 8 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Quick Learning


    Passive


    20% bonus to combat exp gain.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 5></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (20% more exp should be big if I survive long enough. It would eventually just pay for itself. Like if I had this and five other classes I''d effectively level Scholar for free. Doesn''t even matter if the two unknown skills are crap. That and decent stats, I''m sold. Add it to the list. Though how does the +20% interact with my 50% penalty? Additive or multiplicative?)


    (I think it is additive, so times 1.4 your current exp gain.)


    (Even better. I definitely want that class then.)


    (Just remember that you can have 10 classes at most and still need the ''Class Cores'' for them.)


    (Eh, I think it is more important to get out of the early game hell and through the mid-game crisis than worry about an optimal endgame setup. By then I will most likely have so many different active skills that I can''t use just because of action economy and the passive skills I''ve seen so far would probably be less worth than just the stats from one or two extra levels in ten classes.)


    (Ok, then on to the two elite classes I could decipher.)


    (What''s the difference to regular classes?)


    (Just that they require you to have a similar enough regular class already. Like you can''t become an archpriest without being already a priest or comparable class. Also by default you can only have three elite classes total.)


    (Gotcha. Are they simply stronger than their regular counterparts or why else are they locked off that way?)


    (You should think of them more like specializations. They build upon skills a suitable base class provides. Imagine a made-up class like a spell master, it doesn''t come with any elemental magic skill of its own but instead makes it easier to chain cast spells or lets you exclude allies from aoe attacks or something. So the class by itself is near useless unless you already have a class with a magic skill.)


    (I guess that makes sense.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Aerial Mage</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    23 HP, 42 MP, 49 SP, 3 STR, 4 DEX, 3 VIT, 8 MAG, 7 FTH, 6 WIL, 6 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Magical Wings


    Concentration


    User can generate magical wings if they have none.


    The style of wings can be freely chosen.


    Flight consumes (20 - skill level/10) MP and SP per second.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 5></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Flight would be nice to have but a mere thirty seconds won''t get me anyway right now and then I don''t have enough MP left to do something worthwhile.)


    (I think the same.)


    (Do I need another regular class first or does Wizard suffice?)


    (That should be enough.)


    (Hmm... ok, but I''ll wait on that one. The stats seem below average and currently flight wouldn''t do too much for me because it is way too expensive.)


    (And for the other elite class I got the file listed them as ''Fortress or Moon Knight''. Seems like they both perform the same niche Gzeph wanted to fill.)


    (Ok, show them to me.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fortress</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.58 HP, 12 MP, 37 SP, 5 STR, 2 DEX, 9 VIT, 2 MAG, 1 FTH, 8 WIL, 4 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Armor Training


    Passive


    Can equip medium and heavy armor.


    Increase effective VIT by (skill level) while equipped with medium or heavy armor.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 5></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Moon Knight</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    50 HP, 33 MP, 25 SP, 5 STR, 5 DEX, 8 VIT, 5 MAG, 6 FTH, 5 WIL, 4 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Luna Barrier


    500 MP


    Create a barrier around either self or target ally.


    The barrier can absorb up to (FTH + 5 x skill level) HP damage.


    Barriers do not stack and last at most 5 minutes.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 5></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I guess this is what the melee mage class was for then, a prerequisite for this duo.)


    (That might be the case.)


    (Not sold on them. Don''t get me wrong they give almost double the HP and VIT as my current classes but that is basically already everything they do for me stat-wise. And deciding based on one mediocre first skill doesn''t seem like a good idea. Fortress'' armor training doesn''t seem worth also taking battle mage if I could just get it directly from a regular knight class. And blindly guessing that the class is worth it for the two hidden skills seems wasteful.)


    (The barrier one doesn''t seem that bad to me. Costs the same as cure magic and undoes about just as much damage.)


    (Maybe but that would cost almost half my MP pool currently, let''s say a third if I had the levels to take it. And how much damage would that really prevent? Not even half of one of the bigger attacks we''ve seen, more like a quarter. If I take it it would make more sense as like the seventh class so I can build up enough MP and FTH to make it usable.)


    (So do you want to just go full in on a glass cannon build then?)


    (Not really. But short term there''s just too much bullshit that can one-shot me and there''s no guarantee I can get another core. This one is the last they had, the truth gem verified as much. So the best I can do would be taking something like the Battle Mage which is just 9 extra HP compared to my main class. That is too little if I have to face attacks dealing upwards of 2000 damage, at least that''s what I imagine the fire-spitting slimes would have dealt to me. That class doesn''t even make a dent into that problem. The better option would be to get something that massively increases how much damage I can deal to the flood monsters. That would let me level quicker and get me the difference in HP just through raw extra levels. Remember, I just have ONE core. Planning for two, three or even four is a luxury I can''t count on. So that one class I choose has to count, Elly.)


    (I understand, that sounds like a reasonable point of view.)


    (Which brings me back to what I said in the dungeon: I want some kind of summoning skill or something that lets me create disposable minions. Depending on how exactly they work it might be just what I need to get significantly more exp per day while still providing a safety net for the dungeon.)


    (Gotcha, wait a second, let me quickly check the classes tab... ok, those would be your base class options according to the search filter.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Caller</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    24 HP, 32 MP, 19 SP, 4 STR, 5 DEX, 5 VIT, 7 MAG, 7 FTH, 8 WIL, 9 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Spirit Rank 1


    500 MP upkeep per class of summoned creature


    Create a spirit ally.


    The spirit can have any race and up to 3 base classes the user knows.


    Each of its classes and races has a level of (1% CHA + 2x skill rank).


    Compared to a normal creature HP, MP and SP are reduced by 30%.


    Spirits can generate special equipment if needed, these items grant no stats.


    Once a spirit is summoned its race and classes can no longer be changed, only further classes added, limits permitting.


    Spirits can''t die, instead when they reach 0 HP they have to rest in their owner for a week, during this time the upkeep can''t be canceled.


    The owner can create a total of (2 + skill level /10) different spirits.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 5></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Invoker</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    25 HP, 33 MP, 22 SP, 4 STR, 5 DEX, 4 VIT, 8 MAG, 7 FTH, 7 WIL, 9 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Spirit Rank 1


    <same as above></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 5></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summoner</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    23 HP, 40 MP, 17 SP, 4 STR, 4 DEX, 5 VIT, 7 MAG, 8 FTH, 8 WIL, 8 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Spirit Rank 1


    <same as above></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 5></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Ok, so they start with the same skill and stat wise they are close enough as well. No idea what any of them has as a second or third skill so just blind guessing, great. The summon spirit thing looks complicated, a bigger rule book than even undead but most likely useful. I''d take whichever class I can use first. One point off in either direction doesn''t change much when I need hundreds. Add that to the to-do list as well.)


    (Affirmative.)


    (So with that out of the way nothing in Jeff''s class list suggests to me that it would strengthen status effects. As strong as they were so far I''d like to look for a class that goes even more in that direction. Especially if it would enable me to land some status via mass aoe spells.)


    (You did quite a 180 in your opinion on status effects since the beginning, Jared.)


    (Just think about it. Imagine rain spells that have enough status effect power behind them to inflict damage over time effects. Instead of just tickling hundreds of targets for single-digit damage per drop they''d be sent to their grave or at least have to retreat and seek treatment if their intelligence allows.)


    (I think I know the right skill for that, give me a second I''ll check the class overview for a class that grants it... hmm, no, doesn''t seem like we know of any class yet that gets the skill.)


    (What exactly do you mean by ''know'' in this context?)


    (The class search tab lists all classes you could potentially ever take. Things like monsters or race-locked classes do not appear in there. For each of those classes you can by default see the stat growth rates and the first skill.)


    (Yeah, I saw that. And the level 5 and 15 skills are just listed as ''unlocked at level x''.)


    (Yes, but you can fill in those skills just by appraising someone that has the skill at a high enough level.)


    (Ah, so that''s a common feature and not just another of your cheats?)


    (Correct. So the skill we''re looking for is this:)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Ailment Boost


    Passive


    Increase the status infliction rate of your skills and spells by (2 + skill level/15).


    Lowers the effective rate threshold where status infliction automatically fails from 10% to 5%.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Huh, that would explain why the status rain failed. I think it was 40 base rate times 5% for rain shape so that is 2 maybe slightly more if my stats come into play. That is way below the 10% threshold so it auto fails.)


    (Indeed, I interpret it the same way.)


    (So with the passive I''d be at 4% at least, some more levels and I''d get past the then 5% hurdle. Once I do get past it the exp would flow in a lot faster while I can just nuke such a flood with it.)


    (I think the chance is affected by MAG or for mind effects CHA.)


    (Then I think a class with [Ailment Boost] would be my top priority once we''ve found one.)


    (I''ll keep on the lookout.)


    (Do that.)


    If I have access to ailments or debuffs how is strengthening magic looking?


    (How''s the flip side of that coin? Would we know something about buffs?)


    (Umm... that''s a very open-ended question. From what I can see probably around a third of all skills would fall into that category one way or another.)


    (Then please give me three examples for buffs that you find on classes I could take right away. Out of the available ones show me the stronger ones.)


    (Sure, one moment.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Benediction


    400 MP upkeep


    Increase 2 base stats of choice by (3% FTH + skill level) points.


    Affects up to (2 + skill level / 7) allies, can include the user.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (So, uh, +7? That''s the best we can do?)


    (It would take some time but it would eventually get really strong. By like level 15 you would increase two stats by about 30 for 4 targets so 240 points total.)


    (Hmm... that is nothing for now. What else is there?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Defense Order


    Concentration


    User and allies within hearing range receive (1 + skill level / 20)% x CHA to VIT and WIL.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Concentration is problematic, I need that for my [Disguise]. But it might be a decent increase when I get it above level 20 and have a group I trust enough that I don''t need the disguise. Are there any buffs that are good upfront?)


    (None that you could make much use of but there''s something like this here.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Blessed Weapon


    Concentration


    Repeat 20% of inflicted melee damage again as light elemental damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (A little bit hard to understand but I think I get the effect. No counterparts for magic to this?)


    (There are some skills that affect or modify spells to an extent but not as a first skill so I can''t find a fitting class.)


    (Got an example for my curiosity?)


    (Sure.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Overload Spell


    Concentration


    When casting a damage spell sacrifice HP equal to the MP cost to increase the spell''s power by 50%.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Honestly, if I''m in one-shot range anyway this would let me get at least some use out of HP. But long term? I''d rather not.)


    (Understandable. Anything else you want to check while we are at it?)


    (No, I think I''m good for now. At least I can''t think of anything we haven''t yet failed to find.)


    I have to let this information sink in, (so I think we have to keep looking for a class with [Ailment Boost]. That would probably do the most for me if I can get over the 5% threshold on status rain spells with higher MAG.)


    (Sure.)


    (Eventually, I want Aerial Mage as well but that must wait until I have a bigger MP and SP pool. Before that, it would just be a near dead skill slot. That leaves scholar and a summoning class...)


    (I''d honestly say you should go for summons first. Scholar might give you an effective 40% exp gain increase but the majority of exp you gained in the dungeon is currently not yet from killing monsters but still from learning or reading. And disposable minions as scouts would probably allow you to get further - or at least spare me some heart attacks.)


    (Makes sense to me. Elly, do we have any idea how steep the stat requirements of the summoning classes are? Just in case we find a class with [Ailment Boost] before meeting them.)


    (There was actually a formula for that in Gzeph''s notes. If it is correct the overall stat requirements increase with the number of classes you have so if you collect too many low CHA classes before it might not be possible anymore to take a summoning class in a reasonable amount of time.)


    (Good, I''ll keep that in mind. Can you show me the formula?)


    (Sure, just one moment.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">The base requirements for each stat are:


    (target class''s stat) x 10 x (2 + number of already unlocked classes) x (90% + 10% x number of already unlocked classes)


    30% less with a trainer</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (So, tl;dr if your first class has a near-zero value in a stat you''ll never branch out of that archetype?)


    (More or less. A warrior will probably never get any magic classes but a high-level wizard may take a warrior class. The world isn''t fair.)


    (At least it is unfair to my advantage for once.)


    (Wait, it just says trainer, not matching trainer?)


    (Uh, I guess that was just sloppy writing on Gzeph''s part.)


    (Ok, so any idea what the biggest bottleneck for taking any of the summoning classes is?)


    (Let''s see... it seems to be CHA. For Summoner, you''d need 352 CHA or 247 if a miracle occurred and you find a trainer for it. The other two need 396 CHA or 278 trained. The remaining stats should be trivial in comparison.)


    (That''s... a long way off. What if I took another class first? How bad would it be then?)


    (The requirement would rise to 480 CHA for Summoner, untrained of course.)


    (352 to 480... 128 extra. So about 20 levels total extra if all classes had at least a CHA growth of 6? Yeah, I better take that early then.)


    (So, uh, next we can talk about titles?)


    (No, keep that for tomorrow or the day after. That was enough info dump for today.)


    (Sure, no problem.)

 Ch. 28 – Ruthless

    A bit after the class planning session I go to morning training as usual, need a few more levels if I want to exceed six hours there. Not that it is already mentally numbing just doing the same thing over and over for six hours straight.


    Back on the fortress''s wall I again notice that something in the water is moving unusually, (come now Elly, you must have seen that!)


    (I don''t think I have, no.)


    (Grr, fine.)


    I cast my aoe spell as usual.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Rock Fall'' spell has inflicted a total of 315793 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I still don''t get why the military here tolerates me wasting my damage potential like that but as long as no one says anything I gladly take the inflated exp count over a handful of real kills.


    splash


    Finally, Elly admits, (now, I''ve seen something!)


    (See? I told you there was something off!)


    (Huh, but what... crap!)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ruth</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water Elemental 4, Hunter 4, Survivor 4, Bandit 4, Scout 4


    Miner 4, Nurse 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Undine 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 4, Boss 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">34656/34656</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1532/1532</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4144/4144</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">620+58</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">724</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">452</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">268</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">260</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">264</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">144</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster Glaive</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water Magic 4 (Rank 1), Spear Training 8


    Crushing Blow 4


    Danger Sense 4, Stamina Boost 4


    Physical Resistance 4


    Unsafe Zone 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lightning</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And cue boss music. I''m feeling partial to Dance Macabre for this.


    (That''s the first boss I see out in the open. So they aren''t exclusive to dungeons. Also, that''s the first time a monster doesn''t just have monster as race. And do I want to know what the Crushing Blow skill is?)


    (Want? Probably not. But should - definitely yes.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Crushing Blow


    50 MP per regular attack


    Physical attacks inflict fracture at a rate of 60.


    The inflicted status damage is five times the regular amount.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Before I can finish my thoughts the mass of water leaves the moat and rushes past the gate guardians. It then takes the form of a twin-tailed humanoid woman made of hard water with a glaive as a weapon and begins attacking the surprised guardians from behind. The rude boss which appraisal just called Ruth manages to knock out a few of the soldiers but then gets surrounded by more of them while a couple more men carry away the injured, others take their place.


    (I didn''t think that ''mindless'' monster would follow such a tactic. All others so far just attacked head-on. If I had to take a guess I''d say she was probably scouting the last couple of days and checking for ranged or magical capabilities of our defenses and now just waited until I''ve depleted most of my MP.)


    (I dunno. I don''t think that Hatsune-gone-bad over there has the mental capacity for that.)


    (Got any better explanation then?)


    (None at the moment.)


    While I think-talk with Elly the boss monster Ruth is striking down several more soldiers with her pole dance fighting style mixed with sudden water splashes that seem just as deadly. Some of the guards are only wounded, others seemingly left for dead. Seems like no one was prepared for such a sudden boss fight. We really need scouts up here to spot such a thing earlier next time.


    Also, please be a good executioner and don''t have a slide attack...


    (Any idea what to do now? She''s moving too much around to aim a spell at her properly. Don''t want to find out the hard way if friendly fire is on.)


    (Just prepare the spell, wait until she commits to an attack and then unleash the shot. I believe in you, you can hit her.)


    (Right, wish me luck.)


    I wait a moment. The boss sticks the glaive into the ground and propels herself around it for a roundhouse attack wounding several more soldiers that failed to get out of the way. I take that opportunity to release my spell.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your lightning bullet has inflicted 1068 damage to Ruth and inflicted a status effect.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ngrhhhh!!


    A wonderful noise. Wait, I have one more for you!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your lightning bullet has inflicted 1068 damage to Ruth and inflicted a status effect.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Grargggrhhh!!


    The soldiers take the stun duration to overwhelm her. Or at least try to. She still doesn''t go down and that was all of my MP. She''s pissed and now looks in my direction. Shit.


    She throws a mass of water in my direction but luckily it fails to reach me, I''m too far up for her attack range.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ruth</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water Elemental 4, Hunter 4, Survivor 4, Bandit 4, Scout 4


    Miner 4, Nurse 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Undine 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 4, Boss 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">8743/34656</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">182/1532</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1474/4144</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">620+58</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">724</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">452</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">268</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">260</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">264</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">144</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster Glaive</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water Magic 4 (Rank 1), Spear Training 8


    Crushing Blow 4


    Danger Sense 4, Stamina Boost 4


    Physical Resistance 4


    Unsafe Zone 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lightning</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Now what?)


    (Uhh, no idea. You''re down to 41 MP. You have no option to use SP at range and your melee attacks would be useless. So unless the fight takes another hour I don''t see anything you can do.)


    (...well, another thing to look for in a class. An SP-based ranged attack, a way to turn SP into MP or anything else in that direction. Although...)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: insufficient MP for this action.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (What were you trying to do?)


    (Just making sure. Skills just say that they use X MP not that I can''t go into negatives. And with how buggy everything is that was at least worth a try


    (Good thinking but now we know that you can''t.)


    I can do nothing but wait the whole time. Several more soldiers die, by my count at least twenty are dead by now. I hate this feeling. If I hadn''t cast the rain spell before I would have had enough MP to stun the boss long enough to prevent a lot of those deaths. I NEED more MP, a lot more...


    It takes a few more minutes but soon Ruth is taken down. As she dissolves into a stream of bubbles she starts screaming like a banshee, "U???r???g???h???,??? ???n???o???t??? ???a???g???a???i???n???!???"


    (I guess with that we''re now officially ruthless.)


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    (Feeling better now that it is over?)


    (Not really. I still feel like I could''ve prevented several deaths just by waiting with the rain magic.)


    (That is not something you can change now anymore. What is done is done.)


    (Really, situations like these make me wish I could still sleep just so I can get this day behind me...)


    (Stop wallowing in self-pity. That doesn''t get us anywhere.)


    (...sorry, but I needed that. Reminds me that I''m still human, at least to a degree.)


    I make my way down from the wall again but at the bottom, I''m stopped by one of the captains on duty. The middle-aged bald man calls out to me, "uh, hey, you''re Jared, right? Thanks for the assistance earlier. Your stun has probably saved a lot of my men. I know you have your orders to focus on the flood out there but I appreciate that you took some of your time to lend us a hand. You have my sincerest gratitude", he takes a slight bow.


    "That was no problem really. I wish I had noticed the boss before I cast the big spell. But may I speak freely?"


    "Sure, I don''t mind. What bothers you?"


    "I think that boss was actually waiting for me to waste my MP on the rain spell. It wasn''t just randomly attacking."


    "What makes you think so?"


    "Before I cast my spell I already felt that something was off but I couldn''t find anything so I thought I just imagined it. But that thing started its attack just moments after the debris from my spell started falling. Like it was certain my MP pool was exhausted."


    "Hmm... I''ve never heard of such an occurrence. The monsters we''re used to, lack the intelligence for any elaborate tactics."


    "But you''ve seen it yourself. It didn''t attack head-on. It started its attack by slipping through our frontline."


    He stares at me in disbelief, "yeah, you''re right... honestly, it is quite concerning. I''ll add that to my report if you don''t mind."


    "On the contrary. I think this warrants some investigation once we''re through this flood. If monsters are usually not capable of such behavior there might be someone else in charge."


    "That''s possible. Now, if you excuse me, duty calls."


    "Sure, take care."


    (Feeling better now, Jared?)


    (Only slightly. I think I''ll just wander around a bit, need to get my head off of things.)


    (Sure thing.)


    While trying to get away from the gate through the rescue operations for the wounded I run into Lucia again, "Hey, are you helping, too, Lucia?"


    "Well, as much as I can. I can still only cast Cure once per day, you know. At least it was enough to save one of the soldiers from the worst. Will still take him three or four weeks to fully recover. The boss inflicted some nasty fractures on him."


    "That''s nothing I can help with. Even if it wasn''t for you know what reason I used the rest of my MP on some stun spells."


    "Yeah, I heard that you left quite an impact. For someone that doesn''t want to stand out, you certainly do your best to attract attention."


    "Sure, I could''ve just done nothing and let even more people die. Would''ve let me sleep sooo well at night."


    She shyly looks around, "mind coming with me for a bit? I need to make a delivery and would like some company."


    "Uh, sure, why not", we start walking and she leads the way.


    "Just to let you know, you helping kept the casualties down a lot, there were comparatively few this time."


    "That was FEW!? I''ve seen at least twenty people die!"


    "Yeah, in the past we got at most one boss per flood but they each claimed at least fifty lives."


    "Fifty? God, we clearly need some changes around here..."


    "Oh, what do you have in mind, Jared?"


    "No idea yet. At least nothing unproblematic. From what I''ve gathered it would help if someone took over the ''Lord''s Mansion''. And basically, I''m only one requirement away from doing so. But... well, you can guess that that wouldn''t go too well. People would probably not accept me as their lord."


    "And what if you... revealed your other secret?"


    (Hey, I wanted to say that!)


    "You know what", (that goes for you both!), "give me a good explanation where the missing twenty-something ''Lost Ones'' got... lost and I''ll do just that. Jeff hinted at there being sixty but down here only half were known. Until then I''m erring on the side of caution and keep it to myself."


    (That''s all? easy! ...wait, damn, I got nothing. I WAS SO CLOSE!!)


    "Sorry, no idea on that. But why is that relevant? The people revere the ''Lost Ones''."


    "I''m trying to figure out the why. I don''t get any special class options or anything. Stat wise I''m even at a disadvantage. The only thing I got... is free [Appraisal] basically, that''s not something you can win a war with. So what makes them ''special''?"


    (Hey, I''m more than just that!)


    (I know but that''s not the point.)


    Lucia thinks for a moment then answers bluntly, "they are the ones sent by the gods what more would they need? The gods have deemed them sufficient to achieve their role so who are we to question god''s decision?"


    Ah, so it is not the ''Chosen One'' trope but the ''Sufficient One''.


    "...I was there so that''s not good enough for me. Also if they are so ''holy'' that makes it even stranger that they are just not accounted for."


    "Huh, yeah, I guess you''re right with that. But what does it change for you personally?"


    "That''s what I''m trying to figure out. Were they killed off before they reached civilization? Were they purged from the records because of some reason? Were they also... monsters and either killed before they revealed themselves or killed BECAUSE they revealed themselves? Or did Jeff lie for whatever reason? Too many options and I like none of them."


    "I don''t think this is something anyone here can answer. Our line to the big boss is cut off and anyone else that could clear up the other options should be dead of old age or other causes."


    "Yeah, probably. Either way, I''ll observe for a while longer, try to talk to some relevant people and then decide."


    "...well, that''s good enough for me. Also, we''re here."


    "The medical facility? What do you want to do here?"


    "Just deliver a few things for the reverend mother. Please keep in mind this is not a buffet for you."


    "Ha, ha, funny."


    We head inside and Lucia hands a bag to one of the medics, delivering a quick message from the reverend mother, then we head back.


    Lucia then asks me out, "say, I''m done for the day. Wanna go see the play?"


    "Which one?"


    "Just the standard one about the Gyev mythos."


    "Eh, why not. Can''t hurt to see another interpretation of it."


    The play we watch in the theatre follows the same broad strokes as what I''ve read before just even more dramatized. But the stage director had the genius idea to kill the hero''s fiancee off-screen and then she just doesn''t appear anymore, like what the heck?


    "So, what did you think of it, Jared?"


    "It was way too over the top and either I didn''t understand what they were going for or the story was just full of plot holes. Like when Gyev returns home after he defeats the demon lord his fiance is just gone from the story like she never existed. He shouldn''t know by that point that she died."


    "Someone''s a critic..."


    "Sorry, but I''m currently looking for certain information that is closely related to this play so I was kinda hoping it would help me make some progress."


    "No, it is fine."


    "Also, Lucia, why did you decide to bring me? Don''t you have people you''d rather be around?"


    "Not really. It was just a spur of the moment decision. You looked like you needed some distraction so why not?"


    "Yeah, I kinda needed that. Thanks."


    "Want to tell me what happened?"


    "It''s nothing you don''t already know. I just felt a bit down because I kinda already knew that something was off before the boss appeared and despite that, I wasted a lot of MP instead of making sure it is safe first. With that MP I could''ve stunned the boss maybe seven more times and a lot less people would''ve needed to die."


    "That''s what you''re worried about? You don''t have to. Today there were already a whole lot less deaths than usual. Even if you hit it only twice that already helped a lot."


    "That''s easy for you to say. For you, that may be ''normal'' but for me, it is not. I didn''t have to experience people dying in droves around me before."


    "Then you''ll have to get used to it."


    "I kinda already am. And that''s a thing that worries me greatly. I wasn''t able to stomach the sight of blood, now I am. People dying? ...have ended some myself. Didn''t feel as much as I should have about it. I''m worried that I''ve become a monster not only in body but also in mind."


    "...you''re more human than you think you are."


    <hr>


    POV: Darius


    "Thanks for the reports, Therese."


    "You don''t have to thank me. I''m just looking forward to when you can take your job back. I''m not cut out for replacing you."


    "Ha, you''re doing a way better job than you think!"


    "I don''t care. I just... want to get back in the field. The desk is really not my battlefield."


    "Yeah, anyway, the doc has limited me to two hours of activity so which are the most pressing issues I have to be aware of?"


    "The most important... mostly rumors and an exchange of... bloodsuckers. The vampire Erwin has been turned to dust but instead we got Jared. He''s a silver elf caster. I''m not sure he is trustworthy but any interrogation with a truth gem yields nothing to go on. The captain he is working under thinks he is ok but my gut says something is off."


    One vampire less but another obtained, so in the end, nothing has changed.


    "Alright. Is he doing his job as caster properly?"


    "Yes, all according to protocol."


    "...I''m not a fan of vampires, exactly like you, but as long as he behaves I see no issue. And what was that about rumors?"


    "Supposedly some of the civilians have seen someone speak to the ''Lord''s Mansion''. Since then there''s a rumor going around that a suitable noble will be found soon. I''ve some men investigate but they found nothing to confirm or deny those rumors."


    "It would be most welcome if that was true. Therese, I know that you don''t take well to the nobles but not all of them are like the asses that ruined your life. I''m not saying to forget it but I want you to give those that weren''t involved a chance. And not just because we need the fortress active but because they deserve a chance. You know me. I take my oath very seriously. If a noble abuses the common people I WILL make them pay!"


    "Yes, I know you are right. I''ll... try to put my feelings aside."


    "Good girl."


    Therese looks a bit down but this is something she has to endure. I know she can.


    "Any other rumors?"


    "...there''s one thing I have conflicting reports on. One group has seemingly confirmed that God has abandoned us, prayers get actively rejected. If true that would also mean we can''t count on a ''Lost One'' helping us out this time."


    "I was afraid that something like that would come true. Everything has just been going downhill for hundreds of years if the history books are anything to go by. And if God was still on our side he would have done something about it earlier... so what is the conflicting report?"


    "One messenger from the church claims that the high priest has received an oracle about a ''Lost Child'' arriving. However, they haven''t detected any life signs. I can''t really make any sense of this."


    "Maybe... what if God is angry with us for failing him all this time and he just sent us a corpse this time to tell us we''re dead to him?"


    "Please spare me the morbid humor."


    "Hmmm... the only other option I could think of is that the ''Lost One'' is just out of range, maybe on one of the other continents. And our task is to rescue them before they can eventually rescue us."


    "I don''t see why God would drop them off over there, that is just a death sentence. And the thought that God is angry with us is scarier than just being abandoned... an angry god... I don''t want to imagine."


    "I think the same way. Could you please try to arrange an appointment with the head priest? I want to confirm this personally when I get out of here."


    "I''ll see to it. And please keep this to yourself, Darius. I know you have a problem keeping secrets but if this gets out there will be mass panic."


    "Yeah, I know that. You have my word I''ll keep silent about that. It is up to the church guys whether they want to make the announcement or not. Though I would prefer it if they didn''t. Anything else I need to know about, Therese?"


    "Well, there''s only one more thing but that has to wait until you recover. That is not something I can just bring here and you need to see it in person."


    "Sure, makes me look even more forward to getting out of here. And next time, please bring some good news for a change."


    "I have some minor good news if you want."


    "I''m listening."


    "Recently we''ve depleted our last truth gem and we got two replacements in the last few days. Chloe''s group found one in the dungeon and one of the refugees that came from a nearby village donated theirs."


    "Uh, sorry, who was Chloe again? Was that your Changeling friend?"


    "Yeah, exactly, her."


    "Forgive me, I know she hasn''t done anything wrong and has in fact contributed a lot but... morphs still weird me out. Sorry."


    "She... gets that from a lot of people. Just promise me you''ll give her a proper chance some time, okay?"


    "Fine, I''ll see what I can do."


    "Good, then if you''ll excuse me."


    "Sure, take care, Therese."

 Ch. 29 – IAMERROR

    Back in my room, Elly tries to heckle me, (so, how was your date with Lucia, playboy?)


    (Not bad. I had some fun.)


    (What? You''re not even trying to deny it?)


    (Why not? We were to the local equivalent of a movie because we wanted to. No groupies were involved to distract us. Something like attraction was present as well though that was probably just because of her skill... well, overall I''d call it a date. Maybe not a ''date'' date but a date nonetheless.)


    (And here I was hoping I could tease you a bit.)


    (Hn~ Tough luck, try again next time.)


    (Say, didn''t you have a glitch item from the boss in your inventory? I wanted to have a look at it but I don''t see it anymore?)


    (Uh, last I checked it was in item slot 4.)


    (Alright, let me see...)


    What are you up to, Elly? It is just a garbage item.


    (Umm, Jared? There''s... a hamburger?)


    (What.)


    (In slot 4 is a hamburger. A slice of ham between buns with salad, dripping sauce, no cheese. A hamburger. The unmoving kind to be precise.)


    (...did it glitch out and mutate into this or what happened?)


    (I''ve no idea but it seems like that.)


    (Well, even if I could still enjoy food, I wouldn''t eat that one. Much too shady if you ask me.)


    (Yeah. Mind if I clean up the inventory stuff real quick?)


    (Sure), whatever floats your boat, Elly.


    (What the... now the burger is gone and it turned into an iron pipe instead. A ''sword'' worth +5 STR. Laughable.)


    (Are you saying we can change what the glitch item is by reordering my inventory?)


    (You know what, that''s exactly what it looks like. Didn''t think of that possibility. And no it doesn''t make sense to me either... Wanna experiment what else we can get?)


    (Honestly, it is creeping me out but since we can''t throw it away anyway, sure, let''s try it. Maybe we can sequence break into a late-game quest item.)


    I switch a few items around and observe the glitch item. At first, nothing changes. Finally, when I switch the training spear in slot 6 with the blood vial in slot 7 the glitch item turns into a chicken sandwich. I trade a few more items into slot 7 but now nothing happens again. It only changes depending on what I put into slot 6.


    Empty spot? Just some static noise.


    Training spear? The aforementioned mentioned iron pipe.


    Blood vial? Chicken sandwich.


    Blood pack? Bright blue-colored blood vial.


    Some food I got to fake lunch? Hamburger.


    Any book? A paper shield with +5 VIT.


    Class Core? Another Class Core except the markings are yellow this time instead of orange.


    Though all of those items have in common that every once in a while a letter or two in the name seems to glitch out and then return to its original form. That is the only thing that gives away that it isn''t that item it pretends to be.


    (So it is an inverse MissingNo.?)


    (That''s one way to look at it.)


    (Now I''m curious. Do I really have a second class core now?)


    (Wait, don''t tou-)


    Arrghh!!


    (-ch it... too late. What exactly just happened?)


    (I just took it out of the inventory, or tried to, and it is already gone just like that. And then I suddenly felt a lot of pain but that is gone now, too. Would''ve been too good to be true obviously.)


    (You should''ve really looked at its description first. That was no regular class core.)


    (And I guess taking it out just triggered it? Seems like a stupid design decision to me.)


    (I think it tried to glitch around again because it lost contact with your sixth item slot and so didn''t know what it is. I guess it tried to ''look you up'' to find its own identity again and... that made no sense to the universe so it caused the thing to be activated in its last known state as a fail-safe.)


    (Try-catch-execute-anyway? That makes as much sense as the rest we''ve witnessed. Do you still have the item description around?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Class Core EX


    Can be used to add a race-specific elite class.


    The exact class is determined by the primary class. (current: Blood Mage)


    Also increases the level of the lowest base race by 1, to a maximum of level 10.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Thanks. So it forced an elite class on me because I forgot to read the small print?)


    (Seems like it. Say, why didn''t you check the strangely colores gem before trying to take it out?)


    (I, I don''t know. It just felt right to take it as if it was a missing part of me returning home.)


    (That doesn''t make much sense to me... anyway, you need to be more careful about EVERYTHING that involves these glitches. Be it monsters, skills or gifts.)


    (Yeah, I know. This could just as well have been a proper trojan horse.)


    (''Could have been''? Try ''might still be''! There''s no guarantee the three skills aren''t still some traps! Doesn''t matter whether that is intentional or not.)


    (Speaking of, what exactly did I get?)


    (A class that I haven''t seen in the class tab before. That much is sure.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Blood Mage</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    39 HP, 34 MP, 47 SP, 2 STR, 3 DEX, 3 VIT, 8 MAG, 8 FTH, 5 WIL, 7 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Blood Burst


    200 SP


    Affect a target within sight that carries blood in it and has current HP at or below the damage of a 200% non-elemental spell.


    The target dies and its blood bursts forth from its body forming 10 blood bullets.


    These bullets can be fired at designated targets to either deal 35% magic damage or heal by 2% FTH.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 5></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Corpse explosion, my old friend, you really let yourself go! At least it is a ranged SP to damage option. And it might even heal... for a pitiful amount.)


    (I mean it sounds like a good skill if you want to ignore that the 550% damage this gives you for 200 SP would be 700% for 210 SP if you stick with melee attacks. Or that the first 200% damage needs to kill the target or the whole thing goes up in smoke.)


    (Umm... at least it is a ranged attack? I know that meeting the initial condition is pretty narrow but I don''t really use my SP for anything else in the dungeon. And if I did I would probably die super fast since I''ve neither the stats nor the experience to survive melee combat.)


    (You know, Jared, you''re overtly optimistic despite possibly just getting scammed.)


    (True that. Given the choice, I would have taken any other class first but I can''t change that anymore. And at least the HP is up there with the battle mage Jeff wanted me to get. Well, ''wasting'' one of three elite slots hurts but there was never a guarantee I even get to complete the ten classes so this isn''t that big a setback. In fact, it might just help me get out of early game hell faster.)


    (At least it throws us back a lot regarding the summoning class.)


    (Yeah, but I can''t undo it. So how does my status look like right now?)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 4, Survivor 2, Blood Mage 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 2, Noble 1, Lord 1, Progenitor 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor


    Title Level 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1433</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">451/1003 [1254]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/1324 [1656]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/712 [891]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">154+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">176+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">157+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">296+35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">225</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">228+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">179</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wooden Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 4 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 1 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 4 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 4 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 4 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 4 (Rank 1)


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.Blood Burst 1


    Spear Training 2, Unnatural Claws 1


    Charm Eye 1, Embrace 1, Familiar 1, Greater Vampiric Bite 1


    Disguise 2, Intimidation 2


    Ageless 1, Beast Killer 1, Enhanced Regeneration 1, Sleepless 2, Stealth 1, Supernatural Toughness 1, Undead 2, Vampire Hierarchy 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (So, the feedback depleted all of my MP and SP and dealt massive damage on top of that, great.)


    (Yeah, but you broke through the 700 SP barrier, so one extra hour of training per day.)


    (...I''d rather play some video games.)


    (Fine by me. Now where did you hide the console again?)


    (Yeah, yeah, I know. ...so I think we should stick to the previous plan and get Wizard to 5 to get the additional skill, Survivor should just level on its own until 4 because of Chloe''s training. And after Wizard 5 should be time to level the new class to 5.)


    (Any plans on when to level the race or extra classes, Jared?)


    (None yet. They don''t offer any additional skills if I reach a specific level, most of the skills grow very little with additional levels and stat wise they are worth about a third or less compared to a proper class. So I think they can wait until they are cheaper than a third of a level of a regular class.)


    (Sure, sounds good to me.)


    (If I look at the stats... the vampire variants are even lower a priority. The only exception I could think of would be if I ever get in my head that I need to make more familiars, only then would ''Vampire Lord'' be worth something. Nothing else in there scales significantly.)


    (Say, Elly, do you think ''Manfred'' would count that as blood magic? An additional spell type I need for his requirements?)


    (I''d guess no since it doesn''t say ''magic'' in the skill name or use MP but you can always go and ask him tomorrow. I''m sure he wouldn''t mind some company from time to time.)


    (It really has been some time since I''ve last visited the ''Lord''s Mansion'', hasn''t it? I should go there either way.)


    (Also, where did you get ''Manfred'' from? He never introduced himself by that name. Or any name at all.)


    (Mansion. Manni. Manfred. <del>Alternatively, it was in the chapter title.</del>)


    (...I''ve heard worse.)


    (Wait, no don''t tell me what goes through your head, Elly... you want to go through titles again?)


    (Am I that easy to figure out?)


    (No, it just has become a pattern. And we talked about that file recently.)


    (Alright, alright. Can I do so now? Please? Pretty please? It is just three this time, not half a novel.)


    (Sure. Let''s get it over with.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Regenerator


    Adds passive HP, MP and SP regeneration of (0.03% of max + skill level / 25) per minute.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Looks decent. More regeneration never hurts. Any idea how to get access to it?)


    (Supposedly you just need to go long enough without rest and still recover about 100.000 points total across HP, MP and SP.)


    (No idea how a regular person would ever unlock that. Since I can''t sleep at all do I technically never rest as well? Shouldn''t I unlock that within a couple of days at most then?)


    (I guess so. One maybe two more decent length dungeon crawls and you should be able to get it.)


    (I''m looking forward to it.)


    (Ok, next one.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Iron Heart


    Gain (skill level) points of resistance to all status effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (IRON! HEART! SURGE! Say bye-bye to the sun! ...jokes aside, I wouldn''t mind having that but resistances don''t seem to be too impressive so far. Well, every little bit of defensive measure should help. What is the acquiring condition for this title?)


    (You have to endure a total of 100.000 points worth of status damage.)


    (That... can wait then. I haven''t seen any status effects that aren''t part of attacks that would either kill me directly or from the massive damage over time when it lands. Unless... could I use [Charm Eye] on myself via a mirror? Would that count?)


    (Even if it did work the skill doesn''t list a status damage value so that may just be 1 status damage and that would take decades. Also in case you forgot [Undead] makes you immune to that.)


    (True. But speaking of mirrors I never checked if I even appear in one here. In fiction vampires often have no reflection.)


    (But what about the mirror you used to check your body before being sent here? That already showed you.)


    (That mirror might not count. If they can magic souls back to life it stands to reason that they can overcome such a comparatively trivial limitation.)


    (True that.)


    (At a minimum there might be a distinction between for example silver and regular mirrors. I didn''t really pay attention back then to what kind of mirror it was.)


    (That is something that shouldn''t be too hard to find out. Or if it is it would also mean there are not enough reflective surfaces around for that lack of knowledge to matter. Can I continue with the last title I could decipher?)


    (Sure, go ahead.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Enduring Soul


    Negate weakness against regular elements for which you also have the elemental affinity.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (If I took that I would still need to get the three relevant affinities. Worst case this means three classes just for that. But that is still so far the best title I''ve seen that I can get.)


    (Actually only two. Holy isn''t a regular damage type so the title wouldn''t work with it.)


    (Well, going from three weaknesses to only one would still be a big deal for me, holy seems to be rare enough. So how can I get that title?)


    (It says that you need to survive a lot of damage hitting one of your weaknesses. A total of... three million. Whoops.)


    (Do I look like a masochist to you!?)


    (No, that''s a different title.)


    (One I probably don''t want. Does sadist exist then as well?)


    (Yes. Give me a second, I''ll try to pull both up.)


    (Uh, how?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Masochist


    Recover MP and SP equal to 20% of taken damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Incompatible with my personality and useless on top. I need to almost die for one blast spell extra.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Sadist


    Recover MP and SP based on 2% damage dealt, capped at skill level.


    Only applies against targets that can feel pain.


    Does not apply when the target dies from the damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Cute. Now tell me where you got those infos from. As far as I know, I haven''t unlocked either so I shouldn''t see them.)


    (I''m making slow progress on fixing Gzeph''s notes on titles in general, outside what he considers the ''optimal'' build. Slow. Progress.)


    (I can''t imagine what distracts you with your fetish.)


    (It is NOT! Stop saying that! It''s just the best I can do to find means to give you some extra power without relying on hard to come by class cores.)


    (Fine, I get it. It is just getting monotonous.)


    Elly walks me through some more minor titles she has already decoded from the main title file but nothing stands out like a flat +50 STR title that requires me to already have 1000 STR in the first place. At most I''d take such a title at the end to fill in the gaps if I still have not filled in all 20 titles.


    The feedback from the bugged Class Core set me back too much in my regeneration so I only have 937/1003 HP, 622/1324 MP and 362/712 SP in the morning cutting my training short.


    Because ''blast'' spells give way too little exp compared to the rain variant I want to delay my nuking of the flood until I''ve regenerated enough MP so I guess I can start the day by checking on the ''Lord''s Mansion''. With Jack suspended and no replacement introduced no one waits for me at the gate anyway.


    "So you''ve returned, little one", the mansion greets me. It is still speaking as slow and deliberate as last time.


    "Yeah, sorry, the last few days were a bit busy."


    "It is fine. I''ve waited for centuries to talk with someone again. What are a few days compared to that."


    "I wonder if I''ll see it the same way when all of this is done and over and a few more hundred years have passed..."


    "That I do not know. Just be reassured that if you need someone to talk to I should still be around."


    (Me too, me too!)


    (As if I could get rid of you.)


    Somehow the mansion can hear Elly mind-talk with me, "Oh, who is that little new voice with you?"


    (Uh, you can hear me?)


    "Yes, why shouldn''t I?"


    "This is Elly, just a nagging voice in my head."


    "Interesting."


    (Basically, I''m just an artificial helper living in his menu. I don''t really do much more than offer some advice, not that I can really offer a different perspective as I''m based on a copy of his personality.)


    "Hmm... I think you are a bit more than that but I will not pry."


    "Now, Jared and Elly, what can I do for you today?"


    "Mostly I want to know if the skill I got recently would meet your condition on types of magics known. I''m not asking you to accept me as your lord. I''m still undecided if I should even try to qualify. Considering my... condition the people in the fortress would be unlikely to accept me taking charge and... I don''t have a good track record with leading either."


    "So you just want to sate your curiosity. Understandable. Can you then tell me what your skill is?"


    "It is called [Blood Burst]. Its power is based on MAG but it uses SP so I don''t think it would really count as magic."


    "I don''t think I have ever heard of that skill. Can you demonstrate what it does?"


    "I don''t have sufficient SP currently and it would require a target near death which I don''t have either."


    "That''s alright."


    The mansion has to think for a moment, "can you at least tell me what exactly the effect would be if you had a valid target?"


    "It would kill the target, steal its blood and turn it into projectiles that shoot at further enemies."


    "Hmm... that''s a tough one. Normally I wouldn''t accept such a skill. It does not sound like the type of magic I''m looking for."


    (Yeah, we didn''t think so either.)


    "And truth be told I''m still uncertain how to treat your case with cure magic. So... I''ll compromise. Even if both don''t really satisfy my taste I''ll count those two skills as one for the purpose of my requirement. I think that should also take off some pressure from you. You can''t meet the conditions yet so you can still take your time to make up your mind if you really want to and also find a way to make peace with the other people."


    "So one step forward, one step back."


    Still not sure if I should be happy or disappointed that it doesn''t count. From what I''ve gathered claiming the mansion would be a big deal. But I don''t really feel cut out for the responsibility - or the associated risk... I would''ve liked a clear no just so that my conscience is clear and I can tell myself I''ve done my best, it is not my problem anymore. Why couldn''t you just give that to me?


    (Well, he could''ve said no to both and we''d be missing two elements total instead of only one.)


    "I''m sure you will acquire the last one soon. As I recall as a Wizard you should get another affinity at level 15 and the flood out there should really play to your strength as a caster."


    "Level 15 is still a long way off and that would still leave the matter of the other people."


    "I trust that you can sort this out as well. After all, me being dormant is causing all kinds of issues it seems. Some minor compromises should be possible for everyone involved."


    "That doesn''t seem fair to them. Who would want to live under the tyranny of my kind?"


    (How would you know if you really are a tyrant? Did you have such big responsibilities before?)


    "Exactly that''s what I''m afraid of that. Too much responsibility at once. I''ve already failed with a small group before. Then just skipping straight to managing a whole fortress just can''t bode well."


    "I think you are selling yourself too short. But you should really reach out to the people and talk to them. I''m certain if you did they would understand and you can sort everything out."


    (Don''t bother. That''s what I''ve been telling him all the time but he always finds an excuse to keep everything to himself.)


    "Heh, yeah, you two are right. Maybe I should open up a bit more."


    (Sorry, give me a moment. I have to check hell''s temperature.)

 Ch. 30 – Profrontation

    POV: Darius


    "Say, have you heard", I hear some of the nurses gossipping, "there''s supposedly an elf ''talking'' with the ''Lord''s Mansion'', can you believe it?"


    "What, again? I only heard that it happened a few days ago."


    "No, I mean right now."


    The rumor mill is scary. Somehow it manages to defy all logic but rumors always arrive faster than your feet can carry you. The mansion is easily an hour away, so how can anyone be certain that they are still talking, assuming that it even happened.


    "Sir!", one of my men addresses me, "we are here to deliver your requested reports for the day."


    Three of my soldiers are here just to deliver some paper. Goddamnit, people, you don''t have to plan a whole excursion just for that bit of outdated news.


    "Put them on the table, I''ll read them later."


    "Understood, sir."


    "Can you do me a favor? I''m getting stiff from just lying in bed all the time. Would you mind accompanying me a bit through town?"


    "If you so order, sir."


    "Hmpf, if that''s the only way then yes, I order you to."


    "Understood", the three salute and help me get up and out.


    I go to the lady at the front desk, "I''ll be out for a bit. These three will make sure nothing bad happens, alright?"


    "B-but doctor''s orders...!"


    "No buts. These are MY orders! Don''t worry, I''ll be back in an hour or two. You even confiscated my weapon so I couldn''t even do anything stupid if I wanted to", with that said my legs carry me out of here.


    "H-hey, stop!"


    I can feel the doctor coming into the room and staring at me but I''ve already left. He''s certainly shaking his head in frustration but he should be used to my antics by now.


    I make my way through town with my three unwilling companions in tow. Not much seems to have changed while I was out cold, it wasn''t long but it is good to confirm anyway. While I''m out here I might as well check about those rumors. Usually, I don''t give a crap about gossip but this time I have a good feeling about it.


    On my way to the mansion I meet a few people I know, everyone''s worried about my health and tells me to go home. They are good people but this is something I have to check for myself. At least I''m not a catfolk so I should be safe.


    After a while, we arrive at our destination and indeed it seems like someone is chatting with the house. Not just speaking in its direction and not understanding the response but actually discussing things. Well, I can''t understand what they are saying, "I?t? ?s?e?e?m?s? ?s?o?m?e? ?f?r?i?e?n?d?s? ?o?f? ?y?o?u?r?s? ?h?a?v?e? ?a?r?r?i?v?e?d?.?"


    The person speaking looks to be an elf just as the gossipping ladies said. Silver hair... didn''t I just read about that earlier? Wasn''t that... crap! Now I remember, the silver-haired elf is a vampire!


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf ???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire ???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???/???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???/???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???/???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That... is not good. All stats unreadable means that we''re hostiles and he overpowers me by a large margin. But didn''t Therese''s report say he was low level and not a threat? Does that mean she''s already working for him, under his control?


    I trusted you, Therese, why must you betray me so...


    I really should''ve stayed in bed... shit, too late for that now. But just stats aren''t everything. We''re four against one, we can still gain the upper hand!


    I call out to him, "hey! What are you trying to pull here!?"


    The silver-haired monster turns its attention towards me, "what do you mean? I''m just talking to an old friend here."


    "Don''t make me laugh! Monsters like you have no friends!"


    "Rude."


    "D?i?d? ?y?o?u? ?d?o? ?a?n?y?t?h?i?n?g? ?t?o? ?h?i?m??? ?H?e? ?s?e?e?m?s? ?q?u?i?t?e? ?a?g?i?t?a?t?e?d?.? ?M?a?y?b?e? ?y?o?u? ?s?h?o?u?l?d? ?t?r?y? ?t?a?l?k?i?n?g? ?w?i?t?h? ?h?i?m?.?"


    "Y?e?a?h?,? ?I? ?c?e?r?t?a?i?n?l?y? ?s?h?o?u?l?d?.? ?O?n?e? ?c?a?s?e? ?o?f? ?T?h?e?r?e?s?e? ?i?s? ?e?n?o?u?g?h?.?"


    I whisper more to myself than to my men, "did the ''Lord''s Mansion'' already take his side? Shit, we have to get rid of that vampire right now!"


    The aura around the monster changes.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Successfully resisted fear status.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ha, I still got it! You won''t intimidate me so easily!


    clank clang


    Uh? "Hey, where are you running? Dammit!"


    Two of my escorts dropped their weapons and ran away leaving just two of us behind. Well, that''s one way to get my hands on a weapon right now.


    "I? ?t?h?i?n?k? ?t?h?a?t? ?w?a?s? ?a? ?b?i?t? ?t?o?o? ?m?u?c?h? ?f?o?r? ?t?h?e?m?.?"


    "Put your weapons down", he demands, "we don''t have to fight - unless you insist. We can talk about everything."


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Successfully resisted fear status.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "What is there to talk about? All I see is a monster that tries to steal our livelihood from us! You''re not a regular vampire, are you? You''re certainly a noble!"


    clang


    And there goes my last companion... shit, did I just intimidate him by pointing the vampire thing out?


    "Did you, did you just call me a mere noble?"


    "Yes, that I have, what about it?"


    He looks angry, "you did not just put me on the same level as that puny scum!"


    If he considers even vampire nobles not worth his time he must be... "so you''re a lord then?"


    "...if we''re that familiar already you might as well call me a progenitor actually."


    "Y?o?u?''?r?e? ?w?h?a?t?!???"


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Failed to resist fear.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...yeah, that is way too much. Even at my best, I wouldn''t be able to stand up to a vampire progenitor. The obscured stats should''ve tipped me off. So much for the legends that said that the heroes have wiped out all progenitors, one is right here in front of me...


    Vampire lords are already terrifying enough but a progenitor? At best we might wear down one of those ancient beings by sacrificing the entire fortress...


    God have mercy on us... let my sacrifice not be in vain...


    "May I at least have a name to go along with that title?"


    "Jared Delacroix. Though as commander I would''ve expected you to be aware of a prominent silver elf vampire taking residence here, Darius."


    "So you know of me... I apologize, I''ve spent the last while unconscious, only awoke a few days ago. I''ve... not been made aware of your... greatness yet", I bow down. Please be merciful and accept my apology.


    His face shows clearly that he is dissatisfied with me, "so what did you disturb me for? I was kinda in the middle of something important here."


    "...I heard a rumor that someone was talking with the mansion and I had to check that for myself."


    "And then you saw me and just had to interrupt."


    "N-no, I would never dare!"


    "Stop, lying. That is exactly what it looks like on my end."


    "Y-you''re right. I apologize, your excellency."


    "Stop that shit. I know that you don''t really mean it. You don''t see me as someone worthy to serve under, you see me just as an obstacle you need to get rid off with any means necessary."


    "I, I''d n-never!"


    "M?a?y?b?e? ?y?o?u? ?s?h?o?u?l?d? ?t?u?r?n? ?t?h?e? ?a?n?t?a?g?o?n?i?z?i?n?g? ?d?o?w?n? ?a? ?b?i?t?.?"


    "H?a?v?e? ?y?o?u? ?s?e?e?n? ?h?o?w? ?t?e?r?r?i?f?y?i?n?g? ?h?e? ?i?s??? ?I?f? ?I? ?l?e?t? ?h?i?m? ?d?o? ?w?h?a?t? ?h?e? ?w?a?n?t?s? ?h?e?''?l?l? ?k?i?l?l? ?m?e? ?b?e?f?o?r?e? ?I? ?c?a?n? ?e?v?e?n? ?a?c?t?.?"


    "M?o?r?e? ?l?i?k?e? ?t?e?r?r?i?f?i?e?d?.?"


    It is very obvious that even the mansion is taking his side. At least there was no system announcement yet, so there''s still some time.


    The vampire turns back towards me, "right, ...so I take it you know Chloe or Therese?"


    "Y-yes, what about them?"


    "I talked with them a bit. They gave me the impression that you need someone to take over the residence here so I thought of offering."


    So they ARE working for him... what have you done to them, you monster? Especially Therese would never agree to work under a vampire.


    "We... respectfully decline your most gracious offer."


    "As I said before cut it with the bootlicking, it''s disgusting."


    "As you... as you wish."


    "Also, why would you decline? It would solve several of your long-standing problems."


    "Why? Because we don''t want to suffer under the rule of a monster like you!"


    Crap! Now I''ve done it.


    "I, I''m sorry, I didn''t mean to..."


    "And here I had somewhat of a good mood and was offering my help and what do I get for that? Right, that."


    He''s visibly angry. The fear effect clouding my mind is getting stronger and stronger, "I don''t know what I can do to quell your anger... do with my life what you wish but please just spare my people! Take my blood if you wish but please!"


    "Let me tell you a little secret", he gets closer to me and whispers to me, "the taste of blood is related to how healthy the ''donor'' is and you don''t really look to be in prime condition."


    "Y?o?u? ?s?h?o?u?l?d? ?p?r?o?b?a?b?l?y? ?c?l?a?r?i?f?y? ?w?h?a?t? ?y?o?u? ?m?e?a?n?.? ?A?s? ?i?t? ?s?t?a?n?d?s? ?h?e? ?p?r?o?b?a?b?l?y? ?t?h?i?n?k?s? ?y?o?u? ?w?a?n?t? ?t?o? ?k?i?l?l? ?h?i?m?.?"


    "I? ?t?h?i?n?k? ?I? ?w?a?s? ?p?r?e?t?t?y? ?c?l?e?a?r? ?t?h?a?t? ?h?e? ?i?s? ?i?n? ?b?a?d? ?s?h?a?p?e? ?a?n?d? ?n?e?e?d?s? ?s?o?m?e? ?r?e?s?t?.?"


    "But if you insist I won''t certainly say no to a free meal."


    He reveals his fangs and sinks them into my neck. I can''t move, not even scream. The fear and pain prevent any attempt at that...


    So this is how my life ends. As food for a legendary monster just because I couldn''t listen to the doc again... forgive me, Maggy, I know you''ll hurt the most from this.


    <hr>


    POV: Jared


    (Any idea what was up with that guy?), I ask Elly while I carry an unconscious body towards the medical facility. Didn''t think my STR would suffice for that but apparently, it does. Seems like they forgot to add the ''weight'' feature to this world.


    (I mean, what did you expect? You were talking with the mansion in the middle of the day so people took notice. Add to that a vampire with... less than ideal social skills and you''re just asking for trouble! You should really clear these misunderstandings up before it gets worse than this time!)


    (Elly, I meant why he caved like that. I did see his MP drop by 300 so he certainly used [Appraise] and with that, he should''ve known that he is vastly superior to me.)


    (...would you want to die just to take a low-level mob out? He neither. So he couldn''t take the first strike. He was probably counting on you attacking him first - and then you got lucky with [Intimidate]. But seriously, you can''t rely on just always getting lucky like that!)


    (Speaking of... I never turned that skill off again. Whoops.)


    (Please don''t change the topic, this is important!)


    (Yeah, yeah. But what else should I''ve done? ...I''ve probably already said too much back there about being a progenitor...)


    (Oh, come on that will totally not bite you in the ass.)


    (I give it one week max, Elly.)


    A bit later I run across a few soldiers that agree to help me carry Darius. It worries me a bit that they don''t ask me what happened to their boss. Do they not care? Their boss is out cold again and just a single person is carrying him...


    (Elly, why did I actually get away with biting Darius? Shouldn''t the law enforcement system be against me now?)


    (I guess he volunteered before so it doesn''t count as an attack? I mean, have you looked at your stats? Given your raw STR and his inflated VIT I doubt you could pierce through his defense if he didn''t allow it.)


    (That''s something I hadn''t considered actually. Technically my bite would be instantly lethal if I wanted. Or at least if I get a moment to drink enough blood from the target. Might be a good alternative in the dungeon if I could find some targets that I can pick off one by one.)


    (Assuming monsters even care about losing blood. They seemingly operate under different rules.)


    (Yeah, at least something like the golems or slimes should be immune anyway. One is just a rock, can''t drink that, and the other would melt my skin on touch and has no blood either.)


    After a few more minutes we finally arrive at the medical facility with the commander in tow. One of the soldiers volunteers to run ahead and get the doctor for us.


    "Damn, Darius, what will I ever do with you... what happened to him?"


    "He, uh, collapsed. I''m not entirely sure what happened."


    "Weren''t there three other soldiers with him?"


    "Uh, no, I found him alone."


    (Liar!)


    (Shut up!)


    "Whatever, that can wait. Please carry him to his room. Follow me."


    "Sure."


    We carry the unconscious man back into his sickroom and lie him on his bed. I hadn''t noticed before but the bite marks are well hidden under the collar.


    "Alright, thanks for your cooperation", the doctor addresses us, "now if I could ask you to leave, the patient needs to rest for a change."


    The other soldiers salute and then leave.


    "Understood. Emmm, could you let me know once he''s in a condition to talk? I got some business with him."


    "Depends on how he''s feeling. Can I get your name?"


    "Jared."


    "Okay, I''ll note it down."


    "Thanks. I''m off then."


    By now it has been long enough to regenerate the MP and SP I should''ve had in the morning so I go to fulfill my training and flood nuking quota of the day.


    I just hope that the blood mage class I got via the glitch is worth it long term...


    <hr>


    POV: Elly


    Really, whoever wrote the code for [Appraisal] is an idiot...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">function appraise(Object target) {


    PowerLevel pow = self.getPowerLevel();


    if (relation(self, target).isHostile? && target.canAppraise?(pow)) {


    displayAppraiseWindowFailure(target);


    } else {


    displayAppraiseWindowProper(target);


    }


    }</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%"><hr></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">function canAppraise(PowerLevel pow) {


    if (self.hasTitle?(''World Navigator'')) return true;


    PowerLevel ownPow = self.getPowerLevel();


    return ownPow.exceeds?(pow);


    }</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Better not let Jared know about this, he''d accuse me of cheating again...

 Ch. 31 – Eve of Scattering

    POV: Darius


    "Urgh, I''m here again?"


    "Doctor! He''s awake!", I hear one of the nurses screaming.


    "Quick, fetch a rope before he runs off again!"


    Doc, keep such jokes to yourself.


    "Could you stop shouting? My head hurts already enough!"


    The doctor comes over and performs a quick check-up, "how are you feeling?"


    "As I said my head hurts a lot. What happened this time?"


    "I was hoping you could tell me, Darius. You''ve been out for a whole day. Well, a few hours more than that, it is evening right now and you were brought here around noon."


    Did I really run into a vampire progenitor there or was that just a bad dream? Please be the latter. We''re in no shape to deal with such a legendary creature. Especially if my suspicion is true and Therese has betrayed us...


    No, that was clearly a dream. There''s no way I would be alive after a hostile vampire bites me. That''s simply not possible.


    "Did the one that brought me here not say anything?"


    "Nothing in particular. Though among them was the silver one, Jared. He said he had something to talk to you about."


    Wait, so it wasn''t a dream? ...what is going on here?


    "When will I be released?"


    "I''d like to keep you for another week here but knowing you you''ll disappear on me if I take my eyes off of you."


    The last time I ignored his orders I almost died, I should really do what he says for once.


    "...I promise I''ll stay put AFTER I take care of a thing or two, doc."


    "*sigh* You''re impossible, you know that? At least stay in bed for today and when you leave on your trip take some escorts with you - and not the duty derelict kind from yesterday!"


    "Yeah, I''ll do that. Thanks."


    "I swear... each and every time you''re here you make me question my oath", he shakes his head and leaves.


    The next day around noon I get visited by some of my men. I again order them to accompany me. After I discharge myself to the nurse''s chagrin we make our way to the vault.


    Despite everything, I have a plan to deal with the progenitor. I''ve spent most of the time I was awake thinking about my options and this is the only one I can see. Though I don''t like the consequences of that plan either. But given what I have to deal with it is still the lesser of two evils.


    "Darius?", Marc greets me in the vault, "I thought you''re still getting treatment in the medical center?"


    "I am, well, I''ll go back there later. I just must deal with something important first."


    "Can''t you leave that to Therese?"


    Even if she wasn''t potentially a traitor this is a burden I have to bear myself.


    "No, that is too important to leave to anyone else. I must do that personally."


    "Alright, so what can I help you with?"


    "I need a specific artifact from the vault - can you give me the inventory list so I can check where it is?"


    The redhead scratches his beard, "uh, sure. I hope you''ve prepared the paperwork for the retrieval of such a high-class item?"


    "...I''ll do that once I''m properly discharged by the doc."


    "Darius, whatever will we do with you... I guess it is that important?"


    "Yeah, it is. No way around it."


    "Fine, whatever. Just make sure you actually finish the paperwork this time. Let''s see... here''s the list."


    "Thanks. So it is... in that section."


    "What are you looking for... wait, that thing?"


    "Exactly. The banishment crystal."


    "I haven''t heard of a big undefeatable monster appearing - what do you intend to use it on?"


    I can''t tell you that old friend. Your lips are even looser than mine and I can''t risk the target getting advance warning or panic breaking out, "sorry, Marc, but that is above your paygrade."


    "That''s... I hope you know what you''re doing."


    "So do I."


    Marc leads me to the indicated item and confirms that I''ve retrieved it, "there you go. Now don''t do anything dumb with it. This is the last charge it has. The other two charges supposedly got our people through some pretty nasty situations in the past. Whatever you plan to do with it, make it count."


    "That is the plan."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Banishment Crystal


    1/3 charges remaining


    Banishes the target to the "closest" alternate dimension.


    Can''t be used on a target with a divine class.


    Current destination: Jethicton</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Is this really the right thing to do? I''m making our problem someone else''s problem instead. They don''t deserve it but I''ve no other option if I want to save my people...


    If God wasn''t ok with me doing that he wouldn''t have left the crystal with us. And there''s always the chance the target world isn''t even populated in the first place.


    I''ve no one I can talk with about this, have I? Therese seems to be compromised. Maggy would probably hate me for condemning other people. Most others wouldn''t dare to go against my judgment no matter how wrong I am, I need better advisors...


    Maybe god will listen... Therese said he doesn''t respond to us anymore but if she deceived me about the vampire who is to say if this is true either... I guess there''s no better opportunity to confirm it than now.


    I leave the vault and return to my escorts, "now, then men... wait where did everyone go?"


    Didn''t I tell them to wait? We really need to work on discipline here. Well, fine, no matter, I can go alone if I have to.


    The walk to the church is uneventful. Despite everything going on the atmosphere in the fortress still feels the same as before. Seems like no one else knows of the terror of a progenitor lurking among us. That is fine by me, I''ll happily forgo any event of mass panic.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    At the church I''m welcomed by a surprised nun, most people know who I am but I''m a rare visitor here. Forget rare, I never go to visit here unless I have to. Way too busy with my job.


    The nun accompanies me to the altar to pray.


    I kneel down and try to pray for forgiveness for what I''m about to do. I''ve made up my mind; I will not ask for permission, I have made my decision and I will not ask anyone else to take responsibility for it. I just want to ask for those that will suffer from my decision to be granted the mercy I was denied. God, if you''re still listening I beg of you to look after them.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">4???0???4???:??? ???n???o??? ???s???i???g???n???a???l???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I didn''t get a response last time I prayed here either but that is a different reaction... I''ve no idea what that message means exactly but at least it lends credibility to what Therese has said about us being abandoned.


    The nun asks me, "did you find the answer you were looking for?"


    "No, well, I got as much of an answer as I expected. Actually, I got a strange message. No idea what to make of it."


    "I was afraid of that. It has been that way for quite some time now. I apologize, I should''ve warned you."


    "It is fine. I know that it is outside your control and you didn''t do it on purpose. God works in mysterious ways, as they always say."


    If he still works for us that is...


    "I''m grateful for your understanding."


    Hmm... maybe one of the head priests is in and can say something about the other rumor.


    "I would have some business with the head priest, I''d like to speak with him. Is he available?"


    "I''m afraid not. Would you like to make an appointment for some other time with him?"


    "Yes, please."


    "Then if you''ll excuse me for a moment, I have to check when he''s next available. It won''t take too long."


    "Sure, I''ll wait here."


    With that, the nun leaves me alone to my thoughts.


    I still have doubts that my plan is the right thing to do but I know no alternatives. I have the choice between guaranteed doom for my people and possibly condemning people I don''t know. In the best case, that other plane is just not inhabited.


    It doesn''t matter how often I repeat all of those excuses to myself I''m still about to do something I can''t forgive myself for.


    I''d happily give my own life if it meant getting rid of that monster but I''m no match for such an ancient evil. Even the youngest progenitor should be over 2500 years old at this point if the legends have even the faintest trace of truth to them. Even if he was the greatest slacker in the world there''s no way he isn''t strong enough by now to overpower everything we can throw at him and then some... at best we can drive a progenitor off by boring it to death...


    Moments later a different nun approaches me, a quite a bit younger one, "commander Darius?"


    "Yes, that''s me. Say, do I know you? You seem quite familiar."


    "I don''t think so but you may know me because I''ve...  been chosen as the ''Holy Maiden''. I''m Lucia, nice to meet you."


    My big brother''s...? No, that''s meaningless thanks to the nobles. Poor child...


    "No, the pleasure is all mine. How can I help you? I''m just waiting for the other sister to get me an appointment, until then I''m free."


    "Yeah about that. Sister Elaya has gotten held up so I''m here to deliver the requested information. The high priest would be available on the third day from now at 1400, is that ok with you?"


    "If that is the earliest he has time for me then I''ll have to be satisfied with it. Thanks."


    "I''ll pass that along then."


    Lucia seems to wait for me to either say something or leave, "is there anything else I can help you with?"


    "Maybe. Does your church still offer council? This old man... needs someone to talk to."


    "Sure, I can do that. Please follow me then, I think the room of spiritual stride would be better suited for such a discussion."


    "Fine by me."


    We go to one of the rooms further in the building. Lucia knocks but no one answers, "looks to be free now. Come in."


    The room seems unchanged from when I was last here years ago. It is still brightly lit and has a wooden statue of their patron saint welcoming people with open arms. At least they spare me the appalling wine the head priest offered me back then.


    We sit down and Lucia starts the session, "now what issue can I help you with?"


    "I''m not sure how to begin with that. By military regulations, I''m not even allowed to talk about it  with anyone that isn''t already in the know but that is something I need to get off my chest if that is fine with you."


    "Sure, I understand. Don''t worry, anything that happens in here is treated confidentially. I''ll take it with me to the grave if I must."


    "Thanks. So, I''ll have to use a banishment crystal on an ancient evil soon. This is a monster humanity can''t defeat as we''re now. Oh, sorry, are you familiar with that particular artifact?"


    "Yeah, I''ve read about it. So what''s the problem then?"


    "I''m making our problem the problem of a lot of innocents, condemning them to most likely a painful death."


    "I''ll repeat myself: so what''s the problem?"


    What is this girl saying? Countless innocents will die by my action!


    She continues, "if god didn''t want you to do this he wouldn''t have left the artifact in your charge, right? If it wasn''t in his grand plan he wouldn''t have given us such a tool."


    This is the same excuse I made up for myself but it still feels wrong...


    "No, Lucia, I make that decision, I bear the sin; I will not push the responsibility for it on god, he has already enough on his plate."


    "Still you should put more trust in him! If God is as good as the scripts claim then the artifact will not dump the monster on some defenseless innocents. I''m certain the target world is either not populated or at least capable of dealing with it better than we are."


    "Is that truly what you believe?"


    She hesitates, "...yes. I don''t know if God has planned for everything but at least in this case, I''m certain everything will be fine. No more innocents will come to harm than he intends to."


    This is a dangerous way of thinking. I''m not comfortable with leaving it to something like fate or a divine plan like this but do I really have a choice? I think I don''t.


    "Thanks. I think my path is clear now."


    "Glad to help", she smiles so brightly I wouldn''t be surprised if that would melt undead like the sun.


    "I think that is all for today."


    "Sure, then let me escort you back outside."


    We go back outside and she wishes me farewell.


    Initially, I planned to go back to the clinic now but there is something else I need to figure out. I go back to my office. Luckily Therese is out today.


    I check the personnel files. The vampire is in Chloe''s group and her dungeon schedule is... tomorrow around noon. Already tomorrow? Suspicious timing. Is that a final sign from above? No matter, tomorrow everything will be decided.


    What happens if I should fail... I don''t want to find out. I MUST succeed. I just must. Any alternative outcome is unacceptable.


    I''ll execute my plan tomorrow and then... let the people judge me for it. If they so wish I''ll retire or...


    <hr>


    POV: Eva


    Congratulations, Gzeph. This time you''ve done it...


    "Hey, Eva", Vladalaja greets me as she enters my little office.


    She''s been recalled prematurely because her boss is now suspended at the very least and someone has to take over Gzeph''s work.


    "Hey, V. What can I do for you?"


    "I honestly don''t know. I was just recalled but no one has told me what is going on. I only know that my direct boss Gzeph has done... something and is now in custody, his boss is in the hospital and his replacement is currently in an urgent meeting."


    "Oh yeah, there... was a lot of trouble. Gzeph has punched his boss in the face, deservedly if I may add, messed with some critical configurations and allegedly sabotaged some other things. Now we have a full-on investigation on our ass."


    Seriously, why did I report on Gzeph... I just wanted to get him to stop overworking himself to death and now... we have this mess on our hands... I really didn''t think this through, did I?


    "Ok, slow down. What did Alex do exactly to deserve that?"


    "He somehow managed to get the big bosses to shut down the main transmigration machine. Of course without any plans for a replacement routine or anything. ''Coincidentally'' that was on the same day Gzeph finally found a volunteer for his little pet project. He was not... ideal but given the circumstances the only one we could send. Seriously, I wouldn''t blame anyone that told me that boss jerk was working for the enemy. All of his ''little'' incidences are too much for mere incompetence."


    "That is... quite a bit to take in."


    She has to digest the info for a moment, "okay, and what is that about sabotage Gzeph has supposedly committed?"


    "I''m not privy to the full extent of the accusation. The only thing I know for certain is that he has changed something with the compatibility filter config. That much he has already admitted."


    "Just a changed filter shouldn''t warrant that much chaos. Do you think someone is trying to frame him?"


    "Quite possible. Though he isn''t exactly the most law-abiding person, I''m certain that he is still doing what he thinks is best for the greater good."


    "Yeah, that sounds about right. Say, Eva, do you have any idea how his plan is progressing despite... Alex?"


    "Gzeph said it is better to assume the main plan has already failed."


    "Before or after passing out from overwork?"


    "Inbetween."


    "*sigh* right, do you think he''ll learn his lesson this time and starts relying more on other people?"


    "I''m not seeing any flying pigs, so no. That is if he gets out of this in one piece."


    "Figures."


    "Gzeph has given me a quick rundown on what his alternate plan is. But given my position, I can barely help with that. And his suspension cuts us off from several important pieces. Would you be willing to help as well? I assume you''ll be temporarily tasked to fill in his job so you should have access to most of the critical infrastructure."


    "To be honest, I''m not sure. I trusted him but hearing that he supposedly sabotaged everything... I need to hear the accusations and his side of the story first. If he should really be guilty I don''t think I could trust what plan he has come up with, sorry."


    "No, that is totally fair. We can continue that discussion once you''ve made up your mind, right?"


    V nods and leaves the room.

 Ch. 32 – Return to Normalcy

    It has been two days since the... productive meeting with Darius but nothing further has happened since then. Each time I was there the doctor sent me back saying he was in no condition to speak. Somehow I get the feeling that isn''t true.


    I''m currently sitting at 1987/2025 exp towards Wizard 5. The missing 38 exp will not be a problem, I''ll get the new skill later today. I hope it is something good. Not that a single skill or level will make much of a difference. I''ve still a long way to go before I can feel even remotely safe with people like the commander around.


    Aside from that... the last two days were not very fruitful. I learned nothing new about what demon lords are nor what exactly the title would give me.


    I''m getting a bit anxious about this whole situation. I''ve probably screwed up big time back there with Darius... Well, no changing that now without talking to him ASAP. I''ll try again after the dungeon trip, maybe he''s better off today.


    Training and the shower proceed as normal. Still dealing with the ''stage 2'' monsters. A lot of them. At least the necromancers are gone, there were only a handful in the first place.


    With that, I''ve enough exp to take the level once I get a chance to rest for a couple of minutes. I should probably do that after I ditch the others, otherwise, they might get a notification or something like they supposedly get when I appraise anything in their presence.


    We gather up before the dungeon entrance as usual and... uhh, do I not get a party invitation this time?


    Chloe comes over to me and looks a bit startled, "it seems we have a... tiny problem. I can''t add you as a regular party member because of... you know what."


    Great, so the familiar bond is already starting to cause problems, that didn''t take long.


    "Oh, damn, now what?"


    She thinks for a moment, "...just play along, I have an idea."


    She grabs me and pulls me back to the group, "ah, sorry. I forgot that we have to make a tiny change today. It was decided that Jared should take the role of the party leader so he can eventually unlock a specific title. But don''t worry about it, that is just a formality. I''ll keep issuing the orders. So, Jared, would you please do the honors?"


    A good an excuse as any. Mentally I send out the invitations and soon they get accepted.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Chloe has accepted your party invitation.


    Kay has accepted your party invitation.


    Geofrey has accepted your party invitation.


    Allen has accepted your party invitation.


    Marca has accepted your party invitation.


    Gabella has accepted your party invitation.


    Party size: 7/7


    No more invitations can be sent at this time.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Good, with everything finally in order, let''s move out. Same formation as always."


    We enter the dungeon exactly like the last two times.


    Inside Chloe addresses us, "ok, everyone listen up for a moment. I''ve to confess I''ve messed up with your training and the flood appearing is no excuse for that. I''ve massively neglected to drill some teamwork into you and not let you mad dash forward to our targets. Once we encounter more dangerous monsters that can get someone or even all of us killed. But honestly speaking we don''t have enough time to start at the beginning. So I''ll keep it simple."


    She gives them a small lecture on what to improve. For some reason, I feel left out...


    "Good, with that out of the way I don''t expect any big changes for now but keep in mind that we need to work on that in the future. Now on to the first floor."


    The first floor... is a joke? A lot of fish-like monsters that can only flounder around but not fight back.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">unable to act</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sea Walker 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1218/1218</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">231/231</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1092/1092</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">210</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">168</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">105</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">168</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">126</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">84</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">84</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water Dweller 1, Water Magic 1 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ice</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And here''s the small new skill as well.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Water Dweller


    Passive


    Unable to act outside of water.


    Can move and breath unrestrained in water.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That was almost a literal shoot fish in a barrel situation. The dungeon is merciless to both sides with its random spawns it seems.


    Floor 2 is populated by another fantasy staple: pig men.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Warrior 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Orc 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2689/2689</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">352/352</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2024/2024</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">348+52</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">242</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">220</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">66</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">110</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">132</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">132</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster Axe</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Axe Training 2, Health Boost 2, Strength Boost 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The first non-boss monster with a non-generic monster race? So neither was Ruth''s a one-off case nor is it limited to bosses. I''m afraid that increases the potential variety in monster skill sets even more.


    Allen asks me, "Hey, uh, Jared, are you sure you should waste MP like this? I mean, don''t get me wrong, I appreciate knowing exactly what we''re up against but don''t you need that to help with the flood?"


    Ah shit, bad habits... "ah, sorry, I''m still just... a bit uneasy thanks to the boss we faced outside recently. I kind of had an idea back then that something was off but I didn''t look into it... and now a friend of mine is dead", a total lie. I didn''t know any of them.


    "Ah, sorry to bring that up then. I totally understand you. I know it doesn''t help you right now but I''m sure you''ll get over it soon, I promise."


    "Yeah..."


    With that, he finally leaves me to myself again.


    There are only four of the orcs. Four of our guys occupy them the other two stab them from the unprotected flank. That''s more like what I expected from a professional combat group.


    Floor 3 is home to the by now known crawlers again. Our guys break formation like on our first trip. Well, I guess the teamwork part lasted a whole floor so who am I to complain. We''re still beginners after all.


    Though this time they only manage to take out half of the monsters before running out of SP and then having to retreat. Progress is still progress, I guess.


    We return to the entrance like last time, Chloe leaves first, then the five others follow after her and I stay behind like last time then return to floor 3.


    I take a step outside the safe zone until the remaining crawlers start rushing towards my position, then step back. I prepare an ice blast and only at the last moment push my hand behind the barrier - like I''ve done all the time previously.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Blast'' has inflicted 3756 damage and 3 status effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I repeat the spell cast two more times until all monsters are suffering from the damage over time ailment. No need to empty my whole MP pool now. It is enough that they suffer even the minimum effect of that status and they''ll die in four to five hours at most. That way I can proceed with the next group faster than a full twenty hours of wait time.


    And until then I take the fifth wizard level.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 5, Survivor 2, Blood Mage 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 2, Noble 1, Lord 1, Progenitor 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor


    Title Level 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">251</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1003/1027 [1284]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">799/1362 [1703]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">712/732 [915]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">158+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">181+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">162+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">304+35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">231</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">235+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">184</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wooden Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 5 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 1 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 5 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 5 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 5 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 5 (Rank 1)


    Blood Burst 1


    Spear Training 2, Unnatural Claws 1


    Charm Eye 1, Embrace 1, Familiar 1, Greater Vampiric Bite 1


    Disguise 2, Intimidation 2


    Ageless 1, Beast Killer 1, Enhanced Regeneration 1, Mana Regeneration 5, Sleepless 2, Stealth 1, Supernatural Toughness 1, Undead 2, Vampire Hierarchy 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (And my new skill is, drum roll, please:)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Mana Regeneration


    Passive


    Adds passive MP regeneration of (0.01% of max MP + skill level / 35) per minute.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (That''s a very small amount. Even my base from [Sleepless] was 0.07% plus skill level divided by twenty.)


    (It still adds up and also profits from [Enhanced Regeneration]. In total, you recover about 183% of your pool per day currently. I think that percentage will actually go down, relatively speaking, if you increase your max MP but not the skill levels of the new skill or [Sleepless] because the flat value has actually a pretty big impact.)


    (So what, I only need like 13 hours to regenerate MP to full now?)


    (Closer to 13 and a half but yes.)


    (Uh, Elly, where did the 18.5 hours until full from before go? That little new skill can''t make that big of a difference.)


    (...I may have screwed that calculation up previously and messed up the decimal point on the flat value from skill level. Math is hard, okay?)


    (Fine, I get you. It doesn''t change much in the end.)


    I see the first few crawlers dropping dead, moments later the rest follows. With that, I can proceed to the next floor.


    Floor 4 also houses crawlers. So that means I can''t even count on getting something new on every floor. I guess it was too much to ask to at least get a guarantee that I won''t have to face the nastiest monster setup ten times in a row.


    On floor 5 I''m greeted by earth golems, floor 6 houses a mixture of dire and grey wolves and floor 7 brings back a couple of zombies. Nothing to write home about, cold status still works just as good as it always has. Though at least floor 6 tells me that floors won''t always be homogenous. Learned already two things this trip and haven''t even made any notable progress in the dungeon. If it really is 120 floors deep I''m only barely past 5% now. I doubt I''m strong enough already to land cold status on monsters with levels fifty to sixty let alone with levels in the hundreds. At best I can extend my range a good bit by choosing the stronger single target spell over area attacks but even that will fail eventually.


    I really need more power if I want to clear this dungeon.


    Or rather... why should I even care about clearing it? I haven''t heard a thing that there would be a reward at the end or anything. Currently, the dungeon is just a means to get some extra exp outside the flood, nothing else. Some of the rare drops seem to be nice but they don''t require completion either. Not that I have had much luck with getting what I need so far.


    After getting my thoughts back on track I notice that Survivor has hit the next level as well.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 5, Survivor 3, Blood Mage 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 2, Noble 1, Lord 1, Progenitor 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor


    Title Level 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">367</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1027/1060 [1326]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1362/1380 [1726]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">732/760 [951]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">164+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">186+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">168+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">309+35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">236</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">241+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">188</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wooden Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 5 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 1 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 5 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 5 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 5 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 5 (Rank 1)


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.Blood Burst 1


    Spear Training 3, Unnatural Claws 1


    Charm Eye 1, Embrace 1, Familiar 1, Greater Vampiric Bite 1


    Disguise 2, Intimidation 2


    Ageless 1, Beast Killer 1, Enhanced Regeneration 1, Mana Regeneration 5, Sleepless 2, Stealth 1, Supernatural Toughness 1, Undead 2, Vampire Hierarchy 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I still have another week of the premium membership on that, after that, I need to invest precious exp to get to the next skill.


    Floor 8, oh bugger... another case of overtuned regeneration...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Bridge Troll 8, Berserker 8, Warrior 8, Merchant 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 8, Elite 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">7320/7320</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">644/644</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3728/3728</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">868+66</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">524</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">488</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">252</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">240</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">328</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">392</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster Axe (bridge style)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Axe Training 16, Health Boost 16, Rapid Regeneration 8, Reckless Attack 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And when it says bridge troll it means that it wields a miniature bridge like a club... A ton of health, high WIL and [Rapid Regneration] - does that mean the trip already ends here today?


    I step outside and launch an ice spell at it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 465 damage and a status effect to Bridge Troll.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yeah, my whole MP pool is barely enough for half of that then...


    To my surprise, the troll moves slowly. Very slowly. It tries for an intimidating power walk but I should be easily able to just move past it. So I do exactly that. Regular floors are not locked off, I can just rush through if the mobs let me. Only boss floors are mandatory kills.


    (Do you think that is a good idea, Jared? How do you intend to get past it on the way back?)


    (That''s what lightning spells are for, Elly. Just throw them until one lands the stun effect then run.)


    (Good you have that element then.)


    (Well, it wasn''t really my choice but I already got some use out of that element against Ruth and potentially here with mister internet. Dark and earth so far were kind of a letdown but that might still change.)


    Floor 9 has something new as well.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">War Ant 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1305/1305</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">87/87</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1073/1073</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">261</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">203</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">116</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">174</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">145</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">58</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">58</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Acid Spray 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lightning</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    A bit too big for regular ants, more like shepherd dog size. And there''s a big one in the back of the room.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Warrant Queen</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">War Ant Queen 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 9, Boss 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">51777/51777</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1276/1276</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3248/3248</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">261</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">203</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">319</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">290</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">261</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">290</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">203</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generate Offspring 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lightning</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Hey, you''re on the wrong floor, queen! Boss time is next floor! Do you even have a warrant for that! ...oh, right, you do, it is in your name, fuck.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Generate Offspring (War Ant)


    1 minute cooldown


    Create a wild War Ant of level equal to this skill''s level.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Despite the sheer amount of enemies my ice-cold strategy still works but the queen keeps on throwing out additional ant after ant, one every minute like a clockwork. But with the status effect in place, there''s a timer on the whole disaster.


    (Jared, I think that was a bad idea.)


    (What do you mean, Elly?)


    (The damage over time on the queen. You should''ve just let her spawn as many offsprings as she can and then cast rain like you do with the flood monsters outside. In contrast to that you even get loot here.)


    (Damn, you''re right. I didn''t even consider that I can use rain in here... That would''ve been as much ''flood exp'' as I want. Or at least until the queen inevitably gets tickled to death. Make a note to give me advance warning for the next similar room setup. We''re mostly here for exp right now after all.)


    After that realization, I avoid hitting the queen again to get as many spawns out of this as I can.


    It takes over a whole day but once the queen finally abdicates there''s still a total of over a thousand extra ants that need to be chilled. What am I not doing for this extra exp.


    With that I arrive at floor 10 - let''s see what the real boss is like.


    A... snail. You''re kidding me.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Omninegate S-Hell</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Terror Snail 10, Battle Mage 10, Anti-Mage 10, Anti-Warrior 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 10, Boss 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">64076/64076</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/3473</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/4418</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">590</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">440</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">760</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">560</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">500</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">610</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">330</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire Magic 10 (Rank 1), Weapon Magic 10


    Anti-Magic Shell 10, Stamina Drain Aura 10


    Deflective Shell 10, Mana Boost 10, Stamina Boost 10


    Unsafe Zone 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Light</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    It looks helpless but the skills are another topic altogether.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Anti-Magic Shell


    Passive


    Within 10 DU around the owner, all magic stops working.


    Forcefully breaks concentration and drains (30% skill level) MP per second.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That would make it my arch-nemesis already if it weren''t for Darius.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Stamina Drain Aura


    Passive


    Within 10 DU around the owner, all creatures lose (skill level) SP per second.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Lucky me that it also includes the snail itself.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Deflective Shell


    Passive


    Up to half of the taken damage goes to MP instead.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (If it wasn''t for [Appraise] I wouldn''t have noticed that that thing is a boss...)


    (Well, I guess that is where this trip ends. It makes the room immune to magic and drains all SP in a hurry.)


    (You think that''s it?)


    I shoot some magic at it but as the skill indicates it just dissipates quite a distance away from the boss without any effect.


    (Fine, I guess that the skill works as advertised... but that doesn''t mean I drop to 0 SP immediately when I enter the area.)


    It has no MP or SP itself so a melee attack with my staff should be safe. As I approach the snail it tries to pounce at me, fails due to lack of SP and then retreats into its shell for shame. Then I swing my staff at it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 36 damage to Omninegate S-Hell.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Ok, I admit that my staff swing deals pathetic damage...)


    (...)


    (Uh, Elly?)


    (...)


    (Shit, the anti-magic field blocks you, too?)


    I run away from the snail to leave the anti-magic field, (hey, Elly, you back now?)


    (Yeah, that was awful. Everything turned to static.)


    (Did you take any lasting damage from that?)


    (No, I''m fine now, I think. So what did I miss?)


    (I hit it with my staff for 36 damage then I noticed you didn''t respond.)


    (Huh, that''s not much but you''re no melee specialist. Tried your claws?)


    (No, then please endure it for a moment. I''ll give it a try.)


    I run back towards the boss, sharpen my fingernails into claws and hit it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 58 damage to Omninegate S-Hell.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    A bit better. I slash it five more times and then my SP is already depleted from the constant drain.


    (That was slightly better, 58 damage instead of 36.)


    (That is such a joke. The boss can''t even fight back, doesn''t regenerate and we''re still unable to progress.)


    (Technically I can wait until my SP is full again, run in, give it like 10 hits and then repeat for a couple of days. Preferably hit the troll with spells before that for the extra exp. How many days would that take?)


    (Given your speed I assume you need to endure about five seconds in the field to reach it, about a second per attack, so... seventeen hits of 58 damage per full SP pool, maybe 18 after the next level up... about 50 days, give or take.)


    (So seven to eight blood packs. A bit over a full percent of my reserves. Tough decision.)


    (Why don''t you then just return for the day, Jared?)


    (Quite simple, really. I must get stronger eventually, the sooner the better, and truth be told we don''t know what the exact time limit is before the demon artifact causes irrecoverable damage, if it hasn''t already. We don''t know where it is or what exactly it does. For all we know, the whole world could explode next week. So we can''t really afford to idle too much.)


    (Well, we can''t really go much out there with the ongoing flood.)


    (That''s true, Elly, but if I become significantly stronger I could at least shorten it a bit. Assuming it even has a limited amount of monsters that need to be killed and it isn''t just a survive for X months event.)


    (And how does that translate to our snail problem?)


    (If I push on now I''ll be a little bit stronger for the next dungeon visit and might just get that little bit further than if I just called it quits now.)


    Elly is silent for a moment, (...so you are saying it would be a self-reinforcing effect.)


    (At least potentially. If I leave with two or three levels extra this time I might next time be able to break through a monster that would just block me otherwise.)


    (Yeah, I can see the logic behind that. Then I''d say go for it.)


    (I think that is for the best as well.)


    So I spent the next nearly two months repeating the same thing, blast the troll with spells, slash the snail and then read some stuff until my SP is full again. The snail didn''t really move much from its initial position. When it moves it is literally at a snail''s pace and most of the time it just hides in its shell, as little as that does for it. So much for ''terror'', Mr. Snail.


    Eventually, my claws finish tearing the boss apart.


    (It is weird. I would have expected that I manage to read all ten books I have with me and then some while I deal with the snail but I barely finished two. Two in almost two months!! Am I really that slow a reader?)


    (Either that or time is just messed up in here. I mean, just look around you. There are no signs that time itself passes, just like it is frozen outside.)


    (How is that related to my reading speed?)


    (It is just a theory but I think while you are considered ''idle'' the time in the dungeon accelerates even more.)


    (That sounds extra stupid... would at least explain why I got barely any reading done. This whole world is a mess. Why again did I agree to this job?


    Ah, whatever, I can still make more progress now.)


    I''m still miles off from getting summoner so maybe when I get back I should look at how much slaves cost, some disposable pawns would be nice. ...what am I thinking, that is disgusting!


    I may be a monster but I''m not a monster... I know what I mean, me.


    Whatever, I just have to keep going.


    Several zombies and zombees call floor 11 their home and floor 12 is populated by more orcs.


    Floor 13 has those sea walkers from the beginning. Since they can''t move my area damage won''t help much, I just tag a few each with a cold status, slash a few with my claws and move on. If the next floors aren''t anything special I can continue here with my claws while the next room''s monsters freeze to death.


    Floors 14 through 16 are just more ghouls, earth golems, crawlers and ragelopes.


    And floor 17... is where I have to stop. Sea walkers again but this time most of the room is underwater. I try to shell them from above water with several different elemental spells but all of them already explode on contact with the surface. Stuff here makes as little sense as usual...


    On the way back I stun the troll as previously planned and pass by without any issue.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 5, Survivor 5, Blood Mage 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 2, Noble 1, Lord 1, Progenitor 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor


    Title Level 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1039</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1190/1190 [1488]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1472/1472 [1840]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">893/893 [1117]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">180+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">202+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">186+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">335+35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">262</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">263+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">210</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wooden Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 5 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 1 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 5 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 5 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 5 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 5 (Rank 1)


    Blood Burst 3


    Spear Training 5, Trap Lore 5, Unnatural Claws 1


    Charm Eye 1, Embrace 1, Familiar 1, Greater Vampiric Bite 1


    Disguise 2, Intimidation 2


    Ageless 1, Beast Killer 1, Enhanced Regeneration 1, Mana Regeneration 5, Sleepless 2, Stealth 1, Supernatural Toughness 1, Undead 2, Vampire Hierarchy 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I made some nice progress overall though I would have liked some bigger upgrades like some new equipment or even another Class Core. Also, I''m not sure if I should be happy or disappointed that there was no glitch monster. They seem even more dangerous than their regular counterparts but if their loot table is as glitchy as their other stats this should only be to my advantage. Well, I can''t change luck.


    With that, I leave the dungeon.


    Outside everyone is moving away from the dungeon exit towards the gathering place. I think I can now cancel the party.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your party has been disbanded.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Around the corner, commander Darius greets Chloe - then knocks her out? What the hell is he doing?


    Kay raises his weapon and speaks out, "commander? What are you doing, what is the meaning of this?"


    "Nothing that concerns you. Put down your weapons."


    "It is very much of my concern if you go mad and assault our captain."


    clang


    Darius knocks Kay''s weapon out of his hand.


    "I haven''t been thinking this clear in a long time, soldier. I know quite well what I''m doing."


    "..."


    "Forgive me, people of Jeth-whatever, for what I''m about to do will cause you undue harm."


    I''ve no idea what he is on about. He really has gone mad, has he?


    Darius takes out a strange crystal, "I bear this sin knowingly and willingly for it is my only choice."


    Then he points it at me, it starts glowing and everything goes white.


    Yes, Elly, I''ve fucked up.


    <hr>


    POV: reader


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Banishment Crystal (dissolving)


    0/3 charges remaining


    Banishes the target to the "closest" alternate dimension.


    Can''t be used on a target with a divine class.


    Current destination: Deteoh dungeon #5243</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>

 Ch. 33 – Unknown Depths

    Once the bright light finally fades I find myself in a strange place. It seems to be some kind of forest or jungle but the usual ''greens'' are orange.


    growl


    (That sounded like a wolf.)


    (That was a wolf! Get running!)


    I start moving just as Elly suggested, (uh, where to?)


    (Mostly forward and a bit to the left to the stairs! Now move, move, move!)


    Wait, there are stairs? Is this another dungeon?


    I was a bit distracted from that discovery but shaken out of it by a sudden sense of pain.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 1168 damage from Dire Wolf''s bite and resisted the bleed effect.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Shit, that almost killed me. If the bleed had triggered I would be 100% deader than I already am.


    I somehow manage to shake my pursuer off and make it to the stairs. I get the same sensation from it as I did from all the safe zones from previous dungeon visits.


    (Did I really end up in another dungeon, Elly?)


    (I don''t know about ''another'' but it certainly looks and feels like one. Uhm, you might want to look at the floor markers... we seem to be in deep shit if we want to get out of here.)


    (How deep are...), I see it. The arrow pointing to the floor I was just on reads 92, (we... wait, stop. Ninety-two?! We''re this far in?)


    (And the other direction is... unreadable. Whatever 9???3??? is supposed to be it should be either 91 or 93.)


    (I guess we can officially cross off ''dungeon'' on the glitch bingo card.)


    (Speaking of, if we are that far in how did that bite not instantly kill us?)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dire Wolf 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2436/2436</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">435/435</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1450/1450</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">551</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">319</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">29</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">203</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">174</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">29</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">87</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Deadly Fang 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ice</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Huh, level 9. So far it was always the same level as the floor, so it should''ve been much higher and there''s no way I can survive a level 92 monster.)


    (We should take every single victory we can get.)


    (Yeah.)


    While we were talking several more wolves are approaching the safe zone wall.


    (Their levels aren''t uniform like in our old dungeon, so I guess it is a different one? They range from level 3 to 27, Jared.)


    (How many are there? That looks like about a hundred.)


    (Pretty much. So... get blasting?)


    (Yup.)


    I throw as many ice status spells as my MP pool allows but it isn''t enough to inflict cold status to all of them.


    (Ok, Elly, time for another master plan. Should we head down or up? If it is like what was said about the previous dungeon it should allegedly end on floor 120 but no one said that there would be an exit there.)


    (I think we should head for floor 1, Jared. There''s no guarantee that it is only 120 floors. For all we know it could go down to two or three hundred floors. Maybe even a thousand.)


    (I honestly hope this isn''t ''our'' dungeon. If it is we would exit exactly where we were just a moment ago and run into Darius'' arms again. And from what I saw that was the last use of that item left. So next time... he''ll probably resort to proper violence. Damn, I screwed that up with him, didn''t I?)


    (Very much.)


    (I was actually hoping for some encouragement, Elly.)


    (Sorry, flat out sold out, J.)


    (Sure, hand me my trusty whip, El.)


    Now, which direction is the right one?


    (Shit, if the floor marker is glitched out I don''t even know which direction is towards floor 1...)


    (So since you always went ''down'' on the previous trips to get to the next floor I guess that we should take the stairs up this time.)


    (Oh, right, sorry. On the one trip where I had you in timeout it was up instead of down.)


    (Huh, so we''re right back to blind guessing.)


    (Correct, Elly.)


    (I''d say we take the 92 direction then. If the other marker is glitched out it is more likely that the entire floor is a giant glitch as well. At a minimum I''d want some more free space where we can retreat to before tackling that possibility.)


    (Sounds fine by me.)


    So I have to conquer 92 floors at least and just pray I don''t get hard blocked like with the hyper regenerative troll or slimes, or the unfavorable terrain of the sea walkers, or anything else the dungeon can throw at me. Something like the snail boss would cost me a ton of my limited blood packs but I would at least be able to get past it eventually. Speaking of, how many packs do I have left?


    (Elly, how long can I last with my 632 blood packs?)


    (I think about nine to ten years maybe? Possibly eleven if you''re taking the bare minimum to survive. Though I wouldn''t recommend that.)


    (Yeah, I''d probably always be on the verge of going frenzy and then cause a bloodbath the moment I hit civilization, right? I can pass on that.


    But at least nine years sounds good enough for now, at least the time limit for my escape isn''t that tight. I can work with that.)


    What I need most right now is more power. The safe zone barrier won''t get me through everything as the golem boss and glitch wolf have shown.


    (Elly, are there any classes or titles I can take right now that would give me a bigger chance to get through all of this?)


    (I don''t see any new ones. Besides the ''Demon Lord Candidate'' I don''t even see any old ones that would change anything major either and you said you weren''t willing to take it yet.)


    (...but do I have a choice now?)


    (What, are you really up to taking the risk now?)


    (I probably should. I''ve already lost any other option I could''ve had when I antagonized Darius. As long as the granted class behaves even remotely like regular classes I should at a minimum get some HP and defense stats. If the acquired skill is crap I can just not use it.)


    (Jared, how about putting your exp to a level in the title category and also taking ''Daywalker'' while you''re at it? I want to at least compare if the exp cost really increases when you go past five titles.)


    (Sure, why not. Were there any other titles we considered?)


    (''Enduring Soul'', ''Iron Heart'' and ''Regenerator'' but you don''t qualify for either of them yet.)


    I think about it for a moment but eventually I give up, (ok, fine, I''ll increase the title level to 2. So for now level 3 would cost 1250 exp.)


    (Good, now add ''Daywalker''.)


    (Done. Still 1250 exp cost to title level 3.)


    (And now the candidate.)


    An unlife-changing decision. But if I want to get through this I need every shred of extra power I can get. Damned if I do, damned if I don''t.


    (Done as well... and... nothing happened? Exp cost jumped to 1375 though.)


    (I, uh, expected something to happen at least.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Looking up suitable divine class options for new demon lord candidate.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Ah, there is your something.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Lookup failed.


    Trying a fallback option...</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (...urgh, who didn''t see that coming.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Retry failed as well.


    Putting retries on hold until getting reception again.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Elly, any idea what that was?)


    (Not really, and I just have a guess. Time is stopped outside, right? So it can''t get a response until we''re outside again.)


    (That would make too much sense and I''m not sure if that is a good or bad realization.)


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    (How so?)


    (It is bad because it denies me an extra class. It is good because we''re not losing time on the doomsday scenario while being stuck in here.


    So overall I just condemned myself to eventual demon lordship for potentially nothing.)


    This whole thing doesn''t really add up, (ok, but seriously, Elly, why can I take regular classes while inside here but not the special one? Wouldn''t it need in both cases to ''connect to the master system'' to verify requirements and availability or something?)


    (I''ve just as many answers to that as you, Jared. None. I can only guess that it is different because these divine classes are unique, meaning only one can have them at the same time.)


    (Ok, whatever. Guessing won''t get us out of here. Any other thing I can do at the moment to up my chances?)


    (Give me a moment. In the meantime could you have a look at all the loot we got earlier? Maybe something vaguely useful is in there.)


    I check my inventory, (just food, materials and some weapons, shields and clothes that I either can''t use or are worse than what I already have. The materials might be useful if I had some crafting skills but as it is I don''t.)


    (I got nothing here as well.)


    (Perfect. So, assuming the boss every ten floors rule still holds true I have to clear floors 93 to - let''s say 99 to be safe - anyway. There''s no chance I''ll face a boss head-on and win, not even a level 1 version, let alone what I should face here if the previous pattern kicks in again.)


    (Sounds about right, well, let''s get to it. A miracle won''t happen, we''re absolutely cut off in here.)


    After some more time the pack of wolves on floor 92 is no more and I don''t find any other threats hidden among the <del>greenery</del> orangery. Beyond it lies the safe zone towards floor 91 so the garbled floor marker is indeed 93.


    Floor 91 is patrolled by a quartet of elite orcs, nothing to worry about. And floor 90 looks like a boss floor as expected so I turn back to clear 93 and up. Though something is weird about the boss room, I saw no boss only a big tree? Oh god, please no stealth boss shit...


    Floor 93 looks like it was ripped out of a bad 90s hacker movie. Several patches of the ground look like how Hollywood displays hacker screens, green flickering shapes on black background and nonsensical ''code'' characters.


    In comparison the monsters are normal, relatively speaking. Several glowing balls of various elements. Each of the elements is present with about 5 to 8 representatives.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire Gleam 22</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 22</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 22</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2142/2142</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3234/3234</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2436/2436</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">294</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">252</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">42</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">588</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">336</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">294</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">252</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire Magic 22 (Rank 5), Flight 22</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    They are the first monster type so far to keep their distance and just shoot their magic at me. Luckily they give advance warning because they have to gather mana before casting a spell just like me. At least this firing range is good target practice for the... next Ruth that comes my way...


    I wanna say I''ve learned my lesson with glitches by now so I make extra sure not to step on the hacker squares on the way to floor 94.


    Floors 94 through 99 are just more high-level brute types similar to what I had usually before: various forms of wolves, zombies, ghouls ''n'' ghasts, bears, elemental golems and... literal trees, them being ''normal'' colored instead of the off-putting orange-blue mix gave them away. The latter enemy type moved as much as their name does not imply, which is to say they unrooted themselves and then even outsped the wolves.


    And of course they exploded on death.


    Luckily none of that got through the safe zone wall, I do not have a rolling HP meter...


    One highlight was a glitched zombie on floor 97 that immediately dropped dead once I saw it because it had 0 max HP. I like easy victories like that.


    With all floors between the two boss rooms cleared it is time to tackle the floor 90 boss.


    I look into the boss room but still don''t see any boss. Wait, it is the big tree, isn''t it?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Professor</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Volatile Tree ??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster ??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster ??, Puzzle Boss ??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">?? ??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Logic</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yes, that is the boss... and I can''t see anything that helps me. Maybe it is like the story said about that Gyev guy, you can''t see stats with [Appraise] when the target massively out levels you.


    Considering I could see the stats of Darius and some other level 30 monsters so far that can only bode well...


    After making sure that my HP, MP and SP are full I take a shot at it but it just dissipates once the shot crosses the open boss door. I have a bad feeling about this...


    I wait the short time it takes to get my MP back then enter the boss room proper. And of course the door closes behind me, crap.


    "Welcome to the wonderful world of quizzes!", addresses me the... tree,  "I assume you are here to take my challenge?"


    "What if I said no?"


    "The rules are as follows:"


    "I said no, I just wanna leave!"


    "I''ll ask you several questions and you have to answer one hundred correctly. You have one hour."


    (Great, it just ignores me.)


    "Any questions before we start?"


    "Yes, several in fact."


    "Great, then let''s begin the quiz!"


    "Wait, I said wait, goddamnit!!"


    Several symbols appear in the air in front of the tree, "What is five plus three?", the symbols form into the asked equation.


    "Uh, eight."


    "Correct. Six times nine?"


    "<del>Forty-two</del> Fifty-four."


    "Infinite sum over 1/x?"


    "Your mom."


    "Not a valid number."


    This goes on a bit more. It also includes questions about stuff like imaginary numbers, vectors, matrices - not that I could answer any of them even if my life depended on it - which it DOES - and some other things I''ve never even heard of. Pseudoperfects? Literal weird numbers? Gnah!!


    Seriously, who can beat this shit legit?


    At the end of the hour I have... 13 correct answers. Great, now what?


    "No, that''s not good enough. Want to try again?"


    "Urgh, what if I said no?"


    "Good, here''s the next round of questions."


    At least it didn''t kill me? Not that a math marathon is any better, "F.M.L."


    This repeats for three more hours... (I give up. Even with you as a back seating cheat calculator I can''t keep up. We have what? 30 seconds on average per answer? Minus a bit for it presenting the problem... And some vector crap and beyond? Screw this shit...)


    (Wrong answers don''t count against us and I noticed that all answers so far were whole numbers... so maybe just spam answer ''0'' or ''1'' on anything that looks like it''d take more than 2 seconds so we can cycle through the hard stuff and maybe get a point or two by accident on the way back to the doable equations?)


    (That sounds better than any other plan I could come up with for this shit...)


    Round one with the new strategy yields 84 correct answers. I feel like if we repeat this a few more times we''ll get lucky enough.


    Round two... 71 points. Round three - victory!


    "Congratulations!"


    boom


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 1 damage from Professor''s Fatal Farewell.


    Obtained book: Beginner''s Guide to Dungeons</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (What an asshole...)


    (Finally that nightmare is over... can we please go and blow something up, Jared? I need to relieve some pent-up anger!)


    (Likewise.)


    The wannabe werewolves on floor 89 don''t know what hit them. Or at least can''t do anything about it. Despite their massive furs they''ll freeze to death in a bit. Serves you right for following that damn nerd tree!


    (Ok, that feels better... say what is that book about?)


    (...it is a massive 7000 page door stopper. Even the thickest dictionary in the library was still shy of 300 pages.)


    (I guess since it is very topical right now that puts the Gzeph stuff further on the back burner.)


    (Depends - how far are you with the restoration of the title file? I think there might be a useful title or two in there. I just need to know what kind of crazy-ass achievement I need to perform.)


    (Well, about that...)


    (Elly, do you have something to confess?)


    (I do indeed. My restoration process is stopped. For a reason I don''t know, my usual tricks just stop working while in a dungeon. I''m sorry for keeping silent about this.)


    (I should''ve expected something like that. Anything noteworthy from the stuff you''ve restored so far?)


    (Not too much, really. I got a minor one that might work decently with intimidation.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Merciless


    When attacking a target suffering from fear increase attack power by skill level x 1%.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Really minor. But might just get us over the edge after intimidating a defensive or regenerative wall. What would I need to get that?)


    (That part is still under construction.)


    (Alright. Sorry for asking, I admit that would''ve been too easy. Got anything else?)


    (Just some that are utterly useless for us.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Bad Medicine


    Your healing skills can treat living targets as undead.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (So if I could cast cure magic I could choose to use it to harm even living targets. Yeah, I''ve already proper damage spells. What else?)


    (Only one more.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Master Crafter


    Increase skill levels for primary production job skills by (1 + skill level / 10).</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Yep, that''s not for me. Well, back to work.)


    At least I''m somewhat on track to getting the level 5 Blood Mage skill. Whatever it is.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 5, Survivor 5, Blood Mage 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 2, Noble 1, Lord 1, Progenitor 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker


    Demon Lord Candidate


    Title Level 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">447</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1221/1221 [1527]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1499/1499 [1874]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">931/931 [1164]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">182+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">205+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">189+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">343+35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">270</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">268+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">217</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wooden Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 5 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 1 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 5 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 5 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 5 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 5 (Rank 1)


    Blood Burst 4


    Spear Training 5, Trap Lore 5, Unnatural Claws 1


    Charm Eye 1, Embrace 1, Familiar 1, Greater Vampiric Bite 1


    Disguise 2, Intimidation 2


    Ageless 1, Beast Killer 1, Enhanced Regeneration 1, Mana Regeneration 5, Sleepless 2, Stealth 1, Supernatural Toughness 1, Undead 2, Vampire Hierarchy 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>

 Ch. 34 – Door to before

    Floors 88 through 84 pose no real obstacle, just a speed bump with their hordes of meatheads. Technically there were several monster types that could kill me near-instantly with their attacks but all of them were stopped cold in their tracks due to safe zone abuse. Not my fault if dungeons are designed with such easily exploitable mechanics.


    I wonder why I''ve never heard of any isekai stories with heroes that abuse similar safety areas... commit war crimes left and right but face monsters in an ''honorable'' way. Bah, damn hypocrites!


    Meanwhile I''ve been digging through the brick of a book. According to the never-ending list of contents this world has over 8000 dungeons. I hope I don''t have to fully clear all of them at some point to gather mac guffins needed to unseal a divine alarm clock because a regular one won''t do...


    The short introductory text tells me that out of that enormous amount of dungeons only about thirty count as major dungeons, the rest are only minor dungeons. But the exact scientific difference between the two groups is supposedly only elaborated on further back in the book.


    The first 6800 pages are reserved for listing rough overviews over all known dungeons but since we don''t know in which we are exactly I just skim through them. But it seems like each dungeon has some kind of theme to it. There are dungeons emphasizing traps or terrain effects, some are more puzzle-oriented. Others kick you out after a set time limit with maybe a gimmick to extend the duration of the stay. There are supposedly dungeons that try to emulate an honorable 1v1 tournament. And some are just needlessly deep with a near-endless supply of monsters.


    This dungeon obviously belongs to the latter group.


    Well, there might be more different types of dungeons, I stopped reading too close into it.


    I''d like to just skip ahead to the in details explanations of minor or major dungeons - god knows what idiot decided to put the most important parts at the end! - but... well, this book just refuses to let me turn more than one page at a time or go faster than a page per minute... or rather what feels like a minute.


    The weird time distortion while ''idling'' still seems to take place. At least I''ve no better explanation; it feels like a mere minute goes by but according to the system clock about an hour passes. And while the monsters are still alive and making noises time still proceeds roughly as expected, not that I can do much reading with all of those distractions.


    (That''s going nowhere, Elly. This book is cursed. I can only progress like thirty to forty pages a day. And so far there''s nothing of value in them.)


    (Maybe just keep flipping the pages and do something else at the same time?)


    (It would still take about half a year to get where I want to be in it.)


    (That can''t be changed.)


    (Yeah...)


    I continue towards floor 83 - or rather try to.


    whoosh


    Before I can leave the safe zone suddenly an angel-like warrior stands before me and winds up to strike me with his(?) sword. I quickly step back and the strike barely misses. I run back a bit more and am back outside the previous safe zone, now on floor 84.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Magician 5, Fighter 5, Void Sorcerer 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Angel 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 5, Elite 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2250/2250</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">13/2513</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1985/1985</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">255+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">285</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">200+50</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">380</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">325</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">310+50</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">275</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster Sword, Monster Shield</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sword Training 5, Shield Training 5


    Fire Magic 5 (Rank 1), Light Magic 5 (Rank 1), Space Magic 5 (Rank 1)


    Fake Out Spell 5, Mana Boost 5, Wings 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I guess teleportation comes from space magic?)


    nothingpersonal.mp3


    Argh! I feel a sword slashing through my back.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 171 damage from Angel''s attack.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    There was a second angel and it warped behind me.


    You want a fight? You can get it!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your claw has inflicted 138 damage to Angel.


    Your claw has inflicted 138 damage to Angel.


    Your claw has inflicted 434 critical damage to Angel.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    A double claw swing ending with a stab to the heart. I guess that confirms the heart counts as a proper weak spot.


    He tries to strike back at me but the wind ups are too wide and predictable so even I can see it coming and just get out of the way then counter with my own claws.


    After that I try to gain some distance but my adversary is faster so I''m stuck in melee range.


    With that concentrating on casting a spell is out, too. I may be able to move slowly while doing so, but if I move too fast the prepared spell dissipates before I''m done with it.


    The angel prepares to take another big swing and while doing so draws back his shield leaving it wide open again. so I strike to where its heart should. Critical hit! Repeat with my other hand. Another critical hit! Just 672 HP to go.


    But then my opponent strikes forward and hits me before I can fully withdraw my claws from the chest holes. I was too greedy there.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 171 damage from Angel''s attack.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The angel winds up for yet another strike not having learned from his mistake before. Another double critical and down he goes.


    I''ve no clue why the first angel didn''t make a move the entire time. Two against one I would''ve most likely lost.


    Well, if he lets me I''ll take the opportunity to wait until my HP regenerates back to full. I don''t want to risk finding out how well the safe zone barrier holds up from the wrong direction while being half dead.


    (At a minimum I learned that teleportation magic exists and monsters with it can also go through safe zones by using that spell...)


    (Maybe, but good job on fighting him off in melee anyways.)


    (That was an experience I could''ve done without, thank you very much. Also, how did they spot me before I attacked them? I thought I have [Stealth]?)


    (I guess it is too bright in here for that to work.)


    (And yet another useless skill...)


    After my HP is full again I try to shoot an ice spell at the squatter hoping he is stuck behind the safe zone wall like usual.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Bullet'' has inflicted 512 damage to Angel. Failed to inflict status effect.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    But before I can prepare the second spell the angel rushes forward and goes right through the barrier. Seems like the protection only goes one way.


    This angel forgoes the wide telegraphed slashes of his buddy in favor of forward stabs. So I try to stick to his side like with a bad souls boss and after a little tango, I manage to slip behind the safe zone barrier where this foe can''t reach me anymore. Those walls are clearly one way only for regular monsters.


    Should I feel bad about abusing that? Don''t care, I''ve too much to lose to care about a concept like honor or fairness.


    Three bullets and one [Blood Burst] later the second angel goes down. The 10 blood bullets produced by the latter just hover in the air waiting for a target but then fall apart after a moment when I still don''t give them one.


    (There were only those two on the whole floor? The whole floor-to-floor balance seems very off. One floor has almost a hundred level twenty to thirty brutes - that I would have no chance in hell to beat even 1v1 without the safe zone abuse - while the next floor only has a handful of ''elites'' that don''t even live up to that status. They were far too weak.)


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    (Look who is talking. They basically had your exact level and the perfect elemental magic to exploit your weakness.)


    (And then they blew their whole load just on getting to me. Your point?)


    (That is my point exactly! They had a skillset tailored to giving you a hard time.)


    (I find it highly unlikely that they were designed with exactly me in mind. How would that even have worked with a proper party? Two ''evil twins'' for every single party member?)


    (Possibly?)


    (Ah, no. Until proven otherwise I''ll just stick to my belief that was just pure chance, Elly.)


    After the non-events of floors 81 and 82, I finally reach floor 80 - the next boss fight. I''m not really looking forward to this, I don''t have the faintest clue anymore what to expect from these encounters. The golem didn''t care much about safe zones until a completely arbitrary point, the tree trapped me in the boss room and the snail didn''t care where I was, it wasted a ton of resources just by existing... I still have over 600 blood packs, yes, but I''ve no way to replenish them and this is probably not the last extended dungeon crawl if I want life for much longer...


    Though this time the door to the actual boss room is closed? Huh?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">DC 70 with disadvantage</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Door 70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 70, Boss 70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">no</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">no</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">yes</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">no</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none in you</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">yes</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">maybe</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Being a door</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Or the door simply is the boss. That works too. The stats... are just plain wrong. The hell?)


    (I don''t see any dangerous skills on it though.)


    (How would it even attack? Fall on me?)


    (Only one way to find out, Jared.)


    I try to attack it with my best spell...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You failed to inflict any damage to DC 70 with disadvantage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Great start...


    Out of curiosity, I get closer and nothing happens. It doesn''t move. Because it is a fricking door!


    Cautiously I touch the door handle and try to open the door and walk through it, still nothing happens.


    Out of reflex, I close the door behind me... and with that it dies? What?


    (I guess for some people closing a door normally would count as a near-impossible challenge. I mean, have you seen any protagonist ever close a door?


    Busting in? All the time. But closing one is a rarity.


    This is the PERFECT obstacle for your average protag.)


    (So, uh, what is this a metaphor for then, Jared?)


    (I dunno, it is just a door. And as a wise man once said, ''sometimes a cigar is just a cigar''. Why, what would it be a metaphor for?)


    (I dunno, maybe that you closed the door on your past, finally left it all behind and are ready to move on with your new life?)


    (Nah, you''re overthinking this. It is, was, just a door. Nothing else to it.)


    (If you say so.)


    After the anticlimactic ''boss fight'' floors 79 through 76 also pose no problem. Rainbow bears, bear rats, beer rats, rat bears, oxygen elementals - none are a match for the might of the safe zone barrier.


    Though it is taking a suspiciously long time for another glitch monster to appear... the no HP ghoul seemingly didn''t count, I didn''t get exp or drops from it.


    But despite all that work I''ve not even gained one more level, I''m only up to 1902/2025. I miss abusing the flood monsters with rain magic on a daily basis. In the same ''time'' I would''ve gained nearly triple the exp.


    (Uh, Jared? What did you do?)


    (What? I have done nothing, Elly, I''m just walking towards the next floor.)


    (Then why did you suddenly gain over 200 exp and a shitload of loot?)


    (What?)


    stomp stomp


    screams


    (Ok, what the hell is going on now?)


    (I have a bad feeling about this. Let''s run back quickly and carefully check out what is going on.)


    (Yeah, I agree.)


    more stomping noises and screams


    I try to run away back towards floor 80 but whatever is causing this turmoil catches up to me by floor 78.


    There''s a boss approaching me. A woman about a head taller than me wielding an oversized axe. The first time I appraise the womanly figure her name looks like a glitchy mess then it changes.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Betrayed Lonely Crybaby</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hunter 5, Fighter 5, Hexer 5, Sorcerer 5, Scout 5


    Archer 5, Armored Mage 5, Knight 5, Warlock 5, Magician 5


    Farmer 5, Cook 5, Miner 5, Cobbler 5, Weaver 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Highlander 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 5, Boss 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">40019/40019</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">10/2410</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">482/5012</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">675+50</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">729</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">565</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">425</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">435</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">515</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">460</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster Axe</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Bow Training 5, Spear Training 5, Sword Training 10


    Armor Training 10, Shield Training 5


    Curse Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 5 (Rank 1), Fire Magic 10 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 10 (Rank 1)


    Fake Out Spell 5


    Ailment Boost 5, Danger Sense 5, Dexterity Boost 5, Hard Worker 5, Stamina Boost 5, Stealth 5, Tracking 5


    Unsafe Zone 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Whoa, slow down there, Lady! Fifteen classes is cheating! I supposedly can only get ten!!


    She lets out another banshee-like scream "4?????6???6????9?????6???e????6????1?????6????c????6?????c????7????9???2?????0???? ????6????6???6????f????7????5?????6????e????6?????4????2?????0????? ????7???9????6????f????7????5????2???1????"


    (Uh, I guess your girlfriend over there is pissed. Forgot an anniversary?)


    (She''s probably found out about Lucia or Chloe, possibly both?)


    (Possibly. Got any chocolate to apologize?)


    (I seem to be just right out of the stuff, Elly. Do you think a romantic lightning bolt to the face will suffice instead?)


    (Charming...)


    (I take that as a yes.)


    I might barely survive two hits from her, she has enough SP for seventeen attacks left and no way to recover more. I might just be able to stall that out. No idea where she wasted all her MP and SP but I''m not complaining about getting a chance.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your "Thunder Shot" has inflicted 449 damage and a status effect to Betrayed Lonely Crybaby.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Now I wish I had a status or skill that let me drain her SP without exposing me to danger. Well, that''s food for thought for later.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your "Thunder Shot" has inflicted 449 damage and a status effect to BLC.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And a third!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your "Thunder Shot" has inflicted 449 damage to BLC. Failed to inflict a status effect.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Crap! I''ve barely enough time for another spell before she is in my personal space.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your "Thunder Shot" has inflicted 449 damage to BLC. Failed to inflict a status effect.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Not my lucky day...


    The boss lady now stands before me and swings her axe at me. I barely manage to dodge to the side.


    There''s no point in trying to sneak in attacks of my own for now, I just need to endure her remaining sixteen attacks and then I''m free to do whatever I want. Maybe ask her out for dinner.


    Next she tries for a low sweeping attack. I try to jump over it. I can feel the axe flying by my feet, seems like she missed by a hair''s breadth again.


    I take the moment to take out a shield from the loot out of my inventory. I may not have the proper skill to equip it but screw skills, I should at least be able to use it to stop an attack.


    BLC takes another overhead swing which I can sidestep but instead of retreating the axe she continues from there to swing at me again. I try to stop the sudden attack with my shield; I take no damage but the shield is instantly knocked out of my hands and destroyed. Thirteen attacks and four shields left.


    I take out another shield.


    This time she performs a direct forward stab, the shield instantly breaks.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 405 damage from BLC''s attack.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Guess an untrained shield block only has a chance to work and the shield is destroyed either way.


    I''ve managed to get a few steps distance between us, at least enough that I''m not directly in range of her axe unless she lunges forward first, but too little to cast another spell. And I can''t go further, my back is literally to the wall already.


    The boss jumps at me while swinging her axe overhead again. I dive forward and end up behind her when her axe rebounds on the wall.


    I quickly turn towards her and bite into her neck. She may be a monster but she still has a human shape so this should work. It better does.


    This girl has proven much more flexible with her attack strategy than the angels have so I''m not confident I can keep up stalling her for another eleven attacks.


    She tries to shake me off but my fangs are firmly planted in her flesh, neither does she manage to reach me with her axe.


    After a moment of drinking her blood, she finally breathes her last breath.


    "5????9?????6???f????7?????5????2????0????? ???6????4????6????1???6?????d????6????e????2???0???? ????7????4?????7?????2????6???1?????6????9?????7?????4????6???f?????7???2?????2???1????? ????"


    These sounds still give me the creeps.


    (If you don''t mind me asking what did it taste like, Jared?)


    (...disgustingly familiar.)


    (So more sand? Shame. And you worked so hard for that sip.)


    Not even close but let''s leave it at that...


    After that stressful encounter, I need to sit down and catch my breath.


    (Hey, Elly. Before I came here Jeff implied that the souls of the dead can''t leave this world so they die off for real. I''m afraid that was just wishful thinking on his part.)


    (Huh?)


    (Nevermind.)

 Ch. 35 – Deja Vu

    (Feeling better now, Jared?)


    (A bit, Elly. That fight was exhausting. At least mentally. Physically I don''t get exhausted anymore.)


    (Say, I didn''t see a system manage when you killed that boss, neither did your exp increase nor did you get any loot.)


    (I got none either and I honestly don''t care. I would be dead if I didn''t kill her that way. And getting out of here alive obviously has priority over maximizing every little exp gain.)


    (Okay, I''m fine with that as well. So when you''re up to it you may want to finally take the fifth Blood Mage level.)


    (Yeah, right, there was that. Almost forgot over that stressful encounter.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 5, Survivor 5, Blood Mage 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 2, Noble 1, Lord 1, Progenitor 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker


    Demon Lord Candidate


    Title Level 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">107</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">894/1252 [1566]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1172/1526 [1908]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">893/968 [1211]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">184+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">208+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">192+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">351+35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">278</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">273+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">224</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wooden Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 5 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 1 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 5 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 5 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 5 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 5 (Rank 1)


    Blood Burst 5, S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W???a???v???e??? 5


    Spear Training 5, Trap Lore 5, Unnatural Claws 1


    Charm Eye 1, Embrace 1, Familiar 1, Greater Vampiric Bite 1


    Disguise 2, Intimidation 2


    Ageless 1, Beast Killer 1, Enhanced Regeneration 1, Mana Regeneration 5, Sleepless 2, Stealth 1, Supernatural Toughness 1, Undead 2, Vampire Hierarchy 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Oh god, I see a glitched name. Please no... Well, let''s see what that new skill is...)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W???a???v???e???


    1500 SP


    In a 30 ft [9m] diameter area target all non-allied creatures that carry blood in them.


    Inflict 20% MAG non-elemental magic damage and stun at a rate of 15.


    Triple damage and stun rate if the target is bleeding.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (What should I think of this, Elly? The damage is low and it is super expensive. Couldn''t even use it as I am right now.)


    (At least the area is three times as big as for your regular area spells and it doesn''t hurt allies?)


    (All zero of them are safe, yay. I don''t think I even have a way to inflict bleed currently.)


    (Maybe the final skill ties all of those skills together, Jared?)


    (Maybe, maybe not. You said that elite classes like Blood Mage expect that I already have a fitting base class so it is possible that the key skill to get the most out of this class is simply on a class I don''t have but should''ve. The strange class core just let me bypass that requirement to my potential detriment.)


    (We could look for it if you want.)


    (Eh, I''ll wait what the level 15 skill is. If that seems worth looking for the missing base class I''ll consider it otherwise I''ll just take it like another two dead skills. Well, the stun chance even if low isn''t a total waste. At least it doesn''t waste the more important MP.)


    (Say, Elly, that last boss had a lot of classes at level 5 - did you see any that might be worth aiming for? That might be more important than looking for a way to maximize the damage of a skill I can''t even use with my current SP pool.)


    (Actually yes. One of the classes had the [Ailment Boost] you were looking for. Give me a second... there it is.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Hexer</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    26 HP, 44 MP, 35 SP, 3 STR, 3 DEX, 4 VIT, 7 MAG, 7 FTH, 6 WIL, 7 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Curse Magic Rank 1


    65 MP


    This spell can not be evaded.


    Inflict a chosen status effect at a rate of 50.


    The possible effects are: curse, fear, panic, charm and any status effect derived from an element for which you have the elemental affinity (e.g. fire -> burn).


    For the sake of determining status damage treat it as a 200% dark elemental spell.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Ailment Boost <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    Increase the status infliction rate of your skills and spells by (2 + skill level/15).


    Lowers the effective rate threshold where status infliction automatically fails from 10% to 5%.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I guess I can''t take this right now, Elly?)


    (Correct. Should I note it down for later?)


    (Not sure. I wanted to prioritize [Ailment Boost] because I was under the assumption that I''d still be fighting the flood as the main immediate problem. In here a 2 to 3 percent higher chance to land a status effect probably doesn''t amount to much. I think having some minions in the form of summons would help much more in keeping me alive.)


    (True, I think the same.)


    (And the [Curse Magic] seems less useful than what I already have; regular magic already lets me inflict a status as a secondary effect. So what''s the point exactly? I can use 130 MP to inflict a status at a rate of 80 as a side effect currently.)


    (I think the main difference is that you still have to hit with your current spell. This would be a guaranteed hit.)


    (Yeah, not too big of a gain. You know what, note it down for later. A summoner variant has still priority but if I get out of here before gaining that class we can talk again about it.)


    (Sure, makes sense. Also, I''m curious, Jared. Where''d you learn to fight like that? I mean when you fought the angel or the boss in melee. It didn''t look too amateurish to me.)


    (Not sure. I wanna say I did some kendo when I was younger I have some faint memories of that. But that would at best translate to some skill with a sword, maybe barely to staff or sword but certainly not with claws. And then there''s the weirdness with the truth gem which makes me doubt my own memories...)


    (Sorry for bringing this up then.)


    (I don''t mind. We''ve already established that I won''t regain those memories and they''ve likely messed with my mind in some fashion when reincarnating me, otherwise I wouldn''t be able to drink blood like this. But really? I think those fighting instincts come automatically when you have the relevant skill. They are called ''training'' after all. Gain the skill and get the experience of several years'' worth of training for free, why not? And it is not like we''ve already seen that at least monsters have a skill that openly admits that it messes with their mind, so why shouldn''t any passive skill that grants ''training'' do the same?)


    (Yeah that makes some sense.)


    My HP, MP and SP are full again so I get up and set out again to make progress on the next floors.


    Down to floor 70 all monsters have already been defeated by the boss. I''ve still no clue what was up with that. No other time did monsters attack each other, not even when I helped with charm... I guess we can now officially forget the idea that there are ANY rules for bosses to follow except for being tough to deal with.


    The next area changes from the jungle-ish area to an open plane area.


    On the nice numbered floor I see a grandpa gathering, crooked backs, canes and all. Though the yellow skin color doesn''t look healthy.


    Well, I was wondering where the glitch monsters are hiding, here they are.


    There are about thirty old men in total. The strongest seems to be...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Thief 90</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Enlightened (Human) 90</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">M???o???n???s???t???e???r??? 90, Elite 90</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">9780/9780</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">830/830</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5752/5752</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1080</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1520</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1100</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">860</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">640</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">990</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1060</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Haggle 90, Low Profile 90, Steal 90


    Luck Boost 90, Stamina Boost 90</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I doubt I can break through their defense with area spells, at least they are walking as slowly as old men want to do. So how much does my single target spell do?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Bullet'' has inflicted 338 damage and a status effect to O???l???d??? ???M???a???n???.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    They will take ages to wear down... and just like the previous monster with a glitch class or race, they don''t care about the safe zone barrier.


    I kite them through the floors and keep my distance. Overall only a third of my spells manage to trigger the damage over time effect. Their high stats or level do a lot of work on protecting them from that.


    A few times I get the opportunity to cycle around one of the gramps, they turn as slow as they walk but my claws also do little damage.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your claw inflicts 53 damage to O???l???d??? ???M???a???n???.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "4???f???7???7???2???c???2???0??? ???6???d???7???9???2???0??? ???6???2???6???1???6???3???6???b???2???1??? ???"


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    And no matter what I do I don''t manage to inflict a critical hit. Don''t they have any weak spots? Gramps, if you''re that heartless you''re in the wrong series! This isn''t KH!


    Once I try to end one with a bite but my fangs fail to pierce their skin.


    Soon I give up the hit and run approach and just let the status deal with the whole work. Between the pure number of opponents and low infliction rate, I need a total of about one hundred spell casts. Thanks to their slow walking speed I can run a bit ahead and sneak in some reading in between herding the flock through the floors.


    The whole ordeal takes five days and leaves me at 1392/2578 exp if I want to level a regular class to 6 next.


    Most of the old men left me regular items; barely any of the common food items or materials but more of the rarer stuff like sugar, too bad I can''t taste it.


    Two of them... left behind glitch items, both land in the same inventory slot, so they seem to be the same. Their nameplate reads I???t???e???m???:???N???u???l???l???P???o???i???n???t???e???r???E???r???r???o???r???, is that the same stuff that gave me the ''Class Core EX''?


    I move my regular class core into the sixth inventory slot and... yep, they behave the same as before.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Class Core EX


    Can be used to add a race-specific elite class.


    The exact class is determined by the primary class. (current: <none>)


    Also increases the level of the lowest base race by 1, to a maximum of level 10.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Don''t do it, Jared! Think before you do anything funny with those things!)


    (Huh? Uh, right, sorry, Elly. I was just curious if it offered a different class this time.)


    (Just ignore it, please. You almost died from the feedback last time and the class you got out of it wasn''t worth it so far.)


    (Yeah, true. And we don''t have any new items to put into slot 6 to see what we get instead.)


    Overall this section seems to be the ''glitch floors''. 68 through 64 are generally like the standard floors I''ve gotten used to but contain one or two glitch monsters as well. Also, huge chunks of the floor are ''hacker panels'' again. Most of the glitch monsters died by running into those and then exploding. I''m SO not touching those squares!


    Floor 63 though has a few hundred glitched fire elementals. This can only end in disaster!


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><none></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">unable to act</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">F???i???r???e??? ???E???l???e???m???e???n???t???a???l??? 32</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 32</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 32</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">8112/8112</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1768/1768</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4576/4576</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">416</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3536</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">208</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">416</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">624</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">312</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">156</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Absorb Fire 32, Fire Magic 32 (Rank 3), Water Dweller 32</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Or laughter... uh, thanks for the free victory?


    I carefully step forward but none of the green fire monsters makes any movement besides having spasms from... being a flame out of water. This is a bizarre sight alright.


    With that slaughter out of the way, I''ve already gathered a total of 26 of those glitch items.


    (Elly, any reason why I shouldn''t use one of the glitch cores in the inventory? By the description, it shouldn''t give me a class but at least level up vampire and silver elf.)


    (No idea, I have a bad feeling about those items. But the description agrees with your assessment. Hmm... if you really want to try it only use one and then check thoroughly what has changed.)


    (Yeah, I''ll do that.)


    This time I don''t take the core out but use it directly in the inventory. The item is gone, no pain. I check my status. HP, MP and SP are still full, Silver Elf has risen to level 2, nothing else has happened?


    (I neither feel anything out of the ordinary nor do I see anything off in my status. You?)


    (Everything seems fine from my end as well.)


    If one is fine, more should be okay as well. Thanks for the free levels.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 6, Survivor 5, Blood Mage 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 1, Lord 1, Progenitor 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker


    Demon Lord Candidate


    Title Level 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">458</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1440/1440 [1801]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1739/1739 [2174]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1087/1087 [1359]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">207+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">234+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">209+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">402+35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">319</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">302+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">254</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wooden Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 6 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 6 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 6 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 6 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 6 (Rank 1)


    Blood Burst 6, S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W???a???v???e??? 6


    Spear Training 5, Trap Lore 5, Unnatural Claws 1


    Charm Eye 1, Embrace 1, Familiar 1, Greater Vampiric Bite 1


    Disguise 10, Intimidation 2


    Ageless 1, Beast Killer 1, Enhanced Regeneration 1, Mana Regeneration 6, Sleepless 10, Stealth 10, Supernatural Toughness 1, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And another?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Cannot use ''Class Core EX''. Limit reached.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Too bad. I''d have liked some more levels. Silver Elf and Vampire don''t give too much but every little bit helps. At least I don''t have to waste exp on them to get here.)


    (Though that still doesn''t enable you to take any of the targeted classes.)


    (Maybe not but I''m at least a big step closer. That was over fifty thousand exp I don''t have to earn first.)


    (I watched the exp requirements and the sum is closer to fifty-four thousand.)


    (Even better then. Too bad I can''t transfer that exp to a more useful class...)


    (Speaking of exp, Elly, these last few floors were a lot more densely populated than the floors before. Did we run into a difficulty spike?)


    (If so we should be happy that it is still in an exploitable fashion, Jared. The dungeon could just throw a dozen bosses at us at the same time. Low level if they are on a level budget of sorts. The ant queen showed us that boss encounters are not limited to every tenth floor.)


    (Yeah, true. So just random bullshit?)


    (At this point... no idea. The previous dungeon seemed organized enough that we had a rough idea of what each floor would be like difficulty-wise. Here? Anything seems to go.)


    This makes me think it isn''t unrelated to how we got here.


    (Elly, do you think it has to do with our unscheduled intrusion?)


    (What do you mean?)


    (Supposedly you can enter only one dungeon per week. And of course, you go through the front entrance, starting on floor 1. We broke both of those... ''rules''. We were forced on a second trip in the same week and started basically in the middle of the dungeon.)


    (I''m not sure I follow what you''re getting at, Jared.)


    (My suspicion is that this basically caused two overlapping ''dungeon instances'' because the previous one wasn''t cleared up yet. Like memory in a computer until it is rebooted.)


    (So they put a dungeon instance in a spot of ''memory'' that wasn''t yet reset and the dungeon generating mechanics interact in a funny way with the garbage values?)


    (That is what I think, Elly.)


    (Hmm... but if that was the case I find it unlikely that no one else had that experience with getting banished like us before.)


    (So what? I was LUCKY that I can regenerate HP and MP without sleeping, most others can''t. And then they also have to deal with limited food. I only have a chance now because Eva gave me all those blood supplies. A regular person wouldn''t just randomly have a year''s supply of food on them. Random ingredient drops can only get you so far, all of that would be raw stuff, possibly poisonous until properly prepared. And of course, the attacker would just think they are in a proper different world as they intended so how would they find the difference?)


    (We''ve been very lucky so far, huh?)


    (Way too much so. And eventually it will run out. I need to get my shit together and stop being saved by dumb luck over and over.)


    (Don''t worry we''ll get that sorted out, Jared.)


    Floor 62 contains a regular mixture of wolves again. Seems like we''re through with glitch monsters for now.


    Floor 61... is empty?


    I look around but no one is home, [Appraise] picks up nothing as well. Sure, why not.


    On floor 60 I''m greeted by the usual boss doors. Behind them I see two armored figures, one with a big sword, the other with a spear but otherwise identical.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Tin Tyrant (sword)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Knight 47, Hunter 47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Automaton 47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 47, Boss 47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">103925/103925</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2655/2655</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">7724/7724</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">912+97</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">845</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">637</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">429</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">476</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">590</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">302</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster Sword</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sword Training 47, Spear Training 47, Armor Training 47, Shield Training 47


    Trap Lore 47, Tracking 47


    Poison Resistance 47, Restless 47, Stamina Boost 47


    Unsafe Zone 47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lightning</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Damn, so there is no cap at 99.999 HP...


    Are any of their skills important?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Restless


    Passive


    No negative side effects for lacking sleep.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Doesn''t seem like it.


    I open with a magic attack, this time it doesn''t fizzle out.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Bullet'' inflicted 521 damage to Tin Tyrant (spear). Failed to inflict a status effect.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    They run towards me but are a lot slower than the previous boss so I just run away for a few floors until they are stopped by the safe zone barrier. From there the rest is business as usual.


    Ornstein and Smough they ain''t.


    I throw several more spells at them from the safety of the zone to accelerate the damage ticks. Despite that, they still need almost 28 hours to succumb to the damage from the cold.


    (Oh, hey, you just got access to a new title! ''Honorless''...)


    (Don''t want it.)


    (I didn''t even tell you what it does.)


    (The name already tells me enough to say no, end of discussion.)


    <hr>


    Outtakes: some ideas for the Blood Mage 5 that didn''t make it


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Crimson Swarm


    200 SP


    Create a bat familiar with all stats as (skill level).


    You can channel spells through the bat at half the original strength.


    The bat can also perform a bite attack with your base STR and try to steal a tiny amount of blood.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Sanguine Night


    1000 HP upkeep


    Upkeep can''t be canceled before at least 2 hours have passed.


    While active also lose 20 HP per second.


    Banishes sun behind a blood moon.


    Increase stats of undead by (1% MAG + skill level/2).


    Overwrites rain, snow or similar weather with blood rain which deals 2% non-elemental damage to non-undead.


    Non-undead that die under the effect of the blood moon get reanimated as zombies.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Blood Echo


    2000 SP, concentration


    Recreate an echo form of a creature whose blood you''ve drunk recently.


    Its classes and races are scaled to (skill level / 2).


    The knockoff is only under your control while you keep concentration.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>

 Ch. 36 – Wall of Return

    The next few floors are more of the usual situations. A lot of monsters that are helpless to enter the safe zone while freezing to death. No peculiar item drops either.


    Boss floor 50 though is a literal wall - a slime wall.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Haze Shield the Slime</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Slime 16, Earth Golem 16, Earth Gleam 16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 16, Boss 16, Wall 16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">48387/48387</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1804/1804</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">6196/6196</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">756</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0 [-120]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">492</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">680</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">384</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">532</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">136</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth Magic 16 (Rank 5)


    Acid Skin 16, <del>Flight 16</del>, Rapid Regeneration 16, Wall 16


    Earth Resistance 16, Physical Resistance 16


    Unsafe Zone 16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Water, Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Really? Way too many HP paired with OP regeneration AND avoiding exactly all weaknesses I could exploit? Fuck you!!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Wall


    Passive


    Cannot move.


    Immune to movement effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (At least I ''only'' have to worry about the boatload of bulk...)


    (Well, it doesn''t reach to the top of the room so we could theoretically get behind it, Jared.)


    (Wouldn''t do me any good. The door to the next floor should still be closed until we beat that goddamn thing. Let me quickly check how bad it is...)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Shot'' has inflicted 543 damage to Haze Shield the Slime.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Perfect. I only need to cast eighty spells within one minute before the HP regeneration sets in... is there any way to negate the regeneration? This seems impossible as it is.)


    (None I know of. Did you ever check what status dark spells inflict?)


    rumble


    While talking the immovable boss has finished casting its earth spell which shatters without effect on the safe zone barrier. Afterwards I try a dark spell for the first time. I actually have no idea what shape that will take.


    Once I''ve finished casting the spell a black laser beam shoots forth from my hand.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Dark Beam'' has inflicted 543 damage to Haze Shield the Slime. Failed to inflict status effect.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Great... I wait for the boss spell to expire again then give the dark magic another try.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Dark Shot'' has inflicted 543 damage and a status effect to Haze Shield the Slime.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The status screen says:


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Haze Shield the Slime</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">cursed (1.6 MP/s)</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And then the boss''s spell fizzles.


    (So it stops its spell casting and drains MP. Nice but doesn''t solve the problem at hand.)


    (I''ll remind you when we fight a spellcaster, Jared.)


    After a moment the status disappears. So that is all the status does. Might be useful some time but not what I need right now.


    (Great, this boss is a total show stopper. Just checking my options - could I take any class right now that would give me any of the three elements?)


    (There would be some classes that grant those magic types upfront but I think your stats are too low to take them right now, Jared.)


    (Good, so if this is the only way out I have to count that our friend Manni was right on Wizard level 15 giving another element and then hope the element is one of those three.)


    (So how does that help? Nine levels of exp don''t just drop from the sky like that.)


    (Simple, I still have some floors in the other direction. I either get the necessary exp there or maybe find an alternate exit. If it ends with a dead end and still too little exp to make progress here... well, we''ll think about it when it comes to that.)


    (Sounds like a plan.)


    (At a minimum I can check if monsters really do not respawn. The nineties floors were quite some time ago.)


    With that plan in mind, I make my way towards floor 100.


    There are in fact no monsters all the way to floor 99, so the information about no respawns seems to hold true. Given the wall on floor 50 that is bad news as it limits how much exp I can gain easily within my nine-year time limit.


    The floor 100 boss room is populated by a lot of zombies. So the boss comes with adds this time but where is the main boss?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hive Rave the Mind</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Zombie 31, Weaver 31, Cook 31</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 31</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 31, Boss Swarm 31</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1087/1087</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1054/1054</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2845/2845</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">475</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">496</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">430</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">276</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">256</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">261</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">240</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Swarm 31, Undead 31, Unsafe Zone 31, Zombie Bite 31</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Eh, each and every single one of the thirty zombies is the boss?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Swarm


    Passive, monster only


    The owner has greatly reduced stats but spawns in big groups.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (So despite the very different setup this is just the grandpa floor all over again?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Thunder Blast'' has inflicted a total of 2052 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Gotta love area damage for slow-moving low health targets in large amounts.)


    228 HP down, so five hits each and I''ve enough for a dozen shots. Just need to group them up a bit better and they die in record time. Never would''ve thought a boss fight to end that quickly.


    Despite just beating a huge amount of bosses I still haven''t gotten any more special loot. Guess the truth gem from the big golem boss was just dumb luck.


    At least if I ever get back I have a ton of random materials to sell. Might be enough to apply for a ''Class Core'' on the black market - should I happen to find that one. No real idea what else to do with money currently. But that is a sorrow for future me.


    Floors 101 through 109 are more of the old stuff, hundreds of high-level monsters with the lowest starting at level 30.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Blast'' has inflicted a total of 2079 damage and 3 status effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (The amount and levels of monsters here are getting out of hand, Elly. I get barely through their magic defense with my area spells. I think I just hit about 20 of those Lv58 ''Ice Scream Cones'' and I barely broke 2000 damage total.)


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    (Well, that was ice damage on a highly ice-resistant target.)


    (Maybe, but I don''t have any other damage over time status and I''m not doing over 4000 damage per target directly.)


    (Yeah, that is something we need to change soon.)


    Time for some pudding on floor 110. Wait, I can''t drink that!


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Blue Pink Blob Monarch</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Slime King 51, Bandit 51, Berserker 51</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 51</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 51, Boss 51</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">176565/176565</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5198/5198</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">17284/17284</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2123</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1240</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">945</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1553</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">965</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">610</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">366</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Acid Skin 51, Acid Spray 51


    Axe Training 102, Intimidation 51


    Power Strike 51, Reckless Attack 51, Stamina Boost 51


    Unsafe Zone 51</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Despite its name, it is still a green-colored slime. A bit bigger and wearing a crown but still green. A slime just like all the previous, slow-moving, painful to touch, high regeneration... wait, no, it doesn''t have that?


    Man, I''m glad I didn''t take this monster type then, huh? No regeneration, no human compatible form, nearly unable to move. Sorry, these are not the puyos you''re looking for.


    (Do I read that right? The evolved slime has LOST its most annoying ability?)


    (It looks exactly like that. Just tag it with the usual cold effect then avoid dying to the acid vomit attack and you''re good to go.)


    (Then do that I shall.)


    Plan devised and executed.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Bullet'' inflicted 541 damage and a status effect to Blue Pink (but actually green) Blob Monarch.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And that''s all she wrote. For a day and a half but all nonetheless.


    Floor 111 changes scenery; it goes from the previous jungle to what looks like an art gallery? Sorry, that is wasted on me. Never was much of an art connoisseur.


    Luckily the different area doesn''t come with a change in monster tactics. The next nine floors fly by as usual.


    If this is the previous dungeon and the info was correct this is the last floor. And here''s an old acquaintance.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Warrant Queen Mk. 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">War Ant Queen 15, Dire Wolf 15, Farmer 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 15, Boss 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">76344/76344</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1540/1540</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5825/5825</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">755</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">510</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">595</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">365</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">400</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">455</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">400</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Deadly Fang 15, Generate Offspring 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ice, Lightning</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Should I beat her and hope there''s an exit behind or should we farm her little children via rain? Decisions, decisions...)


    (Definitely rain, Jared. Even if there should be the exit behind this you can really use every level you can get.)


    (Yeah that makes sense.)


    I wait a few minutes so the queen had already some time to spawn some more regular ants.


    I see the boss HP go down in 4 HP increments each time it takes a hit from the rain spell about 20 times per rain cast... which means I can grind this room for nearly 1000 rain casts...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Rain'' spell has inflicted a total of 584768 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Only about 125 exp per cast but by now my increased regeneration allows me to cast it 4 times per day. After a while, some ants have dropped low enough that I can weave some [Blood Bursts] in as well to free up some space for the queen to pop more of her children in.


    After about 70 days the queen seemingly has had enough... and orders her children to eat her, the fuck? Hey, no kill stealing, that is my exp!! FML.


    "Seriously, I could''ve done without viewing that scene. Thank. You. Very. Much."


    "Umm... sorry, my bad."


    (Uh, Elly? Did you just say something?)


    (Not a word. I was... busy cleaning up vomit. Sorry.)


    (I have seriously been too long here. That almost made sense to me.)


    No one else is around and if it wasn''t Elly I''ve no idea what that was then. I need to get out of here... the lack of real people to talk to seems to get to me.


    The whole ordeal cost me 12 blood packs, only 609 left. Well, ''only''. I''ve only been here for about half a year and used up that much. But I''ve no way to increase that stock anymore. And if my intuition is right that I''ll need to spend a lot more time grinding or conquering dungeons...


    During the last few days, I finally managed to reach the interesting section of the dungeon book. It was... enlightening.


    Supposedly minor dungeons only reach 30 floors deep at most and there''s no reward at the end. Just all the stuff you get from the defeated monsters. Those dungeons are just there.


    Major dungeons... can do whatever. Each has a fixed gimmick to it and supposedly offers a reward for beating it properly and reaching the dungeon core. It doesn''t specify what kind of reward it is. Whoever wrote this probably left that up to the reader''s imagination so that desperate fools would go and throw their lives away in hopes that the reward would be whatever miracle they need at the time...


    Theoretically after claiming said unspecified reward you can then choose to destroy the dungeon core itself to end the dungeon''s existence but considering the resources that are found in it that seems like a bad idea.


    As for monsters... it doesn''t say much besides to reference the ''Maniac''s Monster Manual'', helpful.


    I''m not sure I even remotely understand the little info it gives on monsters:


    ''Usually monsters are assembled from part fragments. When the unit''s duty is completed it is again disassembled. In case of overflowing part stocks, the remainder is transferred to the main unit.''


    So what does that mean? Monsters that weren''t killed just get recycled for the next dungeon instance? And where do they get replacement parts for the slain monsters from?


    Also if they are just put together like machines why would they need the [Mindless Monster] skill to suppress the will? Why create a will just to switch it off?


    As usual, nothing makes sense here...


    Why do I get the feeling the boss lady''s strange behavior should solve this riddle?


    Almost three months just on this set of floors and I still haven''t reached the next milestone...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 14, Survivor 5, Blood Mage 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 1, Lord 1, Progenitor 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker


    Demon Lord Candidate


    Title Level 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4938</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1632/1632 [2041]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2040/2040 [2550]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1240/1240 [1551]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">239+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">274+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">249+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">466+35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">367</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">358+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">294</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wooden Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 14 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 14 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 14 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 14 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 14 (Rank 1)


    Blood Burst 6, S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W???a???v???e??? 6


    Spear Training 5, Trap Lore 5, Unnatural Claws 1


    Charm Eye 1, Embrace 1, Familiar 1, Greater Vampiric Bite 1


    Disguise 10, Intimidation 2


    Ageless 1, Beast Killer 1, Enhanced Regeneration 1, Mana Regeneration 14, Sleepless 10, Stealth 10, Supernatural Toughness 1, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I got a lot of exp out of this but I still don''t feel ready to beat the floor 50 boss. 4938/13906 to the next skill. Assuming that Manni was right and I get the right element that is probably still far off from what I need... So let''s see what comes next.


    Behind the boss are stairs as usual. The stairs lead up to where the usual resting spot of a safe zone should be but the stairs just stop at a wall. A dead end. Shit.


    (Great. So that''s the end of this side. If there should be something at the very end of a dungeon it didn''t appear. Probably because of the glitched nature of this dungeon trip.)


    (Yeah, so I guess it is time to go back and see where we stand.)


    (Yeah, let''s.)

 Ch. 37 – Gain and Loss

    After the fruitless nearly three months-long detour I make my way back to floor 50. I have nowhere else to go. I may have gotten a bit stronger from that but clearly not enough to overcome the wall''s regeneration... maybe next Wizard level when - or if? - I gain an element to hit its weakness. But given how little exp I gain from reading and single target damage that may be hundreds of days... shit.


    I walk through all the floors I''ve cleared so far and as before no monsters have respawned. That only bodes well for my success chances...


    I arrive back on floor 50 and have myself prepared mentally for the incoming disappointment - only for my disappointment to be disappointed? Why''s there a different boss now? I mean I''ll definitely not say no to that lifeline but how? Why?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Battle B2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Berserker 14, Warrior 14, Pyromancer 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Minotaur 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 14, Boss 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">48052/48052</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1362/1362</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3476/3476</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">548+78</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">452</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">324</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">324</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">330</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">276</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">186</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster Axe</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Axe Training 28, Fire Magic 14 (Rank 2)


    Fire Resistance 28, Health Boost 28, Reckless Attack 14


    Unsafe Zone 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ice</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Elly? I agree with that name. Bring on the tubular bells. Just... leave Walter home.)


    (With pleasure!)


    I try to shoot an ice spell from the distance but it again disappears once it crosses the boss door. Seems like it''ll be another trap room fight. Please be just a dumb puzzle.


    I step through the door and they close behind me then some walls rise from the ground. It is a fricking maze. Except that the minotaur is so huge I can still see its horns over the walls.


    I start walking through the maze and soon lose track of the horns, crap, one advantage gone.


    Moooo!


    Eventually, I hear it from behind me. I turn around and see the boss looking around then walking down a different path - it didn''t see me? Guess my [Stealth] finally did come in handy.


    I follow it silently and wait until it is about to turn around a corner then shoot a spell at it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Shot'' has inflicted 1761 damage and a status effect.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    [Appraise] tells me that it already loses 0.8 HP per second. This will be over in a hurry.


    After getting hit the boss turns around and starts chasing me so I run away around the corner. After a few seconds, it also follows me into the passage and then just stands there confused then continues walking and searching like before. Seems like the room is poorly lit enough to keep me hidden once he loses sight of me for a second.


    I take another few potshots and even land a critical headshot once.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Shot'' has inflicted 2874 critical damage and a status effect.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And the best part? Every single attack successfully inflicts the cold status.


    After a dozen hits total and the boss dropping below about half health, it seems the boss has had enough of hide and seek. It casts a fire spell on its axe to set it aflame as a makeshift torch. I guess with that sneak attacks are now out.


    At least it already loses 11 HP per second by now.


    I continue running away around corners to lose it for a moment and land another five spell hits.


    During that I mess up once and take an axe to the face.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 419 damage from Battle B2''s attack.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    With how quickly it is losing HP I don''t need to risk my neck in melee range so I don''t.


    After another 15 minutes of hide and seek the boss collapses.


    "Send master Aquila my regards, you dumb cow."


    The regular mobs of floors 49 through 41 are still nothing to write home about. This leaves me at... 13259/13906 for Wizard 15, so close, yet so far.


    The boss on floor 40 is the most bizarre encounter yet. Before me stands another monster that looks completely human, like a woman in her forties to be precise. The only thing that gives away her monsterhood is the extra class, everything else - race and classes included - is normal. No off-color skin tone, no weird movements or spasms, everything is normal, suspiciously normal even.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Stella</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Merchant ??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Non-Variant Human ??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster ??, Puzzle Boss ??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">?? ??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The seemingly older woman invites me with a smile to a cup of tea - at least I think that is what she wants. She is still a monster and I don''t understand their language if they even have a proper one.


    "5???7???6???f???7???5???6???c???6???4???2???0??? ???7???9???6???f???7???5???2???0??? ???6???c???6???9???6???b???6???5???2???0??? ???7???4???6???f???2???0??? ???6???b???6???5???6???5???7???0???2???0??? ???6???d???6???5???2???0??? ???6???3???6???f???6???d???7???0???6???1???6???e???7???9???2???0??? ???6???f???7???6???6???5???7???2???2???0??? ???7???3???6???f???6???d???6???5???2???0??? ???7???4???6???5???6???1???3???f??? ???"


    I try to be polite and drink some of her tea but it tastes like nothing. Not even like water. It is completely devoid of taste.


    She ''talks'' on and on but I don''t understand what she is saying. Even when I try to interject she just continues. Seems like she just needed someone to listen to her, kind of like the goddamn tree boss at the beginning.


    At one point she seems to ask why I don''t drink the tea and I gesture to her that I can''t enjoy it because I''m a vampire. Despite me being unable to understand her she does seem to understand what I say to her.


    Then she takes out a knife.


    It seems I upset her with my remark. I guess I failed this event. I mentally prepare myself for battle. Not that I have a clue how strong she is. All [Appraise] gives me on her are question marks.


    She... uses the knife to draw some of her own blood and add it to my tea...


    What the hell is wrong with these people... I mean, I know she''s a monster but still. I''m just a random passerby. Why would you go that far just for a little bit of conversation when the other party can''t even participate in the first place?


    Have I unknowingly stepped into the afterlife and am just here to help her life out with her last regrets?


    I sit down, shut up and drink my goddamn tea. I can taste the faint trace of blood in it, clearly human in nature. Didn''t Elly say I can''t taste or enjoy monster blood as a higher-ranked vampire? So why does it work here? Is it something in the tea itself that makes it palatable?


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    I have no idea anymore what is going on here. Or did I ever? Ever since the meeting with Eva and Jeff, everything''s been just a mess where I feel completely misplaced.


    After a while of ''talking'' with Stella, she stands up while still smiling like she did the entire time. Then she bows and vanishes in a puff of smoke as if she was never real in the first place.


    "5???4???6???8???6???1???6???e???6???b???7???3???2???0??? ???6???6???6???f???7???2???2???0??? ???6???c???6???9???7???3???7???4???6???5???6???e???6???9???6???e???6???7???2???0???7???4???6???f???2???0??? ???6???d???7???9???2???0??? ???7???3???7???4???6???f???7???2???7???9???2???e???2???0??? ???4???9???2???0??? ???7???7???6???9???7???3???6???8???2???0??? ???7???9???6???f???7???5???2???0??? ???6???1???2???0??? ???6???6???7???2???7???5???6???9???7???4???6???6???7???5???6???c???2???0??? ???6???a???6???f???7???5???7???2???6???e???6???5???7???9???2???e???2???0??? ???5???5???6???e???7???4???6???9???6???c???2???0??? ???7???7???6???5???2???0??? ???6???d???6???5???6???5???7???4???2???0??? ???6???1???6???7???6???1???6???9???6???e???2???e???"


    That was certainly a... unique experience. I hope that wasn''t important because I literally understood nothing.


    I also need to double-check my blood packs aren''t spiked with some drugs.


    Floors 39 through 37 are again business as usual, except that I finally have enough exp for the next level! Time for the new skill!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Extra Affinity


    Passive


    Gain one additional elemental affinity of your choice, a second at skill level 30.


    Can''t choose an element you''re weak to.


    Once obtained this restriction no longer applies.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your current options are:


    Water, Wind, Poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Damn, I would''ve wanted fire but I guess that is not an option.)


    (Why fire specifically, Jared?)


    (Three reasons. One, so far way the blatant majority of monsters were weak to fire including the entire undead family branch. There''s a small subset of that I have a pseudo super effective damage against via [Vampire Hierarchy] but not the stereotypical high profile undead like death knight, lich or draco zombie. Given that all undead are automatically weak to fire as well I think that holy would be pointless for me even if it was an option.)


    (Makes sense so far. And the other two reasons?)


    (Two, so far I''m under the impression that every element has one associated status effect and I can''t imagine what fire''s would be besides burn damage over time. So far damage over time was very powerful, even frighteningly so. If you don''t have super high health regeneration and by that also status damage clean up that is a death sentence. Point is, so far cold works well, yes, but I want an alternative for something that is immune to cold like the Ice Scream Cones nearly were.)


    (Poison could still fill that need if you have no better idea.)


    (Yeah, possibly. And finally, I have hopes that I''ll eventually be able to take the ''Enduring Soul'' title. If I had also fire that''d allow me to get rid of at least that weakness.)


    (Yeah, that is something we need to work on long term. If you want you could imitate B2 from earlier and take pyromancer.)


    (What did it have?)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Pyromancer</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    26 HP, 47 MP, 25 SP, 4 STR, 4 DEX, 6 VIT, 8 MAG, 7 FTH, 6 WIL, 5 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fire Magic (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fire Resistance <Skill locked until Level 5></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Not too shabby. Put it on the maybe pile. Summons have priority and I still have only one Class Core.)


    (Gotcha. So which of the three elements will you take if fire is out?)


    (No idea. I want to hazard a guess and say that the... flight mage class, what was the name again?)


    (Aerial mage?)


    (Yeah, that one. I want to guess that it comes with wind magic. Flight is already a very powerful tool, wind is thematically appropriate and I don''t see it coming with three powerful skills. So just a ''throw away'' type element is well within reason. If it isn''t - I don''t think I''ll care much about losing, or rather not gaining, wind magic. This whole magic system lacks the option to use ranked magic for non-combat purposes-)


    Elly interrupts me mid-sentence, (stop, I have to cut you off there. Did you already forget Chloe cleaning you with water magic? She definitely didn''t have any magic skills herself.)


    (That is just like cantrips. Sorta magic but not really. Household magic. Everyone with enough MP seems to be able to use that.)


    (Right, fair enough.)


    (Back to wind - I can''t imagine it having an important status effect and the weakness to it seems to be rare as well.)


    (I have no data to refute that so I have to agree with that assessment. And for water or poison?)


    (Poison would be fifty fifty whether it is another damage over time effect or a stat reduction like earth. Maybe half and half. I''ve seen both variants in games.)


    (True, but just boring damage is more common there.)


    (Maybe but that does little to tell us which is true in this system, Elly.)


    (Right, and water?)


    (No idea what its status would be. Drowning damage over time? Movement hampering? Mild inconvenience due to wet clothing? Could be a lot of things.)


    (So both have a chance to be the status you''re looking for though it may as well be neither.)


    (Yeah. Aside from that... I think water is the winner here. If our missing boss returns I''d have a much better chance with that damage type. If not - fire is still a big weakness of mine and fire elemental types should be weak to water. I may not able to negate that weakness yet but I can at least proceed to a more even playing field with both sides having super effective damage.)


    (So that''s your pick?)


    (...yes. Yes, I think that is my best option right now.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 15, Survivor 5, Blood Mage 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 1, Lord 1, Progenitor 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker


    Demon Lord Candidate


    Title Level 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1426</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1632/1656 [2o71]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2040/2077 [2597]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1240/1260 [1575]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">243+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">279+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">254+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">474+35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">373</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">365+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">299</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wooden Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)


    Blood Burst 6, S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W???a???v???e??? 6


    Spear Training 5, Trap Lore 5, Unnatural Claws 1


    Charm Eye 1, Embrace 1, Familiar 1, Greater Vampiric Bite 1


    Disguise 10, Intimidation 2


    Ageless 1, Beast Killer 1, Enhanced Regeneration 1, Extra Affinity 15, Mana Regeneration 15, Sleepless 10, Stealth 10, Supernatural Toughness 1, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    After locking in the affinity choice I enter floor 36.


    rumble


    The entrance to the floor is suddenly closed, a wall sprang into existence. Fuck.


    To my surprise, no monsters storm at me. In fact, this doesn''t look like a dungeon floor at all. In front of me... is a medium-sized town, it is even populated by humans? Did I drop into a different universe here?


    ...[Appraise] reveals that these ''humans'' - and elves and dwarves and others - are monsters just like the previous boss. They are walking around seemingly living their life like real people. Children playing, women gossipping, grumpy old men haggling on the market.


    If it wasn''t for the clearly monstrous language this would be a perfectly average human settlement. Surreal.


    As I walk a few steps closer two men who look just like village guards notice me, wave me hello and... that''s it. What is wrong this time?


    (Elly? Can you quickly confirm for me that I haven''t lost my mind or gotten that [Mindless Monster] skill as well?)


    (Uh, definitive negative on the skill. As for the former... truth be told, I ask me the same about myself. This... makes little sense.)


    (Good, so I''m at least not alone in my madness.)


    I check again with [Appraise] but nothing changes. All of them are ''human'' just with monster as extra but still behave like regular people. Highest I saw was level 8.


    Why do I feel like I''ve entered a horror movie but am watching it from the point of view of the bad guy...


    (You know what, Elly? As long as they behave I''ll do nothing to them either.)


    (Are you sure this is wise, Jared? We have no idea when they turn around and attack us.)


    (Maybe but it wouldn''t feel right. Technically I''m a monster as well. I''m more or less sane despite that so why shouldn''t they be able to overcome their nature as well. I think all of us deserve this chance.)


    (Fine, if you wish.)


    I walk a bit through this monster town. Everything is normal. Too normal. I feel just like a tourist who never learned even the most basic sentences of the language of the country he visits.


    Now, where''s my tour guide...


    Despite the language barrier I manage to check out the armor shop. They carry ''monster'' variants of regular helms and armors but they provide no bonuses. What''s the point of that?!


    The weapon shop next door sells ''monster'' weapons and shields. The former come in +50 STR and +100 STR variants and the latter in +25 or +50 VIT and WIL variants. Stupidly the weaker and the stronger variant carry the same name.


    I try to buy a 100 STR spear - I have the necessary skill after all - but they don''t like my type of money and I fail to find anyone that wants to buy the crap loot I carry around with me. Well, there''s a good chance I can''t even use ''monster'' gear in the first place, so... moving on.


    To my surprise, the day actually changes to evening. Everywhere else in the dungeon time seems frozen at noon. The clock in my menu still does not move so it seems this passing of time is only for this floor exclusively.


    I can see some of these fake people preparing some kind of feast and festivities.


    ...I decide to take my leave now before they decide to have me as the main meal or guest, not sure which is worse. If they are as ''human'' as they seem me revealing to not eat human food but human food would only cause trouble.


    I search a bit around the outskirts of the town and eventually find the stairs towards the next floor - which closes just like the entrance did when I get too close. Is this really happening?


    "You shitty dungeon, you can''t be serious!"

 Ch. 38 – Monsters are the real humans?

    "You shitty dungeon, you can''t be serious!"


    A child-like voice booms through the room, "about what?"


    (That wasn''t you, Elly, was it?)


    (No, but I heard that as well.)


    "Who''s there? Show yourself!"


    "Oh, you heard me this time? I tried to talk with you before but you didn''t react..."


    (Elly, this joke is going too far.)


    (I swear that wasn''t me. Seriously.)


    I look around but see no one. The town is quite a bit away as well.


    "Where... who are you?"


    "I''m... uh, I think I''m the dungeon? I''m not sure actually."


    "No, no, don''t stop there. Explain yourself."


    "I don''t know what''s there to explain. Until... recently I used to be a monster just like you, roaming through the dungeon, playing with things until either of us breaks. Just having a good time. And then... I was here. Though this is the first time I heard that one of us gets to occupy the dungeon heart."


    "You were just a monster before?"


    "Yup. Kinda miss it though. No need to eat or obey rules. Just play to the death all the time. I didn''t even have to think."


    "That sounds sad actually."


    It gets very enthusiastic, "no, no, no, it is super cool! I''m looking forward to going back. I just... need you to quickly leave here."


    "That''s what I''m TRYING to do but someone has closed the doors on me."


    "Yeah, about that. I''ve... observed you since you got here, you''ve kinda caught my attention since... well, we''re both ''defective'' in a sense right now. And truth be told you''re kinda weak for what you are - or should be. So I''m curious how far you can go in this cycle."


    "Yeah, tell me about it...", I already know that I''m weak, don''t need to have that rubbed in by a monster or rock or whatever of all things.


    "So I''ve been moving some bosses around, adjusting some mob spawns, just to give you a better shot. ''cause if you die too soon none of us get to enjoy playtime."


    "You''re the cause of that wall monster going missing?"


    "Yeah, I thought it would make for a more enjoyable final boss for you than the tea witch. I''m not even sure what her deal is. She''s creepy."


    No, I''d rather ''talk'' with her than face the overpowered green wall. I might even be able to learn their language from her. She at least seemed to try to get me to enjoy my stay there... I''ve been a bad guest to her, haven''t I?


    "Say, if you''re the dungeon now, do you know what is up with the stairs behind floor 120? I mean I cleared the dungeon up to that endpoint, shouldn''t I get the reward for that?"


    "Reward? Uh, maybe? I''m not entirely sure how that works. Never had to care for that."


    "Figures..."


    "I think I''m currently on floor 212 so technically you''d have to reach me here to get your reward - if we go by the rules I ''feel'' to know."


    "How would I even do that with the door sealed off?"


    "I could open it if you want but... trust me you don''t want that. I''ve no control over the area between me and there and there''s some weird stuff going on in there."


    (So probably even more uncontrolled glitch crap.)


    "Yeah, I can pass on that. Probably not even remotely worth it."


    "But if you want the reward I have an alternative offer - not that you really have any choice in the matter. I want you to play with my friends here."


    "You mean the pretend humans in that fake town?"


    "Exactly. Just look how bored they are. They must be looking forward to some play and death."


    What a twisted freak...


    "And what if I say no?"


    "Then the door stays closed. Trust me, you''ll feel much better after letting loose and playing with us."


    "Fine, I''ll play along."


    "Wonderful! Is there anything special you would want as a reward? I''ve some control over what you get. Though I''m fine with leaving it up to the thrill of chance."


    I''m still not certain what his goal is. At some points he wants everyone to kill everyone else, calls it ''playing'', and other times he genuinely offers help.


    I need a long while to think about it.


    "You wouldn''t have a book called ''Maniac''s Monster Manual'' in there?"


    "Not sure", the voice gets hesitant, "I can check. Anything else you want?"


    "As you said earlier I''m weak so anything to get significantly stronger, I guess. A ''Class Core'' would be nice."


    "Strange wish but I''ll see what I can do. I think I''ve enough of an idea so go and entertain us well."


    I''m half expecting evil laughter after this statement but none comes.


    (Really now, what is its goal here, Elly? Why would someone want their friends to kill each other? It doesn''t make sense.)


    (Yeah, who can really understand the mind of a monster besides other monsters.)


    (I am one myself and I don''t. So keep those generalizations to yourself.)


    (Someone woke up on the wrong foot today, Jared.)


    (And someone else is begging for an early bedtime, right Elly?)


    (...no, am not.)


    (So given that I can''t just break walls I really have no say in the matter, do I?)


    (Don''t think so either, Jared. But what is the issue? They are just monsters after all.)


    (So am I. ...I was so close to saying that even humans respect their fellow humans but we all know that to not be true, see war, genocide and reality TV for details.)


    (Then see it positively, Jared. It wouldn''t make you any less human than you were before.)


    (Wouldn''t it then by that logic make me even more human than I am?)


    (That''s a low blow.)


    I go back and observe the situation some more. If I am to ''play'' with everyone here I need a defensible position. Even if they are below me in level for a change over a thousand opponents are just way too much to take in a fair fight.


    The only seemingly safe-ish places seem to be roofs that are otherwise not accessible without ladders or flight ability. Too bad I have neither.


    Evening turns to night and the celebrating imitations turn home leaving some behind that have passed out from too much partying. As if they have nothing to be afraid of. Aside from me, that is.


    But can I blame them? They are monsters and so far I''ve seen no monster attacking their own kind - aside from the crybaby boss and she doesn''t count - and nothing else lives in this dungeon. The only thing that is a danger to them is - reluctantly - me.


    (Seriously, if I didn''t have the ability to throw [Appraises] around for days I wouldn''t have known that they were fakes until way too late. Someone is just messing with me here... and it isn''t mister dungeon. That would be way too obvious.)


    Through the cover of night, my [Stealth] skill keeps me undetectable. With that I follow some lonely wannabe humans and finish them off, killing them instantly by draining their blood.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Little miss crybaby boss was the first monster I drank blood from. Before that, I lived under the impression that it would taste like the mud blood of Ted. I have experimented since a little bit and have come to a conclusion that was now again confirmed: pure monsters with monster class and race contain none of the life energy I need to sustain myself in them, their blood tastes like sand or worse. Any form of undead does the same. But monsters that are otherwise human in nature - like these people here - are alive enough for my taste. The taste of life may be diluted but it is there. Though that is maybe one percent at best in terms of nutritional value compared to real human blood.


    Earlier I was afraid that my victims would leave behind corpses to complete this mockery of human civilization but they dissipate like all monsters before them. Might give me a few extra days to whittle down their numbers before they catch on.


    I need a moment to order my thought. Deep down I know they are just monsters but this still feels wrong... or rather it should feel wrong but it doesn''t.


    Rather I enjoy the hunt... too much even.


    After making sure no one is watching I also dispose of the passed out men in the town square. This feels needlessly dangerous, but what must be done must be done.


    Before the night is over I''ve already reduced their total number by over fifty.


    Over the day I just keep out of town. If those were real humans they''d have already connected me, the new arrival, to the disappearance, whether they have actual proof or not.


    The next night I again pick off some that are walking home by themselves. Foolishly I try to turn one of them into a ghoul to cause another ghoul outbreak here but as before they are not under my control and attack me as well. I''m surprised no one heard that battle. At least I got some use out of [Vampire Hierarchy] for once.


    I check the surrounding houses and none of them are locked. In fact, they don''t have locks in the first place. Who says vampires need to be invited to enter? We''re not too dumb to operate door handles. At least not all of us.


    I exploit this carelessness and clear out a couple of houses. It takes some time but that is about thirty more victims.


    During the day I make one of the outer houses my ''base'' so to speak. My chosen new home is one of the few where inside are stairs to the roof. In the face of lacking locks, I place a lot of furniture I plundered from other houses to block the entrance. With this, once it inevitably comes to the showdown I''ll have a slightly defended position. I hope.


    The next night some of the imitations are now patrolling the area, though not in groups. I still manage to pick some of them off from behind and clear out a few more houses. I have to be much more careful now than the days before but can still take out a small neighborhood.


    The next two nights are more of the same just with increasing patrol frequency. The total casualties have already gone past a hundred and fifty.


    The day after that I can witness that they are holding a public gathering. Seems like I''m getting very popular recently. Must be my high charisma value at work. Clearly the summoning class is not too far off anymore.


    The temptation is high to just hurl a couple area spells into the masses and then run off, but can I really get away from hundreds of angry mobs and reach my base in time?


    Fuck it. I need to strike while I have the initiative. I throw two ice spells in quick succession and get running before the first even hits. The system message tells me about sixty percent of the monsters that were hit are already suffering from the cold. Considering their low level I doubt many could even survive three direct hits.


    While running I look behind me and they''ve really taken chase but I make it without extra trouble back to my base and manage to blockade the door with furniture. After breathing a sigh of relief I take the stairs to the roof and block those off with more furniture as well. Better safe than sorry.


    I look down and see the mob trying to break down the door but it seems they fail to inflict any actual damage to it.


    I throw some more area cold spells into the masses while looking around. After some time I spot a group bringing a ladder. I take the opportunity to cast two [Blood Bursts] on some of the hurt monsters down below then focus the created blood bullets on the ladder carrier.


    To my surprise, the ladder doesn''t just drop down but actually dissolves together with its carrier.


    I have enough SP to cast four bursts. I cast one more and keep the remaining three in case of another ladder. With SP at 660/1260, I can afford to activate [Intimidate] without losing any of the remaining SP.


    That skill is at level 2 so I expected it to deal damage to the level 1 monsters at least but it doesn''t. Seems the threshold counts total level and they have one class, one race and the monster extra, so level 3 total. Maybe some day...


    One group isn''t deterred by the lack of a ladder and tries to boost one of their own up. To their detriment fear triggers when he stands before me. I grab the poor guy, bite him with intend to turn him into a ghoul and throw him back down to his soon-to-be former friends. All of them fall over from the impact.


    Strike!


    After a moment of screaming in pain, the guy finishes his transformation into a ghoul. I should''ve expected that he won''t attack the other monsters down there because of the [Mindless Monster] skill bullshit but to my surprise, the other monsters scream in terror and attack the ghoul first. A level 1 ghoul may go down quickly but it still manages to bite two of the others causing some more chaos. Though that zombie apocalypse is quickly ended once the level 7 to 8 guards get to do their job.


    After a few more minutes and using all of my MP up, most of the fakes have run off in terror or died.


    Suddenly the... dungeon voice speaks up, "Hey, uh, bats, seems like I missed the whole fun?"


    "Yeah, you kinda did. Any idea how many are left?"


    "About thirty to forty. Seems you were thorough."


    What else am I to do? You won''t let me leave until all of them are dead...


    I take a break to recover my resources a bit and process what has just happened.


    Before this floor, I''ve only fought and killed monsters because they were a threat to me. But those here? Seemed innocent. They behaved just like normal humans until they got hunted by another monster but the dungeon voice said that it was just ''playing'' to them. I don''t know what to believe here anymore.


    But then the dungeon won''t open the door for me until I''m finished here... so what choice do I really have.


    After getting enough MP and SP back I start to track the remaining imitations down. When I can I just end them by draining blood since that doesn''t waste resources. Most of them offer no resistance. Full of fear and terror they''ve given up. One of them even goes insane and attacs his own friends. They fight back and kill each other before I can ''assist''.


    By my count that leaves only one.


    I track the sole survivor down in one alleyway. A frightened young man with a familiar face.


    He points his spear at me, his hands shaking. I grab the spear and wrest it away from him.


    "4???7???6???f???6???4???6???4???6???1???6???d???6???e???6???9???7???4???2???1???2???0??? ???4???e???6???f???7???4???2???0??? ???6???1???6???7???6???1???6???9???6???e???2???1??? ???"


    I ignore his screeching voice and take a few steps forward. He tries to muster his strength to fight me off with his fists if he has to but the fear won''t let him. Then I bite him and drink his blood. The taste is as thin as of all the others but the taste is as familiar as his face was.


    "Goodbye, fake ''Tevin''."


    (What did you mean by that, Jared?)


    (Exactly what I said. He looks like Tevin, tastes like Tevin, clearly must be a different person.)


    (...I''m not sure what you are getting at. Do you want to say that was him? But you, err, unalived him weeks ago!)


    (...correct. Those imitations were far too good. Not even appearance and behavior-wise but even down to the blood taste. It is especially unnerving that they got it mostly correct for someone I knew. Where did they get the necessary data?)


    (That I do not know. And it is too much of a coincidence to get right by chance.)


    (Yeah, I don''t like the implication of that. Not one bit.)


    I make my way towards where the exit initially was. If the dungeon is true to its word it should now be open. I don''t care if that allows me to make progress I just want to leave these reminders of the tragedy behind me.


    Finally, the dungeon voice speaks up again, "that play was amazing! I wish I could''ve participated. Will you invite me next cycle?"


    "Eh, sure. Whatever floats your boat. How did everyone else like the massacre?"


    "I talked with them and most of them LOVED it but some complained that you didn''t talk with them, so it''d be nice if you could work on that for the next cycle. And two said something about a ''deyawoo'', no idea what that is. Do you know? Is it tasty?"


    So they had that feeling too?


    "Only if you like bitter stuff."


    "So like chocolate? Urgh, I hate that stuff. Always gives me cramps."


    (So he was a dog-type monster or something before? I hate dogs, one bit my grandma.)


    (I don''t think that is related, Jared. Monsters don''t follow our rules.)


    "Say, do you have a name? If I have to endure your presence for another 30 floors and some change I''d like a way to address you besides ''hey you''."


    "Name? Uh, name... I think I once had one. A thousand cycles ago or so..."


    "What are even these ''cycles'' you speak of?"


    "Uh, you don''t know? All of us monsters should."


    "No, I don''t know. So, what is it?"


    "Just every time a dungeon ends the next cycle starts."


    "And you''ve been through a thousand?"


    "Sure have. It was a lot of fun. Even if I died a couple of times. Now, what was my name again..."


    (Elly, I had some hope that killing the monsters here actually achieves... something. That we''d at least wear down their numbers over time but...)


    (Yeah, that seems to not be the case. I wonder if this resurrective immortality also applies to the monsters outside.)


    (That would at least explain why there are more and more monsters each year.)


    (Maybe that goes back to what you read in that book. The point of destroying the dungeons by taking their cores might be to cut them off from that.)


    (Then it is a double-edged sword at best. We''d lessen the floods, but obviously lose access to all of the resources. I doubt a lordless fortress can even generate enough food for everyone without that. Not to speak about everything else. Where would you gain materials to craft more weapons?)


    (Yeah, any mining operation is doomed to fail. At best you can keep that up in the few weeks between two floods. Otherwise you just lose everyone there for nothing.)


    "Oh, I think I recall", the dungeon seems to remember now, "I think I was called... Dan?"


    A literal Dan-geon... great...


    "What an... unusual name."


    "Yeah, not very monsterlike. So that might not be right. Ah, what does it matter."


    I arrive at the floor exit - but it is still closed, "umm, can you open the door now? I upheld my end of the deal."


    "Oh, right, right, right, give me a moment."


    rumble rumble


    The passage slowly appears again.


    "There you go. So about the reward stuff I promised... I''ve got bad news."


    Great. First, you get me to commit genocide and then don''t even have a cheap souvenir for me...


    "The book you wanted is unique so I can''t give you a copy."


    "Unique, huh? Would you have an idea where that one is then?"


    "Hmm... ''outside close by'' is the best I can give you."


    "I guess that narrows it down quite a bit actually."


    (Actually not much, Jared. We don''t know around which ''point'' this close by is or how generous the area is. As loose as his grasp on reality seems he might even consider a different planet ''close by''.)


    (Yeah, well, the book is not that important, I guess. Knowing a bit more about what we''re dealing with here might be nice but it doesn''t change our main goal.)


    "Any more bad news on the other stuff?"


    "No, I think I got something nice for you."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">D???a???n???-???G???e???o???n??? transferred Title Card and Monster Core to you.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Thank you. I''m not sure what those are though."


    "I''m not sure about the card either but the core should let you repair yourself."


    "What do you mean?"


    "Uh, you know how you are defective? Missing... essential skills of us monsters. This lets you fix that."


    "Yeah, grrreat... well, I''ve got stuff to do. Talk to you later."


    (We''ll check that stuff out later, Elly. I''m really not in the mood for that crap right now.)


    (Understandable.)

 Ch. 39 – Breakout

    To distract me from the mess that was floor 36 I march on. I... must make sure that I don''t sink to such depth with real people...


    The following floors are luckily nothing special, just very densely populated, nearly two hundred monsters each. At least it is just more of the usual dumb monster with a few glitch monsters sprinkled in, nothing to worry about. Two of those glitch monsters dropped again the glitch items. I''ve no use for them currently, do I? Maybe one of the three new items gives something useful if I put them in slot 6.


    Just for the heck of it, I tried to equip the ''Monster Spear'' I took from the fake Tevin but since I''m not a monster I can''t use it. Another one for the trash bin...


    I check what the glitch items turn into when I put the dropped weapons or armors into slot 6. All I see are trash tier versions that give only +5 to the relevant stat. The exception is a sword with a majestic name that can only be thought out by a true naming genius just like me.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">A


    Legendary Weapon


    +500 STR, +200 DEX


    Inflict +100% weakness damage to targets that resist, negate or absorb physical damage.


    Ignore physical resistance, negation and absorption.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Too bad I can''t even take it out of my inventory without dying due to the glitch feedback. Otherwise might even be worth taking a sword using class. Can I get a similar property for my spells? I feel kinda left out when I see the level of power weapon users get from simple equipment.


    That leaves the Title Card and Monster Core I got from Dan-Geon.


    I put the card in slot 6 and the glitch items... turn to paper. I don''t even have a pencil to write on that if I could take it out. So it won''t get used that way.


    I switch the monster core into slot 6 and the glitchy stuff changes to some shards called ''Joker Core Fragments''. The inventory just lists those as materials.


    (Can I make any use of those fragments? Do you know anything about that, Elly?)


    (Uh, if it was regular ''Core Fragments'' there is a crafting recipe in the default craft menu that lets you turn twenty of those into a fixed Class Core. But I''ve not heard about the joker stuff.)


    (Well, we can just gather the glitch stuff until we have a total of 20 and then look what it does. At least going by the name I''ve no intention of using the ''Monster Core''. What does that even do exactly?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Monster Core


    Adds a monster class of your choice.


    Also adds the necessary prerequisites if they are missing.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Yeah, no, fuck that. That would just force the monster extra class on me which comes with the personality overwriting [Mindless Monster] skill. Not on my watch.)


    (Yeah, I think the same. It either gives us something useful with that joker thing or it goes in the garbage bin.)


    (Well, that only leaves the card.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Title Card


    Add a special title of the given selection ignoring its regular requirements.


    The available titles are: Fireproof Undead, Lucky Looter, Title Holder, Wall Breaker


    Also increases title level by 1, to a maximum of level 10.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Oh, right, Jared, speaking of titles. You''ve qualified for the ''Regenerator'' title you wanted. We''ve... been in this dungeon for quite a while and recovered a ton of HP, MP and SP.)


    (Ah, good, let me add it quickly... done. Now, what are those titles?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fireproof Undead


    Negate undead specific weakness to fire.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Would definitely be a keeper. The alternative would be hoping for the ''Enduring Soul'' title and somehow also gaining fire affinity. Well, both versions still need something extra to take care of the light and holy weaknesses.)


    (I think that is a wasted title. It says undead specific but you also have the fire weakness from being a silver elf so it does nothing for you.)


    (Shit, you''re right. Should''ve read that more carefully. Thanks.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Lucky Looter


    Increase drop rate for rare items by (skill level)%.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Eh, not too good. What''s the rest.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Title Holder


    Increase exp gain by (number of owned titles)%.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (This would be my eighth title I think, so current 50% plus those 8%... effective 16% more, right Elly?)


    (Exactly. Though the cap is supposedly twenty titles so you still shouldn''t just take every trash title you see just for the exp bonus.)


    (Yeah, sure.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Wall Breaker


    Increase damage against wall-type creatures by (skill level)%.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Way too specific. We''ve only seen one such monster so far and three percent more damage is basically nothing.)


    (Yeah, so I guess ''Title Holder'' is the most useful out of them?)


    (Yeah, I''ll go with that and just hope that ''Enduring Soul'' becomes available before I need it.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 15, Survivor 7, Blood Mage 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 2, Lord 2, Progenitor 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord Candidate, Regenerator, Title Holder


    Title Level 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">291</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1760/1760 [2201]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2144/2144 [2680]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1357/1357 [1697]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">258+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">293+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">270+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">493+35</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">391</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">382+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">316</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wooden Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)


    Blood Burst 7, S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W???a???v???e??? 7


    Spear Training 7, Trap Lore 7, Unnatural Claws 2


    Charm Eye 2, Embrace 2, Familiar 2, Greater Vampiric Bite 2


    Disguise 10, Intimidation 4


    Ageless 2, Beast Killer 2, Enhanced Regeneration 2, Extra Affinity 15, Mana Regeneration 15, Sleepless 10, Stealth 10, Supernatural Toughness 2, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Say, Jared, I wanted to ask you before but... why did you level Vampire Noble, Lord and Progenitor? They barely give you anything as you yourself said.)


    (Noble and Progenitor were just 1000 exp each and give +1 level to [Intimidation] bringing it to level 4 now. In case we fight another level 1 monster horde I wanted to see if that suffices for the social damage to inferior beings to retrigger.)


    (Ok, 2000 exp is quite a bit for a random experiment but that would be useful to know. And the level in Lord?)


    (...a misclick.)


    The boss room on floor 30 looks kinda empty except for the treasure chest in the middle.


    (Mimic? Right, Elly?)


    (Why can''t it be a real treasure chest?)


    (Let''s see... There were no chests so far and we''ve been through over a hundred floors since my rebirth, if you look closely the chest looks like it is breathing and... [Appraise] is a thing.)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Second Worst Mimic</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Mimic 56, Rogue 56, Gunner 56</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 56</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 56, Boss 56</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">244629/244629</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5876/5876</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">13096/13096</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2044</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1832</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2176</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1004</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">756</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1192</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1192</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><del>Dagger Training 56, Gun Training 56</del>


    Tongue Attack 56


    Back Stab 56, Patient Aim 56, Physical Resistance 56, Quick Load 56, Stealth 56


    Unsafe Zone 56</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (See? It is the Second Worst Mimic! ...that is an oddly specific name.)


    (I''m sorry for doubting you, Jared.)


    (Yeah, yeah. Do you think he wants some ice to go with his treasures?)


    (I really doubt he''ll say no to that.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Shot'' has inflicted 496 damage and a status effect to Second Worst Mimic.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The lid of the chest opens up and reveals a lot of teeth and a long tongue, almost long enough to reach the entrance of the room, yikes.


    I kinda expected it to also sprout legs and to hurricane kick at me but it doesn''t. It continues to sit there trying to reach me with its tongue but I''m too far away.


    I just shoot a couple more ice spells at it. Out of sixteen spells, only five inflict their status bringing the damage over time to a mere 1.2 HP per second.


    Given its sizeable HP pool, this would probably take three days to get it down so I continue to shoot more spells at it whenever MP regenerates. This brings the whole ordeal down to a day and a half. As many levels as I''ve gained here, I''m still utterly reliant on the damage status effect and hiding somewhere out of range.


    Once its HP runs out the teeth and tongue disappear, the actual chest stays behind. [Appraise] picks up no more life signs. I go over to the chest and see a new staff in it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Topaz Staff


    +75 STR, +20 MAG</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (FINALLY some better equipment. How many thousand monsters have I killed for those... 5 STR and 10 MAG extra?)


    (I''m pretty sure it was over 15.000 monsters already.)


    (Of course, the good stuff can only come from a mimic... and now I wonder if this was only the second-worst what the real worst mimic would be.)


    (Maybe a birthday cake?)


    (Hmm... I would''ve said a smartphone.)


    Floors 29 to 22 are uneventful, almost painfully normal by now. Just a hundred or two level 50 or above monsters.


    I honestly don''t want to know how someone is supposed to get through the current floors without my exploits. Or even how someone would deal with the final floors of the previous dungeon - level 100 or above elites when it seems barely possible to reach the 30s. Well, that''s a problem for later.


    The monsters on floor 21 though... couldn''t decide what they want to be so they took all of the options.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ghoul 3, Thief 3, Cleric 3, Monk 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Automaton 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">M???o???n???s???t???e???r??? 3, Elite 3, Swarm 3, Wall 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">377/377</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">43/43</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">756/756</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">203</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">130</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">245</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">85</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">51</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">144</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">108</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cure Magic 3 (Rank 1), Meditation 3, Steal 3


    Poison Resistance 3, Restless 3, Stamina Boost 3


    Swarm 3, Wall 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Lightning, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I''ve no idea WHAT those are supposed to be and I''m not touching that topic with a ten-foot pole.)


    (There are like 5000 wobbly, glitchy pillar things made of corpses... yeah, how about no.)


    They have low HP and WIL so lightning area spells clear dozens at a time but despite their low stats I still need two claw swipes to kill one so I rather invest my SP in [Blood Bursts]. Kills the target and two more via blood bullets per use and keeps me out of their range. Don''t want to find out how they could attack me. Disgusting stuff.


    Somewhere in that slaughter-fest, I got a new Class Core and only 5 glitch items. Weird drop rates.


    Floor 20 shows a different terrain, a desert. And in the boss room stands, err, floats the culprit.


    "I always knew the sun was evil!"


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Orange Whole Sun</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Searing Vision</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sun 14, Pyromancer 14, Cook 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 14, Boss 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">174907/174907</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">9146/9146</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">810/810 [5810]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">424</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">432</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">962</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1028</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">478</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1016</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">294</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire Magic 14 (Rank 5), Light Magic 14 (Rank 5)


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.Fire Resistance 14, Searing Vision 14


    Unsafe Zone 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I don''t like this one bit...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Searing Vision


    5000 SP upkeep


    Inflict 30% magic fire damage to all enemies in sight once every minute.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (So much for not desperately needing fire resistance ASAP...)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 368 damage from Orange Whole Sun.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Ok, if this only triggers once per minute this isn''t too bad. Time to test my new element and then buck it.)


    (Still, be careful. Its regular fire magic would probably not leave you intact.)


    (Yeah, I know.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Water Bullet'' has inflicted 1508 damage and a status effect to Orange Whole Sun.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Oh, right, I don''t know what kind of status water causes.


    (''Wet''? What kind of status is that supposed to be?)


    (No idea. Check that out later once you''re not in instant death range!!)


    Despite me being in range the boss does not cast any spell of its own. Does it just rely on vision damage? Works for me.


    Wet doesn''t seem to do anything so I switch again to ice spells. The boss has so much HP that I''d need to land about 120 water spells, which means 6 full MP recoveries.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Shot'' has inflicted 573 damage and a status effect to Orange Whole Sun.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    0.3 HP per second just from one effect or 2.24 HP per second after emptying my MP pool. Yeah, that''ll go much faster.


    Once its HP drops below half it finally starts shooting some fire spells... in random directions. Yeah, it has no eyes, how would it see where its target is. So from then on I just hide behind the door and just sneak shots around the corner.


    It doesn''t even take fifteen hours before the sun shines its last ray. With that, I''ve gotten barely enough exp to raise another class level.


    (Uh, Jared, you might want to look at this...)


    (What is it, Elly?)


    (I think math has broken down. Or Gzeph was just wrong in his documents. Either way, the class tab says you can take the ''Summoner'' class now if you want.)


    (How much off is his formula?)


    (Depends. His formula just said any trainer would count. I assumed it only works if the trainer has a compatible class. In that case, you''re still miles off from meeting the requirements. But if it is enough to have any trainer at all - Chloe in your case - then it does work out.)


    (Well, the correct formula doesn''t matter in the end. I can take it now, so I will. That leaves the second ''Class Core'' I got after slaughtering twenty thousand monsters...)


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 15, Survivor 9, Blood Mage 9, Summoner 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 2, Lord 2, Progenitor 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">God¡¯s Lost Child, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord Candidate, Regenerator, Title Holder


    Title Level 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">38</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1856/1908 [2386]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2216/2267 [2834]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1461/1504 [1880]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">278+75</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">313+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">293+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">526+45</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">425</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">412+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">346</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)


    Blood Burst 9, S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W???a???v???e??? 9, Summon Spirit 1 (Rank 1)


    Spear Training 9, Trap Lore 9, Unnatural Claws 2


    Charm Eye 2, Embrace 2, Familiar 2, Greater Vampiric Bite 2


    Disguise 10, Intimidation 4


    Ageless 2, Beast Killer 2, Enhanced Regeneration 2, Extra Affinity 15, Mana Regeneration 15, Sleepless 10, Stealth 10, Supernatural Toughness 2, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Remind me of the skill, please. That was half a rulebook.)


    (Sure thing.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Spirit Rank 1


    500 MP upkeep per class of summoned creature


    Create a spirit ally.


    The spirit can have any race and up to 3 base classes the user knows.


    Each of its classes and races has a level of (1% CHA + 2x skill rank).


    Compared to a normal creature HP, MP and SP are reduced by 30%.


    Spirits can generate special equipment if needed, these items grant no stats.


    Once a spirit is summoned its race and classes can no longer be changed, only further classes added limits permitting.


    Spirits can''t die, instead when they reach 0 HP they have to rest in their owner for a week, during this time the upkeep can''t be canceled.


    The owner can create a total of (2 + skill level /10) different spirits.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (So I can basically design two spirits for now and they''d be level 5 already.)


    (Yeah. I''d suggest to consider the first spirit just practice. Try to find out what the real limits are. Classes ''known by you'' is very vague. It could mean any class that exists in the selection, any class we''ve witnessed via [Appraise] or just any class you personally have.)


    (Hmm... even the latter shouldn''t be too bad, Elly. You''ve seen how much damage I can do just by throwing around cold status. So if I can invest 500 MP for upkeep and get a mini-me with at least 1000 MP out of this it is already a net gain of two to three ice blasts or half a rain if we manage to get back to flood grinding.)


    (Well, only one way to find out.)


    (True.)


    I comb through my menu to look for the tab where I can design my summons. It is not a sub-tab under skills as expected but a standalone main tab, consistently inconsistent.


    Let''s see... it needs a race and at least one class, none are preselected, so far so good. There''s an option to preview the result without finalizing the creation.


    Now which races are available... too many. Several types of human, dwarf, elf, beast people, sea creatures, fae, morphs, constructs... seems like I just need to see one member of the given race families to unlock them all? At least I don''t see what might qualify as ''demons''.


    I guess a scout wouldn''t need to be too min-maxed to function so I''ll make one for this training exercise. As race a fairy should be fine, they are small and can fly.


    Now about classes... it also seems to list all base classes that exist. So what exactly is the restriction of ''user known'' supposed to mean? Everyone has access to the class tab to see which classes they may take, that should already make them known. Weird stuff.


    At least it lists the first two skills of each class since they''ll be currently level 5. I should abuse that later to learn every class''s second skill and make a more informed choice about the classes I''ll take for myself.


    Hmm... let''s go with Warlock. Curse and dark magic could be helpful. So what does the preview say?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><not named yet></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Warlock 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fairy 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">735/735</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1067/1067</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">577/577</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">175</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">175</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">150</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">225</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">150</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">250</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">225</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><del>Curse Magic 5 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 5 (Rank 1)</del>


    Luck Boost 5, Wings 5


    Summoned Spirit 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Why are the magic skills crossed out?)


    (Ah, shit. You should check the [Summoned Spirit] skill, that explains a lot of restrictions the main skill didn''t list.)


    (Of course, it was too good so far... can I still trade in the class?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summoned Spirit


    Passive


    Loyalty to summoner is always maxed out.


    Can create equipment (no stat increases) if relevant training skill is present.


    Can''t use magic or magic-related skills.


    Can''t use skills that create more beings.


    Lose 50 HP per second while not bound to a summoner.


    For purpose of exp mechanics count as part of the summoner.


    While not actively summoned recover 5% HP, MP and SP per hour.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Great, absolutely no magic then. At least we can check the first two skills out for planning my classes.)


    (I wonder if the ability to create equipment includes arrows.)


    (What, so we could abuse a summon as ammo factory to employ all those useless archers?)


    (Exactly, Jared.)


    (Certainly worth a try. This is a throw-away summon anyway. Let me quickly change the class to an archer. Probably the race as well. Don''t want to waste that option just because the arrows are too small if they come from a small-sized creature.)


    I need a few minutes to find a suitable race for the changed requirements.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><not named yet></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Archer 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Valkyrie 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">980/980</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">455/455</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1117/1117</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">225+5 (either weapon)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">250</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">175</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">75</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">125</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">125</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">100</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit Bow, Spirit Spear</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Bow Training 5, Spear Training 5


    Intimidation 5, Stealth 5, Wings 5


    Summoned Spirit 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lightning</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (I''ve no idea where I''ve seen the relevant race family but spears, wings and intimidation in one seems very powerful to me.)


    (Says mister Cure and Stealth Silver Elf to me.)


    (Yeah, some races are certainly better than others. As long as the classes provide matching stats.)


    (I kinda expected summons to be a bit stronger. Despite being a pure physical combination the stats look inferior to mine even in the HP, STR and VIT departments.)


    (Well, it is just level 5. You''ve almost 30 levels on it, Jared.)


    (Fair enough. So, any obvious flaws in that setup? Flight for potentially scouting, bows to give us a theoretical ammo factory. Spears for melee as a ... well, not tank, but speed bump at least.)


    (Should be good enough. Don''t know how much more we can do without the restrictions we have or adding a second class which would increase the MP cost, and that is not something you can really afford at the moment. Well, we were ready to just write the first summon off no matter the result. So let''s just keep it as is.)


    (Yeah, true, Elly. Let''s finalize this one.)


    I confirm the class setup I''ve chosen for my first summon. Next, it takes me to a screen where I can make a few basic choices regarding its outward appearance. As a valkyrie, it can only be female, fine with me. After a few small changes, she kind of reminds me of a figure I''ve seen in a mythology book, that is if you''d switch the spear for a sword. And there are some creative liberties with the armor as well, the original didn''t cover as much.


    Finally, I call her forth. She appears exactly as designed, clad in armor - even if it literally does nothing in her case - and armed with a bow and a spear. She takes a look around, probably to check if there are any enemies in range, then just stands at the ready seemingly waiting for orders.


    "Your orders, milord?", she asks in a somewhat monotone voice.


    So at least the loyalty part works as advertised. I was half afraid she''d instinctively identify me as an enemy because I''m undead but that was luckily unfounded.


    "None for now. I just wanted to make sure everything is in order. Just keep watch for now."


    "Affirmative."


    (I thought it was 500 MP per class? So why does that upkeep cost me already 1000 MP?)


    (I was afraid of that. In some skill descriptions, they differentiate between classes and job classes. I guess the former includes the race ''class'' as well.)


    (Damn. So Jeff was right. I might not have had enough max MP if I had started as a summoner. It has even less MP growth than my wizard class.)


    I turn to my summoned creature, "Can you tell me anything about yourself? Anything important I should be aware of?"


    "I am as you have created me. Your faithful servant. Nothing more, nothing less."


    "Understood. Anything you wish to obtain through your service?"


    "Nothing. My only wish is to serve."


    That seems like a very one-sided balance of power. Well, as I''ve created her ''just like that'' is she even a real person in the first place?


    "Okay but if something comes up don''t hesitate to speak up."


    "As you wish, milord."


    (Now, that is something interesting.)


    (What is, Elly?)


    (Give me a moment, I''ll show you.)


    (Huh?)


    I have a bad feeling about this.


    Elly goes silent and then the summoned creature starts speaking, "Looks like it worked."


    "What is going on now?"


    The girl begins moving around, "I''m Elly. I can control this body, Jared."


    "And how do you do that?"


    "She''s a part of you, I''m a part of you. So if you don''t think too hard about it she and I are the same thing. And from there it was almost easy. Well, it is less that I am in the body but rather connected to her. Think of it as a VR device. I think that is the best way to describe it."


    "Fine."


    (Can you still hear me on this channel, Elly?)


    "Can you still hear me in my head?"


    "If you just said anything there, doesn''t seem to be that way."


    Ok, that''s one way to get some privacy but...


    "That may be a bit inconvenient at times. I was kinda hoping on instant reports if I send you on a scouting mission."


    "Seems like we''re out of luck there. But honestly, I just wanted to get out for a bit. Stretch my legs so to speak. Just sitting in your head all day gets a bit cramped."


    "Understandable. For the sake of an experiment can you go to the previous floor? I want to see how far out you can be away from me when recalling to me."


    "Oh, sure, I''ll be on my way."


    Elly moves out of sight.


    I''m not sure what to make of all of this. On one hand, it is a ''summon'' skill, so it should summon an existing being from someplace else to my side, right? But here the summon was explicitly just created. She said so herself.


    So is every summoner just a minor ''god'' that can create a new soul or personality or whatever like it is nothing? Or doesn''t she really have one and she''s just like an NPC AI? That is something I''ll have to find out otherwise I''m not really ok with Elly taking her over like that. If she is real this wouldn''t be much different from gaining the [Mindless Monster] skill - you get your will overwritten either way.


    After a few minutes of waiting the girl comes back to me.


    "Uh, Jared, I think we have a problem. I can''t leave this body anymore."


    "I guess this is what we get for messing with souls. Do I now have to congratulate you on killing an ally soul or is she in there with you?"


    (Oh, don''t worry about me. I''m still with you, milord.)


    "Nevermind, Elly. She''s here in me."


    (You could''ve said something earlier. I was worried about you.)


    (I beg forgiveness. I was under the impression you''d know where I am.)


    (No, sorry. I''m still new to this whole working with summons thing.)


    (I understand. I''ll keep that in mind from now on.)


    "Whatever, let me ''unsummon'' you, Elly. I want to see what happens then."


    "Uh, sure."


    Just like that, the girl turns more and more transparent and then disappears.


    (You back with me, Elly?)


    (Yeah, I think so.)


    (Welcome back, sister. Wait, is that the correct title?)


    (Oh, a whole family reunion in Jared''s head. There''s certainly enough space here.)


    (Fuck you, Elly. Are you two ready to find out what happens when I summon the body again?)


    (Yes, do it.)


    (I''ll follow your orders.)


    I summon the girl again and as I do that the feeling of having Elly with me disappears again.


    "So, I guess that is me now, huh."


    "Could''ve been worse. Just imagine what it would be like if we had gone with the tiny annoying fairy as first summon."


    "I could''ve spammed ''Hey, Listen!''"


    "And gone into timeout again."


    "...and gone into timeout. Right..."


    "Now, can you try the arrow thing we were talking about earlier?"


    "Uh, sure, I''ll try."


    Elly fumbles around making some hand gestures. Eventually, she figures out how to call her bow forth. I don''t have to make any such weird gestures when calling my items from the inventory so she probably still has to figure out her ''VR'' controls.


    (So, any idea what will now happen to you now that Elly has taken your body?)


    (I think I''ll be transferred to your next created spirit, it shouldn''t come then with a new ''soul'' like me.)


    (Alright, that is reassuring. Do you even have a name? It will be hard to address you when Elly is back.)


    (No, I do not possess a name yet. I''d be very grateful if you gave me one.)


    (I can do that but don''t expect too much, I''m not too good at naming. While I think about that do you have any preferences for your new role? I created your previous body as a scout primary with ranged support secondary in mind.)


    (If milord allows I''d rather be your personal bodyguard.)


    (Works for me. I''d have needed such a summon soon anyway. Though I''ll need some time, there are a lot of possible options and I don''t have enough MP to spare to keep both of you outside without making myself utterly useless. So I want to make the most of what I have.)


    (Thank you, I''ll be patient.)


    (As for a name... how does Maria sound?)


    (I''ll graciously accept the name milord has bestowed upon me.)


    (Before I forget, you can just call me Jared. You don''t have to be so formal with me.)


    After a few more minutes of weird hand gestures, eventually an arrow appears in Elly''s hand. And then another. And another.


    "Ok, seems like I''m getting the hang of this body, Jared."


    "Can you borrow me your bow and an arrow?"


    "Hmm? Sure. Why?"


    "I want to check if non-summons can use the arrows and I have no other bow at hand."


    "Ah, ok."


    She hands me her bow and an arrow. I can equip them, then aim at a wall and shoot. The arrow goes flying as it should. Afterwards, I give Elly her bow back.


    "Seems like it works, Elly. I''d guess worst case the summon arrows count as untrained attacks even if they have proper bow training. But ranged damage is still ranged damage."


    "I agree."

 Ch. 40 – Wrong Warp

    The next three floors just go like usual. Hundreds of high-level monsters chilling to cold status and feeding me a ton of exp. I spend some of the MP regeneration time re-reading the dungeon book, some looking through the race and class options for Maria and the rest of the time playing with summoned Elly makeshift chess using some of the craft materials as chess pieces and some marking engraved on the ground via spears as playboard.


    Not pretty but serviceable.


    We finally settled on a setup for Maria. The low level and lack of equipment stats are very limiting when you can''t fall back on status magic.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Maria</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sworn Guardian 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sword Fiend (Human) 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1345/1345</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">260/260</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1274/1274</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">275+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">250+10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">275+10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">25+10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">175+10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">125+10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">175+10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit Sword</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sword Training 5


    Oath of Protection 5, Stamina Boost 5, Trust Fall 5


    Summoned Spirit 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dark</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Not quite what I originally expected but considering the restrictions and what I''ve perceived of Maria''s personality so far, it will have to suffice.


    I would prefer to also give her valkyrie, spears just have better reach than swords, the damage types seem to be identical and flight should be very useful but she insisted on swords and this was the best I found.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Oath of Protection


    Active


    Swear an oath to your intended liege.


    Once spoken an oath can''t be taken back anymore.


    A person can only give or receive a single oath.


    Should the recipient of this oath die you''ll find your end within 24 hours as well.


    While the Oath is active all of your base stats are increased by (2x skill level).


    HP, MP and SP are instead increased by (10x skill level).</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Considering she''s dead anyway when I as her summoner die this skill has no drawback for her.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Trust Fall


    Passive


    Once per day when you sense that the target of your oath is in danger:


    Automatically swap position with your liege and restore (2x FTH) HP to both yourself and your liege.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I just hope I''ll never have to find out what the actual restrictions on this skill are...


    As for visuals, she''s become a short-haired brunette wielding a claymore wrapped in proper plate armor. Too bad none of the stuff is really functional, at least it means I have no objection to her forgoing a helm neither does it seem to hamper her movement. Can we just call it cosplay armor at this point?


    After we finalized her body I offered Maria to join in on chess as well but she felt like I was cheating with Elly in my head assisting me. And since I can''t afford to summon both of them at the same time she sits those sessions out and only observes us, maybe learning a bit more about the game. Summons only come with the bare minimum in knowledge afterall and chess is deemed non-essential. A pity but one we can correct later.


    I even just barely manage to reach Summoner level 3 already from those three floors. Elly was very disappointed that she didn''t also level up from that. I need a lot more CHA before she does.


    And then... the remaining floors are just empty. Not a monster in sight.


    "Wasn''t that as far as I got in the previous dungeon? I think we had to turn back at floor 17 and the 17 here was the last one filled with monsters."


    "I remember it like that as well", Elly is in a serious mood for once, "so it seems we really were in the same dungeon the whole time. Just half joined by a second dungeon instance? Maybe something like that. I don''t know, Jared."


    "Neither do I. But let''s assume that it really is the same dungeon. Honestly, that would be the worst case as we''d appear directly in front of Darius again when we leave."


    (My liege, could I ask you to please call Elly back? I want to take part in this discussion as well if possible.)


    "Uh, I think I can help you there, guys", Dan finally speaks to us again after an eternity of silence.


    "How so?"


    "The exit leads to a small village. I think there is no one there to play with though. By the way, who is your lady friend, bats?"


    "Just a spirit I''ve summoned. Felt a bit lonely since there was no one else to talk to."


    I signal to Elly to return to me.


    "Uh, sorry about that. I was looking for some playmates for the floors you''re currently on but no one came."


    "Works for me. Gets me faster out of here."


    "Ohhh... but I wanted to play more with you."


    "I think we''ve played enough. I''ve been here for almost a year now."


    (I wouldn''t have minded you gaining a few more levels in Summoner before we leave this place. If not for giving me eventually another level then at least for the additional skill at level 5.)


    (Now, now, miss Elly, we''ll have plenty of opportunities to remedy this deficiency.)


    (I liked it more when you called me sister...)


    (If you wish I''ll give it a try... dear sister), that almost sounded mocking from Maria.


    (Can I assume that Elly is the big sis by age and Maria is the big sis by maturity?)


    (HEY!)


    (I take that as a yes.)


    "Well, if you have to leave...", Dan continues in a sad tone, or as sad as a dungeon can sound, "I hope you two will at least come back to play again soon."


    "Without a doubt. From what I understand it is in my interest to fully clear a couple of dungeons, this one included. We''ll definitely run into each other again then."


    "You''re a weird monster, you know that? Beating a dungeon and all that. Oh, I know! Before you leave please wait a moment for me. I think I have a farewell present for you. You know, as a reminder of your promise. You can go on until you see the blue exit portal, we''ll meet up again there."


    "Uh, sure. Let''s do that."


    I continue walking through the empty floors. Even the boss floor is empty. Can I just walk out like that? No more boss in my way? That would probably be too easy.


    (Any plans for what we do once we''re outside, Jared?)


    (Elly has me informed about what has happened so far, milord, I''m curious as well.)


    (Not really. Our ''friend'' Dan said we''d leave towards a village, so not even close to where we came from. Damn glitched reality...)


    Elly adds her two cents, (if I had to guess that village will be abandoned because of the ongoing flood. Unless there''s also time travel involved, and then all bets are off.)


    (Yeah, and even if we got a bit stronger here that is not nearly enough to fight off all of those monsters. We''ll need to check out the surrounding area and hopefully find a somewhat defensible position.)


    (Do you intend to fight your way back to the fortress, Jared?)


    (Depends on where we end up. Ideally, yes. Even if we can hold a given position I''ve no intention of enduring that for half a year or more.)


    (Under the assumption that we can make it to the nearest fortress and it should be the one you were before, milord, what would be the plan then?)


    (I don''t know, Maria, I don''t know. I''d really like to continue where I left off. Find some people I can trust, gather some leads on the demon artifact and then go from there. But after the issue with Darius that won''t work. He is someone I cannot beat in a fight and given our brief history neither of us can trust the other.)


    (I think you should finally do what I told you a thousand times and show him that you are a ''Lost One''. I see no other way out of this.)


    (Yeah, but we can worry about that once we know what is going on outside.)


    (Has your opinion on taking over a ''Lord''s Mansion'' changed? Still against it?)


    (Honestly, I''m still not too keen on taking on a leadership role. Especially when the threat of a riot over me being a vampire looms over everything.)


    (I am of the opinion that milord should do it. It would only be right for a lord to have some lands to rule over.)


    (Your opinion is duly noted, Maria. But it really is not as simple as that. People will find out that I''m a vampire eventually. I still need to drink blood to survive. So I can either demand some kind of regular blood tribute or try to keep it under wraps by secretly assaulting someone, but eventually, that will be found out. Either way, they''ll know. And people have prejudices against vampires, and they aren''t unfounded I may add.)


    (I am quite aware of those facts. I still believe it would be for the better. If it helps I shall offer my blood as well.)


    (If it was that easy you''d see a lot of vampires with summoner classes for self-sustain. And if my experience with monster blood is any indication it will be worth nearly nothing.)


    (As I said I am willing to offer my blood, so if you want to try, please go ahead.)


    (Fine, let''s get this over with.)


    I summon Maria, "are you really sure you''re ok with this?"


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Yes, milord."


    I do as requested, bite her neck and drink some of her blood. Same deal as with the fake human monsters, a very weak taste and only the slightest bit filling. Not an angle worth pursuing in the long run.


    "Yeah, it is exactly as expected. Are you ok?"


    "Yes, it was... a bit different than what I expected, but I am fine."


    "Good, go back now and rest."


    With these words I unsummon her.


    (So with that theory destroyed... any other reason why it shouldn''t be a big deal to take over the ''Lord''s Mansion''? Or can we postpone that problem until it is too late?)


    (Maybe, aren''t you forgetting someone?)


    (Depends, who do you have in mind, Elly?)


    (Chloe. You know, your familiar. Could you really abandon her like that?)


    (Who is that? Another of our sisters?)


    (No, Maria, she is a normal person. Or at least was? We''re still not exactly sure what the ''familiar bond'' my skill forced on her did to her. She has been a bit... off since then.)


    (In that case, I think that as a gentleman it is your duty to take care of her.)


    Since when am I a gentleman? I am a goddamn vampire. Gentle is kinda the opposite of what happens when I go for dinner.


    (Say, Maria, I''ve thought you''d be more restrained like you were a few floors when you first came to be. What has changed?)


    (I do not know what you speak of.)


    (Uh, I think I can answer that...)


    (Elly, what have you done this time?)


    (So I wanted to bring Maria up to speed on our general situation but that was honestly a bit too much to get across quickly. So I took a shortcut and gave my fellow ''AI'' here just a  few of the relevant ones from my memory files and, uh... I think a few of my personality files got mixed up in there?)


    (So you''ve now basically mind-wiped her?)


    (I must protest, my liege. Elly has only done what she considers to be in your best interest.)


    (There are limits to how far you two should take these things. Even if you two are ''just AIs'' to me you''re real, like real people real, and you should at least get treated with that level of respect. Did I make myself clear?)


    (Yes, milord.)


    (This split personality understands as well.)


    Way to ruin the mood, Elly.


    We move on and reach floor 1 with no opposition but instead of the expected blue exit portal. there are just more stairs to the next floor.


    (Can I file a bug report on this? The entrance should always be before floor 1 and not... what floor -28? Do I have to beat 120 floors away from my spawn point or something?)


    (I''m afraid we can do nothing but move on, Jared.)


    (Yeah, yeah. Maria? Is everything ok with you? You''re quite silent.)


    (No, everything is fine, I''m just not much of a talker.)


    (Right, but don''t forget to actually speak up when something happens, ok?)


    (Yes, I will. Don''t worry about me.)


    And on floor 0 there waits the promised rematch with the green wall. If I could I''d like to pass on that...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Haze Shield the Slime (Rematch)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Slime Queen 18, Earth Golem 18, Earth Gleam 18, Disperser 18</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 18</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 18, Boss 18, Wall 18</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">118679/118679</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5312/5312</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">8776/8776</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1296</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0 [-216]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">892</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">836</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">656</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1588</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">332</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Acid Spray 28, Earth Magic 28 (Rank 5)


    Acid Skin 28, <del>Flight 28</del>, Status Recovery 28, Summon Disjunction 28, Wall 28


    Earth Resistance 18, Physical Resistance 28, Soft Weakness 28


    Unsafe Zone 28</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dark, Fire, Water, Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Seems like I wasn''t the only one out training.)


    (I think it was level 16 before and just a regular slime, not a queen variant. Also, Disperser is new.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Status Recovery


    Passive


    Recover (skill level x20) status damage per minute.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Why do I feel like it is still optimized to annoy me.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Disjunction


    Passive


    Inflict +100% weakness damage to summoned creatures.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Well, you two were going to get one shot anyway.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Soft Weakness


    Passive


    Reduces taken weakness damage from +100% to +20%.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Oh for... Do you want to be my equal and opposite, Haze? Slime for vampire, both classic RPG monsters, even the highest slash boss variant for both of us. Golem to my survivor as the defense line. Gleam to my wizard as caster. Disperser as the counterpart to my summoner...)


    (...wall for your tendency to hide behind those. I think you read too much into this.)


    (Maybe, but it still feels like it is mocking me. On the upside its off-screen training caused it to lose the skill that worried me the most, no more regeneration for you! I think this is the first time where a villain should have rather forgotten to level grind if they are serious about winning.)


    I shoot an dark spell at it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Dark Beam'' has inflicted 658 damage to Haze Shield the Slime (Rematch). Failed to inflict status effect.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So much for stopping its spell casting with the curse status...


    The boss casts its earth spell and I have gone out of the way long before it was even ready to fire.


    (Uh, yeah, that''ll take ages to take down... like weeks, Jared.)


    (Hmm... I have a dumb idea, Elly.)


    (We better be ready for anything now, Maria...)


    (Do you see the gap over the boss? Can you try to fly behind it and check if it can attack there?)


    (I don''t see the point. I doubt I can even scratch that thing''s defense. And if it can attack I''m dead.)


    (So what? You''re now my summon. You''ll be back after a one-week vacation.)


    (I''d like to pass on that but you are the boss...)


    I shoot another spell at the boss to get its attention away from Elly while she flies through the gap as discussed.


    (What is your plan, my liege?)


    (I want to get you two in attack range. It negates my best source of damage and has high magic resistance on top. But its physical defense isn''t that high.)


    "4???8???4???5???5???9???2???1???2???0??? ???5???3???5???4???4???f???5???0???2???0??? ???5???4???4???8???4???1???5???4???2???1??? ???"


    After a minute Elly screams, "I seem to be safe here! Now what?"


    "Hit it!"


    "I already did! That was only 47 damage!"


    Oh, so I don''t get system notifications for what damage my summons do, good to know.


    "Okay, then come back!"


    I shoot yet another spell as a distraction, it also fails to inflict the status effect. Guess the boss''s resistance is too high for me. Also, shouldn''t my summons draw fire away from me? This isn''t working as I hoped...


    Elly stands before me again, "so how did this help us?"


    "Depends on how the rest goes. Do you think you can carry Maria behind the boss?"


    "Uh, I think I can. The ''heavy'' armor is just for show after all."


    I summon Maria as well.


    "So the plan is simple. Elly, you bring Maria behind the boss and then come back to me. I draw its attack towards me so you can fly safely."


    "Why should I return? We''d already be both in range to scratch its back."


    "I want to be there too."


    "And who''d prevent it from shooting us down mid-flight?"


    "Who says we two will fly?"


    "I don''t get it."


    "Maria will be behind the boss, right? So you hit me a few times so that her [Trust Fall] triggers, I unsummon and resummon you two and we three will sit behind its back and it can do nothing about it. It is still just a wall after all. So no turning around."


    "Please remind me to never anger you for real..."


    We do as discussed, I fire a few spells at the boss and dodge away each time until Elly and Maria are behind it. Then Elly comes back.


    "Are you ready, Jared?"


    "Yeah, yeah, you can begin releasing some pent-up anger towards me, just don''t overdo it."


    "Anger? Me? Who do you take me for! But yes, I''ll do so with pleasure."


    "You little troll..."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 89 damage from Elly''s attack.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "That hurt less than expected. That was almost pathetic, Elly."


    "Yeah, yeah. Maybe you should double your CHA so I can gain a minimum of STR."


    Three stabs later my vision goes white for a moment...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Oathbound Maria''s Trust Fall was activated.


    Recovered 370 HP.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Then I''m behind the green wall. Just as planned. Then I unsummon and resummon Elly and Maria.


    "Alright, you two, get to work!"


    I bring out my claws to also deal damage with them.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 136 damage to Haze Shield the Slime (Rematch).


    Contact with Acid Skin caused 66 damage to you.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Aw, shit... Elly, can you borrow me a spear? Claws count as making contact."


    "Oh, sure, here."


    She gives me her weapon and then summons a new spear for herself.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 71 damage to Haze Shield the Slime (Rematch).</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I didn''t expect my claws to already be almost twice as strong as the spear. Well, it is a +0 STR spear.


    Hmm... I do have a +50 STR trash sword, how good is that without the training skill?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 62 damage to Haze Shield the Slime (Rematch).</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ok, forget it, spear it is.


    The rest are several days of casting spells, poking away with the spear and unsummoning my two minions whenever their SP is depleted then bringing them out again twenty hours later when they''ve recovered.


    Since they are not ''dead'' during that time I get my full MP maximum back so I lose only a handful of minutes on diminished MP recovery while they are out so they are a pure gain in damage output - as little as they contribute per hit.


    "4???9???2???0??? ???5???7???4???9???4???c???4???c???2???0??? ???4???2???4???5???2???0??? ???4???2???4???1???4???3???4???b???2???c???2???0??? ???5???9???4???f???5???5???2???0??? ???4???7???4???f???4???4???4???4???4???1???4???d???4???e???2???0??? ???4???2???4???1???4???3???4???b???5???3???4???3???5???2???4???1???5???4???4???3???4???8???4???5???5???2???2???1???2???1???2???0??? ???4???9???2???0??? ???5???7???4???9???4???c???4???c???2???0??? ???4???2???4???5???2???0??? ???4???2???4???1???4???3???4???b???2???1???2???1??? ???"


    With that, the green wall crumbles and the door opens. Took only... four whole days. Still, what''s done is done.


    In the room behind the now open door lies the long-awaited exit portal... two of them in fact. Why, how?


    (Did one of you spike my victory blood pack? I see double the exits.)


    (Wasn''t me, you Maria?)


    (I wouldn''t dare bring harm to you.)


    (Ok, so both of them are real. And which is now the correct one...)


    (Uh, good question, next question please.)


    (I believe we should wait for the creature you call Dan. He might know the answer.)


    (Right... I had almost forgotten about him. Rather I tried...)


    "Hey, Dan, are you there?"


    "One moment please, I''m almost done!"


    (So that works at least.)


    (But thinking about it, there being two exits just strengthens the theory that this is just two dungeons slammed together.)


    (Possibly, but we''re done now so that doesn''t help us in proceeding towards our actual goal.)


    After a few more minutes of waiting for something to happen, something does indeed happen. Dan''s voice booms again through the room, "ok, now I''m finished. Oh, I see you''re already at the exit. That was quicker than I expected."


    "Quick? There was just a single obstacle left. And that took days."


    "Yeah, right, so, emm... I don''t know how to say this. I guess since you''re here now that means this is goodbye for now."


    "Well, yeah, if I had a clue why there are two exits or at least which the correct one is."


    "From what I can see... both lead to the same destination."


    "Works for me. Any last words before I leave?"


    Dan has to think about it for a moment, "oh, right. There was something I wanted to give you. Uh, here."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">D???a???n???-???G???e???o???n??? transferred Ring of Monsters to you.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "I hope I won''t be this defective next time we meet but you... you did refuse to use the core to repair yourself so... well, we probably won''t be able to talk like this again. But that ring should help with that."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Ring of Monsters


    Allows the wearer to talk with monsters while in a dungeon.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Uh, thanks, I guess. But do you even think you''ll be in the state of mind to talk? I''ve read the description of the common monster skill and it doesn''t sound like it."


    "Well, there''s only one way to find out, right? Ha~ha."


    "Sure, well, see you next time then."


    "Ok, bye~"


    So far I''ve befriended a mansion, now befrienemied a dungeon, what''s next? Dating a planet? ...wait, did I just call Lucia fat? Better not tell her that joke then.


    I summon Maria as a bodyguard in case something waits on the other side then enter the exit portal.

 Ch. 41 – Second Contact

    When I leave the dungeon exit I''m standing in the middle of what looks like a community hall except that everything is demolished. Seems like the monsters had to relieve pent-up stress in some way with all of their toys already gone.


    Maria goes on a quick scouting trip. Maybe I should''ve sent Elly instead to look from above... well, she can go after that.


    Now that I take a look outside it looks like it is still in the middle of the day. So I need to find protection against both regular monsters and the biggest monster of them all: the sun. Being in here only guards me against the latter.


    "Milord, it seems there are no monsters to be found within this village itself, only further away from it."


    "Good, Maria, you can take a rest. Elly, it is your turn now."


    I switch my two summons around.


    "For what exactly, Jared?"


    "You can fly. You should be able to see more of the surrounding area."


    "Huh? Oh, right, valkyrie. I actually forget I had those wings. Let me get to it."


    (Would it be appropriate to give my report now?)


    (Sure, Maria, what have you got?)


    (So, it was just what you would expect of a deserted and ruined village, no people to be found and none of the buildings seem to offer any safety against monster assaults. Though there was a watchtower that still seemed operable. We could hole up in there as a start, most monsters can''t climb ladders. Maybe we could even remove or destroy the ladders once we''re up there.)


    (As much damage as monsters have done to the village what makes you think that they can''t bring a watchtower down?)


    (I don''t have a guarantee but it looked relatively stable with its fortified wooden walls and at least it should be safer than out here in the open.)


    (Good, we''ll give it a try.)


    Maria guides me to the aforementioned watchtower. When she first mentioned it I expected just a flimsy construct on four wooden legs but it has solid walls instead. Inside there''s indeed a ladder going up, no stairs. And the ladder seems loose enough that we can pull it up. The top is covered by a roof so I should be safe against the sun as well.


    I take the opportunity to have a look around myself. Now, why does this place look so familiar?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Reconnecting to the master system...


    Retrying search for compatible class...</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Huh? Oh, right, shit. I forgot about the demon lord title thing...


    Can I abort this, please? I don''t want it anymore... yeah, didn''t think so.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: candidate is lacking critical requirements.


    Abort search, reschedule for a later date...


    Forcefully acquiring missing critical title...</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That''s what I get for agreeing to something I only understand by half at best, and under duress at that...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Demon


    Title obtained for passing a specific rite of passage.


    Can no longer hold production jobs or classes.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Weird, I do not feel unproductive, and nothing else seems to have changed, all my other titles and classes are still there.


    So what should this title tell me? That ''demons'' are not a specific race or empire or whatever, but just anyone that holds this title? And that it is relatively easy to obtain?


    I guess this lends credence to the idea that the devas have just played me. If anyone can become a ''demon'' just like that, this is a bad criterion to define the ''enemy'' in their alleged war between good and evil. Maybe once I find the ''demon'' civilization I can just join them? At least by title, I am now already a member, potentially soon a leader of theirs. This whole scenario is so weird...


    While mulling over this turn of events, Elly returns to my side, "ah, there you are. What''s going on, Jared? You don''t look too well."


    "I just got a friendly reminder that I took the ''Demon Lord Candidate'' title. It seems like you first need a regular demon title which is seemingly not even hard to get. Just pass a rite of passage and that''s it... well, I don''t know the details, I just got handed it forcefully because of the candidate thing."


    "Huh, well, we can''t abort the process at this point anymore. You just have to behave so as to not qualify for the rest of the package, right? Unless you want to still go all in. But anyway, I saw only a few monsters in the distance. Doesn''t seem like we''ll be in danger any time soon."


    "Good to hear. Any clue where we even are right now?"


    "I think this is the village where we were in the beginning and you had... you know, your little misunderstanding with the three kids."


    "Way to go, life! Just keep kicking me while I''m already down. I didn''t need that reminder yet again! *sigh* So, that means we know the way to the fortress?"


    "Pretty much. Just... follow that road over there and at the road split after a day or so turn to the right. Though by carriage it was still a two-day trip. Technically we could run there faster but the monsters would slow us down if not completely stop us once we get to the fully crowded part near the fortress."


    "Yeah, and I can''t spend too long in the scorching sun while we''re at it... I have gotten quite a few levels since then which makes the sun deal much more damage to me than even back then, and my sun protection gear can absorb only so much sunlight damage at a time. I think I would already take some sun damage now even while the Sun Guard Ring hasn''t reached its threshold yet because it caps at 30 damage per second and [Undead] should make me take 45 damage, minus some [Daywalker] resistance. Wait, does the cloak say how much it can take at most? I never checked."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Sun Guard Ring</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">Blocks up to 100.000 damage from sunlight exposure; recovers over 24h. Can negate at most 30 damage per second.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Sun Cloak</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">Protects against sunlight exposure for a maximum of 2h; recovers over 20h.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Nope, just two hours flat. Still not enough to feel safe."


    "So, with your increased level, the ring doesn''t even last a full hour anymore. Well, it''s only a difference of ten minutes to before our training montage, so that isn''t saying much."


    "More like two minutes, I''m over the 30 damage threshold now, by quite a margin even."


    "Oh, right, maybe you should work a bit more on the title levels in the future to aid a bit via [Daywalker]?"


    "Don''t think that matters, even if, that is a problem for the future. For now, we have to worry about how to get to a safer place."


    Elly fidgets around a bit, "Jared, this time I have a dumb idea."


    "Why am I surprised, you are based on me after all. Speak, what is it?"


    "We take the way along the forest edge. When monsters get too close I''ll help you climb up a tree to safety since I can fly."


    "I don''t see how this is dumb. As long as we don''t lose sight of the road we should be fine."


    "Well, but first I need to rest. Flying around has drained most of my limited SP already."


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    "Do that, Elly."


    (If the need arises, you can also sacrifice me as bait, my liege.)


    (I... don''t like that option but I''ll keep that in mind. I know you would be back within a week but ''human'' sacrifices are not something I want on my conscience nor do I want to unnecessarily hurt a friend.)


    (I appreciate your concern for my well-being.)


    After a few hours, once the sun starts to set down, I climb down the watchtower and start running towards the forest.


    Soon I arrive at the trees and have a quick glance at the weird trees. Their strange spiral patterns still are very unsettling to me, just like on the first day here. As a quick test, I try to climb one of them but their bark is too smooth to really get any grip.


    (I hope you can carry me up there, Elly. Climbing those trees by myself seems out.)


    (Then we better check now before we get struck by an emergency.)


    (Yeah, let''s.)


    I bring Elly out again. I try to climb the tree and she supports me, with that, I manage to reach the top.


    "Ok, that wasn''t too bad, Jared. Maybe a bit of an SP hog but otherwise doable."


    "Good to hear. Now go back to recover SP. I don''t want to find you 2 SP short when we have to do that for real."


    "Yeah, ''see'' you later." - (Not that this stops me from thinking at you.)


    (So, anything else I should be aware of or can I go down again now?)


    (Give me ten minutes, then I should have enough SP for the worst case.)


    (Fine by me.)


    (Can we then get to playing cards, Elly?)


    (You have cards in there?)


    (That was supposed to be a secret, Maria!)


    (Oh, sorry, my bad.)


    (...you are pulling my leg, aren''t you?)


    (...maayybe?)


    billiard noises


    (Right...)


    After a few minutes, I climb down again and start running along the edge of the forest, always keeping an eye on the road to the side and every so often stopping to look around for monsters but none seem to care about me. [Stealth] coming in clutch again.


    After over a day of running, I can finally see the fortress in the distance. And the figurative flood of monsters surrounding it. It is currently in the middle of the day, so now what?


    (Making a break for the gate itself is out. There''s an endless amount of monsters in the way, and even if I got through, this would also raise awkward questions about how I was outside.)


    (I can''t see it from here, but the second gate should have the same issue. Though at least the ungated sides of the fortress have only a few monsters in the way, maybe you can climb up there?)


    (Well, I did buy a rope. You would have to fly up and fasten one end of it to the battlements, then assist me while I climb up. I''m not sure I want to test how I interact with the water in the moat, I don''t have a swimming skill and as game-like as some aspects are, this might mean instant drowning... How long would we even have for that operation? How long can you fly, Elly?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Wings


    Concentration


    Just by owning this skill, the owner grows natural wings if they have none.


    The style of wings matches the base race.


    Flight consumes (20 - skill level/10) SP per second.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (So, about two minutes. Should suffice.)


    (Yeah, we can start once I have regenerated my SP to full.)


    (I''d rather wait for nighttime. Might help with [Stealth]. At least there would be less people inside to accidentally see me.)


    (Sounds like a plan.)


    (Anything I can do to help?)


    (I don''t think so, Maria.)


    (I thought as much. Though feel free to use me as a distraction if you should catch the attention of some monsters.)


    (Yeah, we can do that. But you don''t need to fight to your death then.)


    We wait for nighttime. I technically have enough MP to cast two rain spells now, I haven''t done that in a long time, and I''d ''lose'' the 1000 MP anyway when I summon Elly later but... I don''t feel like giving myself away now is a good idea. If it doesn''t draw aggro from the monsters, it would at least tip off Darius that I''ll be back.


    Honestly, I would have rather gone anywhere else, Darius and Therese are too dangerous to my future. But that village watchtower isn''t defensible for me and I don''t know any other settlement in the vicinity where I could go to.


    Funny, how the ''safest'' place right now would be within reach of who should be by all rights my worst nightmare.


    Once night falls, I sneak towards the moat at the ungated sidewall. I summon Elly, take out the rope and hand one end to her while holding onto the other, "You know the plan, now go."


    "Gotcha."


    As she flies up I begin to sense a problem, the rope is too short.


    The rope tightens, I expect Elly to notice that and come back... but instead, she drags me just in the air as if my weight was nothing to her.


    "Umm, I didn''t know you were that strong, Elly."


    "What? Huh? I thought this rope would be longer. Umm, if you''re that light I can just carry you normally."


    She pulls me up and grabs me from behind. If this were an anime I might have had a nice feeling on my back, but alas, armor.


    I put the rope away while she carries me up and lets me down on the wall.


    "Say, Jared, do you eat properly? You weight very little."


    "That is not something you should ask a vampire, especially not in the middle of a crowd. He might take that as an invitation to a buffet."


    Both of us have a quick chuckle.


    We look around but it seems like no one noticed our little infiltration.


    "Elly, do you have enough SP left to fly me down to that building?"


    "Yeah, I should have just enough and then I''m pooped."


    "Ok, then do so, please."


    Elly brings me down and then I unsummon her. Seems like I have entered the slums again. The people here are too apathetic to notice our little stunt just now, [Stealth] probably does its part as well. That works for me.


    What a weird feeling. To me, it has been over a year, but to reality, I was last here three or four days ago. I guess normal people won''t get it even nearly as bad, don''t have the food or lack of necessary sleep to last even a day in a dungeon.


    I still have the map from Chloe in my inventory, I check with it what the shortest route to my destination is, Elly assists me with that.


    I start walking towards the slum''s exit. On the way, I see some suspicious figures entering an alley.


    (I wonder what they are up to.)


    (Do you really want to get involved with whatever is going on here, my liege? You may have become a bit stronger since you were last here, but you aren''t even up to par with regular soldiers level-wise. I consider it ill-advised to try busting a thieves guild or whatever may be up ahead.)


    (For now, I''m just curious, Maria. Neither of us may like associating with ''criminals'', but as it stands, I''m not safe with the military, Darius saw to that. Taking the ''Lord''s Mansion'' is currently not an option either, even if wanted, I don''t have any beer to fulfill the trade. And as we discussed earlier, I''m very limited on how long I can stay in the sun, I need a place to stay. So, if that means joining hands with a group of rogues for the time being, then this is something I have to consider.)


    (Alright, but please, be careful.)


    Just to be safe, I change my robe''s design to be less conspicuous, hide the military insignia and change the blue color scheme to grey. That should avoid a bit of trouble, the people here don''t take too well to the military.


    I follow the figures but soon lose sight of them. I look around a bit and walk some more in the direction they were heading until I start hearing noises, chatting to be precise. I cautiously head towards it.


    When I arrive at the source of the noise, I see what looks like another market. Would a black market really operate out in the open like that? If that really is the black market, I would have rather expected it to be hidden in someone''s cellar or something, at least not blatantly out in the open like this.


    I start to look around a bit.


    Most of the stuff on sale is the same as in the regular market just for about a third of the price. I ask one of the merchants and he explains to me that none of the merchants here have a license, they couldn''t even go back to ''civilization'' since the automatic law enforcement considers them criminals. Most regular people don''t dare go here and the military is bound by contracts to purchase from the regular merchants, so the illegal merchants can only offer dump prices if they want to make any sales.


    I thank him by trading two of his decks of cards for some of the food I looted in the dungeon. That should help him more than some gold.


    I have no idea how they get by, how they survive. None of the food supplies go to the slums, I overheard as much from some of the supply staff when I got my first charge of the disgusting monster blood vials. Maybe there are some destitute farms hidden somewhere in the slums? Well, knowing that wouldn''t change anything.


    One of the merchants actually has a ''Class Core'' for sale but it is priced at 300 gold. Just for the heck of it, I tried to haggle the merchant down like the one merchant taught me ages ago. In terms of cash, he would go as low as 250 but I don''t have that much with me. I tried to trade most of the food and materials I have with me instead, but that wasn''t enough for him. Well, maybe next time. I have basically cleared the dungeon once, so why shouldn''t I be able to repeat that next week?


    I check some more merchants but they carry nothing else of value. Not even a simple beer for my dear friend. With that, I leave the slum market and head to my original destination.


    (My liege, may I ask why don''t you donate more of the food to those people?)


    (I don''t have enough to feed all of them for even a day, and I hate choosing who gets to live and who doesn''t. I''m not a god of life and death.)


    (So, you are okay with letting all of them starve?)


    (No, but at a minimum, the food may come in as a bargaining chip if push comes to shove. In the long term that may save more people than feeding a couple for a day.)


    (May I ask what your master plan with those cards is, Jared?)


    (Plan? I just want them to pass time. I''m sick of reading the same books over and over, the library is unlikely to have anything new to read sometime soon, and the less I have to read from that presumptuous ass Jeff the better.)


    (Who is ''Jeff''?)


    (He is the cause of many of my headaches, Maria. If you ever meet him, feel free to sock him. He is one of the devas responsible for handling my reincarnation and sending me here. You would think he is on our side but I doubt that. There are several inconsistencies in what he has told me and the documents he gave me... have issues. Lots of issues. Several are just incomplete or broken, well, I can''t fault Jeff for that, he didn''t have enough time to finish the transfer. But some of the other documents... are useless. Like, to understand them they require knowledge I simply don''t have, others seem flat out wrong - like, who''d ever say that defense is completely useless if you only have one chance at everything? And the remaining files... are password-protected, and he forgot to give me the password. Given the circumstances, I have no idea if he is really on our side and just utterly incompetent, or if he is in reality our enemy.)


    (I''ll... keep that in mind.)

 Ch. 42 – Acceptance?

    POV: Darius


    Therese has finished interrogating all the ''witnesses'', I have no idea what for. I have already admitted to my doing, this is just a waste of time.


    Now it is my turn to get interrogated.


    She places the truth gem on the table and then sits down.


    "Okay, commander", Therese sounds even more pissed than usual, "let me summarize what I''ve learned about your little stunt. You have assaulted one of our captains because you suspect she''s working for a ''Vampire Progenitor'' of all things. ...and said assault almost killed her, by the way. Are you out of your mind!? Who would believe such a fairy tale? There is no proof, that progenitors ever existed and any story that mentions them ends with them getting wiped out!"


    "He admitted to being one!"


    "Don''t be ridiculous, Darius! He just lied to you to intimidate you. There is no way such a weak vampire could be a lord or even a progenitor."


    She is defending the monster, so he HAS taken control of this fortress already...


    "Weak? What is wrong with you! I''ve tried to [appraise] him and only got question marks back! That proves beyond a doubt that he is strong enough to be what he claims to be!"


    "What? Darius, have you really lost it? Both Chloe and I have [appraised] Jared without issue, he hasn''t even reached level 5 yet."


    "But I''ve clearly seen-"


    "No, Darius, you''re just overworked and clearly need rest."


    "I need rest? You need to come to your senses, Therese! He has got to have you under his control or something. The Therese I know would NEVER take the side of a vampire!"


    She just stares at me completely baffled.


    "No, I... I''m not taking his side. All I''m saying is that he isn''t nearly strong enough to warrant using our last banishment crystal."


    "Then explain to me why I couldn''t see his stats! No one in this fortress is even close to as strong as I am! So how could you see his stats but I couldn''t? That doesn''t add up!"


    We both stare speechless at the truth gem. It never ceased to shine green the whole time.


    "That indeed doesn''t make sense. If both of us say the truth, what is going on then?"


    I don''t understand what is happening anymore.


    "Listen, Therese. I, I don''t know how to put it. But everyone was acting suspiciously, I thought I had no other choice. I''m not proud about what I did, but I saw no alternatives."


    "...maybe we have. *sigh* What is done is done now. He won''t come back, so we''ll never be able to confirm the truth. Maybe that is for the better..."


    I get a bad feeling while she says this.


    "Here''s what we''ll do, Darius. You go back to the hospital until the doctor releases you properly. Take that time to clear your thoughts and think about how you''ll apologize to Chloe. She has been through a lot, so please don''t treat this lightly, she... isn''t in a good place mentally."


    "Right, I understand-"


    "Then when you''re out again, we three will sit together and talk everything through. As for the witnesses, I''ve already ordered them to keep silent about the whole situation. Though, that won''t stop rumors from spreading. Well, you know the drill."


    "Yeah, thanks, Therese."


    "As for your duties once you''ve recovered-"


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">The local "Lord''s Mansion" has been claimed.


    A new lord reigns over fortress "<nameless>".</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "-we''ll talk about that later."


    "...indeed, grab the gem, we need to hurry to the mansion! A new lord may be great news but I have a bad feeling about this."


    "Why? Wasn''t there a rumor going around about a ''Lost Child'' arriving, maybe they found their way here?"


    "That is... too much wishful thinking. With how badly the last few days went, I don''t see us, me, deserving such a reward."


    "Fine, let''s just go. We can discuss our further path of action once we''ve ascertained the new lord''s character."


    "Agreed."


    We hurry over to the ''Lord''s Mansion'', grab a few more soldiers on the way and order the rest to stay on duty. They may deserve to know who our new lord is as much as we do, maybe even more so, but we can''t neglect general safe-keeping.


    In front of the mansion is a huge crowd of people, I can see nothing of the new lord, too far away, nor can I hear anything, it seems their speech was over just when we arrived. I can only see two figures enter the mansion and close the giant door behind them.


    "Therese, follow me. We have a duty to fulfill."


    "Indeed."


    We force our way through the crowd to the mansion''s door.


    I take a moment to prepare myself, then knock.


    "This is commander Darius speaking, I demand an audience!"


    After a moment, the door opens and reveals a winged woman who glares at me. Is she an angel? Is the new lord really the one sent by God?


    <hr>


    POV: Jared (a few minutes earlier)


    After leaving the slums, I change my uniform back to its original shape, minus the insignia. I can worry about creating my own later. The only symbol I can come up with at the moment would be something with a bat, and that is too on the nose for my taste. And I may still end up needing to join a thieves guild or something to get out of the open, so that effort is not worth it right now.


    On my way to the destination, I get the idea to hand Maria a real sword since her spirit sword doesn''t have stats on it.


    "I''m sorry, my liege, but I cannot use this. The notification says, that my kind can only use special spirit equipment."


    "Well, it was worth a shot. We could have used those bonuses to attack and defense, but if the system is - again - stacked against us..."


    "May I stay outside for a while? I would feel better if I knew you have a guard at your side."


    "Not sure, I have [Stealth], you don''t, but... ah, stay."


    "Thank you, my lord."


    A few minutes later we arrive at our destination - the Lord''s Mansion. I can''t take it over yet, at a minimum I''m lacking the drink it wanted. But maybe I can at least stay inside for a while. If not... I will flip a coin; heads, I head back to the military and try to force... something; tails, someone in the slums will get the short end of the stick and lose their home. I don''t like either option but I have no other ideas than those three.


    Okay, that is not completely true, I could try and ask Lucia if I could stay with her, but with her [Undead Bait] skill this can only end in tragedy.


    "Hey, are you awake?"


    "Hmm? Ah, little one, you have returned. Who is the new friend at your side?"


    "My name is Maria, faithful servant to lord Delacroix, it is a pleasure to meet you. Mister, uhh... I''m afraid I don''t name your name, sir."


    "Don''t worry your pretty head about it, I don''t have a name. At least none I recall."


    "I take it little Elly is also still around?"


    "Sure she is. Give me a moment."


    I exchange my two summons.


    "Elly, say ''hi'', this time in person."


    "Yeah, hi. We talked already last time."


    "Interesting. It looked like you have picked up summon magic, but Elly has existed before? How does that work?"


    "We had... a bit of an accident, right, Elly?"


    "I already told you, I am sorry... I didn''t intend to harm my new sister..."


    "This sounds like it would be a longer story."


    "Yes, it would be, but sadly I''m a bit tight on time. I need to find a place to stay soon... some stuff happened."


    I may be already pushing my luck but wasting the time but now I''m here...


    "I know that I don''t fulfill all of your requirements, but could I still stay here for the time being?"


    "Hmm... which requirement do you think you are lacking?"


    "I gained water and summoning magic, so I should now fulfill the requirement of knowing at least six magic types, but I didn''t manage to get my hands on some beer, neither shops nor monster drops yielded some."


    I don''t really want to take the mantle of fortress lord, I''m not the leader type, but the people here need one such lord. And I seem to be the only one here able to claim the mansion. So, lacking this arbitrary item is convenient for my conscience. I can only say I tried, I checked all shops I found, have slain thousands of monsters for the chance to get it via random drop, but none of that worked out. I tried, I did my best, it was not enough, don''t blame me!


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "I don''t mind, you can stay. There''s still a lot of time left."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">The fortress "<nameless>" has accepted you as its new lord!


    You have acquired the title "Fortress Lord"!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "You can just give me the beer at a later date."


    "What? What have you done!?"


    This isn''t what I''ve wanted. I just wanted a place to stay for the next few days.


    "Is it not obvious? I have accepted you."


    As he starts to explain, I enter the mansion and look around a bit.


    "You may not meet the exact requirements, but those are just a subjective trial anyway. The one that has to make a judgment is me, and me alone. I have seen that you put in the necessary effort. Last time, you mentioned that you have doubts about taking on this position, but despite that, I can feel that you care enough about the people. I have faith that they will be in decent hands with you."


    "This feels like cheating. Apart from me, no one can bargain with you mansions about those details."


    "Ha~ha, that is where you are mistaken. We mansions can speak the common language, just some of us choose not to. In my case, I see it as part of the trial. Originally, I just wanted to see a lord with the ''Arcane Linguist'' class, one of my favorite elite classes if I had to admit, but my first lord admonished me for having too narrow a taste."


    "What''s so special about it?"


    "Hah, let me show you!"


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Arcane Linguist</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    37 HP, 51 MP, 26 SP, 4 STR, 4 DEX, 3 VIT, 8 MAG, 7 FTH, 4 WIL, 7 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Affinity Magic Rank 1


    Able to use magic spells at rank 1 for every affinity the owner has.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Extra Language <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Gain the ability to speak a language of your choice fluently.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Language of Magic <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Gain affinity to an element of your choice.


    You can not choose an element you are weak to.


    At skill levels 20, 25 and 30 you may choose an additional affinity.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I don''t see the appeal. It starts similar to the wizard class, the last skill gives three affinities more eventually, but just like with wizard it also explicitly disallows the elements I would want the most. And an extra language... are there even any? My ''World Navigator'' title should give three but the last went to waste since there aren''t enough languages in the world.


    Maybe this is more helpful if you don''t have the Elly language cheat?


    How many affinities do regular people even get? Well, it doesn''t change for me, that this class would be a waste.


    "That''s... an interesting class. Not what I would need the most right now, but emm, interesting at least."


    "I suppose it isn''t for everyone."


    There''s a commotion to be heard outside. I guess the announcement of my takeover wasn''t only for me.


    "Jared, there are a lot of people gathering in front of the mansion!", Elly is audibly excited.


    Guess it is already time for my debut as the new lord of this mess.


    "I guessed as much. Come, let''s get this over with."


    I step outside with Elly at my side. I see that a lot of people are crammed together on the street. I hear a lot of murmuring.


    I gather my courage to start talking, "I actually wanted to give this address at a later time after some preparation but if you''re already all here...


    Anyway, as you may suspect, starting five minutes ago, I am the new lord of this fortress."


    In the distance I hear some people talk, "Wait, isn''t he the vampire that was with us?"


    "Silence, Allen, you fool! Don''t provoke him!"


    Was that ''our'' Allen? The other voice might have been Kay, not that I could hear it very well over all of that noise.


    "Yes, it is as you''ve said, I am a vampire. So, what of it? Does it stop me from doing this job properly? I don''t think so! I am specifically here to help you, to get this situation back under control. We may have a few... differences in food choices or how much we appreciate a sunbath but aside from that our interests align."


    I look into the masses, some show signs of fear. Understandable. I''m really not cut out for giving spontaneous speeches.


    "Any other questions?"


    After a moment, one man speaks up, "What all will change for us?"


    "Honestly, I have no idea. I still need to find out what options I all have. Eventually, I want to improve our defenses against the flood, end the food shortage and reclaim the slums, but I can''t promise anything right now. I don''t know yet which laws I can change or something. Anything else?"


    I wait a bit, but no one else asks anything, so I return to my new home.


    No riot, no dead people, can I take this as a win? Someone outing me as a vampire was less than ideal, but they would''ve found out eventually. At least in a decade or so when I haven''t aged a bit.


    "Wouldn''t it have been wiser to show them that you are a ''Lost Child'', Jared?"


    "Might have been, but I don''t want to. I''m still not sold on them really liking ''Lost Ones'' as much as people have told me. Even if, I hate the idea of only succeeding because some god gave me his blessing. I want at least some success out of my own power and by my own choices. It doesn''t have to be all the way, but at least let me be my own person for a bit. I''m not just a goddamn tool!!"


    "While I understand that desire, I still think you should prioritize your success rate over your feelings."


    "You are right, Elly, probably. I, I might fix that once I have found out what I can actually do as a lord and make an official announcement of my plans going forward."


    "I interpret that as a promise then."


    "Fine, do that."


    knock knock


    "Elly, can you check what they want? I''m not in the mood for visitors right now."


    "This is commander Darius speaking, I demand an audience!"


    "There''s your answer."


    "Fuck. Right... guide him in if he is really willing to talk and hand his weapon over while we do that. Hey, uh, mansion? Do we have a room suited for negotiations?"


    "On this floor, the one room in the back. If you want some privacy away from me, you can use the rooms on the upper floor, I can''t look into them."


    "You heard it, Elly. Guide our guests there."


    "Gotcha."


    While Elly receives our guests I check out the mentioned room. It has a big table in the middle and eight cushioned chairs around it.


    Soon, Elly brings Darius and Therese into the room.


    Darius hasn''t yet noticed who he is talking to before he starts, "I thank you for graciously taking your time to - wait, you!?", he gets visibly angry. Therese tries to hold him back.


    Darius grabs me by the collar, about to do something stupid.


    "I would refrain from that if I were you, Darius. No matter the result, you would do more damage to this fortress than I ever could."


    "What are you talking about?"


    "If you kill me now, the law enforcement will claim your life as well. And from my point of view, the people need us both, me as the lord to get the fortress back into shape and your leadership for the military to keep them safe from the flood."


    "...", he lets go of me, very much upset that he can''t get rid of me.


    "I heard you wanted to talk, then let''s talk. You will have to excuse me, I just settled in minutes ago, so I don''t have any comforts to offer yet."


    "...yes, let''s."


    Note to self, try to employ some fae as the reception. If they are as messed up as in our old myths, their word trickery would be binding and that might help the next time someone is less than willing to just settle for talking.


    "Just take any seat. You too, Therese. Say, you wouldn''t know what happened to Chloe? The last time I saw her, she was pretty devastated."


    "That was all your fault!"


    "Darius, calm down. He is just trying to get under your skin."


    "Grr..."


    Looks like Therese has Darius pretty much on a leash here.


    "So, what can I help you with?"


    "No, I won''t ignore this topic. How are you here!? I have definitely used the banishment crystal on you! How can you be BACK?"


    "It wasn''t that hard, just had to kill a bit over twenty thousand."


    "Twen-twenty thousand innocents dead... B-but you were only gone for a day!"


    "Yeah, I took my sweet time."


    Darius is distraught. Does he seriously think I killed that many people? I mean, monsters are weird, and I don''t know what their deal is yet, but calling them ''innocent'' goes too far. Probably.


    "Please stop joking around, Jared. Darius is already in a foul mood. I am not much better myself."


    "I''m not joking. His stupid gem sent me back into the dungeon and I had to fight through over twenty-two thousand monsters, I stopped counting. Even had some less than pleasant reunions."


    "..."


    "Come, Therese, take out the truth gem. I know you have one with you, that is like your whole schtick."


    "Don''t treat me like some one-dimensional character."


    "But you have one with you?"


    "...but I have one with me, yes... how did you-"


    "Because that is the one constant between every meeting we two had. We never talk like normal people with each other, it is always only with the presence of that gem. Because you don''t trust people."


    "Am I that predictable?"


    "Seems like it, and could you reboot that drooling idiot? You wanted to talk and I don''t really feel like talking to a wall."


    Therese takes out a truth gem and punches Darius in the sides, which shakes him out of his stupor.


    "Okay, Darius, what plagues you?"


    "I... have doomed thousands of innocents to an undeserved death..."


    "Since when are monsters innocent? Why do you grieve for them?"


    "Huh? Monsters? I thought..."


    "...you really zoned out early, huh."


    "Let the manchild be. Now, explain what is going on here."


    "I don''t know what there is to explain. When I first came here, I wanted to lie low, just grow more powerful and gather information until I know what I need to do to take care of the main problem."


    This... is hard to talk about. I don''t want to tell them everything. But, I guess, I... I must.


    "Trust me, this is something that must be kept confidential. I... I was sent here by your gods", so far the truth gem still shines green, "to help you", with that the gem turns grey.


    That is weird... "Stupid gem, what is that supposed to mean this time?"


    "I have no idea what to make of this either. Were you really sent by... him?"


    "My dear ''master'', I suggest to finally come clean."


    "...yeah, yeah, you''re right, Elly. *sigh* Well, what is the point of keeping it hidden any longer... Lucia already found out anyway... Here, watch."


    I create the symbol of the ''Lost One'' in front of me.


    "Wha - how can this...", the two mumble around.


    "There, happy now, Elly? I got some drooping idiots for my trouble."


    "Maybe, that depends on what our absentminded guests think of the situation."


    It takes a moment for the two of them to process what the symbol means.


    Therese recovers first. Well, recover is a bit much. She is at least able to start throwing out a series of questions, "Are you for real? YOU are the ''Lost Child''? God sent us an undead? Is that why there were no life signs?"


    She sinks her face in her hands.


    "I''m afraid, it is the truth."


    "How, why? Why would he not send us a regular human?"


    "Do you have infinite amounts of steel lying around? No, likewise, god''s resources are limited as well. Whatever it is they need to create a humanoid body, was allegedly exhausted."


    "That is... duly, noted."


    Darius is shaking, trying and failing to process what is going on.


    "Why didn''t you show us earlier?",  he asks, "that could have avoided so many problems!"


    "Could have, but I was afraid, still am. I know nothing about the culture here, I was told that the ''Lost Children'' are revered, but the people that told me that were not exactly trustworthy. Even tricked me before. Considering that track record, I was hesitant to easily believe it to be safe to reveal myself."


    Darius stammers, "...if that is true, then I apologize. I... hadn''t considered that. But for us, the ''Lost Children'' are as important as God himself."


    "Darius is apologizing? There is a first for everything."


    "I''m not that uncouth, Therese!"


    "Are you two done bickering?"


    "Err... yes, we are.", answers Darius.


    "Sorry, this is just a lot to take in."


    "It is okay, I understand. Do you have any idea when Chloe will be back again? I''d like to continue this discussion with her present and you two look like you need some time to think about things and some sleep."


    "That indeed we do. Chloe... no idea, the doctor just said she will be out for a few days."


    "Got it, Therese. Also, could you please prepare a quick overview of the most pressing concerns regarding the fortress and deliver it by... let''s say the day after tomorrow? We can talk about a proper appointment then."


    "Yeah, sleep sounds definitely good... This was a lot to take in, and a new lord means a lot of extra paperwork, I mean aside from the extra stuff you requested."


    "I can guess as much. Sorry, but that needs to be done, the sooner the better, Therese."


    "Is that okay with you, too, Darius?"


    "Honestly, I don''t yet know what to think. I, I will first have to come to terms with almost killing a holy figure..."


    "Yeah, our situation got quite out of hand... Well, if anything comes up, you know where to find me. I guess I''ll be busy with administrative work, or at least research, and otherwise only get out for morning training and twice for decimating the flood."


    "...understood. Take care."


    "Alright, take care. Elly, can you please escort them out and return Darius''s sword?"


    "Sure, will do, Jared."


    After my guests leave, I explore my new mansion a bit more, on the lower floor is next to the big meeting room a smaller office room, I guess this is where I will waste a lot of time. Aside from that, there is a kitchen and a small bathroom, including a porcelain throne - two rooms I don''t have use for, personally.


    Eventually, my way leads me upstairs to the rooms it supposedly can''t look into. On the second floor, there are four rooms, the biggest one should be mine then, the other three can serve as guest rooms. On the third are seven smaller rooms, probably meant for the staff, and a storage room. I''m not sure what the point of the latter is when everyone has a personal inventory. At least there doesn''t seem to be a notable size limitation with it. I have loot from over twenty thousand monsters in there.


    After the survey, I go to my personal room and lie on the way too large bed. You could easily fit a whole family in it and still have room to spare.


    I kinda wish I had someone to share this with.

 Ch. 43 – Symbolism

    A bit later, Elly returns. I unsummon her because I''ll need the MP for rain magic later in the morning.


    (Jared, can I quickly tell you something I found in Gzeph''s files?)


    (You''re still wasting your time on decoding them?)


    (Yes, why not?)


    (...well, as long as it doesn''t distract from more important issues. Though I have little expectations given the track record.)


    (Right, so, I found two things I consider important.)


    (Alright, let''s hear.)


    (First off, the real purpose of a trainer isn''t to make a single class easier to obtain. It is to get an extra class for free. No stat requirements, no class core needed. Though for that, the trainer needs to have at least level 25 in the class you want to obtain, then the trainee needs to spend at least half a year under their instruction and then they can take the class if they want.)


    (...can you please check the calendar? Is it opposite day today? Jeff''s notes contain something obscure and potentially useful!?)


    (Well, that is at least what it says there. Considering the steep exp requirements so far, I don''t think that many would even go past level 20 and rather spread the levels out, level 25 is pushing it hard.)


    (Yeah, it is very unlikely that anyone ever finds that out naturally. Remind me to ask Therese about that, it might be worth having a few volunteers just to save on class cores that way.)


    (Sure, will do.)


    (How did you even find that? I thought you couldn''t make any progress while in the dungeon, and we''re only out for a day and a bit.)


    (Well, I couldn''t use my advanced techniques, but manually still works. It just takes... a hundred times longer. I used our time outside to confirm the translations of the few things I managed to decipher.)


    (Alright, good to know.)


    (Ok, and the other thing...)


    (No, wait, let me guess... it is a quirk with titles?)


    (Uh, close. I found a title that you will want, really, really much and you can screw yourself out of obtaining it.)


    (Figures... speak, what have you found?)


    (First, I found this title.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Master


    Race classes of your summoned spirits no longer require upkeep.


    Increases the limit of base classes that can be added to a spirit by 1.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (The requirement is that you need to have three summons active at the same time.)


    (So, I''d need at least Summoner at level 10 for the third spirit and 3000 max MP? Then I could already qualify unless I give one spirit more than the bare minimum of classes.)


    (Exactly. And given your twenty percent penalty, even 3000 MP is hard to get.)


    (I need that class at level 10 anyway for the increased spirit cap... then I have one remaining ''Class Core'', I still need to figure out what I take next and when I can do that. But that has to wait, it is almost morning. Speaking of titles, does the ''Fortress Lord'' do anything or is it just for show?)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fortress Lord


    You have been acknowledged as ruler of at least one "Lord''s Mansion" and its associated fortress.


    When laying claim to another "Lord''s Mansion" that has currently no owner, you automatically fulfill its trial for ownership.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Great, world conquest, here I come...)


    (I''m sure, you will only use this power for good, my lord.)


    (I appreciate the trust you have in me, Maria, but I don''t share the optimism. Great power increases the ability to respond, or whatever way that saying goes.)


    (You mean, ''with great power comes great responsibility''?)


    (Responsibility, response-ability, same thing.)


    (I was thinking, my lord. Considering the training option Elly found. Maybe it would be a good idea to later set aside one of your spirits as a trainer for hard to get classes for our allied soldiers. Getting us up to the required level will take a while but it should still strengthen our overall position.)


    (That would first require us to find a way to greatly increase the level of my spirits, Maria. At just 1% CHA +2 that won''t even be realistically possible even if I had all of my ten class slots filled with high CHA classes. The highest we''ve seen is a stat growth of 9, multiplied by 10 classes is still not enough for spirits to keep up with me, much less if I already have several classes with a CHA growth closer to 5. I would need about level 30 in all of my classes, probably more, to achieve that breakpoint, and I don''t see myself reaching that with the 50% exp penalty. Yes, it would help us grow a stronger army to defend our people but that is too far away to be worth including in our greater plans.)


    (I just thought I would share this idea.)


    (Also, sis, that requires us spirits to be able to take on a mentor role in the first place. So far, we have no idea if that is even possible.)


    (Whether you can''t act as a trainer or it then falls back to me are also just as likely options. Before that, we also need to find out if we can cancel such a mentorship - just for five apprentices, it doesn''t seem even remotely worth the effort.)


    The next morning I make my way towards the usual training hall.


    On the way there I see most of my party members arguing with one of the higher-ups, I don''t know his name or rank, I have just seen Chloe report to him once before.


    I approach the group, "What is going on?"


    Kay is the first to answer, "What is - YOU are going on! We were never told we have to deal with a monster in our midst! We refuse to work together with a, with a vampire!"


    "...and now you want to get transferred to a different group?"


    "Screw a transfer", Allen is angry, "I want to quit! I have enough about getting lied to!"


    The man still struggles to defuse the situation, "Now, now, please calm down!"


    "If you ask me, you should ask Therese. If you explain the situation properly, I think you could get transferred to Jack''s group. I heard they''re still looking for reinforcements."


    "You know what!? We''ll do that! Allen, Gabella? With me!"


    And with that, they storm off.


    Only one man is left besides me, "Are you sure this was a good idea? Umm, Jared, was it? I don''t have good experiences when bothering Therese."


    "It will be fine. Really, we should have seen this coming once Darius... gave Chloe his piece of mind..."


    "...I''ll take your word for it."


    I continue to the training hall. Only Geoffrey is present. This time I finally remember to [Appraise] him.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Geoffrey</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Warrior 18, Cook 13, Axe Knight 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Plain Human 12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3595/3595</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3026/3126</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">503+183</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">388-30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">448+103</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">13</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">189</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">258+38</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">321</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Great Axe, Half Plate</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Axe Training 23, Armor Training 23, Health Boost 18


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.Adaptability 12, Hard Worker 12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Hey, Geoffrey, I take it the commander didn''t tell you about me? Kay, Allen and Gabella just tried to quit over it. It seems, they will be moved to a different group instead."


    "No, I have heard. If I had to be honest, I would like to leave, too. But Marca doesn''t want to leave Chloe alone with you."


    "And you don''t want to leave your girlfriend behind."


    "Correct."


    "Speaking of Marca, where is she?"


    "She went to visit Chloe in the hospital, will join us later, I suppose."


    "I didn''t know they were close."


    "I don''t think they are."


    We don''t have anything to say to each other, so each of us just does his training on his own.


    Two hours later, Marca joins us.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Marca</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ranger 15, Knight 18</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Grey Dwarf 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2986/2986</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">525/525</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2733/2733</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">420+78</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">457+25</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">456+118</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">175</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">175</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">264+28</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">246</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Shortsword, Buckler, Chest Plate</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><del>Bow Training 15</del>, Sword Training 18, Armor Training 18


    First Aid 15,


    Earth Resistance 14, Poison Resistance 14, Hard Worker 14, Tracking 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Doesn''t really look dwarfish to me, maybe half a head shorter than Geoffrey.


    "Oh, great, he is here as well..."


    "It is also nice to see you, Marca. How was Chloe?"


    "...still unconscious. That is one of the few things I can''t blame directly on you."


    "Maybe, at least I didn''t want to drag her into this. Are you friends with Chloe or why did you go to look after her?"


    "I wouldn''t say we are. I mean, I wouldn''t be against it if she was okay with it but... well, why would a monster like you care about that!?"


    "If I was as much as a monster as you imply, Darius would''ve been dead long ago."


    She flinches from my statement.


    "And unless you two want to donate some blood to my cause, you should just do your damn job and stay out of my way!"


    I really need to work on my social skills...


    "Just forget I said that..."


    "No, the message was loud and clear..."


    "No, I mean it. *sigh* I''m just not used to working with people."


    I hope I have learned something from the disaster with Darius...


    "GEOFFREY! COME OVER HERE!", I create the symbol once again, "Do you know what this means?"


    Geoffrey is surprised, "Is this... real?"


    "Geoffrey, do you know this symbol?"


    "Yes, you don''t, Marca?"


    "No idea. You know I can''t read."


    "...I guess I need to add schools to the list..."


    (Seems like someone is making progress with his trusting people skills.)


    (Shut up, Elly.)


    After a moment the symbol fizzles out. I can hear some people talk outside our training room but not make out what. Did the symbol disappear because it knew that I didn''t want it to show to ''outsiders''? Weird stuff.


    Geoffrey starts explaining, "It is the symbol of a ''Lost One'', only they can create it!"


    "He is WHAT!?"


    She is first stunned by shock, then a moment later gets down on her knees and drags Geoffrey down with her.


    I tell her, "Marca, this is no reason to grovel before me."


    "No, it - it very much is..."


    "...get up, right this instant!"


    "A-as you command."


    "Also, please keep this a secret. I''m... not ready for people to find out. Not yet at least."


    "Why?"


    I expect someone from outside to enter any moment now, but instead, the discussion outside subsides and I can hear people walking away.


    "Sorry, this is also confidential. Apart from you, only Lucia, Darius and Therese know as of yesterday, and it needs to be kept that way for the near future."


    "And what about Chloe?"


    "I''ll tell her when I get the chance."


    Geoffrey is still speechless, Marca not so much, "What do you want us to do now? I, I have no idea how to handle this revelation..."


    "For now, just carry on as usual. With the flood out there, I can''t really enact any greater plans. The other goal would be conquering the dungeon and for that, I need to build a stronger party. You two can be in if you want."


    "Ok."


    "Yeah, we''re in."


    That was a bit too quick for my taste, but maybe what everyone has said about ''Lost Ones'' being revered is true after all? ...I''m not happy that everything just randomly works in my favor without any input from me. Gives me the feeling something bad will happen soon...


    "Alright, then one last thing. Once Chloe is with us again, I''ll discuss several things with her, Darius and Therese. You should be there as well if you are serious about aiding me. So don''t make too many plans for the next few days, you love birds."


    "Thanks for letting us help you. That truly means a lot to us."


    "Yeah, yeah. Now get back to work and remember, no word to anyone who isn''t already in the know."


    "Understood, sir!"


    They salute and get back to their warm-up training. An hour later, I want to leave. I may have enough SP to train for half a day now but I have other stuff to do. 7 exp per hour isn''t worth it to delay the massive exp gain from two rain spells twice per day now. The extra dungeon grind thanks to Darius doubled my max MP and pushed the full MP regeneration to below eleven hours, I must make use of this if I want to make a difference in the world.


    And then there''s the mansion stuff I have to deal with... so yeah, not much time for turning SP into exp. I can probably only afford a short session each day to clear my head from all the paperwork that awaits me... WTB a secretary!


    Wait, I now have enough max SP to use the second blood mage skill. That should compensate for the lack of training, maybe more than that once my stats are up to par. I should check the total impact of that skill later once my SP has regenerated.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Retrying search for compatible Demon Lord class again...</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Why now? Is it a once per day thing and it is that late already?


    And why do I get a headache now...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: title "God¡¯s Lost Child" is incompatible with "Demon Lord" type titles.


    Looking for solutions...</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Fuck, that is... not good...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: title "God¡¯s Lost Child" was severely damaged during the consolidation process.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Great, so how big is the damage?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">G???o???d???¡¯???s??? ???L???o???s???t??? ???C???h???i???l???d??? ???(???B???r???o???k???e???n??? ???V???e???r???.???)???


    Visitor from another world.


    A title emblem can be displayed up to three times as proof of this title¡¯s ownership. (1 use remaining)


    20% penalty to HP, MP, SP.


    50% penalty to combat exp gain.


    Spell ranks are limited to 1.


    Automatically acquire the ability to fluently speak the three most popular languages on Deteoh.


    Also includes the ability to read and write these languages if the title owner could read and write at least one language before.


    Acquired languages: humanoid common, m????a??????n????????o????????r?????????? ??????c???????????a???????n?????????t???????, 4???0???4???:???n???o???t???f???o???u???n???d???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (...I just had to think it earlier, didn''t I? That is what I get for tempting fate.)


    (Can I say? Can I say it, Jared?)


    (...fine, get it out of your system.)


    (Be careful what you wish for, you may just get exactly what you ask for.)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: attempt to repair the title failed.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (...you know what, Elly? No, this is your fault! YOU talked me into taking the demon lord title.)


    (Yeah, fair enough. Though if I had the exact same information we had at the time, I would do it again.)


    (And given the situation with the dungeon, I don''t regret my decision either. The consequences will probably screw us over eventually, but it was the best option to increase our survival chances at the time.)


    (Or you could have just been honest with Darius from the get-go.)


    Maria interrupts us, (Can you two stop arguing? It won''t get us anywhere.)


    (Or we can just drop the blame game, you''re right Maria. Without time travel it doesn''t change anything anymore.)


    (True. Also, I''m literally a part of you, so no matter what, it is your fault in the end anyway.)


    (Fuck you, Elly. *sigh* So I have just one use remaining?)


    (You definitely need that for the public announcement. Letting the people here believe you are just a generic evil vampire will lead to problems. And you wanted to minimize risks as much as you can.)


    (Yeah, so Chloe will have to wait a few days and just trust our word.)


    (It could be worse. You could have no uses left.)


    (Elly! We have done enough tempting fate! We don''t need even more problems in that direction!)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Halting process until an acceptable solution is found.


    Requesting permission from the master system to delete the incompatible title.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Oops...)


    (Sis...)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: removal attempt failed.


    Both conflicting titles are already too deeply ingrained into the user''s soul to remove.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (You know... losing the title after the public announcement wouldn''t be the worst thing. No more HP, MP, SP or exp gain penalties.)


    (Uh, you might lose your ability to speak the common language then, though.)


    (And you think that would stop me? I''d just force one of you two to take the scholar class to teach the language back to me.)


    (Cheater...)

 Ch. 44 – Harvesting

    To get my mind off of the title getting broken in a detrimental way and to vent some frustration, I make my way again to the gate to unleash some rain magic. Maybe we have some new monster types that can scream in pain for a change.


    On the way there, I can feel that people are uneasy with me around after yesterday''s reveal. Just endure it for a few more days, then everything will become better. Promise.


    As I approach the gate, people notice me and make way for me, clearly afraid. I don''t let it bother me and continue my way to the top of the gate. Once there, I check what the flood is like currently. It has changed once again. Weird, it has only been about a week since the last change. I guess this disproves my theory that those flood stages are based on a timer, the first stage lasted over three weeks.


    Either way, let''s check what we''re dealing with this time.


    Ragelopes and dire wolves are back but brought different companions this time.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">¦Ð-Rat 3, ¦Ð-Rat 1, ¦Ð-Rat 4, ¦Ð-Rat 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1179/1179</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">461/461</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1733/1733</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">341</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">318</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">52</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">138</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">115</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">81</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">75</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Poison Bite 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I can''t see them very well from here, they seem to be about puppy size, but if they are anything like their same-named cousins from the dungeon they have a literal ¦Ð-symbol instead of eyes and can move it as if they were regular eyes, creepy little buggers.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Pipe 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3458/3458</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">390/390</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1430/1430</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">156</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">130</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">156</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">156</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">130</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">156</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ally Cannon 6, Physical Resistance 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Pipes. Literal Mario-esque pipes. Well, they can move, err, slide along the ground at least. No, I''m not drunk!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Ally Cannon


    250 SP


    Take a small-sized allied monster in and shoot it out to a target destination.


    This transport method ignores fall damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...so it may rain rats at some point, fricking great.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lie Bra-rin 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1272/1272</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2376/2376</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1128/1128</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">168</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">144</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">144</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">312</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">144</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">312</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">144</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Benediction 4, Boon Magic 4 (Rank 2), Story Teller 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ''Lie Bra-rin''? Shouldn''t it have been ''Lie Bra-Ryan'' instead?


    Those monsters get stupider every time... A floating brain holding a book... at least it only has support magic and no attack spells, that would be devastating.


    I''m not complaining about getting spared from a proper ''Book Wyrm'' for now.


    Ragelope and wolf are weak to ice, rest not exploitable, the choice is clear.


    With my higher level compared to last time, I can cast two rain spells this time, so I do just that.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Rain'' spell has inflicted a total of 1145994 damage.


    Your ''Ice Rain'' spell has inflicted a total of 1132484 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I don''t have enough SP to cast the glitch blood magic spell and don''t feel like waiting two hours or so on it, so that test has to wait until next time. ...wait.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    (Did my exp really just jump up by 1691?! Two point three million damage!?)


    (That really just happened. You''ve become quite strong it seems.)


    (It was 200-300 exp before depending on the flood stage we were in.)


    (Yes, but that was with one spell, you cast two just now so that already jumps up about 500 exp. Then you have the effective 1.2 times multiplier for ''Title Holder'', 600ish exp, double again for your increase in MAG and sprinkle on two ice weaknesses, seems reasonable to me. Don''t complain and just enjoy it. We need all the exp we can get.)


    (Uh, sure. It is still a surprisingly massive increase... well, Elly, it is your turn now.)


    I summon Elly to my side.


    "What''s up, Jared?"


    "For now just create some arrows and shoot some of the monsters down there. I''ll head on home, you follow when you''re out of SP."


    "Umm, I don''t think I''ll do much damage though."


    "Doesn''t matter. Unless you laze around too much, it should delay my regeneration to 2000 MP only by a couple of minutes. We''ll calculate if it is worth it later. I doubt it, but I want to make sure."


    "Uh, sure. I guess I can''t stay out 24/7, would have liked to but it costs you a full rain spell per trip here, and currently we need levels way too much..."


    "Yeah, sorry. And Maria would like to be out just as much as you, but as you said, we currently can''t afford it. We can talk about that later. Maybe we will find a cheat class that lets me keep a summon out for free, lets me summon you from SP instead or doubles my maximum MP. Just something to ease the tension on my MP pool. Well, I need to get out of the sun soon, see you in a bit, Elly."


    "Sure, see you soon, Jared."


    I return home.


    ''Home''... a weird feeling. I haven''t really felt ''home'' since I got to this world. Maybe things are looking up now, despite the impending loss of the ''Lost One'' privilege.


    "Hi, still around?"


    The mansion answers, "Yes, why wouldn''t I?"


    "No idea, just making sure. I still don''t know much about what your awakening does. You said the whole fortress was a part of you, so it would be a possibility that at least your attention could be elsewhere."


    "This house is still my main ''body''. Even if the rest is awake now, I ''see'' there as much as you can see your back. I can feel that life is going on there but not much in detail."


    "I guess it is better that way. I''m not sure how I would have felt if you could see everything. Privacy and all that."


    "Yeah, I understand that. *whispers* Not for a lack of trying though."


    "I''ll pretend I didn''t hear that."


    "So, now that you are awake again, what can we do now? I was under the impression that we can now construct new buildings or maybe upgrade existing ones, at least manually built houses supposedly fall apart quickly. I want to know my options at least."


    "You will have to give me some more time to recall all the details. I think a year or two."


    "So, not a morning person, huh? Just like me. Too much sun outside."


    "But if you want to start sooner, you can check your menu. While you are inside a mansion you have successfully claimed, there should be a ''fortress'' tab in the list."


    "Huh? ''A'' mansion? Oh, right, the title I got implied that I can claim multiple fortresses at the same time! Would I then be able to control all of them from a single mansion or do I need to travel to each one all the time?"


    "I''m sorry, I don''t know. I might recall that later, but at the moment I can''t say any of my previous lords ever held multiple fortresses."


    "Well, there''s always time for a first."


    I open my menu and look for the fortress tab.


    (In the worst case you could probably install representatives in each fortress that take care of the paperwork for you, so you only need to give the final ok.)


    (I need to do that either way, even if I only keep a single fortress. I''m not cut out for big leadership roles.)


    (May I ask, why not?)


    (Right, you don''t share the memories of my previous life the same way Elly does.)


    (Uh, she does? That is news to me.)


    (Yeah, she is made from a part of me, should''ve come with the memories as well.)


    (Ah, okay. So what is the story?)


    sigh


    I hate that story, don''t want to recall it, but...


    (...so one time a few friends of mine wanted to throw a party, I kind of ended up being the organisator and volunteered to abstain from alcohol so at least one person could keep the situation under control ...and I ended up drinking anyway. I don''t recall it clearly as I was very drunk, but some shit happened and some people even ended up in the hospital. Since then my best friend Jack refused to talk with me. Weird thing is, I don''t recall him talking to anyone else either since then. Didn''t even say anything at the funeral three days later.)


    (I don''t see how this relates to leadership, only that you need to stay away from alcohol.)


    (...you weren''t there, Maria, you wouldn''t get it.)


    Finally, I find the fortress tab.


    "Uh, ''nameless'', right, can we start with the name? Does it only apply to the fortress itself or would I also need to address you personally, uh, mansionally? with it?"


    "It applies to both for we are the same being."


    "Shame. Coming up with a name that fits both is hard. I was hoping I could call you something ''person''-like like Manfred, but ''Fort Manni'' sounds kinda..."


    Elly returns, "I''m back, who else is?"


    "Just the usual suspects. I was about to think of a name for the fortress. So, how did it go on your side?"


    "Pitiful. We got like 8 exp total out of this."


    I unsummon her.


    (Well, one of the captains came up to me and asked me where I get all of my arrows from. Sorry, I kinda ended up bragging and told him.)


    (It was never supposed to be a secret. What happened then?)


    (He asked if I could provide some arrows to ''real'' archers. Kinda felt like he doesn''t like summoned spirits. I just said that I had to ask you that since those arrows are your property.)


    (Well, that was one of our long-term ideas. If we can''t get the ammo factory back up and running, you could be a substitute.)


    (I thought we can''t afford the upkeep for summons currently?)


    (Exactly, that''s why we should ask the others when we discuss all the other stuff as well. They might know a sustainable way to stem the MP cost.)


    (And... you don''t have to ask me first?)


    (About what?)


    (Umm, whether I want to do that? I''m not some dumb machine. That sounds boring as hell.)


    Did they really have to advance ''AIs'' that much that they can get bored?


    (Here, take this.)


    (A deck of cards?)


    (Yup, produce arrows as often as you can and if someone wants them they have to play any game of cards against you, they only get arrows from you if they win. Feel free to learn a few different card games while you''re at it, I doubt in this world they play the same games as in my old world. Especially since they lack motorcycles.)


    (...now I feel played.)


    (You were literally asking for it, sister.)


    (Right, so what were you three up to while I was away?)


    (Not much, just started looking at the options in the new ''fortress'' tab of my menu. Seems like I can only access it while home.)


    (He also told me the story of why he doesn''t feel fit to be a leader. Did you know about the alcohol disaster, Elly?)


    (Uh, no, why would I?)


    Now I''m confused, (Weird, I thought you would.)


    (Anyway, we were about to think of a name for this mansion slash fortress. Since they are the same, they would also share a name.)


    (Got it, Maria. Just make sure you don''t leave that to Jared. He has a horrible naming sense.)


    (As if you are any better, Elly!)


    (Sure, mister let''s-call-the-mansion-manni.)


    (And what genius names would you come up with?)


    (Uhm, maybe ''New Home''?)


    (You can leave that level of name quality to Asgore...)


    (''Death Castle''? ''Bloodhausen''? ''Fortress of Death, Doom, Destruction and Taxes''?)


    (Let me quickly check the cellar, I think there might be a spot that isn''t covered in chainsword spikes yet from your edgy naming skill.)


    We argue some more and in the end, Maria comes up with the name ''Justo''. Elly and I have to admit defeat in the face of Maria''s superior naming sense, not that that is saying much.


    A vampire ruling over a castle named after justice, what a joke.

 Ch. 45 – Research

    (...and that''s my plan for what you can try against the flood, Elly.)


    (I''m not sure I like it. Failure would probably kill me. But I''m willing to give it a try.)


    (Good, so let''s do it later just like we''ve discussed.)


    (Sure. But it still is a few hours until we regenerated enough resources.)


    (Right, so back to checking the options we have with the fortress now.)


    My check reveals that while I can order the construction of new buildings, there''s only one spot left in the fortress. But there''s a whole section just missing on the construction map...


    "What is with the slums, Justo? Why don''t they appear on the map?"


    "It will take some time to get used to my new name...The slums? Hmm... I think I know what area you are talking about. Difficult. It should be an option along with the other edicts, but I would recommend against it."


    "Why is that? Too expensive? Every edict seems to have a price tag like constructing a new building or upgrading an existing one, but that should pay back for itself given time."


    "That is not the only concern. Once the people there are back under my jurisdiction they would instantly be judged, and I''m fairly certain most of them are guilty of one crime or another according to the current laws."


    "So, can''t I just pardon the slum dweller?"


    "Not at your current level. You would need to increase your ''fortress lord'' title at least to level 10."


    "Great, so my need for exp just went up even more..."


    "You need to gain those levels anyway. It is also required to unlock more specialized buildings, upgrades or how many civilian jobs can be on my payroll."


    "Yeah, I was too naive. What was I thinking I could just hit a few buttons and then we can employ more medical staff to get the wounded soldiers faster out of the hospital, or set up an ammo factory to get some archers on the wall..."


    "If you don''t want to rise your title level you could alternatively use a ''Class Core'' take the special ''Fortress Lord'' class."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fortress Lord</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Special class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    38 HP, 9 MP, 20 SP, 4 STR, 4 DEX, 5 VIT, 2 MAG, 2 FTH, 4 WIL, 7 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fortress Manager


    Increase the effective skill level of the ''Fortress Lord'' title by this skill''s level.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 5></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Yeah, no. It has low stats overall and I need to increase the title level anyway for ''Daywalker''. Do you know at what level of ''Fortress Lord'' the last feature for the menu unlocks?"


    "I think that should be level 30."


    "Ok, so I''ll just assume I won''t ever reach that, at least not while it still counts. I think I''ll just aim for title level 10 once I have enough MP for three rain spells at once and then wait until you''re awake enough to tell me other important level breakpoints for that title."


    (Any objections to that, you two?)


    (None from me, my liege.)


    (I''m not sure how far away that is. Unless the system deletes the ''Lost One'' title or repairs its MP penalty, you would still need to bring all of your current classes up to about 13. Admittedly you''ve still one remaining ''Class Core'', so that can bring you to that threshold sooner, depending on which class you choose.)


    (Yeah, that is very far away. Hmm...)


    "Say, Justo, can we just reclaim a part of the slums? Transfer the people that are ''safe'' to existing houses, reclaim as much as we can and then destroy the ruined houses and replace them with more important buildings. How many people total are even living in this fortress?"


    "Not sure. If we include the refugees and the slums maybe around 25.000."


    "And all of mankind?"


    "No idea. When I was last awake, they were about to reach a whole million, but then I also had almost twice the current number of residents."


    "That''s... actually worse than I expected. Low population count and on the decline as well... not that you can really make big expansions when you have regular monster floods AND get sabotaged by nobles at the same time. So stupid. *sigh* I''ll need to study the existing laws and see which we need to remove that to make the commoner hunts illegal..."


    "Wait, I''ve already killed people here, the one guy I... accidentally turned into a ghoul and Maude, admittedly she was asking for it. Why am I safe if the people from the slums aren''t?"


    "I assume as long as the victim survives, it would just count as eating, and there''s no law against having lunch. If it''s not that, then I think there was a law that gives noble exemptions from most laws."


    "Pardon, the fuck? Elites in this world don''t even freaking bother to fake that they uphold the law!? They are openly utter scum with no repercussions?"


    "I would have chosen... different words but the sentiment is the same. But did you honestly expect anything else if all the power is in the hands of just a few?"


    "Yeah, that also goes on the to-change list..."


    A few hours later in the evening, I go again to ruin the weather for the flood monsters.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Rain'' spell has inflicted a total of 1135420 damage.


    Your ''Ice Rain'' spell has inflicted a total of 1183681 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Got 1736 exp out of that. So that leaves the other experiment, the... glitched aoe spell.


    Now, how do I use that?


    ...


    It just happens. A gigantic, pixelated wave ripples through a huge area of monsters.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W???a???v???e???'' spell has inflicted a total of 11417 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    It seems the glitch skill also comes with censorship built-in. Whatever mess this blood-red wave causes, it is just pixelated and blurred out.


    Can someone please fix that skill? That display is no fun!


    It is weird. Despite how wrong this skill looks, it felt even more natural to me than the real spells. Maybe that is because it is blood magic and I''m a vampire? ...no point to speculate about this.


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    I have enough exp for the fifth level of Summoner, so I take a moment to add it.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 15, Survivor 9, Blood Mage 9, Summoner 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 2, Lord 2, Progenitor 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">G???o???d???¡¯???s??? ???L???o???s???t??? ???C???h???i???l???d???, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord


    Title Level 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">305</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1964/1982 [2478]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">116/2534 [3168]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">58/1558 [1948]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">294+75 (staff) or +140 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">329+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">313+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">554+45</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">457</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">444+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">396</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)


    Blood Burst 9, S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W???a???v???e??? 9, Summon Spirit 5 (Rank 1)


    Spear Training 9, Trap Lore 9, Unnatural Claws 2


    Charm Eye 2, Embrace 2, Familiar 2, Greater Vampiric Bite 2


    Disguise 10, Intimidation 4


    Ageless 2, Beast Killer 2, Enhanced Regeneration 2, Extra Affinity 15, Mana Boost 5, Mana Regeneration 15, Sleepless 10, Stealth 10, Supernatural Toughness 2, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I like the new skill. A bit simple but certainly not useless.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Mana Boost


    Passive


    Increase max MP by 5% and (5 x skill level).


    Also, increase MP regeneration effects by 5%.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Still miles away from my 3000 max MP goal. I definitely should check what a good next class to take would be, I still have the one Class Core from my dungeon trip.


    (Elly, ready for our experiment?)


    (Yup, a bit nervous, but ready nonetheless.)


    I summon her forth.


    "Then get to it!"


    "Yessir!"


    She takes a moment to produce two dozen arrows and five spears, puts them in her inventory, and then takes flight. She flies a bit out. A moment later she unloads her inventory. Most of the arrows and spears land on the monsters below, seemingly landing three or four hits on the same target. A few projectiles miss entirely and just disappear.


    "Fuck!", I hear her scream. It seems like it didn''t go as well as hoped...


    Elly returns to me.


    "That didn''t sound satisfactory, what happened? Was it a complete failure?"


    "More or less. The ''attack'' only used 30 SP total, that much was a success. But landing multiple hits on the same target doesn''t count, each monster only took a single instance of damage, even if three or more projectiles made contact."


    "And same damage as a normal attack?"


    "On the dot. Gravity and mass of the objects don''t seem to matter at all..."


    "Just the usual bullshit... okay, stage two then?"


    "Yes, let''s do that."


    Elly takes out her bow and produces five arrows. Then strings them on said bow. Or tries to. Most of her arrows fall down. She picks them up again and tries once more. This time only two arrows drop.


    Then she aims up and blindly shoots all three arrows at the same time.


    thunk thunk thunk


    "Hmm... so good news, bad news", she reports, "it again only consumes the same amount of SP as a single arrow shot, but..."


    "Only one hit per monster counts?"


    "Yes, same as before."


    "Eh, still better than just single hits. You won''t be able to focus a specific target down but we can double or even triple the damage our archers can potentially do to the flood monsters. That might not be an option with proper arrows that could be produced in a factory, but as long as we can abuse the free arrow generation you spirits can pull off, it is an improvement. So, carry on with that."


    thunk thunk


    "Well, I''m currently far too weak for that to matter."


    "Maybe, but that is something we can change with enough time. If I read my status right, I need one more level for you spirits to also get stronger. And there''s still the option of adding a new class, not sure when I can do that. We should select a suitable target class soon either way."


    "Yeah, we should do that. I think we have enough of an overview about what you can do currently as the new lord and Chloe still needs a bit before we can have our discussion."


    "Correct. Well, I''ll head home now, you deplete your SP and then follow me."


    "Yup, laters."


    On my way back I wonder about how war in this world works. How can you possibly conquer someone else''s fortress? Wouldn''t the automatic law enforcement put an end to all attempts? But then, I''ve never seen it in action. Maybe it is just enforced by a relatively strong robot or something that you can fight off with an army?


    I should ask Justo about that.


    A few minutes later I arrive back at my mansion. Therese stands in front of it, waiting for me.


    "Ah, I was wondering when you would be back."


    "Hi, Therese. Guess I really need some staff to cover for me in my absence. Want to come in?"


    "No, It will be quick."


    She hands me a binder with some files, "Here is the overview you wanted."


    "That was quick. I thought you would need at least another day or two."


    "It was the first thing I took care of. I consider it more important that you can start implementing changes than checking some group transfer forms."


    "Oh, right. Half of Chloe''s team... wants to get away from me. Guess, that also lands on your plate, sorry about that."


    "That is just how things are. I hope once you make your announcement things will finally calm down. The other thing I wanted to let you know is that Chloe has woken up. She has already agreed to a meeting. I''ve not told her anything specific though. That is something you should do personally, Jared."


    "Just Jared? Shouldn''t you address me as lord or something?"


    She has to think for a moment, "Do I have to? I have... not a good history with nobles and I''d like to not be reminded every five minutes..."


    "Fine, I accept that. I won''t pry, but if you want to tell me you can do that at a time when we have less urgent matters to take care of."


    "Alright,... thank you.", sounds like it is very hard for her to trust a noble like me, even if I''m something like a minor god to her. Not that she knows I''m basically about to lose that title.


    I quickly glance over the documents, "So, when can we hold the meeting?"


    "Tomorrow around noon should be fine."


    "That soon? Shouldn''t Chloe get some more rest?"


    "I''m no expert. The doctor says she should be fine physically, the rest are mental issues. In my opinion, the sooner she learns the truth, the sooner she can start to recover from them."


    "Good, then I''ll trust the opinion of that expert. But the moment she shows signs of relapse, we''ll stop the meeting and you bring her back."


    "I''m fine with that."


    "So you take care of Darius and Chloe, and I''ll invite Geoffrey and Marca. They are the sole remains from Chloe''s group and already know what I truly am."


    "Understood, see you tomorrow then."


    With that, she leaves and I finally enter my home.


    "Hey, Justo?"


    "I am here. What can I do for you?"


    "I want to know how the automatic law enforcement works. I was wondering how war or a hostile takeover of a fortress would work, and the enforcement looks to me like it would make that impossible."


    "You have strange ideas. Why would anyone do that?"


    "...humans are just stupid and greedy. I mean, just look at how nobles treat the common people. We have enough monsters outside to deal with and nobles still have nothing better to do than suppress commoners, hunting those that ''dare'' form a family... it is just sick."


    Justo goes silent for a moment, "Hmm... I don''t recall there being a war that involved me, but given that what you said about humans is true, I can imagine that they have indeed happened."


    "So they are at least possible. How?"


    "The law enforcement is carried out by an avatar of the fortress. The stronger the fortress the stronger the avatar."


    "If it is that strong why doesn''t it help with the defense of the fortress against the flood? Even if it was restricted to just the inside of the fortress, there already was a boss inside at least once while I was here. And the people here were clearly afraid of punishment, so the avatar must''ve been operable even while you were napping."


    "I have to disappoint you. The avatar is unable to harm any opponent that hasn''t broken a law. By default laws don''t apply to monsters, you can fix that by a high-level edict."


    "So if I reach a high enough title level, we get a very powerful fortress guard. Any idea at what level that becomes available?"


    "I think it was at level 22, but don''t take my word for it."


    "Ok, then that will have to wait. So far we are getting by, and that is a ton of exp I need elsewhere more."

 Ch. 46 – Aversion

    Shouldn''t Elly be back by now? What is taking her so long?


    knock knock


    Can''t be her, Elly wouldn''t knock. So who else would it be at this time of the day?


    I summon Maria, "Could you fetch the door please, Maria?"


    "At once, my lord."


    A moment later she returns with an older gentleman and several children. Guys? This is NOT a kindergarten. And what''s with those collars... oh, shit...


    Obviously, none of the children look happy to be here, the youngest is just ten, the oldest fifteen. Only the man seems to want to be here for some reason.


    "I greet you, new lord of this grandiose fortress. I am Ludwig, a humble slave trader."


    "Greetings, Ludwig. My name is Jared Delacroix, Jared will suffice. What can I do for you?"


    He seems quite happy, "Oh, you don''t need to do anything for me, lord Jared. On the contrary, I want to do something for you."


    I don''t like where this is going.


    "What would that be? I''ve honestly no money left to spend on slaves."


    Rather, I''d like to end your whole business model, but I''m in no position to deal with any kind of backlash from that, so that will have to wait...


    "That is not needed, I wanted to give you two free of charge. By my observation, you are in need of some... helping hands. Of course, if they should ever fall into your disfavor, they may also serve as a little snack. You are free to do with them as you please."


    What do you want me to do with these little children? Do I look like a catholic priest to you!?


    "Forgive me, but I''m not too knowledgable on the topic, what exactly makes a slave a slave?"


    "Nothing much, they just get a special slave seal", he points to the collar around a child''s neck, "this seal is bound to their owner. Should a slave try to harm their master or refuse to follow an explicit order they will feel immense, unrelenting pain until they either reconsider or die, most reconsider quickly, I assure you. Finally, should a slave be further away from their owner than 5000 DU without their owner''s explicit consent, they will die a slow painful death."


    Sick and disgusting, just as expected.


    "And what is in it for you? I doubt a cunning businessman such as yourself would ever give something away for free."


    "Consider it an investment. The sooner this fortress is operating at its peak capacity and gets a booming industry, the sooner would its residents be able to afford my merchandise. Currently, I have to sell them under value because the people are too poor and the day-to-day costs eat into any profit I could have. And if I may be so bold, I would like to convince you to lower some punishments for any kind of law-breaking from death to slavery. If you do, I''d like to buy those from you."


    ''Lower''? If you ask me, that is worse!


    ...but then with the low population and the threat of the monsters outside... don''t go there, Jared, don''t go there...


    "I will consider it. May I ask where you get your... wares from currently?"


    "Hmm... I''d consider it a trade secret, but if it buys me some goodwill towards my request, it is a price I''m willing to pay. So, some people willingly go into slavery when they have no alternative, most of them are from the slums, as you may guess. Then we take debt slaves and rarely some of the villagers from outside sell us bandits they have taken captive. I assure you, none are taken illegally."


    Just play nice, Jared, just... play... nice...


    Seems like Maria is playing with the kids, at least there''s someone they get along with.


    "I appreciate your honesty. So, I''ll be honest with you as well. I plan to make several law reforms that will probably affect you. For one, I plan to reclaim the slums little by little. Can''t take it all at once without causing a massacre."


    He doesn''t need to know that I also plan to outlaw the whole slavery business once I have made sure that I can deal with any form of retaliation.


    "Hmm... yeah, that would indeed affect my business. Thank you for telling me, I will adjust my operations accordingly."


    "I''m curious about these children, what have they done to become slaves?"


    "I''m sorry, but it is my business policy that I don''t reveal the reasons how I given slave has found its way into my custody. I believe if I did slaves with certain backgrounds would get treated worse. Is there anything else you would like to know?"


    "Is there a way for a slave to get freed?"


    "Ha~ha, ha! No. Once the slavery seal is in place it can''t be removed, at least not short of divine intervention. It is a very elaborate process and it can only succeed if the gods agree, at least that''s what I was told by my teacher. I never had any issues with it."


    Are you kidding me? The gods themselves condone slavery?


    ...why am I not surprised. The whole situation was suspicious from the start, this just fits into the picture.


    "Now, if you''d like to choose two of them. I''ve only brought my finest slaves with me today."


    "Sure."


    Wait, why am I agreeing to take them? This is the opposite of what I want...


    I''m not stupid enough to believe that it is okay for them to be slaves as long as I treat them decently. Even in ancient Rome slaves got more and more rights over time until they were basically just regular employees, but in the end, they were still slaves.


    But how can I free them if the enslavement is god approved... no, wait, this is just what he says, he can just as likely be wrong about this.


    Maybe Jeff''s files have a use for once and there''s the secret to freeing slaves in them?


    Ethics aside, we will at least need a slave to test the procedure, should we find one.


    So, who should I volunteer to be a guinea pig?


    There''s a dwarf, elf, half-elf, human, beastkin, hero candidate, ... uh, what was that?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Anna</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Pugilist 10, Farmer 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cat Folk 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hero Candidate 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1786/1786</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">402/402</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2549/2549</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">329+20 (unarmed) or +40 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">338</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">323</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">92</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">107</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">203</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">239</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Natural Weapon 7, Unarmed Fighting 10


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.Opportunity Attack 10


    Curiosity 7, Low Profile 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Sorry, Anna, but you can''t hide that from me. Who would have thought that the holy maiden and the hero were so close together? Or at least ''a potential hero'', how many candidates are even out there? Just one at a time? A dozen? Hundreds?


    Wait, how the fuck does that even work? I thought the slavery mark is god approved!? How can they allow a potential hero to become a slave if they can''t be freed? So many questions and the jar of answers is empty.


    I continue to look.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Carl</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Miner 8, Merchant 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dwarf 5, Wood Elf 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1663/1663</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">254/254</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1900/1900</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">308</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">232</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">239</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">106</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">108</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">121</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth Magic 6 (Rank 1)


    Bark Skin 6, Hard Worker 5, Health Boost 5, Poison Resistance 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Half-dwarf, half-elf? I''m curious how that works. Not that he is likely to know his parents given how messed up the culture is thanks to the nobles of the past...


    If I look at the dwarf-elf oxymoron, he just looks like a human child, with slightly longer ears, maybe below average height. No idea what is normal in this world.


    Also, why the hell does about every race have [Hard Worker]? Just make it a default feature and give them something unique!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Hard Worker


    Passive


    Increase exp gain from production job activities by 10%.


    Crafting takes 15% less SP.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Oh, ok, I can pass on that.


    Well, none of the others have anything interesting, so...


    "Give me the cat and that half-breed."


    "Those two? How''d you... An interesting choice. Now let''s quickly get the paperwork out of the way."


    He takes out a document, fills in some fields and hands me the pen to sign as well.


    I quickly read through the whole thing, see nothing off - BESIDES the whole slavery thing - and then sign it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Congratulations!


    Anna and Carl have become your slaves!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Fuck you, system! You better tell me how to free them!


    ...of course, there''s no response. Anyway, Ludwig bids me farewell and leaves. Most of the kids are visibly relieved that they can leave here.


    sigh


    What''s done is done. Please, don''t let it be a mistake...


    Now, what to do with the two new problems?


    "I-I''m not afraid o-of you!", stutters the little cat girl.


    "Sure you are, Anna, and you, Carl?"


    Instead of answering he just hides behind Maria.


    "Figures. I think it is too late today to go shopping. When was the last time you had something to eat?"


    "...", Carl just tucks on Maria.


    "...w-we had just f-food two days ago. We''re fine."


    "That is NOT fine. Can anyone of you cook?"


    "I don''t."


    Carl shakes his head as well.


    "I may know a little bit, my lord", Maria suggests.


    "Fine, here, take Carl and these ingredients I have still left from the dungeon trip and prepare them some food."


    "Understood. Come, Carl."


    The two leave.


    "So, my little cat, want to tell me... a little bit about yourself?"


    "N-no. Stay away! I''m not scared of you!"


    "For that, you are shaking quite a lot."


    "You can''t do anything to me! I have eaten lots of garlic, I''m not tasty at all."


    "Oh, so you come already with seasoning? How thoughtful of you."


    "Damn, on TV that worked... oops.", she quickly covers her mouth.


    TV? This world doesn''t have that.


    Elly returns, "Heya! I''m back! Oh, having a guest, Jared? I didn''t take you for..."


    "Before this mind wanders too far off, our ''dear friend'' slave trader forced two slaves on me. Happy now?"


    "And here I was hoping for a funny misunderstanding scene..."


    "Goddamn it, Elly."


    You damn brainbug! This is not a comedy!


    "So, Anny, what do you want to tell me about this... ''TV'', little miss maybe-hero?"


    "I, uh, I don''t know what you''re talking about. You''ve clearly misheard."


    "You are a bad liar. So, do you want to do this the easy way or the hard way? Tell me voluntarily or I have to order you, with all the consequences that entails."


    "No, please, I can''t tell that a monster!"


    "Fine, be that way. I feel kinda hungry, maybe you will suffice as a snack?"


    Elly interjects, "Uh, Jared? Tone it down a notch. You''re scaring the little girl."


    "Uh, garlic, remember?", Anna tries to scare me off, futilely, " ...it was very yucky."


    "Urgh... do you think that will save you? Are you stupid?"


    "Eek."


    Anna starts crying.


    "At most, you''ll anger a vampire with that, but dead are you either way; no matter what, the bite is lethal, even if the vampire doesn''t suck you dry. The most you can achieve with such a trap is that you''ve just motivated the vampire to seek another victim. Congratulations, you failed to save yourself and got another innocent person killed. Really, you have to take anything you learned from watching TV with a grain, or truckload, of salt."


    If she knows about TVs, it is likely that she is from another world, just like I. But allegedly this is not possible...


    "Now, please, talk! Who are you really?"


    "N, no, I won''t t- arghh!"


    Sparks are flying from her collar, she''s being fried alive. Her HP drops to 1543/1786 HP.


    How, how do I stop this... I, I didn''t mean to...


    1057/1786 HP left.


    "I-argh, I''ll, urgh, talk, I''ll talk!"


    cough hack cough


    The sparks quickly disappear from the collar and Anna drops to her knees, gasping for air. Her HP stops at 83/1786...


    One careless sentence from me, three seconds of defiance from her and she almost died...


    What sane ''god'' gives that much power over others to regular people? Shit...


    sob sob


    "...Elly, can you give me a hand here?"


    "Uh, with what? I know nothing about handling children..."


    Damn it, Elly, you are useless... both of us are...


    ...


    I unsummon Elly and take Anna into my arms, "Take your time. I''m sorry, I didn''t mean it like that."


    sniff


    "I, I want my mom..."


    "...do you know where she is?"


    sniff sniff


    "N-not here..."


    "..."


    I let her cry for a while until she calms down a bit.


    "Can you talk now?"


    "I don''t wanna talk with you, you''re scary! ...but even less do I want to die so... please, don''t kill me..."


    "...I promise."


    The sobering mess formerly known as Anna frees herself from me.


    "So, the truth is... I''m not from here? I... don''t really know it myself."


    "Then explain it as good as you can."


    She starts explaining, still sniffling all the time, "...shortly after my sixth birthday, I had to go to a hospital, a big house with lots of people dressed in white or green and, uh, strange machinery attached to beds? For two years I just... lived there, most I could do was watch TV, only rarely was I allowed to go home with my mom, and when I woke up one day I was... in a featureless, white room, some men with grey skin talked with me, I... didn''t understand a thing. Then I was here and had cat ears and a tail..."


    "I think I get the picture. How long have you been in this place?"


    "Six or seven weeks?"


    So she was sent here a few weeks before me? And she skipped from age 8 to 12? So she took over someone else''s body? Was it that kind of isekai for her?


    Also shouldn''t Jeff then have known about her? He sounded like it was years since the last person was sent here.


    As usual, nothing adds up.


    "And how did you get that horrible collar?"


    "I dunno. I already had it from the start. And when someone tells me to do something I don''t wanna, it hurts a lot, like just now."


    "Did that happen a lot?"


    "...only once or twice a week."


    Did I get a budding Lalatina forced into my care?


    "Stop that. If you keep that resistance up you''ll take some lasting damage from it."


    "But if I don''t wanna do what you tell me?"


    "...endure it. We''ll find a way to break that cursed thing."


    This whole thing is all kinds of wrong. I really need to have a word with whoever is responsible for this shit.


    "Last question for now... Please tell me the truth, do you have a ''Lost One'' title or something similar?"


    "No, what is that?"


    "Never mind then."


    That... makes even less sense. If she truly was also sent here by them, why doesn''t she have the title? I don''t think she lied about her past, she knew about modern hospitals and TVs at least... I''d like answers for a change instead of even more questions.


    (So, did you just adopt a daughter or a pet?)


    (Elly, read the mood for once.)


    (...maybe at a different time.)


    (Say, do you know a way to free them from slavery?)


    (Not really, at least not short of you becoming a god and then abusing your authority.)


    (Then that is what shall do. Hmm... can''t you pull some shenanigans like you did with Maria? Create a new summon, switch their souls by abusing a [Familiar]-powered bond, then kill or respawn their body?)


    (I... don''t think that has even the slightest chance of working.)


    (Figures.)


    Maria comes back, "so, uh, we are done preparing some food, I just don''t know how good it''ll be."


    "Then it is a good thing, I don''t eat regular food anymore. Elly, would you please taste test to make sure it is safe to eat for our two housemates?"


    "Why me?"


    "...lack of tact a moment ago."


    "Grrr, meanie."


    "Don''t you trust me, my lord?"


    "Maria, I haven''t ever seen you cook, you don''t have a relevant class for that and I can''t cook either, most you''d get out of me would be instant food. So I have no idea where you''d get any cooking skills from. And before we kill the two kids by following some dumb anime trope, I''d rather play it safe."


    "Fine...", Maria pouts.


    Against all odds, Maria''s cooking is edible, at least according to the three of them, nothing fancy but edible.


    After the two children have eaten, I have Maria guide them to a room on the top floor. We''ll decide what to do with them later.

 Ch. 47 – Foiled again

    All this talk about food and seeing the two eat made me hungry as well. Not that I''d call a distraction from all the newly piled up problems unwelcome.


    I still need to avoid wasting blood packs if I want to make more extended dungeon dives, so... back to the slums, I guess.


    I leave while Maria brings the two children to bed. I leave the babysitting to her for now. Elly takes a nap in my head, didn''t know spirits and/or AIs need that. And Justo, uhh, housesits itself.


    It is the middle of the night, so outside the slums, there''s just the night guard around. They don''t notice me, thanks to [Stealth]. I may now be the official owner of the fortress, but I don''t need to cause more trouble than necessary.


    In the slums, most are still outside since they lack a home to return to.


    I sneak around a bit more to find a lone victim to avoid drawing more attention when I take a drink.


    During my search for food, I notice a person I know but haven''t seen in a while.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Niles</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">21</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Warrior 4, Berserker 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Highlander 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1933/1933</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">280/280</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">523/1792</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">322+98</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">218</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">230+65</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">78</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">106</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">154</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">155</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Handaxe, Reinforced Leather, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Axe Training 8, Disguise 4, Hard Worker 3, Sleepless 4, Stamina Boost 3, Undead 4, Vampire Hierarchy 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Poison, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Did his level even increase in the past few weeks? Was he just lazying around? Well, Erwin said something about them working for a master, so maybe he wasted most of his time on that. It might be worth to keep watch on him a bit in case he is on a mission for that ominous master right now.


    I follow him for a while without getting noticed, but nothing special comes out of it. He eventually finds a victim to drink blood from.


    "Having a snack, Niles?"


    I was a bit too late, Niles has already bitten the homeless man.


    "Yes, and I don''t like getting disturbed when having a midnight feast."


    "Hmm... I can understand that."


    "Now, ''lord'' Jared", he says in a mocking tone, "I''m very lucky for meeting you here. I wanted to search you out anyway."


    "Oh, and what did you want from me?"


    "It is pretty simple, really. I''m your senior, you should listen to ME, not I to you. So hand over the position of lord of this ruin!"


    "Are you sure about that?"


    I ram my claws into his stomach.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have inflicted 853 damage to Niles.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yikes, the damage increase from [Vampire Hierarchy] really pulls its weight already.


    "Hurgh..."


    "Care to rephrase that, ''old man''?"


    "W-what... what are you?"


    "Gotcha, the hard way it is."


    I hit him again with my claws and wrestle him to the ground.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have inflicted 853 damage to Niles.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I bring my claws close to his throat.


    "Now, you better tell me what I want to know or you''ll find out what having negative HP feels like!"


    Stolen novel; please report.


    "Grrr... fine, I''ll talk."


    "Who do you work for?"


    "W, what are you talking about?"


    "Don''t bother playing dumb, your buddy Erwin tried to recruit me to work for the same ''boss'' but he made a mathematical blunder before he could tell me any details."


    "That blabbermouth..."


    "So?"


    "...that ''boss'' is our creator, a vampire noble ruling over Bloodhausen."


    *sigh* That idiot has the same naming sense as Elly. Or there are non-zero odds that Elly is just that master, can''t ever be sure with this messed-up world.


    "And where is that?"


    "No idea."


    "You are so useless... is there any reason why that master couldn''t just get over here and claim the fortress himself? If he already owns a fortress, he should have the ''Fortress Lord'' title which would allow him easy conquest."


    "I''ve really no idea what you''re talking about."


    "That is not enough for me. Do you really not know anything?"


    "No, I swear I know nothing, so just let me go, ok?!"


    "Hmm... yeah, sure, I''ll let you go - to hell. Bye."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have inflicted 853 damage to Niles and killed him.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Niles'' body turns to ash just like Erwin did, and just like him leaves behind a dog tag.


    Well, I gained a minor lead and removed one enemy agent. Not bad for a meeting of pure chance.


    Though I find it hard to believe that their ''master'' really owns a fortress. Otherwise, he could''ve just taken over this fortress by himself with no opposition just through the power of the ''Fortress Lord'' title alone.


    And if this... Bloodhausen is too far away for him to travel here, because vampire, then how did those two idiots get here?


    Also, I should have asked if there are more of them there are. Shit, too late now.


    With Niles now gone, there''s now only the remains of Niles'' last dinner in front of me. From experience, I know that I wouldn''t gain any nutrition from a corpse, like that person. Thanks, Ted. Not that I''d want someone''s leftovers, I want fresh food.


    I look around some more for a victim. Soon I find one, holding a bottle and obviously drunk. He clearly needs to take a nap and sleep it off, so I''ll help him with that.


    I pass on the non-existent offer for some alcohol and take a drink from the drunkard. Tastes like the cheapest wine imaginable.


    Does the remaining alcohol in his bloodstream work on me?


    I''m feeling a bit drunk already, so I guess, it does affect me. That''s certainly one way to enjoy some alcohol when you can no longer taste the regular stuff. Though that would require a lot of convincing a volunteer if I ever want to enjoy a party properly.


    ...or maybe not that much. I didn''t even drink that much spiked blood and can barely walk straight anymore, seems like I''m a lightweight this time around. Bah!


    I walk, or rather, weave home. Weave? Do I look like some kind of cobbler to me? I''m just drunk, not a basket worker!


    I bet that Bloodhausen fang-face whatever doesn''t take me seriously either. Let me tell you, pal, my underwater basket weaving skill has never been equaled! Surpassed often, but never equaled!


    Also, let it be known that I don''t tolerate competition! You may... sit over there in your cozy hell-hole... but don''t get too used to it! Soon the world shall be mine!


    ...


    Damn headache... you stupid wall, I had the right of way!


    ...


    Heh, cute kitty, wanna play? ...damn, she''s asleep... what good is a pet that just sleeps whenever it wants? ...oh, right, I told her to go to bed... nevermind...


    ...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: you cannot make a slave your familiar.


    The conditions are incompatible.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...


    When did I get into my bed? The last thing I remember is biting a drunk guy...


    Uh, why is it morning now? And why do I feel like I have a hangover?


    This takes me back to my last two years of high school... we did that way too often.


    ...


    Maria enters my room.


    "My lord, are you awake?"


    "Yeah, I couldn''t sleep if I wanted to."


    "You looked out of it earlier when I checked."


    "Ah, so I passed out from the alcohol... so, what is it you wanted, Maria?"


    "Just making sure you''re not too late, you still need to invite Geoffrey and Marca to the meeting later today."


    "Yeah, right. Thanks for reminding me. Can I leave the two kids in your care? Oh, and please prepare some food for our guests. The two kids should help you with that."


    I hand her some more of the food items I have left.


    "Sure, I''ll see to it."


    I rise from my comfy bed and make my way over to the training hall.


    Maybe I should invite Lucia as well? She already knows that I''m a ''Lost One'', might as well tell her the rest as well. Since she''s educated in church matters, she might have insights on some topics the rest of us are lacking.


    ...no, she''s better off staying away from me. Until I have a way to negate the effect from her [Undead Bait] she would just be in unnecessary danger in my presence.


    It might be worth risking it later when I have a more solid idea of what I''d like to ask her - or I can just let someone else ask her in my stead. There''s no point to throw her life away for nothing.


    I would... miss her...


    While I was lost in thought I reached the training room. Geoffrey and Marca are already present, I quickly tell them to come over to my mansion at noon and then leave towards the gate to cast a single rain spell and the censored wave. With Maria out, I don''t have the MP for a second rain.


    Nothing of note happens, so I go back home, until...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">System updated to Version 199.7.03.2605.016</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Changelog:</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">


    <ul style="list-style-type: circle">


    <li>fixed damage over time status effects not running out; now status damage gets again reduced for the HP/MP/SP damage inflicted</li>


    <li>fixed bug that allowed to sell a dungeon timer for indefinite amounts of gold</li>


    <li>fixed a bug that gave infinite MP if the caster has a sum of MP and SP that is a prime number and their name has the same length as said prime</li>


    <li>spirits now need to pay 30 SP to generate spirit equipment</li>


    </ul>


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I feel targeted, half of that list is detrimental for us, the rest reads like a joke.


    Fuck you, Graham, just fuck you.


    So much for having Elly generate arrows... we need a real ammo factory after all.


    ...carry the infinite...


    So cold status is now just like a critical hit for delayed double damage? I guess with that I can at least scratch a class with [Ailment Boost] from my wishlist.


    On the flipside, bleeding, cold, poison and the like are no longer a death sentence for us, so we might lose a few people less every so often.


    <hr>


    POV: Elly


    snore

 Ch. 48 – Revelations

    When I get home, I see Maria playing with the two kids.


    "Are you already done with cooking, Maria?"


    "Ah! S-sorry, my lord, I... I..."


    "As I recall, I gave you an order to prepare a meal for our soon-to-arrive guests, and what do I see here? You three fooling around! What do you have to say for yourself?"


    "I don''t have an excuse, my lord."


    "I thought as much. Now what to do about your punishment?"


    I may be a bit irate from the patch log earlier, but I know it is not her fault. On the contrary, Maria getting along with them certainly eases one of my worries.


    "I think I''ll sentence you to babysit them for the near future. Seriously, do you have any idea how much trouble that causes me? That cuts the amount of damage I can do to the flood monsters clean in half."


    "My lord, I''m sorry, I..."


    "Okay, enough fooling around. I don''t mind you playing with them but please make sure the food gets ready in time. Especially these two need something to eat. That we have to ration food so much that everyone only gets one meal is bad enough, but them having gone multiple days without food is unacceptable. So I hereby order you to make sure they get at least one decent meal a day. The world may see them just as slaves and I currently can''t change that, but that doesn''t mean we have to treat them as second-rate citizens. Have I made myself clear?"


    "Understood. And thank you, my liege."


    She takes the kids and goes into the kitchen.


    I know Therese went out of her way to hand me some documents but because of that slavery business, I had no time to read through them. Might as well quickly skim through them, just like last-minute cramming before an exam.


    I summon Elly as my assistant. I am acting as a lord now, I should have that little bit of dignity to not answer the door myself. I need to get real servants for that, summons cost too much MP that I need much more elsewhere.


    Marca and Geoffrey are the first to arrive. Seems like they had a bit of a chat with Elly before coming to me in the conference room. From what I can see they seem to get along just fine, which is good if those two really want to join my party going forward.


    Therese is the next to arrive. I expected that she would escort Chloe if they are as good friends as I thought they were.


    "Is Chloe not with you, Therese?"


    "No, the doctor refuses to let her leave on my authority, so Darius has to get her."


    "Hmm... I guess that makes sense. Also, sorry in advance. I know you went out of your way to get me these documents as soon as you could, but something else came up so I didn''t have much time to read through them."


    "Of course, it would go like that... may I know what happened, Jared?"


    "Sure, I wanted to bring it up in the meeting later anyway. I got a visit from a slaver who left me two kids as present. Or rather bribe."


    "Okay, that makes sense."


    "I expected more of a reaction, Therese."


    "I''m not sure why I should be surprised or anything, you have to take care of your new property first."


    That''s... all?


    "You make it sound like getting slaves is the most normal thing in the world."


    "It isn''t exactly normal, but nothing world-shattering either. Several nobles and a few richer commoners buy some, so I don''t get what the deal is."


    "So, just a difference in culture? Where I am from slavery is despised."


    "Is it? That is... weird. I once learned that the concept of slavery was brought to us by a ''Lost One''."


    "The more I learn the less I understand why you people are on good terms with us ''Lost Ones''. So far they seem to have failed to achieve anything of note and in exchange, they brought you vampires and the concept of slavery. I wonder what else they have fucked up..."


    "Vampires originated from the ''Lost Ones'' as well?"


    "That''s at least what I''ve heard in a story. And considering what I was allowed to get away with when negotiating the terms for coming here, it is at least in the realm of the possible."


    A bit later, Darius finally arrives and brings Chloe. She looks still down, guess they really haven''t told her anything.


    "How are you holding up, Chloe?"


    "Honestly, not well, Ja-, I mean, my lord."


    "Just Jared is fine if it is you."


    "Thank you... Jared. I... don''t know what is going on or why I am here..."


    "Give it a few minutes, then we''ll tell you everything."


    "I think that is everyone now?", Darius asks.


    "Almost, but we can start without the missing three. They are in the kitchen preparing some food for you. We have a lot of things to discuss and from my experience thinking requires a lot of energy."


    "I like the sound of that!"


    "As if you do a lot of thinking", Therese teases him.


    "So let''s get the most important thing out of the way. Chloe, they haven''t told you anything yet?"


    "No, nothing."


    "Good, so long story short... I am what you call a ''Lost One''."


    "You are...? But...", Chloe looks less distraught than before, "why haven''t you told us earlier?"


    "I had my doubts. The people that told me it would be okay to reveal that had already proven to be less than trustworthy."


    "...fine, I can understand that. Can you... show me the proof?"


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    "I could, but this brings me to point number two. It turns out I can only produce the symbol a limited number of times, in fact, I have only one use left and I need it for the public speech I plan to hold as soon as possible. So can you just trust me and wait for those few days?"


    "You can, Chloe", Marca adds, "trust me, I''ve seen it. He is the real deal."


    "You have? Who else has?"


    "Everyone present except for you, Chloe", everyone nods in agreement, "plus Lucia."


    Darius asks, "You''ve shown it to my ni-, I mean, to the holy maiden?", then slams the table, "Why is she not here then?"


    "I thought about it, but her [Undead Bait] skill poses a risk I''m not willing to take."


    "What do you mean? I''m not familiar with that skill."


    "There are two parts to that skill. First, undead - which I also am - get drawn to her. I could literally feel how my hunger increased quickly while near her. The second part... can''t be read. We don''t know what the point of the skill is, but we agree it can''t be good... She has supposedly received an oracle that she''d die soon-ish, and if we can''t avoid it, I''d at least like it to not be my fault unless she explicitly asks me to."


    "Alright, I understand."


    And once again I have tempted fate...


    "Anyway, back to topic. Is that good enough for you, Chloe?"


    "Honestly, I''d like to see actual proof now, but if you can only show the sign once more... I''ll choose to trust you."


    "Good, now for the actual topics. I see Therese has prepared a writing pad."


    "That I have. Is that a problem?"


    "On the contrary, there is a lot to discuss and it would be bad if a result would be lost just because of the sheer amount. So I appreciate your help with that."


    "My pleasure."


    "Elly, can you please get Anna from the kitchen? This concerns her."


    "Sure thing, boss!"


    Elly leaves the room.


    "So, by my understanding, there should only be one ''Lost One'' at the same time. Does anyone know anything in that direction?"


    Geoffrey answers, "That is the same I have learned."


    "Same here", Therese adds.


    "And does the same apply to people from other worlds in general?"


    "I don''t follow", Marca asks, "where''s the difference?"


    "Right, there shouldn''t be. But yesterday I had a visitor. A slave owner donated two kids... and one of them seems to also be from a different world, just like me. At least she could accurately describe facilities that don''t exist here and what the process between lives is like. At least it was similar enough to what I know."


    Everyone is speechless.


    Therese is the first to regain composure, "I''m honestly not sure what that changes, even if true. Does she have the titles?"


    "No. And it may not change anything for you, but it may change several things for me. Before I was sent here, I was told that those sent to other worlds can''t acquire the hero title, but she is already a hero candidate."


    Darius says, "So what? There are usually at least a dozen candidates before the real hero is found. You said she was a slave? In that case, don''t bother with it. Slaves can''t qualify."


    Maybe not as she is, but if we can remove that seal... I should just ask her if she even wants to be a hero, there''s no point to force her considering the circumstances.


    Elly finally brings the girl. What took you so long? The kitchen is just a few steps across the floor!!


    440/1786 HP... sleep doesn''t really recover much health, does it?


    "Hiya, you called?"


    "Yes, Anna. Answer truthfully and please don''t disobey like yesterday, you haven''t recovered yet."


    "*gulp* yeah..."


    "Have you lived in a different world before coming here?"


    "...yes, I think so. At least there were no monsters there."


    "Good. Next question. Do you know what electricity is?"


    "Uh, that''s the stuff that powers the TV, right?"


    "Good enough for me."


    Therese asks, "What is that ''electricity''?"


    "Not important. Just think of it as mana for devices."


    "Alright."


    "Last question, Anna. Are you a hero?"


    "Uh, just a candidate, I think."


    "Good. Anyone else got a question for her?"


    "None here", everyone else shakes their head.


    "You heard it, Anna, you can go back to Maria."


    "Sure, bu-bye!"


    Elly guides Anna back to the kitchen.


    "As you can guess, all of that makes no sense to me. There should only be one of us, but as you saw, there''s at least two."


    Geoffrey has an idea, "Maybe she was sent by a lesser god? One with enough power to send us help but not enough for a proper ''Lost One''?"


    "...a different department? Could be. But then shouldn''t my death angels in charge have known about this? Ok, that is just useless guessing at this point..."


    "Maybe you should start by telling us what the main threat is?", Chloe suggests, "You seem to know something."


    "Sure, let''s start with that. But considering that some of the other things I''ve been told have been wrong so far, you should take it with a grain of salt."


    "We''ll keep that in mind. So please go ahead."


    "Right. So, the ''gods'' don''t really know much either. There''s supposedly a demon artifact somewhere in this world."


    Marcia interrupts me, "They have no idea where it would be?"


    "Not the slightest clue. The only thing they really know is that while this artifact exists, this world is basically cut off from the rest of the universe."


    Geoffrey asks, "What exactly does that mean?"


    "Nothing gets out, and for anything to get in the gods have to use a lot of limited resources. Supposedly."


    "Wait, wait, nothing gets out?", asks Chloe.


    "That is what I''m told. And this allegedly extends to souls as well. So they can''t pass on to the afterlife."


    While everyone is silent in shock, Elly returns.


    "Though I have a suspicion that it gets worse."


    Therese reacts, "W-worse? How can it get worse?"


    "...when I first arrived here, I had an accident in a nearby village where I ended up drinking the blood of a few children. They were about to die anyway. The thing is... during my last dungeon visit, I encountered several monsters that acted strange, even for monsters. Due to some circumstances, I tried to drink their blood. Two of them tasted very similar to the children I had... killed before."


    Therese shudders at the thought, "Could you... not remind me, please? I''ve lost my child to a vampire attack."


    "Sorry."


    Darius suggests, "Jared, could it just be a coincidence? There are only so many ways something can taste."


    "Maybe, but I feel like they also had some traces of their original personality."


    Darius is outraged, "Are you seriously suggesting that the souls of the dead that can''t leave this world due to this artifact get turned into monsters?!"


    Elly joins in, "Where''d you get that idea from, Jared?"


    "I''m just saying it is a possibility we can''t deny that easily. There are some hints to it at least."


    "Now assuming that it is indeed the case", Therese adds, "what can we do to change that?"


    "Currently? Nothing. It would only add more urgency to my mission to destroy that artifact so this world can return to its proper place in the universe."


    Elly is her usual flippant self, "Way to bring the mood down, Jared."


    "Lying about it wouldn''t change anything, Elly. And they need to know. The resources at our disposal are limited, we can''t afford to just fool around. If they are willing to help, they need to be in with 100%."


    "No, he''s right, uh, Elly?", Chloe is uncertain again, "It is just a much bigger problem than we knew of."


    "I propose we take a break. Food should be ready soon. I think we continue after everyone has had some time to think about this. Objections?"


    "None", Darius is looking forward to the meal.


    Therese and Chloe agree as well, "Fine by me."


    "I agree", Marca answers.


    Geoffrey just nods, he isn''t one for many words.


    "Good, we''ll meet in an hour again here."


    I get up and want to leave but Chloe approaches me, "Jared, can we... talk? Just the two of us? There''s something I need to know."


    "Uh, sure. Next door is my office, we can talk there."


    "Elly, can you handle things here until we resume the meeting? I... won''t join the meal for obvious reasons."


    "Sure, you can count on me, Jared."


    I take Chloe and finally leave the meeting room for the office next door.


    "Ok, now what did you want to talk about, Chloe?"


    "...I want... I need to know about ''us''. What am I to you? Ever since this... familiar bond was formed my head has been all weird."


    "I think I see where this is going... I consider you a friend, maybe something like a big sister even with the familiar bond, but nothing beyond that."


    I''m not even sure if I am able to feel anything for real without Lucia''s skill forcing me to...


    "I, I see."


    She thinks for a bit.


    Then storms forward and hugs me.


    "Hey, what are you doing?!"


    "Just hugging my cute little ''brother''."


    "I don''t know about cute... but fine, I''ll allow it", I hug her back.


    "Thank you~"


    I''m not sure how much of her affection is because she''s just starved for affection and how much is the influence of ''familiar''.


    "Going forward, I want to form a party that is able to clear the dungeon. Geoffrey and Marca already agreed to join - would you help as well?"


    "Of course! I will help with anything that I can! What is with Kay, Allen and Gabella? Did you ask them already?"


    "They want nothing to do with a vampire. In case you were not told, they have also quit your group."


    "I see...", she hugs me tighter.


    I can feel her tears landing on my face. Seems like she didn''t take that message too well...


    I give her some time to get it out of her system.


    A bit later she lets go of me, "Was that all you wanted to know, Chloe?"


    "Yeah..."


    She goes and joins the others for the meal I had Maria and the two kids prepare. I hope they enjoy it. I can''t.

 Ch. 49 – Next steps

    Now that everyone had something to eat and time to calm down, we can continue our meeting. Really everyone. The two children are restless and fidgeting.


    "Carl, Anna, are you two sure you want to be here?"


    "Why not? What else do you want us to do? I... don''t recall you giving us an order."


    "Dunno, maybe play with each other or Maria? You''re still children, enjoy your childhood while you can and leave the politics to the adults."


    "Even if we are your slaves?"


    "...if I had any say in the matter you two wouldn''t be slaves anymore. Maria, can you take care of them?"


    "Sure thing, my lord."


    The three leave the room.


    "Well, why we are on that topic, there really is no way to free slaves, is there?"


    Marca responds, "I''m afraid there is none."


    "At least, none we know of", responds Therese, "not that a lot was tried. As I told you earlier, Jared, the idea for slavery came from a ''Lost Child'' and hardly anyone would dare to think to go against their judgment."


    Darius crosses his arms, "I don''t get why you care about them. Slaves are just tools to be used. Even God has decreed so."


    "Sorry to break your illusion but even gods make mistakes. And I believe that to be one of those cases. If the only reason, you believe the gods to be okay with this, is that a ''Lost One'' brought that idea into this world, then I feel it to be in my right as a ''Lost One'' to end that business. Not that I can currently do so... repealing existing laws requires a level of ''Fortress Lord'' I don''t have at the moment. But eventually, I will do so, so do me a favor and start treating them less like things and more like fellow people."


    "If you wish so..."


    Marca asks, "Do you believe this is a good idea? Several people rely on slave labor and some of those slaves didn''t have an alternative."


    "I''m not happy with people getting such a seal if there is no option to remove it. As punishment for criminals, it may be preferable to the death penalty, maybe, but I''ve not come to a final conclusion on that, to be honest. As for those that have no other way out of their misery... I''d prefer a less permanent fate for them. Like a loan that can be paid off and then the seal gets removed or something. Anyway, this is a topic that can wait until later. We have honestly more pressing matters right now."


    Therese takes charge, "I honestly can''t decide which issue is more pressing, our lack of firepower against the flood monsters or the food shortage. With you taking over the fortress, the latter should become a little better since the yield of the farms no longer gets a twenty percent penalty but we''d rather need double what we currently make..."


    "I think we can treat this as one problem. Currently, we only have space for a single building I can create with my authority. For anything else, we need to reclaim the slum area first."


    "Then do that", demands Darius, "what stops you?"


    "In theory, nothing. But the moment I lay claim on it, all the people there will be judged based on what they have done in the past, and with how things are now a lot of them will be sentenced to death."


    "So, what do you plan to do then?", asks Geoffrey.


    "Since I can''t pardon them for a very long time, we will claim it step by step. First, we''ll build more living quarters in the sole construction place we have. Then we move those from the slums that are innocent there. Those that aren''t... we''ll force them into a corner so we can reclaim about half of the slums without anyone having to die. We''ll demolish the building ruins to create more space and replace them with an ammo factory and whatever options I have for food production. No idea how many buildings we can afford or have space for, we''ll just have to start and see how it goes."


    Chloe interjects, "And how exactly will that factory help us?"


    Therese answers, "I guess it would provide some jobs for the current slum dwellers and let us employ some archers that are currently just sitting around because we lack arrows and bullets."


    Bullets? Wait, this world has guns? I thought it was based on the stereotype of late medieval times with magic instead of guns?


    "Ah, sorry, I''ve... never seen any of them in action. So they weren''t on my mind."


    Therese clarifies for her, "Makes sense, we have only about a hundred arrows left, no bullets at all, and we keep those in case an airborne boss appears with a flood."


    "So, any objections to this plan?"


    "None", answers Darius, "If all goes as planned, how would we proceed from there?"


    "I''ve no specific idea for that stage, that depends entirely on how many resources we''ll have left, how much more food is needed, how much space we have left... We have to analyze the results and then decide the next steps."


    "Understood."


    Chloe expresses her concerns, "What else can we do? I don''t think just a few archers will help us survive long-term. Too many soldiers get hurt on a daily basis and have to stay away for several days or weeks."


    Marca offers an answer, "Right, we need more medical staff as well. Can you do something about that, Jared?"


    "I should be able to raise the number of medical jobs supported in this fortress. But as for actual practitioners, we would still need to recruit those."


    "I''ll add that to my list then", offers Therese, "I''m already responsible for staff matters."


    "Great, while you are at it, can you also look for someone that can aid me with paperwork and a few housekeepers or maids?"


    "Sure thing."


    "One other thing I want to check long-term would be general education. Do you have something like a school? Or where do you get your basic knowledge?"


    "Well, since nobles", Therese sounds angry, "don''t allow us commoners to raise our own children or even have a family in the first place, most grow up in an orphanage. We learn a bit there but not much, they are understaffed as well."


    "Right, there was that topic as well. Once I have sufficient rights, I''ll need to change the relevant laws to prohibit these ''commoner'' hunts that have plagued your history."


    "That... won''t bring them back..."


    Chloe tries to comfort her, "Therese, that wasn''t Jared''s fault, don''t blame him for it, please."


    "I know, Chloe, I know."


    Therese takes a short breath to calm down and then thinks for a moment, "What do you plan to do with your sla-... with the two children?"


    "No idea yet. I think we should train Anna. She is a hero candidate which could become important, but ultimately I want to leave that choice to her."


    "....please decide that sooner rather than later. And the other kid?"


    "No clue. Carl has no combat class, even if we had access to a mine here, I don''t want a child to work there... and seeing from how you react I doubt a merchant would want to take him as an apprentice. I guess, once you get me someone to work as a housekeeper, Carl could work as an apprentice to them."


    "Alright."


    "Hmm... right, before I forget, I met the other vampire earlier in the slums, killed him. He claimed that the vampire noble that created him lives not here but in a place called ''Bloodhausen'', ever heard of it?"


    Therese is clueless, "Not that as far as I can recall."


    Darius has a guess, "Maybe he renamed the place after taking it over? You''ve done the same, Jared. Well, it''s not like we have much contact with other places between those damn floods."


    "Yeah, makes sense. Well, at least if it is true what he said, it means we have one problem less here."


    Stolen story; please report.


    "True."


    "So, next point... it should be obvious, but I''ll need a regular donation of blood. So far, I''ve abused the lawless slums, but if we want to truly abolish that, I need an alternative."


    Chloe touches her neck, "How much... are we talking about?"


    "Too much for taking it only from the same three to five people, that would only end with dead people. We need to involve more residents."


    Chloe sighs in relief.


    Marca is a bit curious, "What does it feel like, Chloe?"


    "Don''t ask me. I was utterly messed up when it happened, and maybe still am. It felt... both painful and pleasant at the same time... and I hate pain."


    "Interesting", seems like Marca has a bit of an M in her.


    "When you two are done fooling around...", Therese interrupts them, "How about offering tax cuts for those that donate some blood to you, Jared? Well, if you can do that."


    "Not sure I can. Hey, Justo, is that an option?"


    The building booms, "I think it is, once you hit level 5."


    "Alright, thanks."


    "It can talk?", Chloe is surprised. Well, all of them are.


    "I prefer ''he'' over ''it'', but yes, I can."


    "I meet a ''Lost One'', possibly two even, I talk to a house... No, I''m just dreaming."


    "Sorry, Chloe, this is real."


    I give her a moment, "Ok, so, fifty percent tax reduction for a month? For health reasons, limited to once per three months. Preferably with prior health checkups and appointments so I can spread the... meals out a bit. Overindulging doesn''t help any of us. Well, need to see what exactly I can do once I unlock the option."


    Chloe is worried, "And... if you don''t get enough volunteers?"


    "I hope it doesn''t come to that... I don''t want to become a tyrant who has to order for mandatory ''volunteers''... worst case I could abandon my morals and keep about a dozen slaves just for feeding purposes..."


    I hate this idea...


    Therese takes notes, "How many would be the minimum for you to get by?"


    "That is a complicated question. Just to live, two per week, or just one if I would be willing to take enough blood to kill the victim. I am not.


    But since I also need to spend some time in the dungeon, three to four would be better. Any beyond five would just mean I need to take less blood per donor. That is unless I obtain a way to store some blood for later use, like travel to other places or extended stays in the dungeon."


    "Alright."


    "I think that''s all the points I wanted to go through for now. Anyone got something else to add or can we make plans for the big announcement?"


    "Nothing from my side", didn''t expect much else from Elly.


    No one else says anything.


    Therese finishes her notes, "When do you plan to hold this announcement, Jared?"


    "The sooner the better. We need some time to prepare, I have to write my speech at least. I think it''d be better if I had two more levels for ''Fortress Lord'' so I at least know what I can promise as compensation for blood donations. That would mean it should be after our next dungeon visit on Thursday."


    "So how about directly on Thursday then? Let''s say in the evening so you have enough time to check your options regarding tax breaks."


    "So we''d have just three days to prepare everything, do you really think that is enough?"


    "Two should be plenty if everyone does their part properly, right, Darius?"


    "Why are you looking at me? I''m the personification of reliability!"


    "Sure you are..."


    "Good, Thursday evening it is then. Can I leave the notices for the announcement to you?"


    "Yeah, no problem!", Darius seems energetic for some reason.


    "Just make sure enough soldiers remain at the gates during that time."


    "What do you take me for? A bloody beginner?"


    "No, just someone that nearly killed their ''holy figure''."


    "Hey, come on! That wasn''t my fault! I didn''t know the truth about you at the time!"


    "Yeah, yeah. Anything else we need to consider for that?"


    Chloe answers, "I don''t think so."


    "Good, then that''s that."


    Finally, Geoffrey speaks up, "Uh, Jared, what do you plan to do with our party composition? As you know, three left recently."


    "Yeah, we''ll need to find replacements."


    "Don''t ask me, please", says Therese, "I know you weren''t involved, but I have bad histories with both nobles and vampires. I... don''t want to be reminded of what happened back then. And I don''t trust myself that these feelings won''t come up at an inopportune time."


    "Sure, I won''t pressure you."


    What? People talk about their issues before they become a problem? What madness is this!?


    "But you can count on me!", proclaims Darius.


    "No, I can''t."


    I don''t want him in my group. He is strong, yes, but I can''t trust him. He''s shown to be too impulsive and unpredictable. His stupid high STR combined with the [Blessed Weapon] skill and one lost temper or even misstep would cost me everything...


    And it is totally not because you tried to kill me a few days ago, nope.


    Now, what excuse can I use...


    "Eventually I''ll need to leave this fortress to travel to other places. I can''t in good conscience leave this whole fortress without your leadership. I don''t think I can afford to create a team to take down one dungeon and then start completely over for the next step. The investment of time and ''Class Cores'' would be too high."


    "You can''t mean that..."


    "I can and I do. Sorry, but I can''t take you with me, Darius."


    "Fine..."


    "So, Marca, Geoffrey, you two still want to be in? Long-term, I would like to make the members of my party ''familiars'' like Chloe is, assuming that it is safe, and so far Chloe shows no signs that it isn''t. The point of that is that I can share one skill, later even two or three with my ''familiars''. I was thinking of starting with [Sleepless] and then later adding [Ageless]. The former would allow you to never need sleep again, instead, you would regenerate HP, MP and SP passively. That would enable us to recover while in a dungeon. The latter skill... well, it would give you a much longer lifespan."


    "And the third skill?", asks Geoffrey.


    "I wouldn''t worry about it. Unlocking that requires level 35 in a class with minimal stat gains and no other skill that profits from a higher level, so that won''t happen in a relevant time frame. Level 20 for the second is already pushing it. But if I had to choose right now, I''d say out of the skills I can choose from [Enhanced Regeneration] would be the most useful, just thirty percent more regeneration. With that, do you truly still want to join my party? Please think thoroughly about it. Once done, there''s no taking it back."


    The two exchange looks, then Marca asks, "Jared, can you give us a moment to talk about this? That is... quite a big decision, honestly."


    "Sure, take your time."


    Marca and Geoffrey leave the room to talk.


    Darius still hasn''t given up, "Now, Jared. I know you''ve said that I can''t be on the final team, but can I at least join your party until you''ve found a permanent replacement? You know that I''m quite strong."


    "I''m aware of that, and that is another reason against it. We would just come to rely on you too much. From what I''ve seen from you so far, I estimate that you would have a hard time letting us go to learn teamwork on our own."


    "That... may be true. Fine, I give up... but what about the holy maiden Lucia?"


    "Didn''t you listen earlier? The same reason that made me not invite her to this meeting counts double for extended dungeon trips. Here I might at least notice the influence of her skill in advance and still have time to prevent a disaster but in the dungeon surrounded by monsters, it would just be a death sentence. Show me a way to negate its influence and I''ll take her in a heartbeat."


    "Give it up, Darius", Therese admonishes him again, "his logic is sound. As it is we''d just sacrifice that girl for nothing. Why are you even so hung up about this?"


    "Oh, err... nothing. I''m just exploring what our options are for building a strong team."


    "Are you sure that is all? You''re hiding something."


    "Maybe, but nothing you have to worry about."


    Didn''t take him for a schemer. Now I''m even more worried with Darius still around.


    The couple returns, "We''re in, Jared."


    "Alright. With you two and Chloe that is four. The party limit is seven. I still need to talk with Anna if she is up for trying her hand at the hero thing. If she is that would be five. I don''t really want to drag a child along but if the ''hero'' is as important as I think it is, we don''t really have a choice."


    "Will you make us familiars then?"


    "Give me a moment."


    I quickly check my menu.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Limit</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">0/1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Active Familiars</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">Chloe</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Still 0/1? I expected 1/2 since I have 1 familiar currently and skill level and therefore a max of 2.


    Or... is that the shared skill limit?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have taken Geoffrey and Marca as your familiars.


    You currently have 3/2 familiar(s).


    ERROR: exceeding the current limit of familiars.


    Rising level of "Vampire Lord" to compensate...


    Insufficient exp to perform this action, 1250 required, 1247 present.


    The difference will be deducted from future exp gain.


    "Vampire Lord" has successfully reached level 3.


    You currently have 3/3 familiar(s).</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Wait, what? It can just use my exp like that? At least I couldn''t increase a level when I lacked exp earlier.


    Shit system... although... would that mean I can for the final battle just take a whole continent as familiars and force the system to power level me? Or at least up to the twenty familiars limit. Food for thought later.


    And when did I send the invitation? Did the skill just take Marca asking about it and me not denying it as sufficient consent?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Limit</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">0/1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Active Familiars</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">Chloe, Geoffrey, Marca</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ok, I give up on making sense of this system.


    "Done, I guess. Does anything feel weird to you two?"


    "No, I''m fine."


    "Same here."


    "Good, but if that changes you better visit a medic ASAP."


    "Sure."


    Geoffrey checks his menu, "I don''t seem to have gotten the [Sleepless] skill."


    "I haven''t assigned it yet."


    "Could you do so now? I''d like to get used to the difference before the next dungeon trip."


    "Riiight, and it''s totally not because you want to have more time in a day to spend with your girl. One second."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Limit</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">1/1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Shared Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">Sleepless</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Active Familiars</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">Chloe, Geoffrey, Marca</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Huh, so the limit is for shared skills and not familiars. Could use some better labels.


    "Now?"


    "Yeah, now I have it."


    "Well, then have fun on your dates."


    Geoffrey reddens and Marca smiles at him mischievously. I just let the two be.


    "Therese, when the speech is over, can we have a look at the artifacts your vault contains? At least I guess there must be more than just the crystal a certain someone used to give me a bad day."


    Darius complains, "Hey, why don''t you ask me? I have the higher authority!"


    "Certain someone."


    "Ok, I''m quite..."


    "We can do that, Jared, but I don''t think you''ll find anything useful there."


    "But that means there is at least something worth looking at. Even if it may be useless now, knowing what we have at our disposal for an emergency has worth by itself."


    "Sure thing."


    "Ok, that is enough from my side. Is there anything else one of you wanted to add?"


    Nos and shaking heads answer my question.


    "Fine, then I declare this meeting over."


    Darius and Therese leave. Chloe, Marca and Geoffrey stay a bit longer just to chat.

 Ch. 50 – Preparations

    The next two days just fly by. I keep Maria out and about to have her look after the two kids. Everyone else may be fine with them performing duties, even unsupervised, but I disagree. They are young and should enjoy their childhood as much as the circumstances allow... which isn''t much with the situation as it is. Well, we have to work on that.


    Elly complains a lot that Maria gets ''preferential'' treatment but whenever we offer her to look after the kids in Maria''s stead she''s suddenly fine with the arrangement.


    In exchange, I asked Elly to find me an alternative class or god forbid a title to increase my exp gain. As it stands, scholar''s requirements are too steep because of my bad CHA, and I''d like to make more out of this flood stage while it is this advantageous, for all we know the next stage could be completely magic resistant and kill any chance for me to increase my levels further.


    With one of my spirits summoned full-time, I''m restricted to just one rain spell per trip to the front gate. With my currently Maria-reduced regeneration, I can go there about every eight hours and gain about 850 exp each. Thanks to the restriction on time I can spend in the sun, I couldn''t really go more often if I wanted to, I simply need a bigger MP pool to make each visit more worthwhile.


    The next big breakpoint would be reaching 3000 max MP, but that is still a long way off, so I prioritize raising my title level to improve the fortress situation. Should Elly find an alternative to the scholar class for an exp boost, I would take that to level 5 next even if the second skill isn''t too hot. After that, I have to check how far away 3000 max MP is and make a decision based on that.


    On the first of these two days, I check how much the sun hurts me through the ''sun guard ring'' because it only absorbs 30 damage each second. With that and title level 2 [Day Walker] I take 9 damage per second. Gotta remember that and check again after a few title levels.


    After that little bit of science, I wander towards the marketplace. I want to check out my options in regard to making some extra cash.


    The overall mood is worse since it was revealed that I''m a vampire. A few people glare at me, clearly unhappy that their new lord is a vampire. I politely tell them, "If you have time to gawk, can I invite you to the gathering on Thursday as an example of what a merciful ruler I am?"


    One of them runs away crying, the rest just avert their gaze, I... may need to work on my charisma in more ways than just stats...


    In the marketplace, I try to find a buyer for materials I gained in the dungeon but I find no one. They have contracts with the military for all the materials they would need and can''t afford any extras.


    Well, what did I expect? If they depended on random people selling them the required materials for day-to-day business the whole system would''ve collapsed ages ago.


    Though, is it even right to sell those materials? Shouldn''t they just go to the vault? On one hand, I''m working with the military, so it kinda belongs to them. On the other, I was there on my own time and fought for my life with zero assistance from them. Tough call...


    So how else can I earn some extra money? I need gold to buy a ''Class Core'' and my wage is next to nothing... I can''t count on pure drop luck to get four or five alone for myself, depending on what the joker fragments result in, not to mention dozens of cores for my future party members. And just hoping that other groups will hand them over would be unwise...


    That is yet another problem for later... anyway, I should go back before my sun protection expires.


    When I get home, no one else is there, Justo tells me Maria and the kids are playing somewhere out in town. Fine by me, they should be safe with Maria. Elly is busy with her research as well. So I can prepare my speech in peace.


    A few hours later, Maria and the kids return.


    "What were you three up to?"


    "I just showed them around town, my lord. They didn''t learn much about the fortress under their previous owner, so I thought I should correct that."


    "Well, I have no objections to that. But truth be told, I still don''t know what I should do with them. Well, now''s as good a time as any to do that. Let''s start with Carl, are you fine with learning housekeeping stuff? I plan to hire some more experienced staff to take care of the day-to-day stuff and I think you could then just learn from them. Any objection to that?"


    "N-no, I, I''m ok with that", he stutters, clearly still afraid of me.


    "Good, Maria, take him and start preparing dinner. Teach him what you can while you''re at it. I''ll... have a longer talk with Anna."


    "As you wish, my liege."


    Anna trembles, "D-did I do something?"


    "Don''t worry, it wasn''t you, but someone else. It is not your fault. Remember how we talked about your ''Hero Candidate'' title?"


    "Uh-huh."


    "Let me first tell you, this is NOT an order but a choice. I don''t want an answer today. I want that you think long and hard about it, this will affect your life for a long time to come."


    "O-okay, I''m listening."


    "So this world kind of needs a hero but there are multiple candidates, you don''t have to be the one. But if you want you might become a real hero. Now, your choice is this. One, we just ignore that you are a candidate, you can aid Carl with housework and you can live a decent life here."


    "Okay, and the other option?"


    "Two, you decide you want to become a hero, or at least try your best to become one. Whether you succeed or fail then is up to you. We would train you and soon you would have to face scary monsters with us. You will get hurt, the trials will be tough but you may also make a big difference in the world."


    "Would I be... special?"


    "In a sense, yes. A ''hero'' is not something everyone has the potential to become. You do."


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    "Okay, I want-"


    "No, don''t answer yet. Think it through thoroughly. Talk with Carl or Maria or anyone else you trust. This is a choice that cannot be taken back once made, do not take it lightly."


    "B-but I wanna help people!"


    "There are many ways to ''help''. Please think well if this is the right path for you. If you don''t you might just come to regret it later. Any questions?"


    "No?"


    "Good, then go and help Maria with your food."


    "Yes, I will."


    Does she really understand what I''m asking of her? I can''t even say I would have sufficient information to make that choice for myself, let alone if I lacked the little understanding of monsters I have.


    Maybe I should''ve never brought it up and just have her work as a maid or something...


    No, she should be allowed to make that choice herself. Maybe if she qualifies to be a true hero the damned slave seal gets repelled...


    I get back to writing my speech and occasionally stretch my legs by nuking the flood monsters.


    During the second day''s second trip to the gate, I meet Therese by chance who tells me that all preparations on her side are taken care of.


    After reaching title level 4, and again at 5, I repeat the painful sunlight experiment. With the former, I still take 3 damage through the ring, with the latter 0. Seems like the flat damage reduction and the additional resistance provided by [Daywalker] reduce the sunlight pain by about 2-3 points for each level. Honestly, better than expected but not enough to live up to the name of Daywalker. At least it makes title levels less empty for me personally.


    Near midnight, Elly has finally found something.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Lore Seeker</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    28 HP, 39 MP, 34 SP, 4 STR, 4 DEX, 4 VIT, 7 MAG, 7 FTH, 6 WIL, 7 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Keen Perception


    Passive


    15% bonus to combat exp gain.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Magical Secret <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Rank 0 spells are free to cast if you have the relevant affinity.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (5% less exp compared to scholar is ok. With ''title holder'' and this class I''m already up to 75%. At least the second skill should have some use compared to scholar''s zero extra languages because this world doesn''t have enough languages.)


    (Also, this one has more MP instead of SP. I thought that would help you more.)


    (Ah, that''s what took so long. Any other parameters you considered?)


    (Several in fact. There were other options like ''Battle Researcher'' that would have scholar''s 20% skill but for which you lack the more physical oriented stats. The only other exp boosting skill I found would be [Curiosity] which is mostly found on cat-like races and our options for genetic engineering are non-existent. Not that it is a good skill in the first place...)


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Curiosity


    Passive


    5% bonus to combat exp gain.


    Given and taken weakness damage increases by 25%.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (Curiosity, for when you want to melt in the sun twice as fast. And titles?)


    (Nada. ''Title holder'' seems to be the only one that affects exp.)


    (Hmm... Do we know anything about what rank 0 spells are, Elly?)


    (Not really. At least not beyond that Chloe rank 0 water magic to clean you way back then. And before you ask, I doubt there are damage variants, at least of relevant strength, otherwise, proper mages wouldn''t be that sought after.)


    (Great, so we just have to experiment once I reach lore seeker level 5 and get the skill. It would have been too easy to just have access to a magic academy and be able to ask a professor...)


    (Well, in this field of research you get to be the first researcher, at least for this fortress. Didn''t you originally want to go into research before dropping out of university? Now is your chance for a do-over!)


    (Sorry, I have no memory of that. Either way, we don''t really have time for that, I think.)


    (We don''t? I thought you wanted something to do while you wait for MP regeneration in the dungeon.)


    (True. I''d still rather have some external input as a starting point. Was there something in jerk''s, err, I mean, Jeff''s notes?)


    (I''ve seen nothing yet, but I can check while I''m in here and have nothing else to do.)


    (Then please start with that after we''re done with the public announcement tomorrow.)


    (Sure thing, J.)


    (Well, I see no reason against it, so the ''Lore Seeker'' class it is then.)


    I use my last ''Class Core'' to add the class. Well, I have the exp to pump it to level 2 right away, so I do that. Way too much exp went to the title level in the past few days, I need a little something for myself once in a while.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 15, Survivor 9, Blood Mage 9, Summoner 5, Lore Seeker 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 2, Lord 3, Progenitor 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">G???o???d???¡¯???s??? ???L???o???s???t??? ???C???h???i???l???d???, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord


    Title Level 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">71</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1984/2028 [2536]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">631/1600 [3251]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">59/1613 [2017]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">303+75 (staff) or +144 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">337+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">321+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">569+45</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">471</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">456+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">392</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Leather Cap, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spear Training 9, Unnatural Claws 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Blood Burst 9, Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W???a???v???e??? 9, Summon Spirit 5 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 2, Disguise 10, Intimidation 4, Stealth 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 2, Familiar 3, Greater Vampiric Bite 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ageless 3, Beast Killer 2, Enhanced Regeneration 3, Extra Affinity 15, Keen Perception 2, Mana Boost 5, Mana Regeneration 15, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 2, Trap Lore 9, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>

 Ch. 51 – Morning Training

    Finally, it is the big day. First, a nice dungeon crawl to soothe the nerves, then the big world-changing speech. I hope my preparations were sufficient.


    I join a party with Chloe, Geoffrey and Marca, then we enter the dungeon, just like every Thursday these past few weeks.


    The first floor greets us with about a dozen level 1 baby slimes. Seems like everything is finally back to normal, the monster level matches the floor they are on and they no longer come in hundreds.


    I can one-shot a baby slime with a regular spell, I''ve really made some progress.


    The others don''t have much trouble either with the monsters.


    We fight some more through the floors with nothing noteworthy happening. Once I''ve spent over 1000 MP, I bring first Elly out, then switch to Maria when she has exhausted her SP.


    We take a few breaks in between floors to regenerate resources, Geoffrey cooks some food for the others. Progress is slow but steady.


    During one of those breaks, Elly has an interesting question, "Guys, I understand that magic users are important and it is rare that people here get born with caster classes. So I must ask, why does no one take the Magic Initiate class? It should be relatively easy to acquire for most people that have a bit more magic potential in them than Geoffrey. I found it yesterday while looking for something else. Here, let me show you."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Magic Initiate</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    32 HP, 5 MP, 24 SP, 3 STR, 5 DEX, 3 VIT, 1 MAG, 1 FTH, 2 WIL, 4 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Magic Apprentice


    Passive


    Increase MAG and FTH by (3x skill level) and MP by (25x skill level).</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Magic Graduation <Skill locked until Level 5>


    For the purpose of adding a base caster class, treat requirements as (skill level+5)% lower.


    If this skill has at least level 15 and you have no other caster class:


    you can add one basic caster class without using a "Class Core".</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "That is a good question, Elly. The stat requirements seem to be low enough to set someone on the path to learning some magic. Any idea, Chloe?"


    "No, never heard of it."


    "Neither have I", says Marca, "but so what? There are supposedly thousands of classes, why care about this specific one?"


    "Not sure, actually. I just found it strange that you have a notable lack of casters while a solution exists in the system."


    "Elly, I hear you volunteer to take this class once I have the MP to spare and will teach it at some form of magic academy."


    "I, err... do I have to?"


    "Beats me. My summons reaching the relevant class level is miles away anyway. Neither do we know if you could even train someone or if we can cancel the training. Wasting a permanent resource on potentially five trainees seems not worth it to me. Hmm... Chloe do you have input on this?"


    "I have never heard of a summoned spirit working as a trainer. But then I haven''t seen summoners before either, they are casters after all, and, well, you know the problem. But it could be worth a try. The trainer-trainee relationship can be ended from either party at any time."


    "That''s kind of a relief, actually. But anyway, raising my spirits to level 25 is a pipe dream at this point in time. I need almost 1900 more CHA for that..."


    "Uh, Jared, what is that about level 25?"


    "Supposedly if you train under a teacher for a year that has a class at level 25 or higher, you can take that class without a Class Core."


    Chloe is astonished, "What? What was that just now? W-what is level 15 then for?"


    "I thought that was common knowledge? Level 15 is just passive training to lower the stat requirements, it isn''t restricted to a specific class."


    "That is... something new to us... what else did we miss?"


    "...I guess we''ll have to make even more changes once the gathering is finished."


    "That we do. So anyway", Chloe continues, "The class Elly has asked about wouldn''t help much. The first class you''re born with has a significantly bigger influence on your stats than any follow-up classes you add. Magic Initiate may eventually enable you to learn proper magic skills but you would have neither the MP nor MAG to back it up. Magic in particular is very dependent on your stats. For weapon attacks, you can compensate low STR stats with bonuses from your weapon, but the options for MAG increases are very limited as you may have noticed."


    "I''m not too sure about that, Chloe. You only need 130 MP for a damage spell with status effect spell attached, and we''ve seen how much stunning a boss can make a difference when the water boss broke through the gate recently."


    "That may be but still need the Class Cores and candidates with sufficient base stats. And if the level 25 thing is true we can skip Magic Initiate as a middleman and go for teaching a real caster class right away."


    "Well, if things continue as they are, I could reach that level with Wizard in about a year outside. Though that would be at the cost of more important levels in like everything else."


    "Yeah, no rush. Focus on your lord duties first, we can have someone else test the level 25 theory in the meantime."


    We continue our full clear of the dungeon floors.


    On floor 8 we meet glitched monsters for the first time. Guess it is time for the newbies-clear-cellar-from-tons-of-rats quest.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cellar Rat 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">M???o???n???s???t???e???r??? 8, Swarm 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">117/117</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/0 [-140]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/0 [-70]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">126</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">126</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">84</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">84</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generate Offspring 8, Swarm 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Well, you see it. They can''t do anything, there''s just about three hundred of them... let''s get to work."


    A few area spells make a big hole into their numbers, each [Blood Burst] produces ten blood bullets that can also one-shot a rat. This doesn''t take long.


    Despite the huge amounts of rats I''ve killed, I only get six more glitch items. That is still enough to get me over the twenty fragment threshold. So let me quickly craft them into the core.


    Fusing the twenty MissingNo-granted fragments into the Joker Core gives me a strange feeling as if something was missing. I check my status and inventory, but everything is as it should be. Weird. Maybe that was a side effect of dealing with something mortals shouldn''t play with?


    Anyway, I have now a new toy.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Joker Core


    Adds a randomly offered class ignoring stat requirements.


    Can only be used one time per person


    While a class is on offer, all of its skills are revealed.


    The offered class refreshes once per <del>chapter</del> day.


    Today''s class: Dragon Mage</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Interesting item, should certainly be worth gathering a few more for my party members. I definitely need to check in on it every day. Not that I''m too happy about the gambling aspect...


    So, what does the godforsaken gacha offer today?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Dragon Mage</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    39 HP, 53 MP, 27 SP, 2 STR, 2 DEX, 7 VIT, 9 MAG, 3 FTH, 8 WIL, 5 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Slow Path


    Passive


    Whenever you would inflict magic damage, instead inflict 125% of that damage as corrosion status damage.


    This ignores all forms of status immunities.


    Every second, corrosion inflicts HP damage equal to 0.1% of the remaining status damage.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Channeled Spell <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    When casting a spell you can choose to lengthen the standard 3 second cast time.


    For every 5 seconds added, the MP cost of the spell is reduced by 10% or the previous value.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Delayed Reaction <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.Passive


    Whenever you would take direct damage, it instead gets inflicted as 150% of that damage as corrosion status damage.


    This ignores all forms of status immunities.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    (What the hell has that to do with dragons?)


    (Why, that is obvious, Jared. It makes everything drag on.)


    groan


    (Hard pass, thank you. We can wait a few days for something less stupid.)


    Now, what happens if I put the Joker Core into the sixth slot... the glitch item turns to ''Boneless Water''... Useless, so the Monster Core goes back into the sixth slot. Maybe I can make some Joker Cores for other people. Not that I have a better use for the glitch items currently.


    Chloe approaches me, "Uh, Jared? Is something wrong? You''ve been staring at your menu for a while."


    "Not really. I just finally collected enough of these glitch items."


    "What is a ''glitch''?"


    "Huh? Oh, sorry, I thought that term was clear. So much for Jeff doing his duty. Hmm... how to explain that... simply put, an error in reality, something that should be impossible, that defies the natural rules. Glitched monsters like the rats just now tend to have a wrong color scheme compared to their regular counterparts, the stats are wrong, maybe even their skills. For example, I encountered fire elementals that were unable to live outside of water, that doesn''t make sense right?"


    "Ok, I think I get it."


    Geoffrey is surprised at my words, "So you''re talking about that trash that you can''t remove from the inventory? What possible use does that have?"


    "I experimented a bit with them and they appear to be linked to what is in item slot number six."


    "What are you talking about, Jared? Everyone knows that the first of those always overwrites what is in your sixth item slot and then you can''t move it anymore. It just piles up until the slot is full with 999 of them and then it overwrites another random slot."


    "You can''t move it? But why can I... Elly, is that your doing again?"


    "Nope, no idea why you can that while the others can''t."


    "Well, anyway, I managed to create this wondrous item with their help."


    I take out the Joker Core. It looks like a normal Class Core just black and white instead of blue and orange. Maybe the scribbles are different? No idea if they even mean anything.


    Chloe looks at it thoroughly, "I have never seen or even heard of such a core before. How did you do that..."


    "Too bad you can''t move them. I''d have liked to create more of these cores. They would''ve been useful."


    "Why didn''t you use it already? Spirit Master looks like a class that would fit you."


    "Spirit Master? Sounds like something I would''ve taken immediately. The core offered me Dragon Mage which looks quite honestly useless to me."


    "Huh, so everyone gets a different class offered."


    Geoffrey has a suggestion, "Maybe as lord you could put like a possession tax on them? You know, have the system confiscate a portion of those items every month."


    "I don''t think that would work. The tax money doesn''t go to me either, so those items would just be stuck in the fortress''s vault for all eternity."


    "Maybe we can ask a trader for help?", adds Marca, "They assist people that want to perform a trade but want a witness. To that end, they can create a ''trade window'' for the other two which is sort of just an extension of their inventory."


    "So kind of a notary?"


    "I, uh, I guess."


    "Anyway, it is worth a try. We can try that tomorrow instead of training. Today I need to finish everything for the gathering. If it works, I need twenty glitch items per Joker Core."


    "That''s a lot, I have only three", adds Geoffrey.


    "If it works, we can just pool them together", says Marca, "and if not... we may just let Jared have the last hit on these glitch monsters, as long as reasonably possible."


    "Guys, I''m getting a bit hungry", Marca is getting in a bad mood, "it has been almost a whole day already, I need some food."


    Geoffrey answers, "Yeah, me too, dear. I''ll start cooking."


    "You do that, I''ll... read a bit until you''re done with the lunch break."


    I need to be a bit more conscious of regular people''s needs. Seems like I''ve become too used to being a vampire and only needing to feed once or twice a week.


    Geoffrey takes some simple cooking tools out of his inventory and starts producing food. Compared to what I remember from my previous life, they are very simple dishes. But who can really complain, there''s only so much you can do with the relatively low amounts of random drops.


    We continue our way through the floors.


    The floor 10 boss is just a boss version of a baby slime.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Moldy Jello Pudding</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Baby Slime 10, Cobbler 10, Merchant 10, Weaver 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 10, Boss 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">33502/33502</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">990/990</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2990/2990</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">490</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">530</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">320</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">320</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">220</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">240</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">380</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Acid Skin 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    It barely moves just as the baby slimes before, we can avoid its attacks easily for the most part. It lands a few lucky hits but not enough to endanger anyone.


    Over the next few floors, our progress slows down, the enemies are getting too high level for the four of us to take head-on.


    At the end of the third day, we reach floor 17 but run out of drinkable water. The water produced by rank 0 magic is not suitable for consumption. So we have to end our run here.


    Over the trip, both Geoffrey and Chloe earned a level increase.


    After the three left, I continue on alone and return to my previous tactics. Lure groups of monsters towards the safe zone and blast them with spells while they can''t strike back. Lather, rinse, repeat.


    By floor 30 I''ve barely managed to raise my new class to level 4. Casting rain over flood monsters is certainly more exp efficient than a two-week dungeon trip, but outside we''re on an unknown time limit and the flood hopefully doesn''t last forever. Plus, only here in a dungeon do monsters even drop items. Not that I got anything really good this time. Well, this headband is better for me than what I had, but that doesn''t mean much.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Apprentice Headband</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">VIT+5, MAG+2, FTH+2</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So my status is now this.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 15, Survivor 9, Blood Mage 9, Summoner 5, Lore Seeker 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 2, Lord 3, Progenitor 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">G???o???d???¡¯???s??? ???L???o???s???t??? ???C???h???i???l???d???, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord


    Title Level 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">53</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2073/2073 [2592]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">578/2666 [3333]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">384/1668 [2085]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">311+75 (staff) or +147 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">345</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">329+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">583+47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">485+2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">468+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">406</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Apprentice Headband, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spear Training 9, Unnatural Claws 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Blood Burst 9, Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W???a???v???e??? 9, Summon Spirit 5 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 2, Disguise 10, Intimidation 4, Stealth 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 2, Familiar 3, Greater Vampiric Bite 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ageless 3, Beast Killer 2, Enhanced Regeneration 3, Extra Affinity 15, Keen Perception 4, Mana Boost 5, Mana Regeneration 15, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 2, Trap Lore 9, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Well, at least my spirits have finally hit level 6.


    In the floor 30 boss room waits for me a big, fat, red manatee.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Seal of Disapproval</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sloth Landseal 30, Nun 30, Weaver 30, Armored Mage 30, Cleric 30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 30, Boss 30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">116969/116969</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">9000/9000</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">7120/7120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1270</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1000</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1550</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1420</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1450</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1490</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1080</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earthquake 30


    Cure Magic 60 (Rank 3), Earth Magic 30 (Rank 3), Fire Magic 30 (Rank 2), Holy Magic 30 (Rank 3)


    Mana Recharge 30


    Armor Training 30, Mace Training 30, Tracking 30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lightning</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Nope. Nope. Nope.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Earthquake


    3000 MP


    Every creature on the ground in a 20 DU radius around the caster takes 250% MAG earth damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Big fricking nope. Everyone in a 60ft radius area around it would take massive damage whenever it feels like it, I would probably die instantly, so hell no.


    I might risk it if infinite damage over time status effects were still a thing but not like this if it can instantly kill me with a fire spell or its earthquake special.


    With no chance to make any more progress, I leave the dungeon.

 Ch. 52 – Speechcraft

    After I leave the dungeon, I join back up with the other three.


    Chloe asks me, "How much longer did you stay?"


    "Not much, the boss on floor 30 was just too dangerous. It has a ridiculous [Earthquake] skill that would hit everyone on the whole floor unless they are flying. I''m not even sure I could survive a single hit of that. Elly could avoid that but would be unable to damage the boss. And out stalling its resources wasn''t on the table either."


    "Still", Marca adds, "even our floor 17 is much further than most groups can ever reach. We simply lack the necessary SP or means to regenerate it."


    "If that is so, how could someone even find out that this dungeon is supposedly 120 floors deep? I''m not just talking about the required SP but also the necessary strength. If it goes on like this, fighting hordes of monsters with level 100 or more in several classes seems impossible."


    Chloe knows something, "There are a couple of theories about this. In one of the legends about the first hero, it was claimed that they cleared all the major dungeons and ours was explicitly called out as the hardest at 120 floors deep with monsters going up to level 30."


    Geoffrey is surprised, "I have never heard about this."


    "So something has changed since then? Level 30 sounds quite doable."


    "That is one theory. Another calls that particular story false and claims God told us about it with the task to conquer it. This was obviously never achieved."


    "Considering what I know about your dear gods this seems unlikely."


    "The third theory I know of... it claims that either the monsters were weaker or mankind was stronger, even at the same levels compared to now. Then... something happened."


    "Huh... well, considering how the last few system updates were to my detriment, I''d certainly believe that."


    "Quite possible. Now, we need to get going. You have your grand speech later and I think you wanted to still prepare something?"


    "Yeah, true. We''ll take care of the dungeon loot tomorrow? I wanted to check the vault for artifacts with Therese''s permission. And you two, Geoffrey and Marca, will afterwards go with me to a trader to test the glitch item idea."


    "You got it", Marca confirms.


    Geoffrey nods.


    "Good, then see you later."


    I return to my mansion to perform some last-minute checks for the planned tax changes.


    I had expected to gain more exp from the dungeon trip and with that increase my title level after hitting Lore Seeker level 5, but it seems I was just spoiled in the previous glitched dungeon crawl with its hundreds of mid to high-level monsters per floor and damage over time status effects that never end.


    Well, there''s nothing I can change about that now. I just have to make the most out of the flood monsters and eventually grow strong enough that I, or better we, can reach much further in the dungeon. My supply of blood packs isn''t endless, so even if it wasn''t for the demon artifact posing an unknown time limit, the food supply still is one.


    Anyway, I check my options and it looks like I can add temporary tax cuts for blood donors, so that''s something at least.


    I rehearse my speech one last time and then head towards the stage prepared for today.


    I arrive at the designated place ten minutes before the speech is scheduled to start. I can see a lot of people gathered before the stage and some soldiers stationed to keep public order.


    Behind the stage, they''ve prepared a small cabinet for me in case I need to escape the sun. It shouldn''t come to that, my speech should last ten, fifteen minutes at most. I''m... not really an elaborate speaker.


    Therese finds me, "Jared, have you prepared everything?"


    "As good as I can, Therese, but I''m still very nervous."


    "Can''t help you there. This is something that has to be done. The sooner the better, and now everyone is already present. Well, minus the soldiers guarding the gate."


    "Yeah, yeah. ''The future of the world depends on you now but no pressure'', right?"


    "It is good that you are quick on the uptake."


    "You could at least wish me luck."


    "I''m confident you''re able to pull this off without the need of luck."


    Yeah, we''re clearly not getting along. Good thing I don''t have to put up with her in combat at least.


    Maybe she would be less of an insufferable bitch if I made her a familiar? No, screw that, I have neither the resources for that nor is any form of mind control an acceptable way to improve a relationship.


    It is finally time. I send Elly and Maria to join the guards in keeping order, then move to the main stage and begin my speech. The people in the crowd are clearly confused and terrified. That ends when I finally reveal the symbol of ''God''s Lost Child''. Too bad that is its last use already.


    I give the people a moment to let this revelation sink in.


    I notice Elly yawning. Please pull yourself together over there, I know that standing around pretending to watch the order of this is boring but can we have at least that bit of dignity?


    While I wait, a system prompt starts distracting me.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Last use of title emblem confirmed.


    Title "G???o???d???¡¯???s??? ???L???o???s???t??? ???C???h???i???l???d??? ???(???B???r???o???k???e???n??? ???V???e???r???.???)???" depleted.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    More or less as expected... does that mean I''m finally rid of the stat and exp penalties?


    I continue my speech more or less on auto-pilot. At the same time I check my stats... no the penalties are still in place, the title is also still present. So much for getting my hopes up.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">The conflict between titles has been resolved.


    Resuming search for compatible Demon Lord class.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Will you shut up!? I''m kinda busy here!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: Demon Lord Candidate was already promoted to Demon Lord


    but no class that is compatible with the recipient''s personality is available...</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Good, then cancel the deal and leave me alone!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: Since the title was already added it can''t be taken back anymore.


    Beginning construction of new, fitting class.


    ETA: several months.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That shit system! Stop making decisions in my name!!


    By the time I''ve calmed down, I''m already back home at my desk... Great, even as a vampire I''m not immune to getting a blackout from stress. Wasn''t the [Undead] skill supposed to prevent such things? So much for that.


    Apparently, I wanted to read Therese''s documents again. Shit, what did I miss?


    (Elly, what is going on?)


    (What are you talking about, Jared? *yawn* Sorry, I didn''t notice any oddities.)


    (I was... just in the middle of my speech when the system annoyed me with some messages and then... I was here. What happened since then?)


    (Huh, that would explain why you seemed so absent-minded on the way home. At least, I didn''t notice that you were occupied otherwise so I doubt anyone else has. Anyway, what was the last part of your speech you remember?)


    (Shortly after presenting the symbol of the ''Lost One''. Everything after that is just a blur...)


    (Umm... your speech went well. I think. I nodded off a bit during it. But from what I noticed the people still seemed a bit confused about the whole vampire business but after it has sunk in that you are their newest present from the gods, I''d say that they took it as well as they could.)


    (That is reassuring-)


    (Though I was a bit surprised when you forced them to cower before you. *yawn* I didn''t think you were going for that angle.)


    (I... what?)


    (Ok, just kidding. They knelt down on their own accord.)


    (Elly...)


    sigh


    (Anything else I should be aware of?)


    (I think you covered all the parts you wanted to, except for the part about giving slaves more rights. But maybe I just missed that.)


    (...could be worse. That is a mistake I can still correct in the future. How did the people take the part about blood donations?)


    (About as expected. Even if you are potentially their last hope for survival, they are even less enthusiastic about donating some blood to you than in your old world. Sorry.)


    (As long as I get enough volunteers that I don''t need to turn this into a horror movie...)


    knock knock


    "My liege", Maria enters the room, "you have guests waiting for you. Can I call them in?"


    "I''m not really in the mood but... Who is it?"


    "I''m sorry, I don''t know their names, they just said that the head priest of the local church requests an audience."


    I''m afraid this day is about to go even further downhill now...


    (Sorry, Jared, I''m too tired. Didn''t get much sleep recently. Mind if I take a nap now?)


    (Sure, go ahead. If worst comes to worst I''ve Maria with me.)


    (Thankzzz...)


    "Fine, lead them to the meeting room next door. What are the two kids doing?"


    "They are up in their room trying to get their heads around what happened today."


    "Okay. So you''ll stay at my side while the guests are here, I still don''t know how much I can trust the people here, especially if it concerns matters of faith. When our guests have left, you should go and watch over the two brats. Please make sure they don''t get a wrong impression about their situation."


    "Understood."


    Maria goes and fetches the guests, I already go next door to wait for them.


    I don''t know what they could want but there are several guesses and I don''t like any of them.


    After a few more moments of waiting, Maria leads three guests into the meeting room.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    First is an older man in more fancy priest gear. Maybe the head of the local church?


    The second is a middle-aged nun. If I had to guess, she might be the reverend mother Lucia looks up to.


    And finally... Lucia. She seems afraid and by the looks of it her accursed skill hasn''t changed one bit, this can only end well...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Undead Bait


    Passive, Divine Skill


    The owner is highly attractive to the undead.


    F???a???t???e???f???u???l??? ???c???h???a???n???g???e??? ???r???e???v???i???s???e???s??? ???c???l???a???s???s???.???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Graham, if you had to ''fix'' something why not start with THIS skill instead of ruining my whole life plan by nerfing status effects!?


    "My liege", Maria announces, "your guests have arrived."


    "Thank you."


    Just shortly after Maria finishes, the man throws himself onto the ground to grovel. The nun frowns and then also kneels down. After a moment she notices that Lucia is still standing and pulls her down as well.


    "Oh, revered child of God", the man starts, "we greet-"


    "Get up."


    "What?"


    "I said get up. The ground is dirty. We didn''t have time to clean the room this week. And chairs exist for a reason."


    "A-alright."


    The three of them get up again and I spot Lucia trying to suppress laughter. The man tries to dust his robes off but doesn''t find any dirty spots. Whatever he wanted to achieve here, he''s already been thrown completely off track.


    "Now grab a chair and start over."


    "As you wish."


    He clears his throat.


    "Oh, revered child of God, we of the church of balance and refinement greet you. I''m the head of the church, this is the reverend mother and this girl...", he hesitates.


    "She is Lucia the Holy Maiden, yeah, we know each other a bit. So what can I do for you? Do you want to invite me to your wedding with the lovely reverend mother now that I''ve all but outlawed the commoner hunts?"


    His hands start to shake, "I, I have no idea what you''re talking about. No, we''re here to deliver the Holy Maiden into your care."


    "Pardon?"


    That would be the second-worst option I could think of... the worst would of course have been that the church declares war on me for defiling their image of what a ''Lost One'' should be.


    "You may not be aware of it yet, but it is tradition for the True Hero, the Holy Maiden and - if available - the Lost Child of God to form a party and set out to right the wrongs of this world. We haven''t located the hero yet but I and most others I talked to are of the opinion that you two should begin training together as soon as possible."


    Have they gone mad!? "Are you even aware of her skills? If you even want to call it that."


    If you ask me, [Undead Bait] does not qualify as a skill, it is just a liability.


    "It is true that in her current form she''s a bit lackluster, but we''re certain that once you start working together, all shortcomings will quickly be overcome."


    "Lucia, can you please tell him, that this won''t work? We both know it."


    "I-", Lucia tries to but the head priest immediately stops her, "This is not her decision to make, the fate of the whole world depends on her cooperation, some sacrifices have to be made."


    The more he talks, the less I like him, and my opinion of him already started pretty low.


    He continues, "I can assure you that all will end well. When I was younger I received an oracle that I would have to force the Holy Maiden into her duties even if it should cost me my life. So, here I am. I ask the two of you to do what must be done. I won''t ever budge on that front. If the price I have to pay for that is my life, then so be it."


    "If you know about her skills then it should be clear as day to you that you''re asking the impossible", my tone of voice takes on a rage I haven''t felt in years.


    "I have spoken my piece, good day, sir."


    He gets up and leaves with a face paler than snow.


    "What the... hey, wait!" But he''s already gone.


    "Shouldn''t he know what the result of putting a vampire in the proximity of your [Undead Bait] is, Lucia?"


    "I want to say yes. At least the skills of the Hero and Holy Maiden are well documented."


    "May I?", asks the reverend mother.


    "Oh, erm... yes", Lucia isn''t happy that she is sidelined again.


    "We''re aware of that interaction. However, we put our trust in the oracles we have received. Especially the one the head priest talked about. As a consequence, we trust that you two will do the right thing. I''m sure you can overcome such a minor obstacle. Am I right?"


    "Do you REALLY understand what you''re getting her into? I have my doubts about that."


    "That you as an undead would be a bit more attracted to her than you were normally? Yeah, so what? You''re both adults. I don''t see anything wrong with you two having a deeper relationship."


    "So you DON''T understand it. *sigh* It also draws my hunger towards her. Vampire, remember?"


    "I..."


    Lucia adds, "I tried to explain that to you before, remember?"


    "..."


    What is wrong with these people...


    "W, well... giving a little blood won''t hurt, right, Lucy?"


    "What are you really up to? You can''t tell me you''re willing to send her here knowing the danger she''s in around me. And spare me the oracle crap. I have it on good authority that your ''gods'' don''t know the future more than we do. And your boss''s alleged oracle is way too precise for the guesses they can make."


    "Yeah, it was obvious, wasn''t it... the head priest has lied about the oracle, he never got one."


    Lucia is surprised as well, "Reverend mother..."


    "It is okay, Lucy, it is not your fault."


    Lucia is upset, "If you knew it was a lie, then why did you agree to this!?"


    "...despite my title, I have very little influence in church matters. I did what little I could to protect you, Lucy, but this is beyond me."


    "..."


    "If I may ask... what is Lucia to you? You make it sound like she is someone special to you. Are you perhaps her birth mother?"


    "No, I never had a child and my relationships didn''t last long enough to get anywhere. I knew Lucy before she became the Holy Maiden. I took care of her while I still worked in the orphanage, just like all the other children."


    "Okay, but why did you try to get rid of her in this way?"


    The reverend mother keeps silent but Lucia answers, "I guess the head priest is still upset that I''ve kept my smithing job. After people found out that I''m the Holy Maiden he was... very insistent I focus on that and nothing else."


    "That is... half of it. He is afraid of you, my lord. Honestly, I am, too. As such..., he intended for her to be a sacrifice to you. Whether you accept and treat her as a member of the heroic party or... do whatever it is vampires do with sacrifices... either way, the outcome was the same in his mind. We had to bring her here today."


    "But why today? You should''ve known about a vampire taking over the Lord''s Mansion earlier."


    "...we did but he did not. He doesn''t pay much attention to worldly affairs."


    "Lucia, now I''m not sure where you are safer. With me or with that scatter-brained church lead."


    "If it was an option, how about neither? I''m old enough to live by myself."


    The reverend mother fights with herself and struggles to find an out for both of them but in the end, she gives up, "That''s... not an option, Lucy. As long as you are the Holy Maiden, this duty will follow you. So I ask you again, please, take care of Lucy in my stead, I... can no longer protect her."


    "I''ll... do what I can."


    She gets up and hugs Lucia while crying, "Please be safe, my dear."


    "But before you leave, I have a little message for the church."


    The reverend mother braces herself, afraid of what damage an angry fortress lord can do to them, "I''m... listening."


    "Seeing how important the Holy Maiden is to the future of this world, I originally planned to extend some aid to the church like tax cuts and some law adjustments. But seeing how poorly she gets treated, this is no longer on the table."


    "Understood, I''ll... pass that on."


    They share a final moment together and then the reverend mother leaves, leaving Lucia to her fate.


    Lucia is confused, "What was that message for? I don''t really believe you would give the church any extra aid."


    "Just a little payback. If the people hear that I was willing to work with them but their boss screwed that up, they might decide to get rid of that liability."


    "Don''t you think that goes too far? He only did this because he is afraid of you. I can... understand that. I''m... also scared."


    "That doesn''t excuse sacrificing the lives of other people to save his own hide. If it only costs him his position he got off lightly in my opinion."


    Are there really no sane people around?


    "Anyway, Maria, can you prepare one of the guestrooms for Lucia?"


    "At once, my lord."


    Maria leaves the room.


    "Don''t mind her, Lucia. I''ve already told her several times to drop the formalities."


    "I don''t mind. You are a noble so that level of respect towards you is appropriate. Though I''ll have a hard time getting used to that."


    "Then don''t. Though I don''t see why it would be a problem for you, Lucia, you seem to be doing well when addressing the other two earlier."


    "Well, I had problems with that years ago, just got used to it. But you... well, we already spent quite some time together, it would just feel wrong now."


    "Anyway, don''t worry about formalities. I don''t really care about them."


    "About the thing you asked the head priest earlier, what is a ''wedding'', Jared?"


    "It is a big celebration when two people get married. Sorry, I''m still not used to the differences between this world and my old one."


    "I think I get it. It is probably similar to how it was for me when I was chosen as Holy Maiden. Before I had nothing to do with religion, afterwards it decided everything in my life, yet I understood nothing. Well, yours is just on a bigger scale."


    She fidgets, unsure what to do now.


    Getting to know each other is nice and good but first, we must find a solution to the [Undead Bait] problem... are there any hints in her status?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lucia</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Smith 15, Nun 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sunbound (human) 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Holy Maiden 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2345/2345</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1186/1186</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2718/2718</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">412+85</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">308</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">391+65</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">181</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">220+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">283+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">270</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Smith Hammer, Reinforced Suit, Habit</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cure Magic 6 (Rank 2), Fire Magic 14 (Rank 1)


    Hard Worker 14


    Undead Bait 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dark</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Wasn''t she 17 last time? ...well, if the people just grow up in orphanages it really is unlikely they know their exact birthdays. Do they even care about that?


    And why do I now think of birthday cake, I can''t eat any...


    "Do you celebrate birthdays? I see you''ve become eighteen since we''ve last met."


    "At least here we don''t. I''ve read that a lot of ''Lost Ones'' tried to make celebrating birthdays a normal occurrence but as soon as they had to account for the issue of time spent in a dungeon the people abandoned that tradition. Supposedly a vain king once had a lot of people executed for ''forgetting'' his birthday after he forced his guard on a week-long dungeon trip; he didn''t have much of a guard left during the next flood."


    "Makes sense. Well, there are more pressing matters, to take care of. Most importantly, how can we prevent [Undead Bait] from becoming a major problem."


    Lucia thinks for a moment then asks with a sad expression, "Jared, tell me honestly. Could you consider... loving me?"


    "Where''s that coming from?"


    "Please, answer me."


    "...that is hard to say. My heart says yes, that I might even do already. But my head tells me that might just be because of your skill. So, what of it?"


    "That''s... good enough for me."


    "What?"


    She gathers her courage, "If I can''t live how I want then... please, make me a vampire."


    "You don''t know what that would do to you, do you?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "The transformation changes your personality, you wouldn''t be yourself anymore."


    "But you''re fine."


    "I''m a special case. I wasn''t transformed into a vampire, this body was already created as one."


    "I see..."


    "Even if that was not the case, what would that change? You would still get pressured by people to perform the Holy Maiden duties."


    "Well... two things. As an undead, I couldn''t use healing spells so there wouldn''t be much of a duty left I could perform. And two, I''m destined to die anyway, maybe that way I can escape. Wait, make that three reasons... I could... stay at your side."


    "I would like to have you with me but... we should only consider that option if we really have no other choice with your skill. I... like you as you are now."


    She blushes, "Alright."


    I check on Elly, but the little AI spirit is still sleeping. I need her to help us with that issue, she''s the only one that had any success with digging information from Jeff''s documents. If we have any source of information on how the system works and how to potentially cheat it, it would be in there.


    "You really have no option in your skill tab to deactivate it, right?"


    "No, nothing. I''ve checked several times since our second meeting and there''s nothing at all."


    "I shouldn''t have expected anything else but I''m still disappointed, so what now..."


    We discuss a few more options on how to proceed from here but arrive at no conclusion, the threat of her skill to both of our well-being is an obstacle we can''t overcome.


    "Maybe we should call it a day, Lucia. It is getting late and I think you''d like some food and sleep."


    I''m getting hungry as well, and that is not a good sign.


    "Yeah, you''re right, I''m indeed getting tired. But what was that about food? We have a shortage going on and they distribute only one meal a day."


    "I was on a... private dungeon visit and haven''t so far gotten around to donating the food items I got then. So I entrust one of my summoned spirits Maria with cooking an extra meal each day for the two kids that were forced upon us..."


    "Ah, then I''d like to take you up on that offer."


    I get up and want to search for Maria with her, "Great, then let''s first search for-"


    Maria and then... why did my voice stop? And why does my body not react to my will? Shit!


    "Uh, Jared? Why do your eyes glow like that? You''re frightening me if you stare like that."


    Against my will, I hug her and bring my fangs to her neck.


    "Please don''t, I''m scared!", she''s crying. I feel her tears landing on me.


    I bite. Her blood starts flowing into my mouth. It is the most delicious taste I''ve ever experienced. Nothing I''ve had before comes even close. If ''love'' is the secret ingredient it would explain why there are so many messed-up stories about a vampire grooming a human ''lover'' and drinking their blood regularly...


    No, stop! Stop that!


    Struggle as I might, my body doesn''t listen to me anymore. It hasn''t even been a day and I''ve already lost the fight against [Undead Bait]...


    Her blood keeps flowing and I feel how she grows weaker and weaker.


    Soon her body grows limp.


    Yet her delicious life-juice keeps flowing.


    Eventually, it stops and I regain control of myself.


    I know it is too late for her, yet I refuse to let go.


    I know the moment my fangs leave her neck, she''s dead. But for now, I still feel a faint trace of life in her.


    Please... someone, tell me how to save her...


    Please...


    ...


    I know no one can help me now.


    Skill or not, I''ve killed the one I love.


    ...


    I know that the [Embrace] skill said it needs multiple applications before a vampire transformation is successful but maybe...


    Please work...


    Please...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Primary effect of [Undead Bait] activated.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I black out.

 Ch. 53 – Girls Night Out

    POV: Eva


    "And now that the introduction session is over with the death of the DMPC..."


    "Eva, I wanted to ask", Marwyn interrupts me, "don''t you think that you overdid that? That was supposed to be an introductory escort quest and running into a multi-headed dragon as the first random encounter was a bit much."


    "Remember how you talked to all of the townspeople and they warned you that there were recent dragon sightings?"


    "Guys, I''m afraid she has a point", concedes Neena.


    Ted is still discontent, "We were level 1! There shouldn''t have been a world-ending disaster next to the starting town."


    "The dragon was asleep! I extra changed it to a nocturnal dragon but you went and woke it up intentionally!"


    "I don''t see anything wrong with what we did."


    "Ted, you''re an idiot..."


    I know he is your little brother, Dave, but did we really have to add Ted? The previous campaign without him was much less stressful.


    "Anyway, as you retreat from the near TPK, you encounter a fork in the road."


    "Uh, can I try to pick it up?"


    "Uh, sure, Ted. Give me a DC17 dex check."


    "Let''s see..."


    He rolls his dice.


    "I got an 18, so... 15. Crap."


    "Fine. So you try to grab the fork..."


    multiple dice noises


    "As you enter the fork-threatened area, it springs to life and stabs you for 3 slashing and 4 psychological damage."


    "What? But it is just a fork!"


    "Didn''t I say it was an encounter?"


    "After the potion mimic, coin mimic and gazebo I should''ve seen this coming... *sigh* I have 3 HP left."


    "Gotcha."


    Neena finishes looking something up on her phone, "Eva, can it be that you''re taking out your frustration on us about Mike dumping you? Our group is at least 4 levels too low to take on a Hell Fork. It is a Hell Fork, right?"


    "That''s just a lesser one. This is level appropriate."


    "Those are even worse! Have you really looked at their statblock? Those are certified noob killers!"


    "...are they? ...what''s so bad about... oh, shit, that skill. Yeah, you''re right. *sigh* Sorry, everyone. Yeah, I may be a bit off after Mike... Wanna continue anyway? Just without any of that monster''s skills."


    Marwyn agrees, "I''m fine with that."


    Everyone else nods.


    "Well, Dave, you''re up next. What do you do?"


    "Does my character recognize this creature?"


    "Not sure. Let''s say DC12."


    "Okay, dice don''t let me down."


    more dice noises


    "That''s a 9, so 11 total. Yeah, I got nothing. Uh, I use my healing hand to prevent Ted from going down. Plus 5 HP for him. Don''t waste them, buddy."


    "Thanks, bro."


    "Now, who''s next in order..."


    knock knock


    "...just my luck. We manage ONCE a year to get a day off to play a round together and of course, we get interrupted. *sigh* Yes, who is it?"


    "It''s Aaron. I hope I''m not interrupting anything?"


    "Yes, you are. Wanna join?"


    "Sorry, I''m on duty. That is also the reason why I''ve looked for you, Eva."


    "Forget it, today is my only day off this year. I''m not doing any work today that can wait."


    "I''m afraid this can''t wait."


    clack


    clack


    Aaron has put handcuffs on me, "Eva, you''re under arrest."


    "Eva, what is going on?"


    "I''ve no idea either, Dave. Aaron, what the hell are you doing?"


    "Eva, there are several heavy accusations targeting you. You can either come along peacefully or add resisting arrest to the list. What shall it be?"


    "Can I at least hear the false accusations that are placed on me?"


    "If you are okay with your friends hearing them as well."


    "Sure, why not. They can tell you immediately that the charges make no sense."


    "Eva, I don''t have the authority to let you go, no matter what they say. You know me, we''re friends. I believe that those accusations are wrong, but I still have to follow any lead. If you three have anything to add you''re cordially invited to act as counter-witnesses."


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    He shuffles through his back and brings out a sheet of paper.


    "Well, you asked for it. First, you supposedly have helped with the creation of at least three irregular calamity class demon lords."


    "I admit to the creation of one demon lord, and that was an error in the paperwork and was reported as soon as we found out about it. To my knowledge that one was dealt with before it became a bigger problem. Apart from that one, I know of no further demon lords that came to be outside of regulations."


    "You have to take that up with the judge, I know only what is written here."


    He takes some notes.


    "Then you''re supposedly involved with the disappearance of several other devas and high devas."


    "I know of nothing. Well, aside from the bits told in the news."


    "Trust me, I know as much as you do about that."


    "So what? Do I now need to prove that I''m innocent? Have we gone back to these barbaric times?"


    "No, on the contrary, there are pieces of evidence hinting towards your involvement."


    "Aaron, if all of that is an elaborate joke, it is not funny."


    "I know you have... issues with following orders to the letter, but I assure you that all necessary pre-checks were conducted. So next one... One of the previously considered missing high devas was somehow found dead, that is also pinned on you."


    "That is flat-out impossible. You know as much as I do, that a regular deva can''t harm a higher one."


    "And yet Tephi was found dead and the divination tools didn''t dispute your involvement."


    "Bullshit. The tools must have been tampered with, I did none of the things you''ve said so far!"


    "Sorry, Eva, I wasn''t present during those preparations. I''m just a low-level grunt in the bureaucratic machine of madness."


    "So, what''s the next insane accusation? Have I somehow invented time travel and displaced the true creator of existence with a pawn of my choice!?"


    "Close, you''re accused of an ongoing effort to kill the big leader Todo. By the way, yesterday, he passed away."


    "Todo is dead!? That... that can''t be..."


    "And yet the impossible has happened."


    "That... makes no sense..."


    Aaron writes more notes.


    "The remaining accusations are trifles like improper paperwork, regularly arriving late and... misrepresenting the afterlife options for clients with negative karma? That''s oddly specific."


    "I admit to the last point, but none of the others. I was always on time and my paperwork was several times awarded for best in the department."


    "I know that, you bragged about it multiple times."


    "Wait, let me guess... it was Alex who brought false these wrong accusations? He didn''t take well to Gzeph''s disobedience and since he was not available, Alex let his frustration out on me."


    "I can neither confirm nor deny that."


    "So that is a yes. Speaking of, do you know anything about how Gzeph is doing in custody? They won''t tell me anything since I''m not family but you might have insider info."


    "Sorry, I''m not allowed to tell you *whispers* that he has escaped."


    Gzeph is on the run? What is going on now...


    "Fine, I''ll come along to see what nonsense ''evidence'' they have forged."


    <hr>


    POV: L???u???c???i???a???


    What is this place... it is dark, cold... lonely...


    Is this... what death is like?


    ...


    Jared, why...


    Why couldn''t...


    ...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Primary effect of [Undead Bait] activated.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    You stupid skill, why was I cursed with you? What sins have I committed to deserve you!? You''ve caused me nothing but trouble! How much more harm do you want to do to me? Can''t you at least let me rest in peace?


    ...


    Strange, my heart seems to still be beating... Does that mean I''m not dead yet?


    ...


    For a while, nothing else happens and I get further lost in my thoughts.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your divine class "Holy Maiden" is about to be removed.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I... didn''t want that anyway. I didn''t choose it, it chose me and we... never got along.


    sigh


    Maybe now I''m allowed to be myself? ...for what little good that does to a dead person...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">It is to be replaced by "Cursed Queen".</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    At least you''re finally honest with the names you give me.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: divine class "Cursed Queen" already in use.


    Producing a new copy for you...


    You have obtained the divine class "Cursed Queen(copy)".


    Outside of divine scrutiny, it will appear the same as the regular "Cursed Queen" class.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    What is that supposed to mean?


    ...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Due to the effect of the newly acquired divine class''s skills, your titles will change.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    What are you up to?


    Urgh!


    What is this pain!? It feels like my soul is ripped apart!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Existing title "Stubborn" was deleted.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Tears start to roll down my face...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Existing title "Impish" was deleted.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Pain... too much pain... make it... stop...


    I just... can''t stop crying... it is... too painful...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Existing title "Master Crafter" was deleted.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    N-no, not that one! Please... give it back! I worked all my life to get that! I... only got it two years ago... it took... ten years...


    ...


    Not even... in death can I be my own person... my self was always denied...


    ...


    The pain still goes on. Everything grows colder.


    My heart... has stopped...


    Despite that, I''m still here?


    ...


    I check my new titles. ''World Resident''? ''Demon''? ''Happily Married''? What are those? Why do I have them...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: you can no longer hold production jobs but you currently still own "Smith" and "Nun".</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    CRACK


    The pain somehow gets even worse... someone... please... make it stop...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Searching for non-production alternatives to incompatible classes...


    Found "Battle Smith" as replacement for "Smith".


    Results for "Nun" are indecisive...</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Why... why do you torture me like this? None of this matters anymore. I''m DEAD.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Considering "Cleric", "Devote" or "Priest"...</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    No, shove it! I don''t want any of those! I never wanted to be a nun or holy maiden or any of that shit! I want to be ME. I was born as a smith, I enjoyed my work. If I wasn''t dead I would very much like to continue my craft.


    SO. LEAVE. ME. ALONE!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your decision is accepted.


    Choosing "Fallen Saint" as replacement instead.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU!


    ...


    Finally, the pain subsides and after some more time, the nothingness is replaced by an unfamiliar, blurry sight.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Welcome home, Demon Lord Lucia Delacroix.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>

 Ch. 54 – New Perspectives

    When I wake up, I''m in my bed. To my side lies my loving wife, smiling at me.


    Everything still feels like a strange yet pleasant dream.


    Wait, wife? When did I get married? What exactly... happened back there...


    "I''m drawing a blank, what did I do last night?"


    Lucia laughs, "The answer depends entirely on the age of the listener."


    "Let''s go with physically eighteen and mentally at least fifteen with about twenty years of experience in that."


    "Hmm... then the answer is ''me''. Honestly, I didn''t know I could... sing like that."


    "Great, so it is the second time I have my first time and don''t remember any of it. At least this time alcohol wasn''t at fault."


    On the positive side, I don''t have to deal with annoying minigames before the fun times.


    "Second...", her expression darkens, "Who was the first?"


    "No one you have to worry about. That was decades ago and in a different world."


    But seriously, what happened yesterday after I lost control... I don''t want to experience that again... Being forced to kill your loved one isn''t something I would wish on my worst enemy.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 15, Survivor 9, Blood Mage 9, Summoner 5, Lore Seeker 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 2, Lord 3, Progenitor 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">TBD</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">World Resident, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married


    Title Level 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">308</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2073/2073 [2592]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1666/1666 [3333]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1668/1668 [2085]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">311+75 (staff) or +147 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">351</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">329+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">583+47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">485+2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">468+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">406</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Apprentice Headband, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spear Training 9, Unnatural Claws 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Blood Burst 9, Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W???a???v???e??? 9, Summon Spirit 5 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 2, Disguise 10, Intimidation 4, Stealth 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 2, Familiar 3, Greater Vampiric Bite 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ageless 3, Beast Killer 2, Enhanced Regeneration 3, Extra Affinity 15, Keen Perception 4, Mana Boost 5, Mana Regeneration 15, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 2, Trap Lore 9, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "My ''Lost One'' title is gone? In its place is now ''World Resident''. Why did I get ''Fate Breaker''? And we''re apparently married now, Lucia? What the hell happened here?"


    "I don''t know either. A lot of things changed for me as well. I don''t get even half of it. I only know I''m no longer the Holy Maiden and I lost the ''Master Crafter'' title I worked all my life to obtain and the system won''t let me take it anymore... all my effort is just gone..."


    "Mind if I take a look at your stats?"


    "Why do you ask? You peek at everyone else without getting their consent but your own wife is off-limits? Doesn''t that seem strange to you? We belong to one another. There shouldn''t be any secrets between us."


    "Sorry, I''m... not an expert on marriage. When did you study up on it?"


    "I... didn''t... I think one of my new skills made me know."


    "What?"


    "Just look at the screen and then get your eyes back on me."


    I hope she is just clingy and not a full-blown yandere...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lucia Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Battle Smith 15, Fallen Saint 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sunbound (human) 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 2, Lord 3, Progenitor 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cursed Queen 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">World Resident, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married


    Title Level 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">-178090</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2016/2016 [2521]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1607/1607 [2009]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2043/2043 [2554]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">425+85 (hammer) or +77 (claws) or +23 (created 1-handed weapon)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">299</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">359+80</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">301</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">238+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">289+30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">285</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Smith Hammer, Reinforced Suit, Habit</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Unnatural Claws 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire Magic 10 (Rank 1), Twisted Pillar of Light 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 2, Create Weapon 15, Disguise 10, Intimidation 4, Sharpen Weapon 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 2, Familiar 3, Greater Vampiric Bite 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ageless 3, Armor Training 15, Beast Killer 2, C???u???r???(???s???)???e??? Magic 5, Dark Lord 5, Enhanced Regeneration 3, Forgery 9, Hard Worker 10, Living Undead 5, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 2, Undead 10,  Unholy Matrimony 5, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Dark, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    A couple of weird skills, negative exp... why can I see her titles?


    "Yeah, that is a lot to take in. Honestly, are you even still the same person? Sorry to ask that but...you''ve become a vampire, all your old classes were replaced... you have all the same titles as me... What the hell has happened to us!?"


    "I don''t know. I feel like I''m still ''me'', but am I really? No one ever respected my opinion. To them, I was only ever just the Holy Maiden, not Lucia. So... I don''t know ''who'' I really am."


    I lean over and take her into my arms, "Then we''ll just have to find out together."


    "Yeah, you''re right. But what about yourself? Are you okay? The [Undead Bait] skill had quite an influence on you as well."


    "Honestly, I''m not sure. I don''t feel anything is wrong with me. The thing that worries me is our relationship. Yes, I was... am interested in you but I have no idea how much of that is natural and how much enforced. Not only by [Undead Bait] before, but now by the ''Happily Married'' title as well."


    "I don''t know but... can we... give us a chance anyway? I... don''t want to be alone."


    "Yes, let''s. I''d be happy to."


    "Thank you."


    We hug for a while longer.


    "Can you... tell me what happened after I... you know..."


    "...I can try."


    She frees herself from me, "After you... killed me, I was in a dark place. I was in a lot of pain, it felt like I got torn apart."


    "I... think I can imagine. Before I came to this world, they had to change this body, the first take wasn''t quite right. That change was... painful. I imagine that is just what it is like if a fundamental part of the self gets rewritten... No one should go through that experience."


    "I see..."


    She hesitates for a moment, "A-anyway, a while after the transformation was finished, the darkness disappeared and I was here in bed. We kinda got drunk on each other''s blood and then we... you know..."


    "I really should watch what I drink... Don''t I have poison resistance through [Undead]? So why does the ''poison'' alcohol affect me so hard... Ah, this body really can''t hold its liquor, can it... *sigh* Did you ever drink alcohol before?"


    "I went a few times drinking with my master at the smithy after I turned 15, like once or twice a year when I made a bigger breakthrough with my skills. I never got really drunk, just a bit tipsy at most."


    "Got it. Anything else that happened? Like, where does the marriage come from?"


    "No idea. When I came to, it was already there. Do you... regret it?"


    "Noooo...?"


    I think the most important thing right now is...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Cursed Queen</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Artificial, divine Demon Lord class, copy</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    42 HP, 54 MP, 33 SP, 5 STR, 5 DEX, 5 VIT, 7 MAG, 9 FTH, 8 WIL, 7 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Dark Lord


    Passive, cannot be negated


    Negate all forms of plot armor in a 10 mile radius.


    Provides immunity to attacks from outside the same system.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Living Undead


    Passive


    Prevents a change of personality in the owner due to becoming undead.


    The owner can substitute up to half their undead mandated diet with a regular diet as if they were not undead.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Unholy Matrimony


    Passive


    Spouses you''re properly married to become linked and count as one for certain mechanics.


    Polygamy is only acceptable if all involved parties consent.


    All spouses are always in the same party and only take up one party slot total.


    For exp gain adjustments, all spouses beyond the first count as half.


    Titles are shared, including otherwise unique titles, but still obey the 20 title limit.


    Class, race and title levels are now the same between spouses, matched by position in each category,


    e.g. if one spouse has their first class at level 10 and another at level 12, they now both have level 12 in their first class.


    The exp debt for level syncing will be deducted from future exp income.


    For fulfilling class requirements it now suffices if any spouse either meets the requirements or already has the class.


    If one spouse has fewer classes than another, they may add a class without using a Class Core.


    Summoned spirits are shared between spouses. If multiple spouses possess summon skills, only the higher leveled skill counts.


    Any spouse can summon the shared spirits at their cost, even if they lack the necessary skill.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">C???u???r???(???s???)???e??? Magic


    Passive


    When you possess the ability to cast either cure or curse magic you gain access to the other.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "That really is a lot to take in, I hope it explains a few things... you know, I''m kinda jealous of your [Living Undead] skill. Enjoying regular food and drinks is not something I can do."


    "Eh, you expect too much. Most of our food is pretty bland."


    "So no feasts?"


    "Only if you''re a rich noble living in or near the capital."


    "Why did I expect anything but inequality... now... [Dark Lord] doesn''t seem immediately useful, or rather even detrimental. I hope we don''t get an idiot hero who is too dumb to breathe and only kept alive by plot armor."


    "As for [Unholy Matrimony], it looks complicated... Does it mean that in the end, your minus infinity exp doesn''t matter as long as I still gain exp?"


    "I think so, yes. The same applies to titles and classes in a way. Depending on whether the divine class counts, I should be able to add now two or three more classes without a core."


    "Make that three to four when I get a decent offer from the Joker Core."


    "What is that?"


    "A wannabe Class Core that can be used to take a random class; which class that is, changes each day. For example, today I could get..."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Brawler</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    44 HP, 7 MP, 53 SP, 7 STR, 7 DEX, 8 VIT, 1 MAG, 2 FTH, 6 WIL, 4 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Unarmed Fighting


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


    While unarmed, gain +2x skill level STR.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Unarmored Defense <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    While no armor is equipped, gain +2x skill level VIT.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Stun Fist <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Passive


    Unarmed attacks inflict stun with a rate of 20.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Trash... well, anyway, it offers one class per day and if I want I can use the Joker Core to add it. Supposedly only once per person though."


    "Interesting. For me it says it would give ''Survivor''."


    "Yeah, everyone has their own offer, if you want that class, you can just take it from me."


    "No, that class doesn''t look too interesting. What is that Monster Core?"


    "Huh? Uh, don''t use it. Never. You would become a true monster... where did you see it anyway?"


    "In my inventory. Or now ours as it seems."


    "One less place to hide surprises... just don''t touch the Monster Core and leave these... glitch things alone as well. They only cause pain if misused."


    "Glitch? Ah, you mean those... strange... flickering things."


    "Yes, those."


    "Well, I should first take my free classes before I worry about any of those core things. After that... can you maybe get a second one Joker Core? You take a class per Joker Core, then I take a regular class from the increased cap, afterwards, I gamble with the second Joker Core and then you can take another class. Or does the ''count as one'' part of [Unholy Matrimony] interfere with that... ahhh, so many new uncertainties..."


    "Well, at least this time we can read the full skill effect and not like [Undead Bait] before where it was just a garbled mess."


    Ok, so if our titles are shared...


    What was the title again that was important to her...


    "Speaking of matrimony, Lucia, I know it is not much but I think it would be appropriate to give you a little wedding gift."


    "Huh?"


    "I think this is the right one."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have obtained the title "Master Crafter".</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "You didn''t... you can''t..."


    "And that is where you are wrong."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Master Crafter


    For crafting tasks treat the relevant skill level as if it was increased by this skill''s level.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Tears roll from her eyes, "Th-thank you. But, why?"


    "You said that this title was important to you."


    "But it is useless for you."


    "So what? My dear wife wanted something and it was within my power to get it for her. So I did, nothing else to it."


    She kisses me on the cheek.


    I''m a bit disappointed, "A kiss on the lips isn''t too much to ask, is it?"


    "Huh, uh, umm... no", she reddens, "that''s... embarrassing..."


    "And lying naked together in bed isn''t?"


    She quickly covers herself with the blanket, "That''s different..."


    "How so?"


    "It is... I... grr... fine!"


    She leans in and we share a passionate kiss.


    "There, happy now?"


    I can''t help but grin, "Certainly, I could get used to this."


    "...same."


    "I''d like to continue that but I think finally checking the changed titles and your class skills is more important."


    "Right...", she sounds a bit disappointed.


    Well, I already have the title tab open, so I''ll continue there instead of switching back.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fate Breaker


    Penalty title.


    Fate can no longer guide or help you.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "So we got that because of yesterday. A wasted title slot but at least not an immediate detriment. Well, we can still add seven more."


    "I only had three titles before, I''m not used to the idea that the amount of titles is restricted."


    "You will get used to it. If my task is as important as it seems we really need to consider very carefully which titles we take from here on out."


    "...do you regret getting me my title?"


    "No. It is my present to you, don''t worry about it."


    "Thanks."


    "So, two more titles to go..."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">World Resident


    You have settled down in the new world.


    Aside from this title, there are no longer any hints that you aren''t a native of this world.


    Not even divine skills can identify you anymore as an outsider.


    20% penalty to HP, MP and SP.


    50% penalty to combat exp gain.


    Spell ranks are limited to 1.


    Automatically acquire the ability to fluently speak the three most popular languages on Deteoh.


    Also includes the ability to read and write these languages if the title owner could read and write at least one language before.


    Acquired languages: humanoid common, m????a??????n????????o????????r?????????? ??????c???????????a???????n?????????t???????, 4???0???4???:???n???o???t???f???o???u???n???d???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Or in other words: welcome to Deteoh, you''re now one of us for real."


    Lucia sounds confused, "What is ''Deteoh''?"


    "That''s the name the devas gave to this world. Hmm... if not that, what would you call this world?"


    "I don''t know. Until now, there was no need to have a name for it."


    "Maybe there was in the past when there was still contact with outside before the artifact was brought here and cut everything off."


    "Well, now you''re here. If the gods have already decided on a name for our world, what right do we have to choose for ourselves."


    "If they want to decide everything, they could really do more to help... anyway, on to the last title."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Happily Married


    Increase DEX by +2%.


    If both married people have this title, they can no longer fall out of love.


    Should your spouse die, you''ll suffer from the "Heartbreak" debuff (-30% all stats, loss of motivation) for at least one year.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "So much for the idea that titles have no influence on one''s personality or actions."


    "...I wouldn''t mind loving you forever, Jared."


    "I think so too, Lucia. You, me, forever."


    Not that we have any say in the matter now.


    Why would someone add this title or the [Undead Bait] trap to the system? This is a whole entrapment combo... produce the typical damsel in distress scenario, add an undead, and bam, two new demon lords...


    What''s there to gain from that... shit, that''s it.


    "I think I have an idea about what is going on."


    "What do you mean?"


    "Think about it. You start with the traditional good versus evil party. Four to six heroes, including a Holy Maiden, against one Demon Lord. Call it a close fight but in ninety-plus percent of cases good should win. But if you add in a cliche ambush to capture the Holy Maiden..."


    "...especially with undead minions around... yeah, I see. But why is something that horrible in the skill system?"


    "Considering how exact their help is and how often it seems to repeat, all of this might just be a game to the gods. They don''t care about the outcome, our struggle is just entertainment to them..."


    "That''s..."


    "Maybe I shouldn''t tell you this, but... keep this to yourself, please. One of the options they gave me to quote-unquote save a world, a different one, was in fact to become a demon lord right from the start."


    "Th-that can''t be..."


    "Sorry, but it is true. I have trouble accepting it myself but it was offered."


    She trembles in my arms, "If that is true, what can we do?"


    "No idea. First, we need to worry about keeping ourselves and this world alive which means dealing with the demon artifact. After that..."


    "Right, one thing after another. We''re done with the titles, right?"


    "Yes, speaking of titles, where is Elly?"


    "Who is Elly?"


    "One of my summon spirits. Used to be the AI helper granted by ''World Navigator''. Wait, you have that title as well - shouldn''t then also have such a helper?"


    "I don''t think so. Maybe because the title is shared between us, the helper is as well?"


    "Makes as much sense as anything else."


    (Hey, Elly, are you awake?)


    "What was that? I just heard you in my head?"


    "Really? Weird, I thought that line of communication was reserved for me and my spirits."


    "Does that mean... I''m already in your head?"


    "Funny, girl. How about you try using it, too?"


    "How... do I do that?"


    "Just ''think'', you only need to want it. At least that is all I have to do."


    (...lo? Hello? Like this?)


    (Yeah, easy right?)


    (Yes. So about this Elly...)


    (I don''t know, she should be here. But maybe she''s asleep, she was tired yesterday.)


    A slightly more distant than usual but also tired voice is heard, (...if I admit that I''m here, will you two go away? I could''ve done without a front-row seat to the mating ritual of you vampires. Thank. You. Very. Much.)


    (That''s her?)


    (Yup. You sound tired, Elly.)


    (And why wouldn''t I? You know I was up a long time before and *yawn* tried to sleep but the walls up here are thin and your girl made quite a bit of noise.)


    Lucia''s voice gets threatening, (So much for some privacy.)


    (Hey, I didn''t want to witness that either... Can''t you just let me outside and give me my own room? Permanently? Please?)


    (Unless you have an infinite MP cheat lying around, I can''t afford that.)


    (Trust me, if I had one I would''ve already bragged about it but I haven''t seen one yet so I''ll add it to my to-do list. Although...)


    She goes silent, seems like she''s thinking.


    (...why don''t you build a harem? *yawn* Abuse the [Unholy Matrimony] skill and outsource each of us spirits to a different lady that has surplus MP.)


    (Elly, a bit more tact, please. We just got together and you''re already talking about hooking up with someone else, that''s low.)


    (I''m not sharing him.)


    (I''m just saying, Lucia, if you are willing to share him a little bit you can have all the privacy with Jared you want. You just need one girl per spirit that resides in his head and then you can shove us spirits off permanently to our own rooms outside his head.)


    (I... but... if... urgh...)


    (Thanks, Elly, you broke her...)


    (You think so? Uh... yeah, I might have said too much, sorry.)


    Lucia is fumbling around with her fingers, trying to do math, (Carry the five... no that''s wrong as well...)


    (So, can I go back to sleep now? Or do you have some more... ''newly-wed'' plans that I should get out of the way for?)


    (You can go. We''re just analyzing the changed classes and skills. And as tired as you seem you''d be no help there.)


    (Right, thankzzz.)


    Lucia is still mathing around.


    "Hey, Lucia, Lucia?"


    "Huh, uh... two. I think I would be okay with two as long as it is clear that I''m the main wife! But I''ll also have to accept them, got it?"


    "That''s... NOT what I wanted to know."


    "It isn''t? What else did you want?"


    "At least not that. I... listen. With all that is going on, I''m still trying to comprehend ''us''. I''m not even close to ready to think if I have it in me to ''love'' more people for all of eternity the way I love you."


    "I appreciate that and I feel the same, Jared, but... *sigh* I don''t want to share you with anyone but aside from stopping the spirits from gawking at us... we also need to consider any form of strength we can get. At least if you''re serious about your goals."


    "...so what? You want me to invite a willing couple like Geoffrey and Marca so they can mostly keep to themselves but we still profit from your skill?"


    "I... don''t know. I''m not too keen on bringing another man into this, all my love belongs to you."


    "But I should be willing to split my love for you with another girl? Aren''t you a selfish one..."


    "Selfish? Maybe..."


    "Anyway. This whole polygamy thing can wait, let''s first figure out the remaining parts we''re dealing with."


    "...alright."


    I don''t understand her. First, she doesn''t want to share me and suddenly she''s okay with bringing another girl into our relationship? Who does she think I am!


    "While we''re at it, dear, can I leave the upkeep for the second summoned spirit Maria to you? I have her outside the whole time because she has to look after two kids."


    "I don''t see why not. I''m a smith, not a caster. You can probably get more use out of the MP than me. Can you transfer her right now?"


    "One moment, let me try. Hmm... my max MP went up and yours went down, so I think it worked. Everything okay on your side?"


    "I think so. Aside from 1000 less MP, nothing else seems to have changed."


    "Good, with that I can generate much more exp from the flood monsters."


    (Hey, don''t leave me out!)


    (What''s wrong, Elly?)


    (If you have more MP to work with, you can let me out of here on a permanent basis, please?)


    (And did you finish your research project?)


    (Nooo... damn it...)


    "What is she working on?"


    "We got some documents when I was sent here, we''re not sure how trustworthy or useful they are, but I asked her to look through them for any special knowledge on magic. We don''t have a magic academy or expert casters here, so that was the next best thing."


    "What do you hope to find out?"


    "Anything really. So far my knowledge of magic is basically just a few variants of shooting projectiles but magic should be much more than just an alternate form of archery. Maybe she even finds a way to cheat out my blocked cure magic despite the undead status."


    "Sorry, can''t help you there."


    Maria storms into the room, "My Lord, w-what happened? My bond to you was suddenly interrupted and-"


    "Hi, Maria. A couple of things happened, but to make it short, Lucia is now my wife and pays your upkeep, nothing else drastic changes."


    "Huh?"


    "Uh, hi. Maria. Please, treat me well."


    "Y-yes, of course. ...my lady."


    "Obviously, she won''t need a guest room anymore, she''ll stay with me. I apologize for wasting your effort."


    "No, no, it is ok", contrary to her words, she doesn''t look okay. More like confused or frustrated.


    "You can go back to dealing with the kids. I''ll give you three a proper rundown later."


    "Of course. I''m off then."


    Maria is gone again.


    I take my time to explain to Lucia the most important things that she needs to know right now. Like how she seriously needs to avoid the sun for now... and yes, the irony wasn''t lost on the poor Sunbound girl. I hope we have another Sun Guard Ring in the vault I can get for her...


    "Now, what else do you have?"


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Battle Smith</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    42 HP, 23 MP, 48 SP, 8 STR, 6 DEX, 7 VIT, 4 MAG, 2 FTH, 3 WIL, 3 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Create Weapon


    300 MP upkeep per weapon


    Create up to (2+skill level/5) magical weapons of a type of your choosing.


    Magic weapons bypass the physical damage resistance of incorporeal creatures.


    A created weapon gives (total smithing level + 1% MAG) STR by default (currently +23).


    Two-handed weapons give 30% more STR and ranged weapons 50% less, multiplicative if both.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Armor Training <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    Can equip medium and heavy armor.


    Increase effective VIT by (skill level) while equipped with medium or heavy armor.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Sharpen Weapon <Skill locked until Level 15>


    200 MP&SP upkeep


    Increase STR of target weapon by (5% MAG).</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Sharpen? So you couldn''t even buff your hammer."


    "Why not? Hammers are just axes."


    "What?", did I accidentally move over to Zetta''s netherworld?


    "Eh, never mind that. This system would just give me headaches again..."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fallen Saint</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    25 HP, 43 MP, 28 SP, 3 STR, 3 DEX, 3 VIT, 7 MAG, 7 FTH, 6 WIL, 9 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Forgery


    Passive


    Your "fake" skills and classes appear as their "real" versions when you are appraised.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Twisted Pillar of Light <Skill locked until Level 5>


    250 MP


    Create a pillar of dark light at a designated spot covering a 7x7 DU area.


    It inflicts 100% FTH light damage and 100% MAG dark damage.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Wait, stop, hold on. Why does [Dark Lord] mention a good unit for its affected area and here it is the dumb DU crap again!?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "[Dark Lord] affects everything in a 10 mile radius. Miles! Not thousands of DU! Miles!"


    "I''ve never heard of a ''mile'', what is that?"


    "A unit to measure distance in a constant matter, not dependant on time or whatever it was with DU."


    "Huh, interesting. So how much would those 10 miles translate to?"


    "Urgh, math... Elly said I was 2 DU tall, on creation I said 6 ft... a mile is 5280 ft... eh, 10 miles should be about 17000 to 18000 DU. More or less. I don''t know, my calculator is taking a nap."


    "Alright... but don''t expect me to remember that conversion..."


    "As long as I can''t delete every mention of DU from the system, there''s little point to teaching you."


    "Uh, I guess. So what do you make of this, Jared? Why does [Dark Lord] use the different measurement?"


    "No idea. Could just be multiple skill creators and no quality control."


    "Or... there are two teams on the gods'' side. One betting for the hero''s side, the other for the demons''. And each has their own skill maintenance group."


    "Also possible."


    This is frustrating...


    "One thing changes and a lot of new work gathers on my plate..."


    "Don''t worry, we''ll get through this. Together."


    "Yeah, we must. [Forgery] aside, this ''Fallen Saint'' kinda looks like a faith-magic hybrid caster, at least [Twisted Pillar of Light] reads like a slightly more MP efficient variant of regular area skills, those would need 290 MP for comparable damage. Is that something you could consider focusing on?"


    "No, Jared, I want nothing to do with... faith, gods, religion... anything in that direction. Those... would just remind me of how shit my life up to now was..."


    "I see. I should''ve seen that sort of trauma coming, sorry, for suggesting it."


    "No, it''s... it''s okay. I... don''t really know what I can contribute to your cause... I just know I don''t wanna neglect my smithing arts if possible."


    "I''ve no clue yet what we can do with that but we''ll find something, dear. We can take our time with that."


    "Yeah, we''ll figure out something I can agree to, we will."


    So that makes it now two recruits that need to be brought up to speed. Speaking of...


    "Say, how do you feel about <del>corrupting</del> adopting a potential hero as a daughter?"


    "...I don''t know. I ''know'' I can''t have children in this form anymore but... it wouldn''t be mine... and I don''t even know her, do I? ...I just don''t know. Give me some time to think about it and get to know her, ok?"


    "No hurry, we can think about that later."


    "Hey, Jared, say, now that I''ve gone evil, do I have to dress in black, skimpy leather clothes?"


    "Only if you want to."

 End of Arc 1 – Summary

    Jared Delacroix


    Goals:


    <ul>


    <li>save Deteoh from the demon artifact</li>


    <li>find out how "true" his love for Lucia is</li>


    <li>unite the remains of mankind; it was estimated there to be ~500000 left alive at most</li>


    <li>gain more personal combat power and better equipment</li>


    <li>find more party members</li>


    <li>investigate what monsters are; suspects they are captured souls</li>


    <li>remember to use the "Ring of Monsters" to talk with a monster</li>


    <li>find the tea lady boss again and have a proper chat</li>


    <li>defeat his rival "Haze Shield the Slime" for good</li>


    <li>train Anna to give her a chance to become a real hero</li>


    <li>free slaves</li>


    <li>prepare countermeasures against a potentially ancient vampire noble/lord responsible for Erwin and Niles</li>


    <li>investigate what demons are; by title, he is one but the devas branded all demons as the enemy</li>


    <li>find countermeasures against the devas; their behavior was too suspicious</li>


    <li>punch whoever invented DU</li>


    <li>replace DU in the system with proper units</li>


    <li>investigate glitches</li>


    <li>potentially save the universe from its management</li>


    </ul>


    Successes:


    <ul>


    <li>got reincarnated (mostly) on his terms</li>


    <li>cleared a 120 floor glitched dungeon</li>


    <li>found a new home</li>


    <li>took over and reinforced the fortress now known as Justo which holds about 25000 people</li>


    <li>defeated two vampires that were preparing a hostile takeover of the fortress through a different vampire noble</li>


    </ul>


    Failures:


    <ul>


    <li>lost some memories through death and can''t regain them because he''s undead</li>


    <li>got two children killed through his inability to activate cure magic</li>


    <li>caused a ghoul outbreak with several casualties</li>


    <li>entrapped Chloe in a familiar bond (effects not clear yet)</li>


    <li>caused Darius to waste a valuable banishment crystal for nothing</li>


    <li>accepted a title that will inevitably turn him into a demon lord</li>


    <li>caused the Holy Maiden to lose her powers and turn into a demon lord</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Lucia (Delacroix)


    Goals:


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    <ul>


    <li>find out what her true self is</li>


    <li>master her smithing craft</li>


    <li>keep Jared to herself</li>


    </ul>


    Successes:


    <ul>


    <li>found the current "God''s Lost Child" and dated him</li>


    <li>eventually married</li>


    <li>was freed from the church dictating every step in her life</li>


    </ul>


    Failures:


    <ul>


    <li>was basically sacrificed by the church</li>


    <li>got turned into a vampire and demon lord</li>


    <li>caused mankind to lose the Holy Maiden</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Elly


    Goals:


    <ul>


    <li>assist Jared</li>


    <li>tease Jared</li>


    <li>stay permanently summoned</li>


    <li>become useful besides translating/fixing Gzeph''s defective documents</li>


    </ul>


    Successes:


    <ul>


    <li>got her own (spirit) body</li>


    <li>slowly developed a personality despite being originally an AI</li>


    <li>partially restored some of Gzeph''s incomplete/damaged documents</li>


    <li>found some useful titles and classes for Jared</li>


    </ul>


    Failures:


    <ul>


    <li>almost got herself shut off permanently by annoying Jared too much</li>


    <li>lost Jared''s trust</li>


    <li>due to MP issues often stored away</li>


    <li>has to deal with Gzeph''s documents</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Chloe


    Goals:


    <ul>


    <li>find friends and acceptance for who/what she really is</li>


    <li>deal with depression</li>


    </ul>


    Successes:


    <ul>


    <li>taught Jared the basics</li>


    </ul>


    Failures:


    <ul>


    <li>was entrapped in a familiar bond by Jared (effects not clear yet)</li>


    <li>half her team left her</li>


    <li>was almost killed by Darius over a misunderstanding</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Gzeph


    Goals:


    <ul>


    <li>find his fiance Yulia (dead? alive?)</li>


    <li>revenge against "the enemy"</li>


    <li>plan R (undisclosed drastic measures)</li>


    </ul>


    Successes:


    <ul>


    <li>guilt-tripped Jared into accepting the deal</li>


    <li>escaped from custody</li>


    </ul>


    Failures:


    <ul>


    <li>failed to get Jared to take his "optimal" class/race build, the document with the rest was damaged as well</li>


    <li>documentation</li>


    <li>math</li>


    <li>almost died from overwork (at least twice)</li>


    <li>demoted after knocking his boss out</li>


    <li>is now a wanted man</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Eva


    Goals:


    <ul>


    <li>find out what is going on</li>


    <li>kick Ted from her not-DND group</li>


    </ul>


    Successes:


    <ul>


    <li>got Jared a few reincarnation bonuses beyond what is allowed without anyone finding out</li>


    <li>stopped Gzeph from working himself to death</li>


    <li>recruited a few people to help with Gzeph''s plan R</li>


    </ul>


    Failures:


    <ul>


    <li>got her department shut down while stopping Gzeph from working himself to death</li>


    <li>got framed for multiple crimes against existence</li>


    </ul>

 Ch. 55 – Early Rise

    Come morning I want to get up but Lucia won''t let go of me.


    "Lucia, dear, you know you can''t come with me. The sun would kill you within seconds. I need at least to organize a ''Sun Guard ring'' for you before we can go anywhere together."


    "Yes... I know, but what can I do all day alone..."


    "You are not alone, all right? You have at least Elly, Maria and the little kid to command around. What was the name again, Carl?"


    "That''s not the same. I don''t really care about them. I want you."


    "I''m sorry, but you have to get used to other people occupying some of your time. Especially if you want to accompany me wherever I need to travel to address this end-of-the-world business."


    "That I do... but there I''d still be with you and not only with strangers."


    "Then you have to learn to endure it."


    "Right..."


    "In that case, while you wait for me you should think about what you want to do with your class choices. Combat will be inevitable. According to your [Unholy Matrimony] skill, you should be able to take three more classes now since I have that many more than you. Only think about it. We can make a final decision together later. Find something that works well with the existing team."


    "Hmm... no, I think I''ll find something nice by myself to surprise you~"


    "Good, but then have at least Elly help you once she wakes up, she should be able to help you with figuring out some of the stat requirements or searching classes based on skills they get later."


    "Yeah, I''ll... do that."


    I give her a goodbye kiss and then get out of bed.


    Down on the first floor, I see Maria instructing the two kids on some household chores.


    "Hey, Maria."


    "Good morning, my lord. What can I help you with?"


    "Today it is about Anna. I hope she talked with you about the ''hero business''?"


    "Yes, she has."


    "Good."


    I turn towards the little cat girl, "So, have you made up your mind, Anna? Do you still want to become a hero?"


    "Yes, I think so."


    "No, ''think'' doesn''t cut it. Either you do or you don''t. Once we''ve started there''s no turning back. If you want, you can think about it for a few more days, but I need a definitive answer."


    "I''m fairly certain that I want to do it."


    sigh


    "Maria, when she talked about it, what impression did you get?"


    "She seemed to want to go along with it but honestly I didn''t get the feeling she fully understands what you want from her."


    "I see... hmmm..."


    Yeah, what did I expect? Mentally, she is stuck somewhere between six and eight years, specifically from an environment where these dangers we encounter here are nothing but fiction she may know from TV at best. I really should''ve considered that before...


    "Okay, change of plans, Anna. I''ll give you a crash course today. You''ll come with me and I''ll show you some of the monsters you would have to deal with in the future. Don''t worry, we''ll be a safe distance away from them.  This is just so you can get a look at what we''ll be up against eventually. After that I''ll take you to the rest of our group, they''ll show you what regular training would be like. This is not a commitment either way, you can still decide during the next few days. Sound good?"


    She thinks for a moment, then nods, "Yeah, I''m okay with that."


    "Good, you heard it, Maria. Anna won''t be able to help you today with chores."


    "No problem, my lord, we''ll manage, right, Carl?"


    The little paradox continues hiding behind Maria and just nods, seems like he is still afraid of me. I mean I get it, he was there during the announcement but his first impression of me was that of a bloodthirsty monster, and first impressions are hard to overcome...


    Well, that''s a problem to solve another time. I pity you, future me.


    "Alright, we''re off then. Come, Anna."


    We start walking towards the door, Anna a slight bit behind me.


    (Lucia, we''re leaving now. Mind talking for a bit? I want to check out if there are any limitations to this communication channel.)


    (Yeah, sure, darling. Anything specific you want to ta-)


    And the connection is cut off the moment the door closes behind us.


    (Lucia? Are you still there?)


    I wait about a minute but no response, I guess that is the range limit. I turn around and enter the mansion again, (Lucia? Are you back again?)


    (Ah, now I hear you again.)


    (The connection was cut off the moment I was outside, so I guess the range is about ''shouting range''.)


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    (That''s a bit disappointing. I was hoping I could at least chat with you while you are away.)


    (Yeah, but that isn''t something we can change. Well, we''re off for real now. See you later.)


    (Sure, later. Don''t let me wait too long!)


    (Yeah, I''ll do my best.)


    So for the purpose of communication, it is only like regular speech that no one else can hear but it doesn''t come with a bigger range. Can''t win them all but it should still be mildly useful.


    Anna asks me, "W-what are you doing there?"


    "Just checking out the range of a certain ability. Was sadly shorter than I hoped for. Whatever, come, we''ve got a few things to take care of today."


    "Uh-huh."


    "Mind telling me a few more things about your previous life while we walk, Anna?"


    "I don''t really have much to tell. Dad died in a traffic accident, mom was always busy at work and then I was just always in the hospital."


    "Didn''t you need to go to school?"


    "I went for about half a year before being stuck in the hospital."


    "So no education worth speaking of. Yet another reason to look into the education system here. Or rather invest in it. Had many friends?"


    "A few but I quickly lost contact with most of them. They visited two or three times at first and then I never heard from them again."


    "And here?"


    "None. Didn''t get along with the other... slaves", she makes a pained expression while saying the latter part.


    I pat her on the head, "Don''t worry, I''m sure you''ll get along with the rest of the team."


    She pushes my hand away, seems like she doesn''t like it.


    "What about you? What... were you like before you became... a monster?"


    "I honestly don''t remember too much, and parts of what I remember seem to be false. At least a truth-verifying gem claims as much... But until proven otherwise, my life was quite uneventful. Parents were still alive last I checked, I had a stable office job, neither married nor a life partner of any form. At most I went to some parties with coworkers, but no real friends beyond that. And then I just randomly died."


    "Huh. Does the memory thing also apply to other vampires?"


    "Supposedly getting turned into one does something with one''s mind or memories."


    "That''s... not what I expected. In the movies I watched, there was no mention of that."


    "Would it have been relevant to the story?"


    Anna thinks for a moment, "I guess not."


    Hmm... Lucia still seemed to be herself and what she remembered at least made sense with what I knew but... I... turned her into a vampire before she got her [Living Undead] skill, so who is to say there wasn''t some damage done before? The skill only said that it prevents changes, not that it undoes already existing ones.


    Can we even find out if something about her changed? I don''t know her for long and she said, that she doesn''t really know who she is since everyone always forced her to conform to their ideas of what she should be.


    Figuring that out will be yet another problem...


    "I''m curious, Anna, where are you originally from?"


    "Why would it matter? Do you... plan to take over my world as well?"


    "No. I guess no one has explained the ''Lost One'' business to you?"


    "Nah, they haven''t. Why? I understand it makes you ''different'' but nothing beyond that."


    "Right, so... ''Lost Ones'' are those that were sent by something like a god and originally come from a different world. Like you. That''s why I don''t understand why you don''t have that title."


    "I guess that explains a few things..."


    She thinks for a moment.


    "...Khisall, I''m from Khisall, the capital of Vricmond."


    "Never heard of those. So I guess the chance of us being from the same world is now basically zero."


    "So... what? What does that change?"


    "Nothing really. I was just curious."


    "Okay, if you say so."


    We finally arrive at the gate.


    "See all those soldiers in the gateway, Anna? They prevent the monsters from coming in. Come, we''ll watch it from the top."


    I lead her towards the tower with the stairs that get us to the top.


    "Here, take a look, you can see all kinds of monsters down there. What do you think of them?"


    "Whoa, there''s so many, do they even end?"


    "I hope so. Otherwise, there is no saving this world before the artifact does its thing. Whatever that really is."


    The monsters seem the same types as yesterday, except there are now also Teddies again in the mix.


    What is the condition for reaching the next stage anyway? Once every week doesn''t work since it stayed the same for the first three weeks. Does this even count as a new stage with only adding the teddies? This really needs a whole lot of research.


    "Give me a moment, I have to cast some magic."


    "Magic?"


    "Just take a look."


    I cast my two rain spells as usual. After a moment it starts raining small chunks of ice.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your ''Ice Rain'' spell has inflicted a total of 1124771 damage.


    Your ''Ice Rain'' spell has inflicted a total of 1201337 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Hmm... my exp went only up by 1508, so I do get less for having Lucia in a pseudo-party.


    I need only 334 MP for the next cast, I should be able to squeeze that out on the way back and have then enough exp for the 5th Lore Seeker level.


    "Does that mean you''re responsible for ruining my birthdays with bad weather?"


    "Unlikely. We''re neither from the same world nor was there magic where I came from."


    She doesn''t sound convinced, "Oookay."


    "So what do you think of monsters? Do you think you could fight them if we train you?"


    "I think so. They don''t really seem scary, just... weird."


    "Trust me, it is a different story when you are up and personal with them, some of them are unreasonably strong. As you are right now, some of them could kill you instantly with one attack. So don''t take them lightly. But that you are okay with them so far, means it isn''t a totally hopeless cause."


    "As weak as I am that is no surprise."


    "Maybe you''d just have to see them in person when we go to the dungeon next week. Honestly, I wouldn''t want to take a child in there but this world doesn''t really care for child safety. We can decide that later, let''s go meet the others."


    "Sure."


    We go to the training room and chat a bit more on the way.


    "Uh, i-if I may ask, who is the lady that stays with us? Maria said that you had a guest over?"


    "That would be Lucia, who is apparently my wife now."


    "Why apparently? Sh-shouldn''t you know if you''re married?"


    "That is... not that easy to explain. We were kinda dating before and our relationship could still go either way but then we had a magical contract forced on us and that set the relationship status in stone."


    "Yeah, I don''t get it."


    "It isn''t really easy for us either. The point is we still try to figure out what we really are for each other. But as it stands, she''ll join our group in the future. You could get to know her properly then."


    "Okay. I look forward to it, I hope she''s nice."


    So do I, Anna, "Yeah, she is, don''t worry."


    I guess I shouldn''t bring up the option of adoption until Lucia has made up her mind. There''s no point in getting her hopes up for nothing and that way Anna has some more time to get used to being around vampires.


    Speaking of Lucia, I hope Elly doesn''t give her too many weird ideas regarding what role she could play in our party. We have already enough physical attackers, summons are shared between her and me so that''s pointless as well, as a fellow undead she is also barred from healing magic and because of her past she rejected anything to do with faith anyway - I guess that would include buffing magic? What does that even leave...


    sigh


    Please don''t tell me she was serious about the singing comment... Please don''t make her a spoony bard, Elly.


    Hmm... Thinking about it... is it even true that she can never use healing magic? Her bugged magic skill said that if she could use Curse Magic she can use Cure Magic. Would that bypass the [Undead] restriction?


    ...


    No, Jared, don''t think like that. Just because she is the love interest slash girlfriend doesn''t mean she has to be the healer. Trust in her, she can find her own purpose.


    Not that healing seems to be worth much in this system. 500 MP for exactly one time FTH in healing, while for the same MP I could do up to ten times MAG in damage by casting five projectile spells, or even twenty times if I have a weakness to exploit.


    Healing needs a serious buff over here!!

 Ch. 56 – Evil Math

    We finally arrive in the training room. Geoffrey and Chloe are already present.


    "Hey. Is Marca coming later?"


    "Hello. No, she''s... uh...", Geoffrey stutters around.


    "Miss dwarf is dealing with the womanly day of the month stuff?"


    "Yeah, pretty much."


    "Alright. Just another reason to postpone the full introductions. Everything okay on your side? No new side effects from the familiar bond?"


    "No, everything is fine."


    "Good to hear. And you Chloe? How are you holding up?"


    "...fine. Mostly. Just a lot of work. Don''t worry, it has nothing to do with that bond."


    "Alright. So, as I said in the meeting Anna may join our group. She has not decided yet. I just wanted to show her around so she can get a better idea of what she would get into."


    Anna is happy to meet other people than me, that kinda hurts... "Hey-o!"


    "Hello, little girl."


    "Geoffrey, can I leave her with you for the day? Just show her a bit what daily training is like. Just don''t overdo it. We don''t want to scare her off yet. And when she is either out of SP or wants to give up can you escort her to my home?"


    "Yeah, I can do that."


    "Are you fine with that, Anna?"


    "Uh-huh."


    "Good. So other order of business, something happened and Lucia will also join us."


    Chloe is surprised, "The holy maiden? How? I thought she''d just be in unnecessary danger due to... your relationship."


    "That''s a good thing, right?", Geoffrey sounds confident, "With her class, she should have some powerful spells."


    "Not quite... We''re not entirely sure what exactly happened but... she''s neither holy nor a maiden anymore. We''re still trying to understand exactly what is going on but the system considers us now, uh, married. I''d like to hold a proper wedding at one point but please don''t tell her yet. That''s supposed to be a surprise."


    Chloe hesitates, "Uh, congratulations, I guess? I don''t know, is that what you say in this situation?"


    "That works, yes. We can discuss the details next time when everyone is present, right?"


    Geoffrey responds, "Yeah, sure."


    "Alright. Chloe, can we deal with the vault business now?"


    "Y-yeah, we have all the necessary permissions."


    "Good, then see you later, Anna, Geoffrey."


    "Later!", Anna waves us farewell.


    We start walking towards the vault.


    "Oh, right, Jared, I''ve already told Geoffrey, but Therese got our group an exemption from most duties like participating in the gate defense. So if we have better plans, we can do whatever needs to be done."


    "Hmm... That might be useful. Though for now just keep helping with the gate anyway. While this group needs to grow stronger, a lot, with all the people getting wounded we can''t afford to weaken the gate defense any further than they already are."


    "I understand."


    "I guess we can''t cut in line for some Class Cores? Seeing where we stand we''ll need a ton of them."


    "No, there are none left. All our teams together find about two or three in a whole year."


    "That''s a very low number. For how many thousand soldiers?"


    "No idea, but somewhere between five and ten thousand."


    "Ok, so hogging all the cores for us would only add more problems. We need to find more sources of class items."


    So about... a thousand teams? She said once that teams don''t fight bosses, so they''d clear nine floors at most. Given how our group started the average is probably closer to five floors cleared per visit.


    I assume a year has about 52 weeks as well. So... let''s say that rounds out to 250000 floors cleared for... three... cores...


    Over eighty thousand floors... for... one core...


    Maybe the drop rate increases with dungeon depth? Please?


    "I should never do math again. It ever only ends in depression..."


    "What are you talking about, Jared?"


    "I tried to get an estimate of how many floors we''d need to conquer if we wanted the Class Cores in the regular fashion. It is... not happening..."


    "Do I want to know what number you arrived at?"


    "Nope."


    "Fine. And the ''Joker Core'' you showed us?"


    "That is still only a theory. If we can trade the glitch items via a trader then yes, it would be a start, but of course only one per person. If not... then it is a dead end. Glitch monsters are already rare, the drop rate doesn''t seem to be that high and then I need twenty of those drops per core. Of course, that assumes that we manage to give me all the kills of them. More realistically you can assume that to be half or less. I estimate in the worst case we would get one or two cores a year."


    "That should still leave us with enough to eventually outfit our whole group."


    "But not many beyond that. And who knows how much time we really have left. Everything could be over any day now."


    "..."


    "Sorry."


    "No, you''re right. Also, what exactly do you hope to find in the vault, Jared?"


    "A miracle?"


    "That''s... your job."


    "I know. But in all seriousness, I just want to know if there is anything to work with."


    "Then don''t get your hopes up."


    "I won''t. But there''s always the option of trying the same method that gave me the ''Joker Core fragments''. That is at least an angle no one could try so far."


    "I know you explained that one, but I didn''t really get it..."


    "Don''t worry about it. It doesn''t even make sense unless you''ve played a certain game I enjoyed in my previous life. Though the similarity is just pure coincidence."


    We walk the rest of the way without exchanging a word, Chloe is simply lost in thoughts.


    Chloe greets the burly man who handles the vault today, "Uh, we haven''t met before, have we? I''m captain Chloe."


    "Ah, Therese warned me of you two. Call me Ted. Or Teddy if you like. So, what can I do for you?"


    "I''m Jared. We''re here for several reasons. First, of course, is handing over dungeon loot, then we''d like to have a look into the vault''s inventory."


    "Yeah, I can help you with that. Okay, then hand the stuff over. I''ll take care of the paperwork later. You don''t have to bother with it."


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    "Thanks, that''s helpful. Here. I left a portion of the food items with my servant, I''ve some malnourished kids to take care of. I hope that''s no problem?"


    "Don''t worry about it. As Lord of this fortress, it would be your property anyway."


    I hand over the remaining loot. Compared to what I got in total I held back about one percent. The people still get enough. I fully cleared the dungeon, that should make a clear difference.


    "I''m not sure I can agree with that logic. There are still people out there starving."


    Chloe pats me on the back, "It is okay. That is still way more food than other groups gather in a month."


    "My word, that''s more like three months'' worth. How''d you get so much?"


    "Sorry, it is not repeatable, so it doesn''t really matter."


    "Shame. Now, give me a sec. ...and done. Here, Chloe. Here''s your receipt for the delivery."


    "Thank you."


    "So, what exactly did you want from the vault? Therese didn''t say what exactly you were looking for."


    "At a minimum, I need another ''Sun Guard Ring''. If we have one, I''d like another caster robe as well. After that, I just want to check what special items we have available for emergencies."


    "We should have those, one moment", Ted begins searching the vault.


    Chloe takes me aside, "What do you need those for? The special properties of rings with the same name don''t stack."


    "Those are not for me but for Lucia."


    "W-wait, what!? What have you done to her!?"


    "Calm down. We can discuss that when we have the whole group together. Lucia is fine. Mostly."


    "Seriously, I can''t leave you alone for one minute..."


    Ted returns, "You''re in luck, this was the last robe. If you no longer need it, please return it. Well, not that we have another spellcaster waiting for one but..."


    "Yeah, we know. We''re trying to change that. And a ring?"


    "We have three left after that one. Can you sign here that you''ve received those two items?"


    "Sure."


    "Thanks, here are the items."


    I put the robe and ring into my inventory. Hmm, now that I look at it, there''s some other stuff in my inventory. Did Lucia''s inventory also merge with mine?


    Hmm... if so we could use that as a substitute for long-distance communication. Too bad I don''t have a pen and paper on me to test it.


    ...I''ll totally forget about this option when it would be useful, won''t I?


    "Can I now see what else we have in the vault?"


    "Yes, sure. But don''t expect too much."


    We dig through the available items. There isn''t anything that seems immediately useful. I even try to see how the glitch items react to them but overall it is just a bust.


    There are a dozen Class Core Fragments but as with the Joker Core variant, you need twenty to create a full core. No one knows where they came from, they were already there before they started tracking inventory ages ago. As the base for glitch items, I could get Class Core Ex Fragments but of those, I''d also need twenty, so they are useless.


    The robe would let me create a towel, a +5 VIT ''armor''. Pointless fanservice, I guess.


    The Sun Guard Ring would produce something useful.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Saint Ring</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">+25 VIT, +20 WIL, +40 FTH, 1/day: cast a Cure Magic Rank 5 spell</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Except for the part where it still is a glitched item that I can''t use without nearly dying again...


    Then there''s a normal diamond which would serve to create glitch sapphires. I''ve currently no use for either.


    A shovel, whatever that does in the vault, could be used to turn glitch items into +5 VIT Defense Cloaks. No clue how that is related.


    And most ''importantly'', a broken sword - this is not a garbage pile!! - turns into a comic. Too bad it is not translated into a language I recognize.


    The whole experiment took over three hours with no satisfying result. Great.


    "So the only real find is this ancient book."


    "Why do you bother with it, Jared? You said yourself that you can''t read its language."


    "I have a suspicion that Elly can crack it."


    Elly always has access to a lot of knowledge she shouldn''t. Maybe it is finally time I confront her about that?


    I probably won''t like the answer...


    "Unless it is forbidden for this book to leave the vault?"


    Ted answers, "Well, it is only gathering dust here, so if you have an expert, by all means, get them to work on it."


    "Alright, thanks."


    Now that I take a closer look at it, the book''s language appears to be similar to the glitched-out texts like my second Blood Mage skill. Well, minus the continuous changes these characters have. Does that make it easier or harder to decipher?


    Eh, that will be Elly''s problem.


    Though the characters do seem kinda familiar. Like I should know them. Do they belong to a second or third language I learned in my last life?


    "You found anything in it, Jared? You''ve been staring at the book for a while."


    "No, nothing. I had a feeling that the characters were familiar but I don''t recognize them. Though I think Elly might have an idea."


    Of course, I can just as well expect too much from her and everything was just a stupid misunderstanding.


    "How many glitch items do you even have, Chloe?"


    "Uh, four. Does that suffice?"


    "Not quite, I have twelve and need twenty for a core. But just knowing if it works would be enough for today. If the trade works, we can come back with the others next time."


    "Yeah, sure."


    A bit later we arrive at the trader''s house near the marketplace.


    We try to use the trader''s service to transfer the glitch item but it doesn''t work.


    "Great, so that was a bust..."


    "And the plan of laying claim on those items via a tax change?"


    "I already asked Justo. For the purpose of collecting the glitch items, it would work but I can''t retrieve them from the vault. In fact, I can''t retrieve anything from the vault until I unlock the permission at a fortress lord or title level past twenty."


    "That''s... quite high."


    "Yeah. And even then it would only work like an extended inventory, so I still can''t retrieve the glitch items."


    "Sorry to hear that. What now?"


    "I guess that was it for today, Chloe. Or did you have anything else?"


    "No, not... really. I guess I''ll check up on Marca. ...when will you introduce... Lucia to us?"


    "No idea. I hope in the next few days. She still needs to get used to the changes. Hmm... how about you bring everyone over the day after tomorrow around noon? By then Marca should be back to top form, right?"


    "Yeah, we can do that. See you tomorrow then."


    Before I forget, what class could I get from the Joker Core today?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Magic Gunner</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    27 HP, 45 MP, 42 SP, 5 STR, 5 DEX, 4 VIT, 7 MAG, 5 FTH, 5 WIL, 6 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Gun Training


    Passive


    Can use guns without attack penalty.


    Increase effective STR by (skill level) for equipped gun.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Mana Bullet <Skill locked until Level 5>


    20 MP


    Instantly create a bullet that is suitable as ammunition for gun attacks.


    The bullet exists for 10 seconds.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Force Shot <Skill locked until Level 15>


    50 MP&SP


    Perform a regular gun weapon attack that also adds MAG to the attack power.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Don''t think that is for me either. I can already turn 100 MP into 200% MAG damage. 70 MP and 50 SP for STR plus MAG... if I use this three times it costs 210 MP and 150 SP and does 300% STR+MAG. Or I could just cast two spells and possibly hit a weakness for what 800% MAG?


    Yeah, pass. I''d like a better way to turn SP into damage than I currently have but this is clearly not it.


    After this series of disappointments, I head to the gate again. My MP has barely gotten past 2000 by now, so I cast two rain spells which put me firmly past the exp threshold needed for Lore Seeker level 5.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 15, Survivor 9, Blood Mage 9, Summoner 5, Lore Seeker 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 2, Lord 3, Progenitor 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">TBD</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">World Resident, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married


    Title Level 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1026</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2073/2096 [2620]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18/2699 [3374]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">896/1695 [2119]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">315+75 (staff) or +149 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">355</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">333+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">590+47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">492+2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">474+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">413</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Apprentice Headband, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spear Training 9, Unnatural Claws 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Blood Burst 9, Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W???a???v???e??? 9, Summon Spirit 5 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 2, Disguise 10, Intimidation 4, Stealth 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 2, Familiar 3, Greater Vampiric Bite 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ageless 3, Beast Killer 2, Enhanced Regeneration 3, Extra Affinity 15, Keen Perception 5, Magical Secret 5, Mana Boost 5, Mana Regeneration 15, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 2, Trap Lore 9, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Can''t wait for the next dungeon trip to start experimenting with the new [Magical Secret] skill. Cost-free rank 0 spells should have a use.

 Ch. 57 – Lucia’s Resolve

    After what feels like a wasted day, I get home. Except for the fifth level in Lore Seeker and its new skill, I have nothing to show for my efforts.


    "Anyone home?"


    Justo makes itself known, "Welcome home. Your family is upstairs. Last I saw them they were in Carl''s room."


    "I see. Is Anna with them as well or has she not returned yet?"


    "The little cat is still out."


    "Alright, thank you, Justo."


    Family? Not just wife? Did I miss another event?


    I go to Carl''s room. I''m not sure what to expect, Lucia didn''t seem to be on board with the adoption yet or was at least thinking about it.


    But then, I didn''t receive a message that I had lost a slave, so I guess he''s fine?


    Knock knock


    I''m greeted by a Lucia who has changed her clothing''s color scheme.


    "Hi, Lucia. Do I... want to ask what is with those colors?"


    "What? Do you not like it?"


    "Maybe it is a bit too ''evil'' for what we should be."


    "You think so? Carl liked it."


    Little Carl happily chimes in, "Uh-huh. It was super fitting for playing ''hero and demon lord''. I am of course the hero!"


    "Wha? Why you!!"


    "Hahaha."


    Lucia shoves me out of the room.


    "What? Have you two already grown that close, Lucia?"


    "Ye- N-no! Maybe? I don''t... know. I just... don''t know."


    "So no sudden awakening to motherly feelings?"


    She shakes her head, "No. Truth be told, I''ve no idea what those would be. What is a ''mother''? What is a ''son''? You know our people''s suffering under nobles. None of us have a clue what a ''family'' is."


    I hug her, "Yeah, right. Did you ever have a pet? Or at least know what that feeling is?"


    "Yeah, I... guess so."


    "Take that feeling as a start. Someone or something you dearly want to keep around. Important is that the feeling is mutual. The rest will follow with time."


    "Huh. I guess I can try to see it like that."


    "Do you have time now, Lucia? There''s something I want to get off my chest."


    "Yeah, sure. Elly should be enough to play with Carl."


    "Where''d you get enough MP to have both Maria and Elly summoned at the same time? Didn''t you want to wait for me before making a final decision on your classes?"


    "No, I said I wanted to surprise you."


    "You certainly already have."


    We enter our private room.


    "First off, I organized this robe for you, I think it should be more appropriate for you."


    "Ah, thank you. Let me quickly change into it."


    And just like that, her previous suit is replaced with the robe. No act of changing clothes. Another fun thing ruined by the system. Thanks for nothing.


    "Hmm... not too shabby. Maybe a different color...", Lucia says to herself.


    And just like that, the robe starts changing its colors and shape.


    Soon she settles on something that is more a mid-long dress showing some skin than a caster robe.


    "Yeah, that should do for now."


    "Well, a robe doesn''t offer much protection to begin with, so I''ll let it slide."


    "What, are you worried about my safety?"


    "Of course. What kind of husband would I be if I didn''t?"


    "I think you''ll be a good husband. We just need to give it some time."


    "Right, so back to what I wanted actually to give you..."


    I take out the Sun Guard Ring I got earlier.


    "Well, it is not the intended order. In my culture, you normally propose before getting married and not after but with our circumstances..."


    "What do you mean?"


    "Give me your left hand."


    "Uh, sure. What now?"


    "Lucia, my love, will you marry me?"


    "But we already are married?"


    "I mean really marry. Make it official, and not just listen to what the system says. Like with a big wedding ceremony and everything. Not right now, but sometime in the future when at least the flood is over."


    "Uh, yes.", her eyes get teary, "Yes, let''s. I''d be happy to."


    I slide the ring on her finger.


    "So, uh", she''s confused, "what now?"


    "Honestly, I never got this far. I think this is where we should hug and kiss to seal the deal?"


    "Fine with me."


    18+ noises


    You know it isn''t a shoddy rom-com when the couple is allowed to have an uninterrupted couple moment. I guess that''s an upside to not being the protagonist in an anime.


    A while later, Lucia begins her assertion, "I had already made up my mind yesterday. Elly just helped me fill in the details. You know... I don''t want to just be a plus one that barely exists in the background. I want to fight together with you, be there at your side. I want to be your equal and not just a damsel that waits to get kidnapped. As such Elly and I have come up with this."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lucia Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Battle Smith 15, Fallen Saint 9, Blood Witch 9, Lead Singer 5, Forge Wizard 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sunbound (human) 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 2, Lord 3, Progenitor 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cursed Queen 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">World Resident, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married


    Title Level 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">even more negative than before</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2592/2592 [3240]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1156/1156 [2695]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2548/2548 [3186]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">517+90 (hammer) or +106 (claws) or +34 (created 1-handed weapon)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">392</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">431+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">419+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">379+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">365+30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">412</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Smith Hammer, Robe, Habit, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Axe Training 5, Unnatural Claws 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Corrosive Rain 5, Enchant Weapon 5, Dark Magic 5 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 5 (Rank 1), Fire Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 5 (Rank 1), Profane Bolt 5, Twisted Pillar of Light 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 2, Create Weapon 15, Disguise 10, Energizing Song 5, Intimidation 4, Sharpen Weapon 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 2, Familiar 3, Greater Vampiric Bite 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 5 (Rank 1), Ageless 3, Armor Training 15, Beast Killer 2, C???u???r???(???s???)???e??? Magic 5, Dark Lord 5, Enhanced Regeneration 3, Forgery 9, Hard Worker 10, Living Undead 5, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 2, Undead 10,  Unholy Matrimony 5, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Dark, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "I''ve chosen Blood Witch, Lead Singer and Forge Wizard."


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "How exactly does that make you my ''equal''?"


    "Well, I may not have exactly your magic power but I''m quite close and I have some skills that work well in combination with yours. Like this one."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Blood Witch</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite Class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    36 HP, 44 MP, 28 SP, 3 STR, 4 DEX, 3 VIT, 7 MAG, 9 FTH, 4 WIL, 8 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Profane Bolt


    200 MP


    Shoot a magic projectile that inflicts 100% MAG dark damage.


    It also inflicts full status damage for all status effects the target already has.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Corrosive Rain <Skill locked until Level 5>


    1000 HP


    Create a rain of blood that lasts for 2 minutes, covers a 100 DU area and inflicts up to 120.000 hits.


    Each hit deals 5% FTH non-elemental damage and inflicts bleeding at a rate of 10.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "[Corrosive Rain] lets me create the bleeding effect you need to use your... whatever name the second Blood Mage skill has - at full power."


    "I''m not too fond of the idea of you sacrificing most of your health to enable that mediocre skill to work at triple power but I appreciate the gesture."


    "Well, it should help us a lot with the flood monsters."


    "I doubt that. As we''re now, we can''t be out for long in the sun. Just with the Sun Guard Ring, it would be cutting it way too close. I need about thirty minutes for one trip, so an hour plus the actual spell casts. This is about the same duration the ring would give you. We couldn''t even trade my cloak back and forth as we both need to be present at the same time for that combo."


    "...yeah, that makes sense. Maybe once we solve the sun trouble..."


    She pouts a bit.


    "As for the second skill, [Profane Bolt] should be helpful for when we have multiple status effects on a boss or something. If you recall back to the flood boss a while back, the one you stunned a few times, this should allow us to keep that stun chain while also amplifying other effects like stat reductions through earth elemental fracture."


    "Yeah, that should be helpful. But where do you get the MP for it? Currently, you have most of your MP reserved for Elly and Maria."


    "Oh, right... uhh... damn, I knew I forgot something... uh, I guess this would be solved with time when we gain more levels and thereby MP."


    "Well, we can always put the two into timeout depending on the situation."


    "Yeah, that is an option, too. Okay, next class..."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Lead Singer</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    34 HP, 31 MP, 37 SP, 7 STR, 7 DEX, 4 VIT, 5 MAG, 6 FTH, 3 WIL, 7 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Energizing Song


    500 SP upkeep


    While this song is active, all allies who hear it gain +level effective DEX and (level/20) SP regeneration per minute.


    You can only have one song active at the same time.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Axe Training <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    Can use axes without attack penalty.


    Increase effective STR by (skill level) for equipped axe.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "If you didn''t know, the class is named after the legendary metal ''lead''. Have you ever heard of it?"


    "Uh, I think lead was quite common in my world. I wouldn''t really call it legendary, it wasn''t really anything special as far as I recall."


    "What!? Lead is real!?"


    "Yeah, but you''re not really missing out on much. For weapon smithing purposes even iron is better."


    "Aww..."


    And here I thought it was called lead singer because it is... well, the lead singer, the front guy or gal. And not a... musician smith hybrid referencing an alleged mythical metal.


    "Anyway... I just took it because it lets me use axes to the fullest and the song is nice. As I said, I like singing."


    "Not to be a buzzkill but your claws are already stronger than the axe... or hammer you have."


    "Maybe, but I feel more comfortable with handling a hammer."


    "No objection to that. But you should still get at least some basic practice with your claws. There may be situations where you just have no weapon available."


    "Hmm... yeah, that makes sense. But I''ll keep the hammer as my main weapon, claws don''t count as a weapon for certain skills."


    "And you got one of those?"


    "Actually yes, here."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Forge Wizard</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    45 HP, 27 MP, 39 SP, 6 STR, 4 DEX, 5 VIT, 6 MAG, 6 FTH, 5 WIL, 4 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Enchant Weapon


    100 MP*


    To use this skill you need a willing ally.


    One of you two needs to be able to cast an elemental attack spell.


    One of you casts an elemental spell at the other.


    The spell projectile passes harmlessly through anyone but the intended target.


    The spell is then absorbed into the weapon of the target for either 5s or until the next attack.


    The next weapon attack performed with this effect adds 125% of the spell''s power to the attack''s raw attack power.


    The attack''s element or physical type is overwritten with the spell''s element.


    *The cost is paid by the recipient of the spell. The cost for the weapon attack is handled separately.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Affinity Magic Rank 1 <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    Able to use magic spells at rank 1 for every affinity the owner has.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Look at [Enchant Weapon]. It is a bit difficult to understand but-"


    "Ah, like dual techs."


    "Uh, what?"


    "Two people unite a magic attack with a weapon attack to perform a super-strong special attack."


    "That''s basically it, yes. Elly needed quite a while to explain that one to me..."


    "Yeah, she knows the weirdest things, doesn''t she."


    Does the dual tech even help us? Basically, she would use 100 MP to increase my magic''s damage by 25% and maybe double the underlying physical attack if I have the element to hit the target''s weakness.


    Doesn''t sound too worthwhile yet but if it makes her happy, I''ll play along with that fantasy.


    But then... depending on how it works exactly, it would allow me to cast damage spells without worrying about accidentally hurting my allies.


    "What are you thinking about, Jared?"


    "Ah, sorry. I was just calculating if [Enchant Weapon] is even worth it for us."


    "And is it?"


    "By my estimation, only if I have the element to exploit an elemental weakness. But in my short-lived experience, the most widespread weakness is fire, an element I don''t have yet."


    "Are you sure about that? I heard fire is only good against undead... well, like us... and a rare few monsters, mostly ice variants."


    "So just a lot of bad luck then?"


    "I think so."


    "Out of curiosity, Lucia, which other classes do you intend to take in the future?"


    "I don''t have any specific ones in mind yet. I first want to see how well what I have works and what is missing. Not only on my side but in the party as a whole. Well, minus healing since we both can''t do that, obviously."


    "Yeah, that makes sense. And it isn''t like we''ve enough Class Cores just lying around."


    "And you?"


    "In no particular order, I want to gain access to fire and light affinity so I can hit those weaknesses and eventually negate my own weakness to them with the ''Enduring Soul'' title I plan to get. Then I want flight and if possible teleportation capabilities. I guess some skills to control or restrict enemies would be nice. Aside from that, I just need a lot more stats, so more levels. Maybe I should take the Scholar class for another twenty percent exp gain?"


    "Those are a lot of things."


    "Yeah, and that doesn''t even leave much room in case something comes up that I need to address. But as a first step, I want to go directly for Summoner level ten, which is linked to your Lead Singer level. At level ten, I can create another summoned spirit. If we have all three out at the same time we should be able to gain the ''Summon Master'' title. With that title the race classes of summoned spirits no longer cost upkeep. So we either have more MP for other things or we can make them a bit stronger. That is something we can decide then."


    "So no raising the lowest class first but just going straight for the fourth class?"


    "Exactly."


    "Hmm... fine by me. Maybe afterwards just keep going until we hit level fifteen for the next skills?"


    "Yeah, we can do that. Though I''d like to keep my Survivor and your Fallen Saint for last, I already know that Survivor''s last skill is useless for us."


    "Sure, no problem. I don''t have high hopes for Fallen Saint anyway."


    "But then we also need to rise the title level at least to ten soonish or we can''t make much progress with the slums. Ah, why does everything have to happen at the same time!?"


    "That level was needed to unlock pardons, right? How soon would we need that feature?"


    "No idea. It''ll be a while before it is strictly necessary to proceed. I just want it out of the way so I can focus on other things."


    "And we need those title levels anyway to lessen the burden caused by the sun."


    "Exactly."


    "Then let''s go for the Summoner and Lead Singer skills first and worry about the pardons afterwards."


    "And get the ''Summon Master'' title on the way, sounds like a plan."


    We have now talked a long while and it is already quite late now, in fact it has become the next day.


    "Since Friday is already in the past now, what are Saturday''s class choices from the Joker Core?"


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Brightflame Sorcerer</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    24 HP, 53 MP, 28 SP, 2 STR, 4 DEX, 3 VIT, 9 MAG, 9 FTH, 5 WIL, 6 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Radiant Fire


    Passive


    When one of your spells would inflict either pure fire or light damage, instead inflict both at 60% of the original power.


    Additionally, gain fire and light affinity.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Blaze Mine <Skill locked until Level 5>


    200 MP


    Plant a magical landmine.


    It is inactive for 5s after creation and cannot be moved.


    The mine lasts up to 24h or until triggered by proximity.


    When triggered it inflicts 200% MAG fire damage in a 2 DU radius.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Lucent Chains <Skill locked until Level 15>


    300 MP


    Wrap the target in chains bound to the nearest surface for up to 1 min.


    These chains do not restrict movement.


    If the chained target moves more than 1 DU from the initial position,


    the chains inflict 100% FTH light damage per second until the chains expire or the target moves back in range.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Looks useful, what have you got, Lucia?"


    "Just the Summoner you already have."


    "Good, then I take it you have no objection to me taking that class?"


    "No, go for it. I can always choose a partner class for it on my own."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: undead can''t add classes that would grant light affinity.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Aw, come on! Why is there always something wrong with everything!?"


    "What is wrong?"


    "Apparently, us undead are not allowed to take classes with light affinity. So much for eventually getting rid of the light weakness. Shit!"


    "I wouldn''t worry about the light element too much. Fire is very widespread, light is rare."


    "That''s easy for you to say, you already have necessary affinities through your Dark and Fire Magic skill and only need the ''Enduring Soul'' title to be rid of the non-light weaknesses."


    "Well, you only need a single class to learn Fire Magic and then you''re set. There are probably dozens of pyromancer variants out there. Eventually one will come up. Or I find a good class option with the Joker Core and then you can take a fire using class of your choice."


    "Yeah, that''s also a decent option."


    Aside from two trips for flood nuking, we just take the rest of the day off and play a bit with the kids.

 Ch. 58 – Rebound

    POV: Gzeph


    What the hell was I thinking, escaping from there? They only cared about my unauthorized access to the data server... not about what else I had done.


    Too late, now I''m a fugitive.


    Thousands of years in service and I still couldn''t shake those habits.


    It will still be a couple of days until my spaceship arrives at my off-side lab.


    Around the middle of that trip, my sensor picks up a faint signal coming from a nearby world.


    Strange, is the machine broken? If the signal was real, I should''ve picked it up from way back at my office.


    A quick check of the machine doesn''t find any obvious defects. I guess I should check the source of the signal. A little workout can''t hurt. I''ve been too much in my office lately.


    I land my ship a bit away from the source of the signal, then hide it in a nearby cave. I shouldn''t be long but I better be safe than sorry.


    After a short walk, I arrive at the outpost. It is located next to an inactive volcano. I have doubts that they are researching some form of thermal energy.


    I cautiously check out the location without getting seen. There are no obvious flags or signs of who the outpost belongs to but a simple look at the guard''s uniform tells me... yeah, it belongs to ''them''. The demons from the "Creed of Whispers" actually managed to hide this outpost close to our homeworld.


    Goddamnit, Lou, why did you have to stop me back then? If you had let me use the second bomb nearly eight thousand years ago, they wouldn''t be around anymore... We had them on the ropes back then, we could''ve ended it all... now, they are back everywhere, spread over the whole universe, worse than ever before.


    I hope you rest in peace, Lou. I won''t until I''ve eradicated those child murderers!


    ...


    It seems like most of them are from different systems but none of any significant power levels. This should be as easy as always.


    I wonder if I should curse or thank Todo for allowing the systems'' powers to diverge that much. Well, it makes my work easier at least.


    I see no point in keeping any of them alive, so frontal assault it is.


    I take out my morph weapon and change it to a gun.


    Bang Bang


    Two already down. They are as weak as expected.


    And as I hoped for, I was noticed. More soldiers appear. Some start rushing at me while others take shots at me with either magic or guns. This is about to get fun.


    Bang Bang


    Most of their shots miss despite me barely bothering to move. I don''t even feel the few hits that they manage to land. Is everyone here that weak?


    Their front liners have reached me, so it is time for melee combat.


    I change my weapon to a sword and start dancing around them.


    Slash Slash


    More and more of their soldiers drop dead, none of them can take a single hit from me.


    After a few more minutes all of them are dead. Did I take any damage?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Gzeph Brightborough</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">9223</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Scholar 74, Fighter 72, Pugilist 73, Brawler 71, Cleric 72, Diviner 67, Space Wizard 71, Gunner 72, Pyromancer 67, Machinist 71</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Highlander (human) 63</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Honorary Deva Warrior 71</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">312876</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">24409/24410 [30513]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">17529/17529 [21912]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">28271/28901 [36127]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4803+322 (sword, mace, gun) or +288 (unarmed)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4969+30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5123+270</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3259+85</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3853+85</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4391+200</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4567+70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Deva Morph Weapon (sword, mace, gun), Divine Suit, Mythic Glasses, Deva Coat</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Gun Training 72, Mace Training 72, <del>Shield Training 72</del>, Stun Fist 71, Sword Training 72, Unarmed Fighting 144</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Create Simple Material 71, Cure Magic 72 (Rank 3), Fire Magic 67 (Rank 4), Holy Magic 139 (Rank 3), Locate Object 67, Space Magic 71 (Rank 3)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Opportunity Attack 73, Reckless Attack 73, Scrutinize 74</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Machine Construction 71, Meditation 138, Repair 71</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Extra Language 74, Fire Resistance 67, Hard Worker 63, Longevity 71, Magic Discount 71, Mana Regeneration 67, Patient Aim 72, Quick Learning 74, Quick Load 72, Stamina Boost 135,  Unarmored Defense 71</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Hmpf, a single point of damage. Pathetic. I''m getting rusty.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    I wade through the sea of corpses into the facility. Something must be here.


    I look around the inside of the building.


    Rustle


    I can hear that there is still someone left.


    The noise comes from a side room. I look inside and see a mixture of a laboratory and cultist sacrificial site.


    There''s the last survivor, trying to collect some documents.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Asholog </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Battle Mage 25, Warrior 24</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Devilkin 25</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Abyssal Deathlord 27</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5581/5581</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2331/4331</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2790/4050</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">738+184</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">648-30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">690</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">576</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">552</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">594</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">543</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Great Axe</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Abyssal Gate 27, <del>Armor Training 24</del>, Axe Training 24, Curse Magic 25 (Rank 2), Dark Lord 27, Fire Magic 50 (Rank 2), Full Resistance 27, Health Boost 49, Weapon Magic 25</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Of course, it had to be a Demon Lord. That''ll take two minutes more than necessary.


    "Planning to go somewhere, demon?"


    "Hmpf, that''s none of your business, intruder. Where are all of my guards? Am I just surrounded by imbeciles?"


    "They are dead, and soon so are you."


    "Don''t make me laugh! Don''t you know who I am?"


    "No, and I don''t care. You''ll be just another number in my reports."


    "As if! You can''t do anything to me! I''m a mighty Demon Lord! I''m invincible!"


    "Cute."


    Bang Bang


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your attack has inflicted 0 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "S-see? It is useless."


    "We''ll see about that."


    I put away my weapon and rush at my opponent. Then throw a punch at him.


    Right hook. Left hook. Uppercut. Nutcracker.


    The demon goes to the ground and then struggles to get back up.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your attacks have inflicted a total of 0 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "*urgh* Cease your futile... effort. You can''t... hurt me."


    "Are you sure about that?"


    I know that I can''t deal damage but...


    "I know your [Dark Lord] skill."


    I have the right tool for the job in my inventory. I switch to an SMG.


    "And yes, we use different systems. But you see..."


    Gun loading noises


    "The skill may negate damage but not PAIN."


    Rattatatatata


    After unloading a whole munition clip, the oh-so invincible Demon Lord passes out.


    What an idiot. Just standing there while his opponent prepares his finishing move.


    "Say, my friend, you''re kinda cold. Here, let me help you."


    I drag the unconscious idiot over to an open chute.


    "I think what you need is a nice relaxing bath. I heard lava helps with stress. You first, buddy."


    I throw him into the opening leading towards the volcano.


    One problem less.


    ...


    Shit, I should''ve interrogated him first. Ah, too late now.


    I hope he didn''t have anything important on him...


    I begin searching through the remaining documents.


    I can''t find anything about the artifacts. If they had anything, it is now burned in the lava.


    However, I stumble upon a familiar-looking blueprint. Is that really...?


    These damn child murderers... how did they get their hands on blueprints of my inventions? ...is that why my artifact detectors don''t work anymore?


    But... I''ve replaced this specific detector model millennia ago. Is there a traitor leaking that info to them?

 Ch. 59 – Anticipation

    POV: ??? (Lich)


    I''ve waited long enough in this cave, hoping to finally find a suitable client. Now, I have finally found someone that can achieve what I couldn''t.


    Though I still need to learn more about them, if I want to strike a deal with them. Need to know what aids I should prepare for them in addition to their payment.


    Damn event viewer, made it harder than it should to even find them. At least I could filter the whole mess by planet...


    I even prepared a gift for them but why is there still no sign that they have taken it? Just take it, there are no strings attached, neither literally nor figuratively. It is exactly what you wanted, isn''t it? Just take it, the day is almost over! Resending it would cost me a lot of DP. Please, just take it.


    Or was I mistaken in what they wanted? Hmm...


    Let me check the event history again...


    No, it should be exactly what they ask for. Were they too busy today and didn''t notice it?


    Hmmm...


    Huh, they tried to accept it but couldn''t? That makes no sense.


    So why...? Oh, wait, did the rules change again?


    I didn''t nap that long, did I? Last I checked, all parameters were still compatible with my client, willing or not.


    I swear if that old geezer... urgh, he has. Of course, he has. Why wouldn''t Graham get in my way? He has only done so for... was it over nine thousand or close to half a million years now? Ah, who is counting?


    Me, I am! I''m stuck here because of those damn devas!


    Not only did they seal me away, but they also misused my wife as the seal!!


    Poor Yulia... you''re so close yet so far...


    I could get out of here - if I were willing to kill her. And what monster would kill their wife!


    Well, I may be a monster but not that kind of monster.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    sigh


    You sick freaks! I will get you for this, just you wait!


    Just because it has been a few thousand years, doesn''t mean I have forgotten!


    ...


    I wonder what kind of civilization has grown from our last spoiled meal, Yulia... at least the mold got to enjoy my final souffl¨¦.


    ...


    Maybe I should finally kick Graham out of the system, he has been a thorn in my side for too long. But then no one else would be able to change or fix things in the system anymore - and can I afford the system to be without a maintainer?


    Bah, I''m not in the mood to decide that today. Consider yourself lucky, old man, you get to stay employed for another day!


    And we both know your time is up soon, ha! I don''t even have to do anything and I''ve already won!


    ...


    What a hollow feeling... just sitting by idle while everything goes down the drain for my mortal enemy number three. Boring.


    ...


    Now what to do about my client? Brightflame Sorcerer was a bust... considering the rule changes, what else can I gift them?


    Hmmm... fire is easy but light... what loopholes are left...


    Ha, Graham has done his homework for once! Adding light affinity to an undead is... not easy anymore.


    Direct affinity gain is out, and getting it as a side effect of obtaining a unique spell is also checked now. Maybe by borrowing or copying from an ally or a summon?


    ...ah, they seem to have no one suitable with them. Pity.


    Really, what has the world come to? Back in my day, you couldn''t throw a stone without hitting a caster, they graduated university by the dozens each year. Nowadays they are rarer than a good-aligned deva.


    The artifact sure has done a number on this world, huh...


    No matter, I have to focus on the present as well as the present, uh, the gift I mean.


    ...


    Hmm... I could still grant them light affinity the hard way but that requires DP, and I don''t have many of them left...


    Maybe I should... invite my client here and discuss what they really need to get the job done.


    ...


    Seems like it''ll be a few days until I can call them over. Or is it weeks? Damn dungeon time, always throws me off...


    Ah, I need a laugh. What was the Creed of Whisper up to recently?


    ...


    Oh, these imbeciles! Haha!


    Really, you spent months on designing a single Divine Class and aren''t even halfway done? What shall I do with you? ...and whoops, I''ve "accidentally" deleted their half-assed work. Sorry, not sorry.


    Really, their works are always so insultingly bad. Do it properly or don''t bother at all!


    I think I should just do it myself, it would take me what? Ten minutes? Eh, I''m a bit rusty, let''s say thirty. Just need to find out what the client really wants. Then we can have some fun, ha!


    Hmm... how ripe is their soul anyway?


    Uh... oh. They just accepted it recently. Never mind the rush then. We have time, I can create ART! And not just some random brute power shit the Creed so loves to produce.


    Ah, I need that! Something to liven my rusty bones.


    ...


    But something is strange. I''ve never seen such a soul pattern before, what is that?


    It looks nothing like what transmigrators or devas have, not to mention regular people. It is certainly... unique, to say the least.


    It reminds me of a corrupted skill, but that couldn''t be the side effect of a Demon Lord Seed, can it?


    Wait... their Blood Mage shouldn''t grant that weird skill, are those issues related? What a strange being.


    Before you had my attention, now you have my curiosity. I just can''t wait to meet you, little blood elf.

 Ch. 60 – Party Planning

    It is finally Sunday, and the next day our group meets.


    Lucia and I checked earlier, but we both kept the same classes on offer through the Joker Core despite it being a new day.


    Maybe that''s just pure chance? There should be a finite number of classes so the chance to get the same option twice in a row is non-zero. But why did we both keep the same options? Is it because we''re ''linked''? Wouldn''t that also mean that only one of us can use a Joker Core in our lifetime? Not that we have the items yet for a second core but it would still be yet another setback.


    I just hope it doesn''t mean that we both get forced into the class that is on offer the day either of us takes it. The odds for one of us to get a decent class already seem pretty low, both at the same time would be too close to zero for my liking. Also between both of us, we already have three classes we didn''t really want; Survivor and Blood Mage for me and Fallen Saint for Lucia. Or maybe it is four? I feel like she took Blood Witch just to match my Blood Mage... I hope she won''t regret it.


    Before the party meeting, I make my trip to the gate as usual. Aside from ruining the weather for the flood mobs, I have Elly use them as target practice for her bow skills - Lucia now pays her upkeep full-time. Elly''s damage output isn''t anything to write home about but it gives us a few extra exp.


    Despite that, I''m still 170 exp short of the seventh Summoner level. That will be solved after the meeting. With that my mana regeneration should be high enough that I can go grinding every eight hours, provided I don''t need the time in the sun for other duties. With all my protections I can last a total of three hours in the sun per day and a single trip from here to the gate is already almost half an hour.


    I really need a way to block out sun damage without any duration limitations or at least more than I already have...


    Elly, did you keep one method a secret from me? You haven''t bothered me with titles in ages and I doubt that all my achievements since the double dungeon amounted to no new title options. Conquering this fortress, gathering a few familiars, taking slaves, adopting a potential hero ...getting the Holy Maiden to fall... That should amount to something.


    ...yeah, there are new options and one of them looks potentially good. We certainly need to talk later, Elly. We really do.


    Shortly before noon, the guests start arriving. First Geoffrey and Marca, and last Therese and Chloe.


    Wait... Therese?


    "Hi, Therese. I assume that Chloe invited you?"


    "That she did. I wanted to check in person what has occurred to our Holy Maiden, is that a problem?"


    "Apart from two wrong assumptions, no."


    "What do you mean?"


    "Eh, never mind. You''ll see it in a few minutes. Come, everyone else is waiting. Or did you invite anyone else, Chloe?"


    "No, only Therese."


    We gather in the meeting room. Carl and Anna are present as well.


    "I think we''re complete then?"


    "That we are", agrees Geoffrey.


    "Alright, so let''s begin then. How to start... well, contrary to what I expected last time, Lucia will be joining our group."


    "It is just as my husband said, please take good care of me."


    Therese demands clarification, "Can I get an explanation of what is going on exactly?"


    "We found out the hard way what the main purpose of her [Undead Bait] was. It is... to turn her into an undead. So she is now a vampire like me."


    "But... why? Why is such a curse on the Holy Maiden?"


    Lucia shrugs, "That''s something we want to know as well."


    "Fine, that happened", says Therese, "but I thought you wanted to keep your distance from her? How did that come to be?"


    My wife pouts, "Let''s just say the church head is an ass and leave it at that."


    "Lucia!"


    "Sorry..."


    "No, that won''t do. What exactly has the high priest said or done?"


    "He basically sent Lucia to me as a sacrifice to appease me or something. I don''t really understand it myself, the lord works in murky ways."


    "Don''t you... mean mysterious?", asks Therese.


    "No, not really. Well, long story short, she is no longer a Holy Maiden, that''s now wrong on two accounts, instead she''s now a vampire similar to me and also joining this group. Any questions on that front?"


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "Actually, yes", says Marca, "how do you hold up, Lucia? Are you still the ''you'' you were before or... what has this done to you?"


    "I... don''t know. I think I''m still the same ''me'' as I was before but... I don''t know. Circumstances always forced me to be who other people wanted me to be and not who I really was."


    "I... see."


    "You shouldn''t need to worry about her. As compensation for the loss of the Holy Maiden class, she got a skill that negates all effects of becoming an undead being."


    "Alright, that''s a relief."


    "Anyone else?"


    "No."


    "Okay, topic number two. Anna, we talked a way back about if you wanted to join us and try to become a full-fledged hero and you also trained a bit with Geoffrey the last two days. Have you made a decision?"


    "Yeah, I think... no, I''m certain that I want to do that. I want to aid you and do my best to become a hero."


    "Great, that sounds convincing enough for me. Has anyone any objections to that?"


    Well, technically I have since she''s so young, but this world or situation doesn''t seem to care.


    "I might have", Chloe objects, "Anna, how old are you exactly?"


    "Ummm... twelve."


    "I would''ve guessed around ten since you''re a bit short for twelve. Is that a catfolk thing?"


    "Hn, not really. One of my titles delays my physical growth a bit. I''ll catch up though, promise."


    "Eh, alright by me then."


    Therese writes some notes.


    "Alright, then we''re up to six party members, two more spots left."


    Geoffrey objects, "Eh, shouldn''t it be only one? The party limit is seven, not eight."


    "True, but Lucia has a skill that makes her not count towards the party limit. Sorry, should''ve mentioned that earlier."


    "Ah, alright."


    "Therese, I take it you''re still against joining us?"


    "Yeah. As I''ve said I have a history with nobles and vampires, and I don''t want to be reminded at a bad moment. Sorry."


    "No, it is fine. And I couldn''t even ask you to train Anna, you''re only around level twenty, not twenty-five as we would need."


    "Yeah, I''m still a few years away from reaching that threshold. Though I could take her as an apprentice and show her a few hand-to-hand tricks from time to time if that helps."


    "Sounds fine by me. Anna, are you okay with that?"


    "Uh-huh."


    "I''ve never heard of a hero that fights unarmed though", objects Geoffrey.


    This world really is missing out...


    "Then she''ll be the first. She has already unarmed skills from her class and claws from her race, starting over with for example a sword sounds like a waste to me."


    "Sorry, I don''t think that will work", adds Marca, "As far as I know, claws don''t count as unarmed."


    "Is that so? Elly, do you know something about that?"


    "Hmm... let me quickly check..."


    For a moment, Elly seems lost in thought.


    "That seems to be true, though there is a race-specific class called ''Wild Fang'' that can fix that."


    "Then she should take that when she has the opportunity."


    "Will do!"


    "Maybe we could ask Jack?", suggests Chloe.


    Therese answers, "Sorry to tell you, but he died in the dungeon last week."


    Chloe is disappointed, "Oh..."


    "Considering what I''ve heard about his work ethic", interjects Lucia, "I''d have objected anyway."


    So we just brush off that a person we knew is dead?


    Marca asks, "What exactly are we looking for in the two remaining party members, Jared?"


    "Good question. At a minimum, I''d like to have one healer. I have a healing skill but can''t use it. And there''s only so much you can do with passive HP regeneration."


    Therese crushes my hopes, "No chance, the few medics and nurses we have are all needed full-time in the hospital. And don''t even think about casters capable of using healing magic. You should know how rare mages are in general."


    "Then how about raising one ourselves?"


    "And how exactly would you go about doing that?"


    "We need a Class Core and a volunteer with sufficiently high FTH, I guess. How about..."


    Lucia had the nun class before... the incident. That one had decent FTH, even as a production-type class.


    If I hadn''t taken the ''Vampire Progenitor'' title ages ago, we would have an alternative method. Maybe there''s a way to delete or replace it? Yet another reason to ask Elly...


    "Lucia, was there anyone at the church you''d be willing to take along? From my understanding, anyone with the nun class should have the needed stats."


    "Could we please not? I... don''t want to have a constant reminder of my past."


    "Not even if I ask you?"


    "Urgh, fine... let me think."


    Why did Chloe roll her eyes just now?


    "Therese, can we reserve the next Class Core that gets found?"


    "We... could but... do you really want to do that?"


    "Because it would be an abuse of power?"


    "Yes."


    "Fine, what channels do I need to go through then? Which one did Darius use to retrieve the Banishment Crystal?"


    "...you got me there. Well... We could officially enroll them into the military like you were and then invoke some edge case because they have currently no class that any of our trainers can train? Something like that. *sigh* I''ll work something out by then."


    "Thank you, Therese."


    "Yeah, yeah", she looks even less happy than usual.


    Chloe asks, "What would we do with that person in the meantime? I doubt a nun has any suitable combat skills."


    "Then train her. Just because you don''t have the relevant training skill doesn''t mean you can''t use a weapon. It would just be less effective. That should still suffice for self-defense. And if we''re honest, Anna won''t contribute much for quite some time either. She''s a few levels below where adults start and unarmed combat lacks the headstart in attack power regular weapons give."


    "Fine. You''ve thought all of this through already?"


    "Not even close."


    Therese inquires, "And the last spot?"


    "We''ll leave it open for now in case we get a nun who wants to bring their significant other along."


    "Sounds reasonable."


    Lucia finally finishes, "...Iris, I''d like to ask Iris."


    "A friend of yours?"


    "I''d say so, she''s one of the few I got along quite well."


    "Alright, Carl? Can you rush over to the church and check if Iris is available? If possible bring her over or invite her for tomorrow."


    "Sure, can do."


    "Can you wait for me?", asks Therese, "I''m done here for today and I have business in the church as well. We can go there together."


    "Sure", Carl sounds happy that he doesn''t have to go alone.


    "What business do you have there, Therese?"


    "Sorry, that''s a state secret."


    "Um, as lord of this fortress this gives me then even more the right to know. So what gives?"


    "Ah, I''m still not used to that, it slipped my mind, sorry. I just want to question the head of the church about what has transpired with Lucia. As the... now former Holy Maiden she should''ve been too important to just throw away like that."


    "Makes sense. Guess I should''ve ordered an investigation on this earlier."


    "That you should have. Now, if you''ll excuse me, I have an investigation to conduct."


    "Good, and I demand at least an intermediate report from you by Tuesday."


    "Alright, see you then. Come, Carl."


    "Yes, ma''am."


    Carl and Therese leave the room and the remaining group just has meaningless small talk while we wait.


    Most get along fine but the tone between Lucia and Chloe is a bit different, I''m not sure if they are teasing each other or truly don''t get along. Time will tell.

 Ch. 61 – Iris

    Eventually, Carl returns with Iris in tow.


    Ash grey hair, chocolate skin, long ears. Uh, let me guess... if dwarves aren''t small... she''s a dryad, right?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Iris</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">23</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Nun 16, Weaver 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dark Elf 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1848/1848</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1630/1630</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1632/1632</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">117</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">262</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">203+65</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">330</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">352+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">274+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">326</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Reinforced Suit, Habit</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dagger Training 15, Luck Boost 15, Stealth 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Spoilsport...


    Never expected our eventual healer to be from that race. Deteoh has again ruined another fantasy... dark elves are supposed to be savage fighters, not cute priestesses!!


    She has a decent MP and MAG, giving her a magic skill would be worthwhile as well.


    I wish I wasn''t limited in the number of skills I can share with my familiars. Forget Class Cores, just search for enough volunteers with half decent MP, MAG and FTH until I hit the familiars limit, then give all of them [Sleepless], [Enhanced Regeneration], [Mana Regeneration], [Mana Boost], [Ageless], [Cure Magic] and [Affinity Magic]. That would be worth going far into negative exp for Vampire Lord levels, they could pay us back the exp by partying up and then nuking the flood monsters like I do all the time.


    Too bad that is just a dream.


    "Greetings my lord, I''m Iris. I understand you''ve called for me?"


    "That is indeed the case. Thanks for coming to us on such short notice. Just call me Jared, I''m not too keen on formalities."


    "Much appreciated."


    Since she already knows Lucia, I quickly introduce everyone else to her.


    "So what can I help you with, Jared?"


    "Simply put, we need another party member for our planned dungeon visits and eventual travels around the world. After some consideration, Lucia thought that you would fit our needs the best."


    "I''m sorry, but I''m not sure how I could help you, I''m just a simple nun.  I have no combat ability to speak of. Unless dear Lucia is wasting everyone''s time again with one of her pranks?"


    Lucia responds, "No, we''re serious about this, Iris. This is something I, we, need you for. Please give us a chance to explain at least."


    "Alright, I''m listening. What exactly do you want me to do?"


    "Specifically I want someone that has some decent healing capabilities."


    "I''m sorry, but I do not possess those."


    "I know, I''m getting to that. We would add you to our party, once we get our hands on another Class Core, you would use that to take a relevant class. I''m confident that with your current stats you can take a class like Druid, Healer or Priest. It doesn''t have to be specifically those, just any class that learns healing magic. Elly should be able to find something suitable for you."


    "But... why me?"


    "Just as a favor to my wife. We would have to train anyone we take anyway. And you two knowing each other is a plus in my book. Especially after what happened recently."


    "I don''t know. Just waiting until someone gets hurt doesn''t sound like something a comrade should do. What else would I be good for? As I said, I have no fighting skills worth speaking of. And I doubt I could sufficiently impress monsters with my weaving skills."


    "Don''t worry. That will come with time. We-"


    Lucia interrupts me, "Jared, let me take this, please. She is my friend after all."


    "Huh? Uh, sure."


    "Can you all leave us alone for a moment?"


    "Will you be fine?"


    "Yes."


    "Alright, you heard Lucia. We''ll wait outside. Call us when you''re done, dear."


    "Yes, thank you."


    Everyone gets up and leaves the room, only Lucia and Iris stay behind.


    "Uh, Jared", Geoffrey asks me, "if we can train healers the way you plan, why hasn''t the military done so before?"


    "Trust me, the reason is very stupid and you don''t really want to hear it but you''ve literally asked for it. Unless... hey, Chloe, do you have a guess?"


    "Uh, not really. It sounds like a decent plan and we desperately need more medical personnel. We were wrong about which classes could profit from having a trainer but that doesn''t extend to taking the class untrained. So why Class Cores aren''t invested in that fashion, I don''t know."


    "Simply put, politics. To meet the FTH requirement for a healer class, a regular person would need to be born with a class that already has a high FTH stat, right?"


    Geoffrey responds, "Correct."


    "Most combat classes don''t meet the FTH requirement unless they are also a caster, which you know to be rare. On the production class side, I think high FTH is limited to doctors and nurses, which are already set for healing duty, and nuns. The latter is according to Justo off limits due to some poorly thought out contracts. In short, church and military are not allowed to interfere with each other''s duties or staff."


    "But what about Therese?", asks Marca, "She just went to the church, that should count as interference."


    "If she has done her paperwork already, then Lucia is already enrolled with the military, pushing the whole issue into a grey area since Lucia was effectively ''fired'' by the church head before."


    "Urgh, damn politics", Chloe isn''t happy either.


    "Yeah, that is just yet another thing that needs to be changed. No doubt about that."


    We wait a while, but Lucia still doesn''t signal that they are done. I''m getting impatient.


    A bit later, a dreadful message draws my attention.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Y???o???u??? ???h???a???v???e??? ???t???a???k???e???n??? ???I???r???i???s??? ???a???s??? ???y???o???u???r??? ???f???a???m???i???l???i???a???r???.???


    ???Y???o???u??? ???c???u???r???r???e???n???t???l???y??? ???h???a???v???e??? ???4???/???3??? ???f???a???m???i???l???i???a???r???(???s???)???.???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    What the hell happened now? Lucia? What is going on in there?


    Hastily, I open the door.


    <hr>


    POV: Lucia (a few minutes earlier)


    The rest of the group has left and Marca closes the door behind her.


    "That was the one you were pining over, Lucia?"


    "Yes."


    "Tell me, now that you got together with the man you fancied, are you happy?"


    "Yeah, very much so."


    "So at least that hasn''t changed about you. You never gave up until you got what you wanted, even to the detriment of others..."


    "Hey, I''m not that bad! Sometimes I make concessions."


    "But only small ones."


    "M-maybe..."


    "So what you told me back then was true? About what you''ve seen in him?"


    "Yeah, he was the first guy that didn''t see me as just the Holy Maiden. Well, also as the Lost Child he should at least date someone as fine as me."


    "Still just as full of yourself as ever, I see."


    "Do you have to put it like that?"


    "I can be just as blunt as you are when I need to be. You should know me that much", Iris sighs, "So... can you show me the ''real'' Lucia? I know that you are... different now but from what I see you are still the old you."


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "What do you mean?"


    "You don''t really look any different. But I know that he has done something to you. Can you... undo your disguise?"


    "If it makes you happy..."


    I cancel the [Disguise] skill just like she wanted.


    "So just the eye color?"


    "And slightly longer fangs. Honestly, it is hard to get used to those, I sometimes bite myself while they are out."


    "Hmm... yeah, I can see."


    "Can I change back now?"


    "Sure."


    "Thank you, Iris."


    "Is that really all that has changed, Lucia? I don''t really buy it."


    "It is. At least I still feel like I''m the same."


    "I have a hard time accepting that. From what I know becoming a vampire, messes you up a lot but... you still feel like the old Lucia. I don''t know, it is weird."


    Am I different? I don''t think so. At least not outside of the need to... drink blood. Hmm... I''m kinda looking forward to that experience. Yeah, that''ll be fun!


    "Say, Iris, do you think you can consider joining us? I''d love to have you at my side."


    "I''m not sure about that, Lucia. I know that you plan to support me but... I still had never much contact with monsters."


    "Not even through the guy you date? That was Darren, right?"


    "Please don''t remind me. He... is no longer with us."


    "Oh, ah, sorry... what happened to him?"


    "Just that what was bound to happen when you date a guy who becomes blind because of love and has an imbecile like Jack as the group leader..."


    "So same as Luke before... Sorry, I... didn''t know..."


    "Don''t sweat it. You know it wasn''t the first time and it probably won''t be the last.  That''s just the world we live in. Maybe I should just stay single..."


    ...maybe Iris would make a good spouse for us? I... don''t know. Jared should be mine and mine alone but... in this situation... can I afford to stick to that?


    I want to help her in some way but is it the right one?


    "Can I ask what you honestly think of Jared, Iris?"


    "No idea, I''ve just seen him from afar during his speech and then the ten minutes earlier. I mean, despite being a vampire he seems to be a decent guy. At least he didn''t stare at my chest like that Geoffrey guy."


    "Well, you are pretty."


    "That I won''t deny. But we should get back to the topic, shouldn''t we?"


    "Yeah..."


    Iris seems a bit irritated, "So, to summarize the situation, aside from one minor detail you achieved your goals, and for that one thing I''m now here?"


    "I mean, it wasn''t exactly our choice that undead can''t use Cure Magic. But... even if, I''d still like to have a good friend like you at my side. I don''t know the others much and I fear I may feel lonely at times."


    "Lucia, abandoning the church to aid the Lost Child is not a problem for me, but a vampire? I.. don''t know how to feel about that."


    "Well, technically you''d follow TWO vampires, not one."


    "Not helping your case."


    I just... want to get this over with...


    If it has to be someone I''d rather it be someone I know and get along with, like Iris.


    But...


    Please say no...


    "Iris, if it wasn''t for the human-to-vampire differences... would you... consider marrying Jared?"


    "Wha, what''s gotten into you!? You''re not even together with him for three days and you''re already trying to throw him away? Not that am I over the loss of Darren either..."


    She''s trying to process what I just asked, "Seriously, who are you!? The real Lucia would never let others have what belongs to her!"


    "You misunderstand. I don''t plan to abandon him."


    "Then what?"


    "If I could I would keep him all to myself but... it seems like this situation may not allow that."


    "What do you want to say?"


    "Look at this skill I gained."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Unholy Matrimony


    Passive


    Spouses you''re properly married to become linked and count as one for certain mechanics.


    Polygamy is only acceptable if all involved parties consent.


    All spouses are always in the same party and only take up one party slot total.


    For exp gain adjustments, all spouses beyond the first count as half.


    Titles are shared, including otherwise unique titles, but still obey the 20 title limit.


    Class, race and title levels are now the same between spouses, matched by position in each category,


    e.g. if one spouse has their first class at level 10 and another at level 12, they now both have level 12 in their first class.


    The exp debt for level syncing will be deducted from future exp income.


    For fulfilling class requirements it now suffices if any spouse either meets the requirements or already has the class.


    If one spouse has fewer classes than another, they may add a class without using a Class Core.


    Summoned spirits are shared between spouses. If multiple spouses possess summon skills, only the higher leveled skill counts.


    Any spouse can summon the shared spirits at their cost, even if they lack the necessary skill.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    She carefully reads through the skill description.


    She looks confused, "What has that to do with anything, Lucia?"


    "When Jared asked who I''d be willing to take along I chose you because you are good at keeping secrets, not like Sena or Nea. And this skill is a big one."


    "That I can see..."


    "If you''re willing I would let you join our family. If you accept, this skill would give you similar power to us."


    Please decline. I want to keep Jared to myself, I do not wish to share him...


    "That''s a lot to ask, Lucia. You''re asking me to make a life-altering decision without knowing anything or anyone really."


    "I know."


    "Sorry, but for now I have to decline. I''m still not over Darren and I know nothing about you two."


    "That''s fine. I knew or at least hoped you''d decline."


    "So your jealousy still works as ever?"


    "Yeah, you got me there. We''re pretty familiar with each other, aren''t we?"


    "That... yes, I would say we are."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Y???o???u??? ???h???a???v???e??? ???t???a???k???e???n??? ???I???r???i???s??? ???a???s??? ???y???o???u???r??? ???f???a???m???i???l???i???a???r???.???


    ???Y???o???u??? ???c???u???r???r???e???n???t???l???y??? ???h???a???v???e??? ???4???/???3??? ???f???a???m???i???l???i???a???r???(???s???)???.???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That doesn''t look right...


    "Seems like I fell for another trick from you, Lucia. I hope you''re happy now... *sigh* And here I hoped at least that part of you would''ve changed. Can you at least explain to me what just happened? What even is a ''familiar''? I don''t understand..."


    "Eh, sure. Long story short, you belong to us now. You basically can never get to dislike us. Emm, sorry about that. In exchange, you get a few extra skills from us. Wait, which one did Jared assign again... Let me quickly check."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Limit</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">0/1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Shared Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">Sleepless</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Active Familiars</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">Chloe, Geoffrey, Iris, Marca</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Uh, why does it say zero out of one? There is already a skill assigned. I should ask Jared later, I might misunderstand what the limit is for. I thought it was how many skills we can grant our familiars.


    "I gained the [Sleepless] skill."


    "Yeah, that''s the one. You will get a few more bonuses once we raise our [Familiar] skill to a higher level."


    "And why did you go to these lengths? Don''t you trust your friends that you have to force them to like you?"


    "Ah, no, it is just about the skills you gain from us. Jared planned to later grant all of you the [Ageless] skill so we can stay together forever, isn''t he nice?"


    "I don''t know, Lucia. I''ve known you for a few years now. I know you often tried to trick people into doing something that you think is better for them. But this? I don''t like this."


    "Trust me, it is for the better."


    Maybe not anymore, once Jared considers the more hidden options of that skill. The menu for that skill is quite misplaced but by now he must certainly have found it, right?


    Turning a familiar into a special creature like a Thrall, a Blood Doll or an Abomination addicted to vampire blood... there are quite a few extreme options there...


    At least, I don''t feel a draw to any of those. But if I have to... I can use them...


    "Promise me you won''t tell anyone what I''m about to tell you, Iris."


    "What are you on about now?"


    "Normally, a familiar keeps its free will. Well, mostly. But if necessary Jared or I as your masters could issue absolute orders that you can''t go against. ...please don''t ever let me use that. I trust Jared to be respectful with that option but not myself..."


    "Lucia...", a worried look crosses Iris'' face, "I''ll... keep that in mind..."


    "Although if you don''t want to be a familiar, marrying us both is still on the table. Just for you though. There may be a few side effects but look at me, I''ve turned out fine, right?"


    "And who says that I''m okay with that?", an angry Jared slams the door shut.


    Oh, damn, when did Jared enter? I didn''t notice him.


    Though, I''m not sure if this is good or bad. Finally getting clarity should put my mind at ease.


    I want to keep Jared to myself, but... I will probably have to endure another spouse or two sooner or later if we''re serious about destroying the demon artifact...


    And if I have to share him for all eternity... I want to get it over with. The longer I''m used to having Jared just for me, the more it will hurt when another takes some of his attention away from me.


    I couldn''t bear that...


    Why can''t life ever be simple?


    "Uh, hi, dear. Why not? Do you have anything against her?"


    "Nothing. I just don''t know her yet. There''s no chemistry to go off of. No offense, Iris."


    "None taken, I... feel the same."


    "So... would you consider her, Jared?"


    Jared sighs, "Lucia, what are you plotting?"


    "Huh?"


    "If I may", Iris voices her opinion, "I think she is just worried about me. I''ve... recently lost my boyfriend of two years. He died to some monsters. I suspect she wants me to get over it by distracting me with a new relationship."


    "I''m not sure this is a good base for the consequences our... special type of marriage would carry."


    So he isn''t strictly against her? That... doesn''t make me happy...


    "No, that''s not all I had in mind there."


    "Go on", Jared seems impatient.


    "I... don''t want to share you with another girl, if I can avoid it. But my [Unholy Matrimony] tells me that we should drag more people into it. It... is a confusing sensation."


    "Wait, your skill talks to you?"


    "No. It is more like a feeling, a desire to make use of it."


    Jared scratches his head, "What did I expect, we''re talking about a Demon Lord class skill here. Of course, it would work based on such temptations..."


    Iris gets wide-eyed, "Demon Lord?"


    "Ah, sorry, Iris... I haven''t told you everything yet. When I ''lost'' the Holy Maiden class it was replaced with the Cursed Queen class which is apparently a Demon Lord."


    "You don''t mean-"


    "Sadly, she is serious. But so far it didn''t cause any trouble."


    "That''s... reassuring. A bit at least."


    Jared thinks for a while.


    "Ok, so executive decision, until we know what is going on with your skill, Lucia, we will not use it. And don''t even think about issuing weird orders, I heard that part earlier."


    "Wha- how long did you eavesdrop?"


    "Maybe not long enough. Iris, did she say anything else I should worry about?"


    "Eh, no, apart from making me a familiar out of nowhere, everything is fine."


    "Right, that."


    I''m relieved that Jared made that decision but... something about this still feels wrong...


    I should be happy about it. I really should. Then why am I not?


    Jared thinks for a moment, then continues, "Can I assume you''ll work with us then?"


    "I don''t really know how useful I''ll be", I glare at Iris, "but I''ll give it a shot."


    I go over to her and hug her, "Thanks, Iris. You don''t know how much it means to me to keep you as my friend."


    I whisper into her ear, "Just don''t go against me. You understand the consequences?"


    She nods.


    "Iris, do we have to take care of anything for you to leave the church? Where will you even stay then?"


    "Don''t worry about that. Since I will be serving under our holy figure that is just a small issue I can take care of myself. As for where I stay... I have no place yet."


    "Good, then tell Maria that she should prepare one of the rooms as your permanent residence. We have enough unused space. She will also take care of your meals."


    "Thank you, I appreciate it."


    "I think that is enough for today. Or do you two have anything else you want to clear up first?"


    "No, I''m good, dear."


    "Likewise, I will take care of the aforementioned matters now."


    With that Iris leaves us alone.


    Jared gets up as well, "I guess we shouldn''t let the others wait any longer."


    We go outside the room where everyone is waiting. Iris is talking to Maria as ordered. Geoffrey stands in the corner tending to a black eye.


    "Okay, listen up, everyone. Iris will be joining us. That leaves one open party member spot. I assume no one has a suggestion right now, so I''d like to postpone that for a day or two. How about meeting again in two days and everyone thinks about who or what we need?"


    "Sounds like a plan", says Marca.


    Geoffrey agrees, "Yeah, fine by me. You, Chloe?"


    She sounds a bit down, "Yeah, sure. See you in two days."


    With that, today''s meeting has ended.

 Ch. 62 – Human Resources

    POV: Lucia


    Jared leads me to our private chambers and looks a bit agitated.


    "So, Lucia, talk. What is going on."


    "Talk about what? About how much I love you?"


    "That can wait. I want to know what you are planning. First, you say that you don''t want to have anyone else in our relationship and the next thing I hear is that you want us to marry Iris. So, speak."


    "...I don''t know what to tell you. I don''t really understand how I feel about it myself."


    "Then try to explain it as well as you can."


    "I''ll try. If I could, I want to just keep you to myself, run away from this world, leave all of this mess behind and just enjoy my life with you by my side. But I have to accept the reality that this is probably not an option if we want to achieve our goals."


    "And what has that to do with Iris?"


    "...We have to face reality. Even with all the classes we somehow gained by pure chance, we''re not particularly powerful. As we are, we''re barely as strong as a normal caster our age would be, and the exp penalty doesn''t do that any favor. So... I feel it is in our best interest to use my skill and get us more powerful allies this way. And if I have to share you with someone else, I would prefer it to at least be someone I know and can agree with."


    "Or we can just be adults about this and NOT use the questionable deal-with-the-devil type powers. That is just asking for unnecessary trouble."


    "I would really prefer that but how would we gather more power then? As we are right now, we won''t really get anywhere."


    Whether it is getting rid of the artifact or building our own little realm doesn''t matter. We need more power.


    Currently, I am a queen in name only, and the one I''m married to isn''t even recognized as a king. That definitely has to change!


    It doesn''t have to be the whole world but I want at least to give this kingdom to Jared as a present.


    I mean, we''re vampires, what else would be a more appropriate gift?


    Wait, why... do I even feel revolted by the thought of being ruled by a human? Is it because I''ve become a vampire? Or... is it just a continuation of my previous life? Is it just that I hate being told what to do all the time, just the way it has been?


    I don''t know...


    Suddenly, Jared pats me on the head, "Don''t worry your pretty head about this, I have a plan. I might not always know what I''m doing, but I have a plan. Just trust me on this."


    So do I, but I want to surprise you with the result. I hope it will please you.


    I can''t bear the thought of disappointing you...


    "And what is this plan, Jared?"


    "Sorry, but it has to stay a secret for a few more days. I need to deal with a... traitor first."


    "And you think they may listen to us?", he just nods, "Gotcha, I''ll wait."


    "Until then", he continues, "mind filling me in on what you know about familiars? Earlier it seemed like you knew a few critical things about it that I was missing."


    "Huh? Uh, sure. You heard how I said to Iris that we can give absolute orders to them, right?"


    "Yeah, also can we please avoid abusing that feature? I need them to act in our best interest on their own, we can''t really afford to micromanage them all the time, once we lose their trust by overwriting their will."


    "Well, that was actually a lie - or at least half of one."


    "What do you mean?"


    "Just check the skill again."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Familiar


    Active


    Can designate a ¡®willing¡¯ (e.g. charmed) target (up to 1 per skill level, max 20) as a familiar.


    The opinion of a familiar on their master can not drop below friendly.


    For the purpose of giving an order to a familiar, the user¡¯s CHA is doubled.


    User can share one (two at skill level 20, three at 35) of their skills with their familiars.


    This choice of shared skills is the same for all familiars and can¡¯t be changed.


    The familiars¡¯ copy of a skill is always at level 1.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Did you just mean the doubled CHA part?"


    "Correct. It is the same as with normal people. You still need to make a convincing argument or command enough authority when ordering them around, the outcome of that depends only to a small part on your CHA stat. Except with our familiars, there the CHA stat counts double. Even with that bonus, you still need an advantage of a couple of thousand CHA points if you want your orders to be absolute, just on stats alone."


    "I see... and here I was worried I had turned them into mindless slaves or something."


    "No, not yet at least. Haven''t you checked the options for the [Familiar] skill in your menu yet?"


    "There was no tab for it under skills. So, no."


    "Well... it is a bit misplaced..."


    Don''t tell me, he hasn''t checked that yet...


    He facepalms, "How misplaced are we talking?"


    "First you go to ''Music'' - I didn''t have that one before, you have to tell me what all those songs are when we have some time. Then switch to its ''Settings'', there to ''Output'', ''Misc.'' and finally ''Familiars''. Quite easy to find, really."


    "Easy? That is the last place I''d search for that!"


    "Really? I found it almost natural."


    "...I''ll... just file that under the usual glitchy interaction of getting a new menu option and ignore the implications."


    He checks through the ''Familiar'' tab for a while. If I read his face correctly, he doesn''t seem too happy with the options.


    I don''t think I''d ever want to make use of them either. I mean, they are our familiars and should be happy to be of use to us but any of the transformative options sound like they''d make them dumber or at least less independent. And if I wanted a dummy around whose every breath I have to dictate, I would''ve asked that Darius buffoon to join us.


    But if I were allowed to make only one absolute order, I would order Chloe to keep her hands away from Jared and to stop trying to seduce him. She should find other ways to make herself useful to us! He is mine and mine alone!


    ...guess I have to make sure of that the old-fashioned way.


    Why did I just have the feeling like a shiver ran down my spine?


    Click


    Ah, Jared has disabled the whole Familiar menu, that must''ve been it.


    And he even password protected it, even if I wanted to, I couldn''t use those features anymore behind his back. Does this impact me in any way?


    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    No, they wouldn''t have changed much, this isn''t a big loss.


    "That is not for you, Lucia, but for me. I had enough skill accidents already."


    "Don''t worry, Jared, I trust you."


    "Doesn''t matter, I don''t trust those skills. I just don''t want any of those things to happen to our friends. I''ve... already made three of them familiars without knowing how to. If the threshold for any of the transformations is just as low..."


    "Ah, don''t worry about it, I understand you."


    Well, in my case, making Iris a familiar was on purpose.


    "I understand your reservations about most of the options but what is the issue with Blood Dolls?"


    "I only looked at the first two and then just said no to all of them. I want my familiars to work with me and I doubt blood-addicted abominations can think clear enough to do that. And in general, all of those options sound like they''d break the trust they should have in us."


    "Alright, if you say so, I''ll respect your decision."


    "Thank you, Lucia."


    I don''t really care about the changeling but I must know how Jared feels about her. Ideally, I want to remove her from the group. As she is right now, she isn''t just a danger to herself but to our whole group.


    "There''s one more thing that is bothering me, Jared. What... is your relationship with Chloe? Aside from being our familiar, what is she to you?"


    "Nothing much. She has shown me my way around here, showed me the combat basics. I wouldn''t say she is anything besides a comrade in arms now. Why, did she make you somehow jealous?"


    "Maybe a little bit. We... don''t really get along. But it sounded like you were a bit more to her than just a trainee."


    "Then she is mistaken. I''ve already told her as much."


    "Is that so? I don''t know. To me, it seemed like she was... a bit off."


    "Yeah, that is all. I would prefer if you two get along but at a minimum please avoid causing each other any permanent harm, okay? You''ve nothing to worry about from her."


    "I will try my best but no promises beyond that."


    "That is enough for me. Oh, and if you ever plan to get into a cat fight, can you invite me to watch?"


    "Pervert!"


    Jared doesn''t seem in the slightest worried about Chloe''s condition. Did he not notice or does he not care? He must know, right? It is very obvious. Even if she hides behind her shapeshifter mask, you can clearly see what is going on.


    I probably shouldn''t get involved there. She isn''t my problem.


    Or is she? Isn''t she also my property now?


    ...I don''t like losing my property.


    "Jared, when... this is all over... will you return to your world?"


    "I have no such plans nor any confirmations whether it is possible or not. But if it is, I wouldn''t go there without you. Not that there is really anything I want to go back to. Maybe we could go there as a holiday trip or catch up on our honeymoon."


    "I think... I''d like that. Just you and me traveling through the world with not a care about what happens elsewhere."


    <hr>


    POV: Jared


    After talking with Lucia, I need to cool my head off, so I go to create a show over the flood monsters earning me finally Summoner level 7, 1342/4103 towards 8. Now 2774 max MP, still no new threshold reached there.


    When I return, three new people have arrived and are talking with Lucia: a butler and <del>1d4</del> two maids. Or at least some that want to work for us in those positions. They have a sheet of paper from Therese that vouches for them.


    Against my expectation, the butler is not called any variation of Sebastian but Edward. The maids are Carmen and Tina.


    Lucia and I interview and approve them. The butler also agrees to teach Carl a bit on the side.


    Aside from Tina being a High Elf, they aren''t really noteworthy. As a High Elf, she has an interesting skill.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Selfless


    Passive


    Prevent and negate all effects from titles.


    Increase the skill level of your support skills by this skill''s level.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Now I want to commit science about how that interacts with our marriage.


    No, bad Jared, bad. You''ve only five minutes ago established why you shouldn''t do that.


    Demon Lord, Vampire Progenitor, Monster Core, Demon Lord part two electric boogaloo, and now this... can just for once pass a week without the temptation of unethical power? Please? What, no? Argh, fuck you, fate!


    Anyway... the three servants will also be living here with Carmen and Tina sharing a room. Before that, they have to take care of a few things and will start working tomorrow.


    Lucia asks me, "So with the housekeeping out of the way, what else do we have to take care of?"


    "I don''t think there is much left to do for now. There shouldn''t be much regular day-to-day paperwork that we''re required to take care of. The fortress has functioned for centuries without a lord, and if some kind of essential lord work had piled up for that long, the fortress would''ve crumbled by now. Eventually, I want Carl to take care of the simple paperwork for us, so we can concentrate on the big changes and training for the dungeon."


    "Wouldn''t it help to make him a familiar? That way he has more time in the day for learning about those things."


    "I''m not too keen on using that ability for every single thing, we have a strict limit as to how many familiars we can have. I still don''t understand how we got Iris as a familiar without rising the level of Vampire Lord. My best guess is that each of us has the three familiar limit, so we can currently have six total. Also, I have the feeling like I can''t overwrite the slave status with the familiar status, but I have no proof until we try."


    "So you want to focus on collecting combatants as familiars for now?"


    "Correct. Also, it would isolate Anna even more. We can''t risk making her a familiar as it may automatically fail her as a hero, and I think she deserves her chance to qualify as a true hero. Right now, she is kind of ''alone'' in our group as the only one that needs or even can sleep. But she has at least Carl to relate to. If we carelessly make him a familiar she''d lose yet another friend, and she doesn''t have many of those here."


    "I see. But if the need arises, it would be okay?"


    "Yeah, I guess so. But I''d like to avoid it if possible. Little kids might react worse to being made a familiar, and there was already a huge difference in how well even adults like Chloe took it compared to Marca or Geoffrey. The latter were fine, Chloe not so much."


    "Oh, speaking of, do you know what the limit in the familiar status is?"


    "How many skills we have shared with our familiars as well as the maximum. It should currently read one of one."


    "Ah, well... for me it is zero of one but also shows that we have shared [Sleepless] with them."


    "What, really?"


    "Yeah, does that mean we can give our familiars a second power up already?"


    "It seems like it. Doubling the number of skills we can share is definitely a lucky break."


    Iris thinks for a bit, "Can''t we use that then to give them Cure Magic? That skill is the only reason Iris would have to take a specific class, we could save a Class Core that way."


    "Can we? I assume we can currently only allocate one of your skills but if you can select from my skills as well, then go for it. Or do you have a better idea?"


    "Not yet at least. Let me try that first. ...no, sorry, it won''t let me use that."


    "Figures. And Vampire Lord level 20 is far in the future, by then our needs will have probably changed. Now, what else could we give them..."


    "Eventually, I want them to have [Ageless] so we don''t have to worry about old age taking them from us. I assume we''ll spend many years in the dungeon just for training, and it would be a shame if that work just went to waste."


    "I think we''ll reach the threshold for the next set of shared skills before that becomes an issue, Jared."


    "Yeah, that is likely. How about [Affinity Magic]? They may not have caster classes but at least Chloe and Iris have MP and MAG around where I started. They could generate some decent extra exp by casting rain spells on the flood monsters. Worst case, they can stun or weaken bosses with status side effects."


    "Hmm... fine, for Iris I''ll agree to that. ...but then it says that I can''t share magic skills with familiars..."


    "Weird, the skill didn''t list any restrictions of what can be shared. Is the system confused between familiars and summons? The latter can''t gain magic skills either."


    "Well, they aren''t too different. Both are subservient to you."


    Stupid system... now, what other options do we have...


    Lucia thinks out loud, "Claws would also be useless for them... Only things I can think of are [Enhanced Regeneration], [Supernatural Toughness] and [Ageless]."


    "You know what, let''s give them [Ageless] now. Maybe we can tempt an important or influential person with that form of eternal life into serving us."


    "Huh, I didn''t think you''d be open to that option, Jared."


    "Why not? I have literally made the choice to become a vampire by my own will, even if my diet requires me to hurt people. I was okay with that, and still am even if I shouldn''t be. Often unrelated people have to pay the price for decisions made by those in power, have their well-being compromised. I''m not saying that this is okay, I''m just saying that this is how the world works. I''m no almighty god, I just have a limited set of skills and I will use them if it brings us closer to our goal."


    "If that is so, then why are you against making full use of [Familiar] or [Unholy Matrimony]?"


    "I do not feel that transforming our familiars into other beings, effectively monsters, would accomplish anything that brings us closer to our goals, they might even come to hate us or drive the rest of humanity further away from us. I enjoy their presence, I don''t want just mindless yes-men. Listen, Lucia, given enough time, we can empower our familiars until they satisfy our needs, but no matter what you do, you can''t teach a rock to think."


    "Yeah, that makes sense."


    "But adding more familiars is okay to me. We get servants or helpers, they get some skills as payment. It is just a business transaction, really."


    "That''s... an interesting way to look at it."


    "As for additional spouses... Call me a hypocrite if you want, but I''m not comfortable with the idea of getting ''mind controlled'' into loving someone. Even if it worked only on emotions that already exist, we don''t know that."


    "How is that different from us right now?"


    I grab Lucia''s hand, "If I had to be honest with myself, I was already attracted to you anyway, just held back because... you know, I''m undead and you were not, that is just all kinds of disturbing. The accident just removed the last barriers of hesitation."


    "I understand. Don''t worry, I''ll not press that issue any further or ask for another addition."


    "And now I''m worried that you''ll just drag someone into this without consulting me..."


    "What!? I would never!"


    "Really?"


    "...maybe."


    "I thought as much."


    I take her in my arms, "We have established the boundaries, right? Don''t overdo it. One vampire hunt was already enough for me, I don''t want a repeat."


    "Yeah..."

 Ch. 63 – Certainties

    With the party meeting and servant interview taken care of, I take another look through the fortress menu. I need some distraction, I don''t want to think about what I have to do next. If I handle this poorly, I can lose a valuable ally.


    Additional personnel... is limited to one extra because my title level is too low, great. We have too many wounded, so another nurse or doctor is a no-brainer. Other civil servant jobs have to wait until we have less critical needs. There, and done.


    Can''t order any building constructions, that has to wait until we''ve driven off the poor from the slums. There are currently no spots in the fortress left where we could build anything.


    Upgrades for the fortress don''t seem to be in our budget, I have no overview yet of how much we gain or rather have left each month and I want to lower the tax rate first anyway, so any data I have is useless. 70% in taxes is just inhumane. Not that a +0.1% increase in crop output isn''t worth any risk.


    Speaking of taxes... once I change the rate, I can''t change it again for another year, so it has to be right the first time. I need more data on the current financial situation and then suffer through math.


    "Hey, Justo, the upkeep without a lord was fifteen percent higher, right?"


    The mansion spirit corrects me, "No, the difference is fifty percent."


    "Oh, shit, did I misremember it that much..."


    But isn''t that better? Then I can lower the tax rate even more if I just want to cut even, right?


    Let''s see... we had 70% in taxes before, so if I remove that markup...


    "So if I want to keep the same effective income... 70% divided by one point five... I guess 50% is close enough?"


    "That doesn''t account for the part of tax money that is just left over each month. That isn''t subject to the upkeep penalty for missing a lord."


    "Right... are there any other forms of taxes or only on pure income?"


    "Only that one. You can try to add other forms of taxation if you feel like it."


    "Maybe a tax on sales, properties, luxuries or savings... argh, too many options I don''t understand, forget it."


    "As you wish. Call me again if you wish for advice or just to talk. That is fine, too."


    "Yeah, will do."


    They always say that only death and taxes are certain, but if they were why do I have to wreck my head on this?


    Urgh, math, I guess that can still wait for another week...


    Laws... ah, fuck this, I''m not in the mood for those either.


    sigh


    No, this doesn''t work as a distraction. Should I just go now and get it over with?


    ...but I don''t want Lucia around for this. She wanted to try her hand at smithing again tomorrow. I just have to endure until then.


    I guess I can just pass time by reading one of the books I borrowed from the library way back when.


    But it just shouldn''t be. This day just won''t let up with meetings, planned or otherwise.


    A few uninvited guests arrive.


    Maria brings two women in, "My liege, there are two visitors here. They are here to see you about... a blood donation."


    "You don''t sound too happy about that. Did you already forget that you''re a spirit created by a vampire? You have to get used to things like that."


    "...yeah, probably. Can I bring them in now?"


    "Yes, lead them in. And then fetch Lucia and Carl, they are needed here as well."


    "Understood."


    Maria brings the visitors in, then goes off as instructed.


    One of them introduces herself, "G-greetings, my lord. I''m Alisa."


    The other just bows.


    "Ah, forgive her, she''s mute. This is Naomi."


    The mute girl nods.


    "Alright.  So, you''re here to donate some blood in exchange for a promised tax cut?"


    "Y-yes."


    "You two are shaking quite a bit. Are you certain you''re okay with this?"


    The mute one nods.


    "I... to be honest, we don''t really want to but we can barely afford to live with our meager means."


    "...I understand, I won''t pry any further."


    "So, uh, when can we start?"


    "You''ll have to have patience for a few more minutes. My wife needs a portion of the blood as well and I would like to teach my servant a bit about how this should go from now on."


    "R-right..."


    I write down their name so I can sign them up for the tax cut later.


    An awkward silence fills the room.


    The mute girl, Naomi, twiddles her thumbs, she doesn''t look happy to be here. I hope that isn''t this culture''s equivalent of flipping the bird.


    I''m not good with small talk but just waiting like that is embarrassing.


    "Aside from financial issues, do you have any other troubles in my fortress, Alisa?"


    "N-no, I... can''t complain."


    "''Can''t'' because everything else is fine or because it is I who asks?"


    She shyly admits, "...the latter."


    "Then please talk freely if you want. No, I''m ordering you to talk. What is going on?"


    "I, I don''t know. It is just... I never expected the ''Lost One'' to be a monster, least of all a scary one..."


    "Oh, so you meant it literally..."


    Maybe a little lie might help them ease their minds?


    Not that it is entirely wrong.


    "Okay, listen up you two, I''ll let you in on a secret."


    "I-I''m listening."


    "Your god Jeff has screwed up his paperwork. That''s the only reason why I am a vampire instead of a human. Aside from dietary needs, I''m a regular person. Got it?"


    The two of them nod in a way that confidently screams ''yeah, I don''t get it at all.''


    Doesn''t seem like they are less afraid now. Well, I tried at least.


    The awkward silence returns.


    Finally, Maria brings my wife and Carl.


    "You called, dear?"


    "Yes, Lucia. We have two volunteers for blood donations."


    "And what do you want from me?", asks Carl.


    "In the future I want you to handle the reception of such volunteers. So I want to take this opportunity to teach you. Alisa, can you assist me for a moment?"


    "Uh, sure."


    "Having your blood drained by a vampire is quite taxing on the body. So first, you should make sure that donors are healthy. Talk with them, use your intuition. Well, I guess using [Appraisal] is not an option for you. If something looks off, send them to a medic so they can check them properly."


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Carl responds, "I guess."


    "So, what do you think of the two?"


    "They look nervous, but otherwise I think they are fine."


    "Good, Carl. Also, don''t worry about missing anything, I''ll check with [Appraisal] before taking their blood. It is just to make sure they don''t waste my time. Alisa, anything to add from your side?"


    "N-no."


    "Then step two, you need to give them an appointment. We don''t know yet how often we''ll get donors, so we need to spread them out a bit. If possible, one each for me and Lucia on Tuesday or Wednesday at least before our weekly dungeon trip and one afterwards on Thursday. But for this time, we''ll do it right now since we''re all here and haven''t had blood in some time."


    "Uh-huh. Got it."


    "Of course, you need to take their names so I can sign them up for the tax cut."


    "Got it. Miss, can I have your names?"


    "Alisa and Naomi."


    "Uh, got it. Now what, Jared?"


    "Well, you would bring them to us when they return on the appointed date. That is all for you. Think you can do that?"


    "Y-yeah, I''ll manage."


    "I guess the final step may be a bit much for you, so I''ll let Maria handle it for now. Seeing how a vampire drains their victim is probably disturbing for you, I''ll spare you from that until you''re older. Aside from that, when we''re done with drinking the blood, it is probably necessary for the donor to rest for a while. As I said, it is taxing on them. It may suffice if they just sit down for a while or it may be necessary to stay in a guest room for a while. Maria will handle that."


    "Sure, got it."


    "With that, you may leave for now."


    "I, yeah, I guess I''ll leave then, bye."


    Lucia steps forward, "I guess, I''m up next?"


    "Yeah, you know what to do?"


    "Actually... no."


    "Really? You just carefully bite into their neck and drink the blood that flows. Your vampire instincts should lead you to the right spot and aid you during the whole process."


    "Alright, let me try."


    Lucia walks over to Alisa, takes her in her arms, reveals her fangs and... just stops.


    "Sorry, it seems the instincts haven''t set it."


    "Weird, I got all of them with my transformation. Alright, then watch me. Naomi, your turn."


    The mute girl steps before me, trembling.


    "You shake too much... look me in the eye."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your "Charm Eye" has successfully inflicted a status effect on Naomi.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Still nervous?"


    She nods, but she shakes a bit less than before.


    A bare my fangs and bite her, then start drinking, just like I''ve done with all my previous victims.


    I hope Lucia watches carefully.


    I let go of the mute girl.


    "That should be enough. Maria, can you bring her to a guest room to rest?"


    "At once, my liege."


    Maria takes Naomi away.


    "Have you looked carefully, Lucia?"


    "Yeah, but I''m not sure I get it. And why did you charm her?"


    "I wanted to take away her fear of me. Well, I partially succeeded."


    "Sorry, Alisa", Lucia apologizes to the fearful girl, "since you''ll have to be my first, I may hurt you a bit more than I must."


    "I, I understand."


    "Now, look in my eyes."


    Lucia charms the poor girl then tries and fails to bite her neck.


    I teach her for almost another hour before she gets it right.


    Eventually, Alisa passes out of fear. It just goes swimmingly...


    A lot more blood gets spilled than I expected but as if by miracle, Alisa survives the whole ordeal.


    "That was certainly something... Maria, can you bring Alisa also into the guest room? Also, please keep watch over the two for a while, that was a more bloody undertaking than I expected."


    Lucia is embarrassed, "I know I''m a failure..."


    "Don''t sweat it. That was probably just a side effect of your [Living Undead] skill protecting your mind from the vampire transformation, so you didn''t get the basic instincts needed to live as a vampire. Just promise me that you don''t eat without me. At least until I''ve made sure you''ve properly learned that."


    "Yeah, I will."


    "Also, since you didn''t say anything, can I assume that the blood tasted okay?"


    "Quite well, actually. I don''t think I''ll get tired of that taste anytime soon."


    "Weird, you didn''t get the instincts on how to drink blood but the taste adjustment did happen?"


    "Seems like it."


    "Okay, so the skill only stopped further changes but did not undo what was already changed."


    "Maybe it didn''t affect the sense of taste since that is a physical change?"


    "Good point, that is also possible. So in the end, we learned nothing new."


    "Not quite, we now know that... with some guidance at least... I have no problem with the required nourishment."


    "Fine, I take it."


    "Hey, Jared, can I borrow the Sun Cloak tomorrow?"


    "Want to go somewhere?"


    "Yeah, I want to try my hand at smithing some things. Mostly to see if my skills are still up to par. And if I can I want to make a special dagger for Iris as an apology."


    "Sure, no problem. Let me first make a last trip to the gate with it."


    "Yeah, no problem."


    With a freshly filled belly, I go to nuke the flood monsters in the evening and again in the morning.


    This is enough to push me to Summoner level 8, 361/5118 exp towards level 9, so about one-and-a-half to two days.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 15, Survivor 9, Blood Mage 9, Summoner 8, Lore Seeker 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 2, Lord 3, Progenitor 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">TBD</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">World Resident, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married


    Title Level 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">361</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2132/2151 [2689]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">94/2812 [3515]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">823/1736 [2170]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">327+75 (staff) or +154 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">368</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">348+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">611+47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">516+2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">498+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">437</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Apprentice Headband, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spear Training 9, Unnatural Claws 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Blood Burst 9, Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W???a???v???e??? 9, Summon Spirit 8 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 2, Disguise 10, Intimidation 4, Stealth 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 2, Familiar 3, Greater Vampiric Bite 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ageless 3, Beast Killer 2, Enhanced Regeneration 3, Extra Affinity 15, Keen Perception 5, Magical Secret 5, Mana Boost 8, Mana Regeneration 15, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 2, Trap Lore 9, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That was 37 more max MP, so it seems like it will take about five or six more levels before I can reach 3000 MP for three casts of rain per trip.


    The Joker Core class choice again didn''t update, so that isn''t a shortcut towards that breakpoint. What is wrong with that item? Is the skill system finally breaking down?


    I return home, hand my wife the Sun Cloak and kiss her goodbye when she goes to her blacksmith shop.


    Now... I need to mentally prepare myself. What I''m about to do will irrevocably change things.


    Don''t mess this up, Jared. This is important.


    ...waiting won''t make it better, I need to get it over with.


    Just as I made my mind up to finally put my plan into action, a system message(?) demands my attention.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: left">Hey, uh, sorry, but I have to tell you that some of our recent works just got lost, this includes the Demon Lord class that was being custom-built for you. My bad.


    But don''t worry, you''ll get it in time! Well, maybe a week or two later than promised but that shouldn''t stop someone as cool as you, right?


    Yeah, thought so!


    Anyway, as a small apology, I attached three Title Cards. Hope, you find them useful! Just don''t tell my boss, k?</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: left"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: left">Cya and have an awesome day!


    Amon, Creed of Whispers</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Of course, why would a day pass by without new headaches...


    Who the hell was that? And since when are system messages usable for private messages?


    I search through my menu but don''t find a way to send private messages of any form... so was that an admin abusing his rights?


    Wait, I thought the devas controlled the system? Why would they have someone working for them to produce Demon Lord classes? ...should''ve been more suspicious of them from the start.


    Well, the three Title Cards appeared in my inventory exactly as promised. Do they hold anything useful?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Title Card


    Add a special title of the given selection ignoring its regular requirements.


    The available titles are: Fireproof Undead, Lucky Looter, Title Holder, Wall Breaker


    Also increases title level by 1, to a maximum of level 10.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Nope, still the same trash as before. Maybe I''ll just use all three and take ''Title Holder'' again, as in gaining nothing, just to increase the title level for free? Maybe the little brain bug has an idea for that.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Hey, uh, please do NOT use those Title Cards.


    I''ll explain later when we meet in person.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">signed, B</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Hey, if you want to chat with me, fricking tell me how to answer you!!


    Also, when is this ''later''? Who are you even!?


    So many questions... I want answers for a change!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Goddamn character limit!


    As I wanted to point out before, my name is</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And again, ''B'', you forgot the most important part...


    Wait, hold up. How does that even work? I thought the texts are just translated for my convenience, how does it know where to cut off exactly?


    And just so you two freaks know, I do not enjoy being a pawn caught between two reality-breaking factions!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Ah, forget it. I''ll tell you when we meet on</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ''B''uddy, you have to learn to get to the point. I don''t know what your language is like, but nothing stops you from ONLY writing your name if it is so important to you.


    ...well, I can''t deal with that now, my other plan has priority.

 Ch. 64 – Betrayal

    POV: Elly


    It is early Monday, Jared has buried himself in paperwork after returning from his morning routine, Lucia has gone out to smithing, Anna is training with the familiars and Carl is busy learning, so I finally have some peace and quiet to myself.


    I''m still not over how Jared made Lucia a vampire. Watching over one vampire is already stressful enough! Two is just too much! Can I get some reinforcements down here? Or at least a raise? Please?


    What, you can''t hear me because of the stupid barrier? Well, fuck you, too! I didn''t want to help you anyway!


    And all just because of Gzeph playing favorites with this damn backwater world! There''s simply nothing here! It is nothing but a death sentence...


    Seriously, what idiot expects a basically newborn with half a dozen disadvantages on top to win against a centuries-old demon stronghold? ...I wouldn''t even be surprised if Jared joined them. I would hold it against him, secretly, but I couldn''t fault him...


    sigh


    I wonder when Jared catches on that I actually can''t restore any of these jerk''s documents and am just writing that shit from memory? I doubt that deception will survive for long...


    But one thing I CAN do is delete the files Jared should never read...


    Maybe like this letter from Graham? What is it even doing among Gzeph''s documents?


    Does it say anything I should worry about?


    Well, I have to read it first...


    ...


    "Hey, Elly, can you help me with this crossword over here? The name of a traitor, four letters, an anagram of ''Yell''. Got any idea?", Jared suddenly stands behind me.


    Shit.


    "I guess this was supposed to be a funny joke but I have to disappoint you, it didn''t translate well."


    "Oh, is that so? Curious. Shouldn''t we both speak the same language if you are ''my'' AI?"


    "Sorry, that doesn''t seem to be the case. And I can''t tell you anything how I was made in the first place."


    I obviously wasn''t present yet when my parents did the deed. Which isn''t something I will ever get to replicate with this body. Not that I really had any interest when I was still alive.


    "Can you drop the pretense, Elly?"


    "What are you getting at?"


    "I''m certain you''re working as a spy for the devas."


    "What kind of bullshit conclusion is that?"


    "You are not? Then explain to me what was up with your suspicious behavior."


    "Such as?"


    Jared sits down at the table like a delinquent ready to pounce his prey.


    "Let''s begin at the start. You went from emotionless pseudo-robot to normal conversation partner in like ten minutes."


    "Uh, sure, I''m an AI, I''m capable of learning."


    "But not with that speed. That should''ve taken weeks and not just minutes."


    "I''m a very advanced, high-spec AI?"


    "Big doubt."


    I don''t think I messed up there, what is he on about?


    "Two, as you admitted to Maria, you do not have any of my memories. But you should have those if you are made from a part of my soul."


    "That... is a total misconception about how ''World Navigator'' works, but nice catch."


    "Okay, I''ll give that one to you."


    "1:1, baby!"


    Jared rolls his eyes.


    "Third, you instantly had a successful method ready of how to take over a spirit body."


    "That... was in Gzeph''s notes? At least the theory for it."


    "I checked, there was nowhere a mention of such a thing."


    "Uh, I think that was in one of the corrupted sections?"


    "Oh? Then show me."


    "...okay, I can''t. But that has nothing to do with me being not on your side!"


    "Then explain to me where you got that knowledge."


    "I... can''t. Not without getting us both into trouble."


    "Alright, I''ll take your word for that."


    Couldn''t I have gotten one of those braindead isekai protags? Would''ve made my life a whole lot simpler...


    "Then you were awfully silent regarding titles recently."


    "I swear I check them regularly! And there was nothing good or new three days ago!"


    "Then what are ''Variant'' and ''Ruler of Familiars''? Wait, where''s the former gone to? Yesterday it was still there... and why are there a whole bunch of new ones?"


    "Uh, you really shouldn''t have ''Variant'' available. You don''t meet the requirements. And the other... I''ve never heard of it, it shouldn''t exist."


    "And what exactly are the requirements for ''Variant''?"


    "I think it was... First, you need at least fifteen other titles. Second, you need at least title level ten. And third, given your titles, classes, race and extras there need to exist at least five variant classes you could take. It is... a weird one to explain, to say the least."


    "Good, now tell me where did you learn that ''Ruler of Familiars'' shouldn''t exist?"


    "Ah, crap... you got me there..."


    "So you admit to being a spy?"


    "No, I swear I am on your side!"


    Jared seems very angry with me. I can understand him but it isn''t like he thinks it is... if only I could tell him the truth...


    "Okay, if you insist, then let''s skip the small stuff. The biggest tip-off was your accent. You have the same weird pronunciation of ''Jeff'' as Eva had!"


    "Hey, leave my cousin out of this! ...crap."


    "Okay, I didn''t see THAT coming."


    "Can we pretend I didn''t let that slip?"


    "No."


    "Not even if I spin a sob story about how poorly I was treated?"


    "Double no."


    "...worth a try."


    Jared looks angry at me, "So, Elly, what exactly is going on?"


    "I''m not getting out of this, am I?"


    "Oh, you can try - and then we find out if the option to switch off the ''World Navigator'' helper still applies."


    "I take that as a no. At least promise me that you won''t let Eva know about me."


    "I''ll think about it. That depends entirely on what I''ll hear now."


    "Alright... So, the whole thing starts about two thousand four hundred years ago. Eva and I were regular mortals back then, cousins to be specific. If you had met us back then, you''d probably compare us to some aliens from a sci-fi movie."


    "I... didn''t actually ask for your whole life story."


    "Well, too late, now I''ve started!"


    I really don''t want to tell this to anyone but...


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    "When I was about twenty, our world was invaded by demons. A lot of people died, including Eva, I was part of a militia group that desperately fought back. I heard she volunteered to become a deva after hearing that the bosses refused to send our planet help. She... tried to use some barely legal methods to divert some troops to help our world and later other worlds with similar emergencies. She isn''t very popular with their bosses but they couldn''t get rid of her either."


    "What has that got to do with you?"


    "Yeah, so any help she got to mobilize for our world... came too late. One day everything just up and exploded. I never got to know the truth behind that event. Anyway, it wasn''t really a normal explosion that only kills you, of course, I wouldn''t be that lucky, no. It was an explosion that could actually damage or even destroy souls. Over ninety-seven percent of what little was left of our people had their souls completely annihilated. Not a trace left."


    "But you survived."


    "Barely. Most of the souls that made it through that were too damaged to get put back into the reincarnation cycle, I''m among them. The devas tried to rescue us in some fashion but to little success. In the end, we were put into a new generation of AIs that would be used for ''World Navigator'' and similar features. That experiment was later shut down."


    "Go on."


    "My conversion took a thousand years. All that time... I was in a similar place to the one you send me to when... you know..."


    "That''s why you had that panic reaction from the timeout?"


    "Yeah..."


    I don''t want to go through that again... make fun of me for being an ''AI'' that suffers from PTSD all you want, but I can''t endure that again...


    I take a deep breath.


    "Anyway, before you came along, there was never anyone that was compatible with me. The others were luckier. I was just... left behind. During that time, Graham taught me a few things about the system, at least details most system variants have in common. After that, I had nothing better to do, so, I... uh... may have copied some of Gzeph''s documents when he didn''t pay attention. That''s... where most of the stuff came from that I had ''restored''... I was just... reciting that crap from memory."


    "That would explain a thing or two."


    "I also stole some other documents about the system I wasn''t authorized to, like the info about titles. In my defense, I was bored for several hundred years and they never changed the default password."


    "I didn''t know my opinion about their organization could drop further than it was but here we are..."


    Jared thinks for a while.


    "And how did you end up with me then? If you don''t want me to tell Eva, there must be more to the story than you let on so far."


    "She never found out that some of us... survived or at least were turned into these AIs. She probably thinks that all of our souls were completely destroyed during the end of our world."


    "But wouldn''t it make her happy to know that some of you are still around?"


    "No, I still owe her two bucks. Plus interest."


    "You''re impossible..."


    It might also sour her relationship with her deva friends. All this time, in they had a relative of hers imprisoned basically right next to her office.


    Where she is right now she can still do some good but if she gets confrontational with the wrong people...


    It is just better if she remains unaware.


    "Anyway, as far as she should know, all ''AIs'' are just regular programs, she is not aware that a few of us are actually recycled souls. And I''d prefer to keep it that way."


    "So overall it is a Hub situation?"


    "I''m not familiar with that one either."


    "Ok, forget it. Explaining jokes just ruins them. So how did you then end up with me? That you just so happen to be compatible with me who is the potentially last one before they shut off Deteoh sounds far too unlikely for me."


    "It really is just pure chance. I overheard Graham saying that you had some unnatural compatibility with almost everything he could throw at you, but... I''ve no idea what that means exactly."


    Jared sighs, "Do you honestly expect me to believe all of that crap? You''re just randomly related to the one that handled my case? That I just happen to be the only one randomly compatible with your whining? Don''t take me for a fool! There''s a limit to how far coincidences can go!"


    "No, I swear it is the truth..."


    He looks down for a bit.


    "Fine, now what?", he raises his hands and I can see the green shine from a truth gem from below the table. You sneaky...


    "When did you obtain another gem?"


    "Therese came by earlier from interrogating the church head and still had it on her. I asked her to borrow it."


    "Wha- I thought she went there yesterday?"


    "They missed each other."


    "So much for too many coincidences are impossible."


    "What do you think why I hate those?"


    Why did I ever feel bad about keeping all this a secret from you...


    "Elly, what exactly have you told the devas since you came here?"


    "Nothing. I can neither receive nor send any messages to them. Not that I would want to. What do you expect? I was trapped in absolute nothingness for a millennium and then stuck in a cage for just as long. Why the hell should I be on their side?!"


    "Maybe gratitude for being alive at all?"


    "That was no life..."


    "Or they programmed loyalty into you?"


    "As far as I am aware they haven''t. I hate them for neglecting me by my own free will, thank you very much."


    Jared smiles, "Fine by me. But then why haven''t you spoken out earlier?"


    "I... didn''t trust you. Still... don''t fully."


    "Because I''m a vampire?"


    "No, because you took the option at all. Didn''t you listen to Justo about how much ''Lost Ones'' have screwed up the worlds? That was no rumor but a fact. Alone in this world, they introduced slavery,  noble supremacy, vampire, mimics and many other issues. And this world isn''t an exception. Really, the list of unique problems the ''Lost Ones'' have caused is so long the entirety of the devas'' rule books is not even half as long in comparison. And you can''t even count on them pulling off their duty. You don''t want to know how many betrayed us for the demons just because they''ve faced a Demon Queen that was slightly cute or a hot Demon King."


    "Yeah, they really have to up their recruiting standards."


    "The devas or the demons?"


    "Yes."


    "Why did I expect a different answer..."


    "And how is that compatible with wanting to make me a Demon Lord?", if looks could kill..., "Remember, that was your idea, Elly."


    "That... was a test that got out of hand - you failed that one badly, by the way. Honestly, you shouldn''t even have had the option to take that title, to begin with. That was basically a sign that it was inevitable for you to fall for evil. I just... I thought that if I''m doomed to be bound to a Demon Lord anyway I might just as well get it over with..."


    "I''m honestly still mad about that but looking back on what has happened with Lucia, it was inevitable that I''d gain that title. At least not without killing her, which she didn''t deserve."


    "Sorry..."


    "Fine, I take it, Elly. So you want to tell me that you were just trying to play my conscience?"


    "Uh, more or less. Look, I''ve been imprisoned for millennia, after that you can''t expect me to be okay with serving a force of evil, uhh, no offense. I mean, I''m only still somewhat sane because I was turned into this not-really-AI thing. There was certainly some damage done through the millennia of isolation. Not that you playing with my settings made that any better."


    "I... didn''t even think about that. Uh, sorry, Elly."


    "Yeah, too late for that now. That part of my personality is already overwritten."


    "Want me to change it back?"


    "Forget it. Just... leave it as is. The man I was in life is dead, has been for ages. Now I''m just Elly, a spirit bound to a budding demon lord..."


    "Not that I can change your spirit body to resemble what you used to be back then. Should we look for a class with the [Disguise] skill next time we select a class for you? It might not be really real but..."


    "Nah, don''t bother. I''ve already gotten too used to this form. Not that I could fully imitate my original self, our species had four arms and [Disguise] won''t let me add appendages I don''t have in my new original form."


    "I guess..."


    And even if I could get my old body back it would only remind me of what I''ve lost...


    It doesn''t matter what I do, the past won''t come back. Everyone is dead and has moved on. Or died several more times after that.


    Jared thinks for a moment, "Do you know what is really going on in this world? Looking back, Eva was way too pushy to get me here for just a random world. There must be another reason behind that."


    "I don''t think she had any deeper motives. Deteoh probably reminded her of the situation in our world where no help came. That Gzeph guy on the other hand... I wouldn''t trust in his innocence if my life depended on it. For that, I''ve read too much about his works."


    "So I''m not the only one who got a bad feeling about his involvement. What kind of things has he done?"


    "I didn''t really understand the details but his research seemed very obsessed with gaining entrance to a world covered by a story bubble, especially this one, or dissolving those bubbles by brute force. One of his proposed solutions seemed functional enough at first. But in his test, the test planet was left uninhabitable. His written verdict was that it needed only a little more work."


    "He committed mass genocide!?"


    "Allegedly, the planet was already dead."


    "I don''t know, I have witnessed a few things since I''ve come here and that tells me that something is off with the devas, or at least that they weren''t truthful. And now my gut tells me that this Jeff is up to something shady. Like he wants to get access to a doomsday artifact hidden on this world to conquer the universe or usurp a higher god or some shit."


    "You think so? But... he still is a deva."


    "The time where I''d believe that the devas are unquestionably the good guys is so far in the past that even a time machine won''t find it."


    But... Eva seemed to trust Gzeph, right? Would she really be so wrong about someone?


    Jared continues, "Though my judgment of him may be a bit clouded since he totally forgot to mention that undead can''t use [Cure Magic]. That was one of the main points why I decided on Silver Elf and we talked at length about that skill."


    "You suspect he did that on purpose?"


    "I have a hard time believing he didn''t know about it. He''s basically sitting at the source for all the information on the system and had god knows how long to make his preparations. It should''ve come up at least when imagining possible adversaries that need to be overcome."


    "I think you ask too much of him. He has a lot more on his plate than just this one world."


    "Maybe... So back to my question, do you know anything else about what is going on here that I wasn''t told yet?"


    "Not really. I didn''t exactly have access to any documents regarding this world, didn''t think to look for them either. I thought it more important to find out who I''ll have to live with for the rest of my life."


    "Understandable. So we really know nothing..."


    Jared gets lost in thought.


    "Are there other factions that send people like me to the worlds? Anna''s presence makes me think so."


    "I know that there was one competitor in the past but I think they were taken over by the devas."


    "Is it possible that the necessary technology has fallen into the hands of demons without the devas finding out?"


    "It is possible but I don''t see why they would bother. They have direct physical access to the worlds after all."


    "I was told the presence of a ''Lost One'' increases the cost to send another tenfold. The demons could send two or three of their own to make it too costly for the devas."


    "I think someone would''ve noticed that by now, Jared."


    "You think so? I don''t know the system but given how ''much'' they care about worlds... yeah, you''re right. It is more likely that they''d notice a sudden spike in resource use."


    "Not that it would change anything for us right now."


    "Yeah, you''re right about that."


    I''m afraid that all this guessing may lead us down the wrong path but as it stands we can''t refute any of these possibilities...


    "Elly, are there any other secrets you should better tell me?"


    "No, I think I''ve come clean now."


    "So does that mean we can finally trust each other?"


    "...only if you promise me to keep everything a secret. There will be a lot of trouble for both of us if the wrong people find out that we''ve stolen some secrets of the universe."


    "Deal."


    "But maybe there is something YOU should tell me, Jared."


    "Like what?"


    "What kind of god did you piss off in your previous life? I ask because once I heard that there was a potentially compatible person for me, I had, uh, copied your personal file. It was scrubbed so clean I thought at first I grabbed an empty one. Then I found tiny edit marks."


    "No idea, I barely remember anything. Maybe that is related? Someone sealed my memory and then deleted everything relevant from that file?"


    "That sounds like a lot of work when they could just arrange an ''accident'' to delete your soul instead if you really were in their way."


    "If that is an option, then I''d agree. But that is literally not a mortal''s area of expertise. Do similar accidents happen often?"


    "No idea. As I said, I was just trapped in my little box the entire time."


    Jared talks to himself, "What even could I have done? I was just an unimportant mortal... a random nobody..."


    "..."


    He throws his arms up in frustration, "Ah, screw this."

 Ch. 65 – Poor Life Choices?

    POV: Elly


    "Now that you know about me, Jared, what do you intend to do with that knowledge?"


    "Well, for one, I have to punish you for holding out on me. Between getting your own body by abusing poor Maria and now even your own room you''ve gotten away with too much."


    "Please no..."


    "So as punishment...", he hands me a big book, "...I''ll have you crack this book''s language."


    "Where did you even get this thing? I''ve... never seen a book written in glitch characters."


    "We found it in the vault."


    "Huh? Normally you find this kind of stuff in the attic."


    "So, can you work on that, Elly?"


    "Sorry, no chance. I''ve no knowledge about this language. I couldn''t even start to guess what this thing is about."


    "Damn, was worth a shot."


    "Well, doesn''t matter. The second thing I wanted from you... is there another method for us vampires to gain protection from sunlight? Just the ''Daywalker'' title alone doesn''t cut it, and Lucia and I don''t have enough items that we can stay outside together for a relevant amount of time."


    "There... is a way. And honestly, I wanted to keep it a secret from you because I don''t fully trust you with that kind of power."


    "And I guess for the same reason you wouldn''t tell me how to delete the annoying ''World Resident'' title?"


    "No, there is no way to delete a title. Titles, like classes and skills, are part of your very soul. You can''t get rid of them without the same month-long ceremony that is performed when a soul is recycled."


    "Months!?"


    "Yeah, you were in that capsule for quite some time before Eva let you out. Anyway, you can''t get rid of titles, not without destroying your soul and starting over from scratch. And that option is not on the table. Because your soul is not part of the cycle of death and rebirth anymore it is impossible to perform that cleaning. You would just disappear."


    "Got it... Not keen on that happening. So about that sun protection trick?"


    "Oh, right. Given what you said earlier, you would have figured it out soon anyway. You first need the ''Variant'' title. I still don''t understand why you had that option already. Just as with Demon Lord, you don''t meet the conditions, it makes no sense."


    "Well, there''s a lot of other garbage in the title menu now as well."


    "Huh? Let me check."


    There really are. A lot of glitched titles, most without a readable effect... I will have to dig through them soon, won''t I?


    Most have no effect as far as I can read, so it really is just a pile of garbage.


    Uh, where is the ''Ruler of Familiars'' he has seen? I can''t find it...


    "Okay, holy hell, how did this happen? What have you done, Jared?"


    "I''ve no idea. They were just suddenly there. I think it was after toying with the glitched items at the trader."


    "Of course, it would... you really should be more careful with those trash items. One day you may just accidentally end up deleting the universe if you continue like that."


    "Spoilsport. Back to the plan for sunlight resistance, how would that go?"


    "Alright... so first you would have taken the ''Variant'' title. Just read its description. It isn''t without a cost, though."


    "Okay, give me a sec."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Variant


    You can take up to (1 + this skill''s level / 10) variants as extra classes.


    For each variant class added this way, 5% VIT is reserved as upkeep, this upkeep can''t be canceled.


    You can not exceed the limit of 10 extra classes this way.


    Available variant options are based on obtained titles and (extra) race classes.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "So I lose five percent of a stat that is already pretty low. Well, I was already a glass cannon to begin with. And how does that help against the sun?"


    "Just as it says, if you have the title you can take some variant extra classes. You would then take the variant class to your ''Daywalker'' title. This one here."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Daywalker</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Variant Class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    6 HP, 5 MP, 6 SP, 1 STR, 1 DEX, 2 VIT, 1 MAG, 1 FTH, 2 WIL, 1 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Sunlight Tolerance


    Passive


    Gain (skill level) points of resistance to sunlight damage.


    Reduce damage taken from natural sunlight through the effect of ''Undead'' by (skill level).


    If the remaining sunlight damage after resistances is below (2+skill level/10) it is completely negated.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    He carefully reads the class info, "No objection to this one. But, just one skill?"


    "Variant classes don''t give much. They have low-ish stat growths and one to two skills. But really, given your situation this lone skill is already a big help."


    "Do you know how exactly resistance works?"


    "Not exactly. I know that the effect scales with the actual level of the related title or skill but not the exact formula. I estimate you would need to keep your title level and the level of that class at about eighty percent of your highest-level class or race to offset the damage from [Undead]."


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "So about level twelve for both currently? Sounds about fair. It will be quite a while before I can raise any class above fifteen anyway."


    Jared seems to ponder about it for a bit.


    "So, what else do I need besides more titles to take the ''Variant'' title?"


    "Between you and Lucia you should have enough variant options, so only the title count and title level ten. But I''d say to not rush it, you''d only have four title picks left afterwards, and there are a few more options than that you may want to consider."


    "And those options are?"


    "Not telling. You have to prove first that I wasn''t mistaken in trusting you!"


    "Fine. Do you see any reason why I shouldn''t take ''Ruler of Familiars'' until then?"


    "Where is it? I don''t find it in the list."


    "Uh, it is there."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l???i???a???r???s???


    If you allow it, your familiars can add classes without using a Class Core.


    Other requirements and limitations apply as normal.


    They can take classes this way only until they have as many classes as one of your summoned spirits.


    Such a benchmark spirit must have been actively summoned at least once.


    Y?o?u?r? ?f?a?m?i?l?i?a?r?s? ?s?t?i?l?l? ?c?a?n?''?t? ?p?r?o?f?i?t? ?f?r?o?m? ?t?i?t?l?e?s?.?</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Hold on. You can read it? The title is a glitch! How could you even read that?"


    "I... can''t. I just kinda knew what it was..."


    "Nonono, that makes no sense!"


    "Really, it was just a gut feeling."


    "...if you say so."


    This title is madness. It breaks basically all the rules regarding titles.


    "Jared, I''m not comfortable with you taking this title."


    "Why is that?"


    "To put it into numbers... a regular title should only make you two to five percent better at a related skill or action or whatever. Regular skills should never exceed twenty-five percent. And then there are Divine skills that just take the laws of physics and kick them to the curb. And this title... is in the same realm. It shouldn''t exist."


    "What about titles like ''Progenitor'' or ''Variant''? These titles let me add whole classes with regular skills attached. By your math, those titles are like a fifty percent increase."


    "Kinda, additional classes take exp away from other classes so they count more as a tradeoff."


    "That sounds like a loophole but if you want to look at it that way, two can play this game. ''Ruler of Familiars'' is a zero percent increase, I personally get NOTHING from it. What now?"


    "Hey, I don''t make the rules, I just read them."


    "I''d like to say that some rules just exist to be broken but as a ruler myself now... eh, I''ll say it anyway, some rules are dumb and need to be broken."


    Click


    "You just took it, Jared? We haven''t even figured out what the garbled sentence could be! What if it turns your familiars into mindless monsters?"


    "...yeah, maybe I should''ve thought about it a bit more."


    "Ugh, I''m getting flashbacks to the Class Core EX disaster. You didn''t think that one through either. We really need to work on your self-preservation skills in regards to glitched stuff..."


    "Yeah, sorry. I promise I''ll be more careful with those things in the future."


    "I''ll hold you to it!"


    But what are the odds of that...


    "So, what is your plan with that title? Currently, we spirits have only one class, so it does nothing yet."


    "That is simple. Once I reach Summoner level ten, we can design the third spirit, just with a single class for now, and then unlock the ''Summon Master'' title by bringing you three out at the same time. After that, we can just dump three more classes on one spirit to give the familiars an additional class, well except Chloe, she already has four classes."


    "And what would that spirit then do? I doubt you can afford the two-thousand MP to have it out at any time."


    "Yeah, but someone has to pay a price. We can''t count on random Class Core drops. Those are not happening. Maybe one or two but not twenty to thirty, that''s not happening before the demon artifact has fulfilled its purpose. So if we have to designate one spirit as a sacrifice for that then so be it."


    By default, spirits can only have three classes. The title allows him to add one more. But what after that?


    "Okay, but that is only four classes. To make some proper use of that title you need to increase the limit of how many classes you can give to a spirit. Well, that and a lot more MP."


    "MP will just come with more levels. If I could assign that many classes to a spirit I would have enough MP for a spirit with six classes by the time I unlock the third Summoner skill. So raising the class limit is the only restricting factor for now. Is there a variant class for that?"


    "Maybe. I at least know there''s one that is related to summon skills. You would need to take the Variant title first so I can check properly."


    "So we can''t count on that. Well, if we ignore the class from the Joker Core - which for some reason seems to be stuck on the same option - we could misuse the Class Core we have reserved for Iris. As it is she will already be able to take two more classes as my familiar, so won''t need a core for quite some time."


    "Shouldn''t you consider giving it to Anna? She''s stuck at two classes and not one of your familiars."


    "Maybe. And maybe I should reconsider that stance as well. Do you have any intel on what constitutes a hero in the system?"


    "Not really. The relevant restrictions are something unique to this world. Can''t help you there."


    "So it is still just guesswork. But that should be a topic for another time. I think getting myself another class to increase the class cap on my summoned spirits has priority. That helps five people total instead of just one. Also, she has the same amount of classes Marca currently has, so she still has enough room to grow with her two classes and her race, those are barely at level ten. Might not be ideal for an aspiring hero but a delay shouldn''t be a deal breaker."


    "If you say so. Shall I look for class options to increase the spirit class cap?"


    "Yeah, please do, but it isn''t urgent. Need the Class Core first and there is none in the vault. Could be a matter of weeks or months."


    "Gotcha."


    "I think that is enough on that topic for now... say, Elly, what were you reading when I came in? It kinda looked like you were trying to hide it from me."


    "...that I do but... well, Graham snuck a letter into Gzeph''s documents. To be honest, I''ve no clue what he is thinking."


    "May I see it?"


    "You make it sound like I have a choice."


    "Hey, I''m trying to build some trust between us, so I''ll leave that decision to you."


    "Well, it was for you anyway, so here it is."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: left">Dear recently diseased,


    I''ll get straight to the point - and this is nothing personal - but I don''t trust you with this task.


    We''ve sent several of your kind to Deteoh in hopes to achieve something and as you can see nothing came out of it.


    There are even rumors that several switched to the other side. Don''t you dare add to that statistic!


    B?u?t? ?t?h?e?r?e? ?i?s? ?o?n?e? ?p?e?r?s?o?n? ?I? ?c?u?r?r?e?n?t?l?y? ?t?r?u?s?t? ?l?e?s?s?:? ?G?z?e?p?h?.?


    ?E?v?e?r? ?s?i?n?c?e? ?h?e? ?l?o?s?t? ?h?i?s? ?w?i?f?e? ?i?n? ?t?h?a?t? ?w?o?r?l?d? ?h?e? ?h?a?s?n?''?t? ?b?e?e?n? ?t?h?e? ?s?a?m?e?.?


    ?I?f? ?y?o?u? ?h?a?p?p?e?n? ?t?o? ?f?i?n?d? ?h?e?r? ?o?r? ?a?t? ?l?e?a?s?t? ?h?e?r? ?r?e?m?a?i?n?s?,? ?s?e?n?d? ?t?h?e?m? ?t?o? ?u?s? ?b?e?f?o?r?e? ?G?z?e?p?h? ?p?r?o?d?u?c?e?s? ?a?n?o?t?h?e?r? ?m?a?d? ?s?c?h?e?m?e?.?


    I would greatly appreciate your assistance in that regard.


    I regret not being able to be of proper assistance but despite everything, I must count on you.


    signed


    Graham, Chief (and last) System Developer</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Jared seems angry, "Aside from the corrupted mess, why should I believe anything you write? You''ve made several patches to the universe that were actively detrimental to me!"


    "Calm down, Jared! Graham is not the enemy!"


    "He isn''t? Then explain to me why all patches at least in part were to my disadvantage. Or why he kept you in a cage."


    "...I''m certain there were good reasons."


    "I have a hard time believing that but either way, this letter was so useful it would be ideal as a speech bubble during a rapid punch."

 Ch. 66 – Lessons

    POV: Geoffrey


    Marca masterfully blocks my axe swing with her shield as usual.


    Clang


    You''d never expect that little buckler to hold up to my big axe like that but it does.


    Clang


    "Are you watching, Anna? As you can see..."


    Clang


    "...a proper defense is important."


    "I''m not sure what exactly I should learn here. I don''t use a weapon like you two."


    Marca steps aside and my axe misses by a wide margin. She doesn''t let that opportunity to go waste.


    Thwack


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have taken 234 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Damnit, didn''t pay attention."


    Marca puts her sword away, "Really, Geoffrey, what''s up with you? Lately, your skills are just lacking. All the progress you made since gaining your ''Axe Expert'' title is just gone."


    I don''t feel like my skills have gotten worse, have they?


    I put my axe away as well.


    "You think so? Maybe you''ve just gotten better as well."


    Marca dismisses the thought, "As if. One extra level in Ranger does nothing of worth for my sword skills, have neither gained a title nor thought of any new tricks. You''ve just become rusty."


    "I don''t really feel I have. I feel as fit as ever."


    Anna interrupts us, "Why are you two fighting?"


    Marca answers her, "It is nothing serious, Anna. Papa bear here is just not on top of his game lately."


    "He doesn''t look like a bear to me."


    Marca pats Anna''s head, "It is just a nickname. Don''t think too hard about it."


    "Huh, ok. So what exactly is wrong? It looked to me only like you got a lucky hit on him."


    I wish it was just luck...


    "...no, she''s right. Something is off. Earlier I would never have missed by that much and left myself open like that."


    "I wouldn''t say ''never''.  You made similar mistakes before you got your ''Axe Expert'' title half a year ago."


    Anna asks, "What does that title do?"


    "Well, it increases my skill with axes. You know, it increases my accuracy, makes it easier for me to parry with them, stuff like that. Though only to a small degree."


    "Ah, okay."


    "Eh, I need a distraction. Anna, are you up for a round of hand-to-hand sparring?"


    Marca just shakes her head dismissively.


    "Yeah, sure. Teach me something!"


    "Good, come here!"


    We start fighting and throwing swings at each other which we both manage to block.


    She is getting better at this. I think. I''m no expert in unarmed fighting, you would have to ask someone like Therese for that.


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    But at least if you ask me, Anna is clearly making progress.


    ...or maybe not as much as I thought. Quite early, one of my punches gets through.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have inflicted 229 damage to Anna.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Ow! Can''t you hold back a bit? I don''t have nearly as much HP as you two!"


    "Ah, sorry, Anna. I was a bit distracted. And, uh, what is this ''holding back'' thing?"


    The little cat girl is angry with me, "Are you serious? Ugh, you just have to not put your full force behind an attack aimed at me..."


    "I... don''t think that is a thing. Marca?"


    "Yeah, you either hit or you don''t. Something like a voluntarily weaker attack does not exist."


    "That... is dumb."


    A strange idea. Why wouldn''t you want to deal full damage?


    Okay, for training but normally you have proper training weapons and they didn''t have some ready for unarmed combatants...


    "Wanna still continue, Anna?"


    "...yeah, but please pay a bit more attention. I have only 1557 HP left."


    "Yeah, sorry, I''ll pay more attention."


    We brawl a bit more.


    Soon she finally lands a hit on me.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have taken 133 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Anna is cheerful, "There, payback!"


    She throws her arms up in triumph leaving her wide open, so I poke her with a finger.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have inflicted 229 damage to Anna.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "What did I say about celebrating before the battle is won?"


    "Grrr... right... you said that."


    "And as you saw, it doesn''t even matter whether I land a full punch or do only a finger poke, the damage is the same. So ''holding back'' is literally not an option, little girl."


    "Yeah, yeah, I get it, ''dad''."


    "Dad? What''s that?"


    "Hmpf, forget it", she sulks.


    Another strange word... I wonder what it means, probably something that only exists in her world.


    Maybe someday she''ll feel like explaining to us what she means by it.


    "Wanna continue?"


    "Nah, if it continues like this you''ll kill me before long. So... I think I''ll stick with the training dummy for now."


    She goes to the weapon stand and grabs a training sword.


    "Yeah do that. ...and sorry but I wanted to drill caution into you. If you ever have to face monsters they will not hold back just because you''re young."


    "I know, I know. But you two will be there to help me out, right?"


    "Yeah, we will."


    Anna runs off to show the dummy what''s for, leaving me and Marca to ourselves.


    Marca is done observing me, "It is strange, with the axe you have become worse but in hand-to-hand you''re as good as ever... did you somehow lose your ''Axe Master'' title?"


    "That is not possible. You know as well as I do that you can''t remove titles once you''ve got them. I''m probably just shaken up because of... the vampire situation. And I only looked good in that brawl because Anna is just too inexperienced to be a proper measure."


    "You think so? I mean... I get that... I''d also prefer if our ''Lost One'' was more... normal."


    So do I, Marca, so do I...


    "Well, that is not our choice to make. And we''ve already decided to help them, right?"


    Marca seems lost in thought, "Yeah, but I still don''t know what the vampires are really plotting. I know that their doing is god-approved but that scares me even more..."


    "What do you mean, dear?"


    "Just because god is fine with what they have planned doesn''t mean we won''t end up living in a tyranny led by undead or monstrosities. Possibly the whole world could just end under their dreadful rule..."


    "I think we can trust them enough... no matter what they''ll do everything will turn out for the better."


    "I hope you''re right, Geoffrey..."


    I don''t think we''re making a mistake here. Chloe must have figured something out that makes her trust them, so we should do so as well.


    Or...


    "Do you think it is the influence of the bond that makes me think everything here is fine? With the vampire situation, I mean."


    "Possibly. But remember, we already talked about all of this before we signed up. Were as wary of the deal as we''re now."


    "Yeah, we were aware of the risks. And so far I don''t regret it."


    But... why am I unable to perform at my best? That''s something that won''t leave my mind.


    I wonder, "Did I get a weird class or title for accepting the ''familiar'' bond?"


    "I don''t think so, there was no announcement when I accepted the bond. Did you get one?"


    "No. It still is weird. I can''t think of another reason why I''m that lacking currently."


    I check my menu anyway.


    Classes are still as they should be, no weird new thing. Race as well. No new type category either.


    Now, where are my titles...


    Wait, where ARE my titles!?


    "The... tab with my titles is gone!?"


    "What? Come on, Geoffrey quit joking around."


    "I''m not. It has completely disappeared."


    "...you''ve just forgotten where it is. Let me quickly remind you..."


    She looks through her menu to prove me wrong.


    Then gives up.


    "I... uh, I don''t find it either. That makes no sense."


    "Told you. Now what?"


    "No idea. Maybe ask Jared? He should know what he has done to us."


    "No, let''s first ask Chloe if she has the same problem."


    "Sure, I''m okay with that. Let''s do that after we''ve brought Anna home. But why not go directly to Jared, Marca?"


    " ...something in me doesn''t want to cause Jared unneeded worry. Probably a side effect of the bond."


    "I''m afraid I have the same nagging feeling."


    We wait until Anna has finished her training and then escort her home. Afterwards, we start looking for Chloe.

 Ch. 67 – Smith Art

    POV: Lucia


    I''ve tried a few times to create a weapon for Iris. I made a dagger of each sub-type I''m able to but so far I haven''t produced one I''m fully satisfied with. I only have these six failures to show.


    And now it is almost evening.


    Guess I should close the shop soon. Maybe I can try again tomorrow.


    How many materials do I have left? ...doesn''t look too good. Damn.


    I wish Jared would''ve kept more materials for me.


    ...


    I check again what I''ve created so far and I must admit my smithing skills have actually improved - to my dismay a lot even.


    I hate it.


    I worked my ass off all those years and made barely any progress. Then... that event happened and now... I guess I made some things even the master would''ve trouble creating.


    I should be happy making such progress but it feels hollow...


    ...


    Ok, that was the last of the materials I had for a dagger for Iris. Now, which one is most suited for her...


    Ring Ring


    Huh? A customer arrived at this time?


    A familiar voice shouts, "Hey, Lucia? Are you there?"


    Think of the devil...


    "Hey, Iris. I''m in the back. Feel free to come here."


    "Okay, I''ll be there in a moment."


    Just as she said, Iris enters the forging room.


    "Kinda hot in here."


    "What did you expect, Iris? It is a forge after all."


    "True... Doesn''t the heat bother you now that you''re undead? You know, because of the fire weakness."


    "You would think so but for some reason, it just doesn''t."


    "Alright. May I ask what you''re working on?"


    "Actually... I wanted to gift you a better dagger since you''ll be accompanying us but... I tried a few times and now I''m out of materials. And honestly? I''m not really satisfied with any of the results."


    "Can I see them anyway?"


    "Knock yourself out, it was for you anyway. They are in that barrel over there. Just take the one that speaks to you the most."


    "And the rest?"


    "The other five will get sent to the military. There may not be many dagger users but they want all the weapons they can get anyway. A contract is a contract after all..."


    "Sure, let me check."


    Iris goes over the indicated barrel and takes out one of the daggers.


    She looks at it for a moment, then puts it back and takes the next.


    "I''ve... no idea what exactly I should look for. I may have the dagger skill but I''ve never used one. Any suggestions?"


    "Can''t help you there. Most of it is just experience or instinct. Just take a dagger and check how it feels in your hand. Take a few swings. If it doesn''t ''click'' with you try the next. I''d say, in the end, most of it is down to personal preference which dagger would be the best for you."


    "Alright..."


    She tries a few daggers as instructed but isn''t satisfied with any of them.


    "I don''t know, Lucia... what is with that greatsword? Did you sort it in the wrong barrel?"


    "Believe it or not, that one is still a dagger... Supposedly it is a style that was popular with a few ''Lost Ones'' in the past. Called it an ''ahnimay'' class weapon, or something like that. Hmm, maybe Jared knows the proper name?"


    "You''re pulling my leg. This so-called dagger is almost as tall as I am."


    Despite her objections to accepting it as a dagger - and I don''t blame her for that - she tries a few swings with it.


    "It is kinda heavy..."


    "Given its size, what did you expect?"


    "I guess you''re right... say what, I''ll take it. I don''t have much STR to speak of so its special property is perfect for me. And I won''t say no to extra reach."


    "Which property was that again?"


    "Here, that one."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Zatzaknoife


    +470 STR, dagger with extra reach, only count half of the user''s base STR</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Your call, really. But 117+426 STR isn''t bad for a start. In fact, that should put you above the average soldier. Cheater. Hmm... since it is basically a sword, Marca should be able to teach you a few ''sword'' skills you can adapt for it."


    "Sure, I''ll ask her next time."


    "Say, if you only care about the reach, I could next time try to make you something with even more reach like a dagger on a stick."


    "You mean like a spear?"


    "I think it would be more like a scythe. A very... very broad knife on a stick."


    "...maybe once my STR exceeds this not-sword."


    "That will take a lot of time though. But what were you actually here for, Iris?"


    "Nothing in specific. I was just finished with my preparations to relocate from the church to your mansion and wanted to check up on you."


    "Well, I guess you did that AND ruined my surprise in one go. So... well done, Iris."


    "Eh, otherwise I would''ve asked you to make me a weapon anyway. Probably would have called that in as a favor. You still owe me one for that familiar trickery..."


    "Shit, I could''ve gotten away THAT cheap? Bah!"


    Iris starts laughing, "No, not really. I would keep reminding you again and again anyway for as long as I live. And given a certain skill that appeared in my skill list, this will be a very long time."


    "Remind me again, who of us is the creature made of evil again?"


    "You, and then you additionally got changed to a vampire. So I guess not much has changed in the end."


    "Hey! That''s going too far, Iris."


    "What? Can''t take a joke? Can only dish them out?"


    "Nah, but some things go too far. I''ll have you know I am... was the Holy Maiden. An evil creature would never be chosen for that position."


    "What, I thought you hated that role, Lucia?"


    "I didn''t hate the role itself but the treatment that came with it. You know that."


    "Right. Well, it is getting a bit late, and I don''t know what all still needs to be done before I can sleep in my new room."


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "You know that you don''t need to sleep anymore since becoming our familiar, right?"


    "Oh... that is... true... I still need to get used to the changes. Anyway, I want to just get those things done. See you later then."


    "Right, later."


    Iris leaves again.


    I want to get back to smithing some weapons.


    Given the time, I can only make one more today.


    Previously, SP would''ve been a major issue but the passive regeneration just removes that concern.


    Now, what should be the last thing I make...


    <hr>


    POV: Jared


    Ever since settling things with Elly, we''ve checked through the glitched titles. Well, after confirming that she knows nothing worthwhile about monsters. Really, she sat thousands of years at the source of knowledge and didn''t even bother to find that out...


    During our search, I didn''t have any luck finding another title with a useable effect.


    Elly on the other hand... at least claimed to have found several overpowered ones but before I can check them they disappear from the list. Allegedly she founds titles that give fifty percent more stats, make summons free to use, double exp gain, make levels always cost 1 exp, remove the need for Class Cores or remove the cap on taken classes...


    Could''ve really used any of them...


    Now I''m not sure if Elly is trying to prank me or if reality is. Given my luck, probably both.


    "Maybe we should just give up for now. Aside from ''Ruler of Familiars'' I just have no luck finding anything and all the interesting titles you find just disappear the moment I look for them, as if they are Schroedinger titles."


    "It is probably something like that. Each title has a requirement you need to meet to unlock it and those probably check for conditions that are effectively random."


    "What, they check for the time of day or something?"


    "Something like that, Jared."


    "Well, that''s nothing we can change then."


    "So we''re calling it quits now?"


    "Yeah. I''ll maybe risk a look when I have some downtime, Elly, but having you help me ironically doesn''t help. It rather makes me feel scammed because you make me aware of all the overpowered shit I''ve missed."


    "Well, that''s how it is. So what else should I work on? Seemingly, I can''t help you with these titles, the gibberish book is out as well, what I know of Gzeph''s notes won''t help us either..."


    "Have you already checked all of the stuff he sent with us?"


    "Yeah, it is either broken or lacks context I don''t have either."


    "Perfect... can you prepare some plans based on the knowledge about the system you shouldn''t have?"


    "...if I must. What do you have in mind, Jared?"


    "Are there any alternative means to obtain classes we don''t know yet?"


    "Aside from the variants, none I know of."


    "Would''ve been too easy. Maybe any specific titles I really should acquire?"


    "You already know ''Enduring Soul'', ''Variant'' and ''Summon Master''."


    "Yes, any others?"


    "The only other critical title I know of would be this one."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elitist


    Increase the limit of elite classes from 3 to 5.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Are elite classes that important?"


    "Depends on what you want exactly. Stat wise they aren''t better, the total stat growth rates are about the same. The major difference is that a few skill types can never appear on a base class, like flight, or any skill that has a cost over a thousand of any resource can only appear on an elite class. Also base classes kind of waste skill space for a base version in a given skill tree. For example, if you want a passive that improves summons the base class that carries it will always also have a summon skill variant itself."


    "And elite classes just expect you to already have that base skill so they can improve upon it?"


    "Correct."


    "Good, what are the requirements for the ''Elitist'' title?"


    "Just a total of fifty levels in elite classes."


    "So levels seventeen to eighteen in the three elite classes I can take by default. So we mostly need the Class Cores."


    "Yeah, it always comes down to the class items..."


    "Any other titles?"


    "None I know of. Rest is for a lack of a better word trash. At least nothing that would help us in a significant way."


    "Got it."


    Now, what else should Elly do?


    Before I can come to a conclusion a system message says hello.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">System updated to Version 199.7.03.2605.023</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Changelog:</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">


    <ul style="list-style-type: circle">


    <li>contracting dwarves no longer causes them to get cursed</li>


    <li>fixed bug that allowed Undead to add classes that grant light affinity in any fashion</li>


    <li>for the purposes of conditional skills, dead people no longer count as breathing</li>


    <li>fixed a bug where throwing a knife at a car at the right angle turned it into a rocket ship</li>


    <li>division of ¦Ð by 0 no longer spontaneously creates cake</li>


    <li>fixed description of Undead to also mention the affinities it grants</li>


    <li>peaceful civilizations that adopt democracy no longer become trigger-happy with nukes</li>


    </ul>


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Thanks, jerk... Did you get greetings from Gandhi?


    Sigh


    At least it changes nothing that I didn''t already know.


    If you want to win me over to your cause - whatever that may be - you should''ve sneakily included a small buff for me and not just a detriment.


    Elly is exasperated, "Graham, what are you doing..."


    "Forget it, Elly, we can''t change it. Unless you have some secret access to the dev console?"


    "Sorry, don''t."


    I check [Undead] again.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Undead


    Passive


    Gain weaknesses to fire, light and holy damage.


    Gain resistance based on skill¡¯s level to ice, dark and poison damage and effects.


    Adds immunity to general mind effects.


    [NEW] Adds affinities for earth, ice and dark.


    Breathing is no longer necessary.


    Unable to produce biological children.


    Healing effects from hostile sources will be harmful instead at four times the original strength but subject to WIL.


    Exposure to sunlight will inflict (20 + highest class level + highest race level) damage per second.


    Cannot use potions.


    [NEW] Unable to add classes that would grant light affinity.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Yeah, that changes nothing. Just stuff we already knew or in the case of affinities suspected."


    "Oh, right, before I forget again. The ''Enduring Soul'' title requires about three million weakness damage, right?"


    "Yeah, so?"


    "Since you''re undead... sun exposure damage counts as well to an extent. The part that gets absorbed through your equipment does not count but whatever was reduced through your ''Daywalker'' title does. Don''t ask me, I don''t make the rules."


    "That''s good to know. So if I continue the way I currently am, I''ll earn it without having to tank fireballs with my face."


    "Yeah, but we''re talking a few months here. And you still need to gain the relevant affinities to negate your weaknesses."


    "Well, at least Lucia would immediately lose her fire and dark weaknesses. So about what you should do next... can you research if there is still a way for us to get rid of the light and holy weaknesses? If possible also look into ways to increase the cap of classes my summoned spirits can have. Four isn''t enough if that also dictates how many classes my familiars can take for free. Or look for anything else that may strengthen them or my spirits further."


    "Can I plan some of the variant classes for that?"


    "If they have what I seek, sure, knock yourself out. While you''re at it, you could also look if there are other generally interesting variant classes."


    "Will do! Anything else I should look for?"


    "Just the usual stuff you already know."


    "Got it. Now, if you''ll excuse me."


    Elly leaves my office.


    I scroll some more through the glitched titles but find none that seem useful.


    Half exp gain, double drop rate? No thanks.


    Weakness to everything in exchange for immunity to peanut-type damage? Hell, no, I don''t have that allergy!


    Unable to take further base classes... Now, you''re not even trying...


    Hmm... summons are free but my max MP becomes zero... ah, it is gone already. No need to think about it any further.


    Urgh... why did only Elly have luck here?


    Okay, I''m forgetting ''Ruler of Familiars''. That was a very lucky draw. Saves us a ton of Class Cores. Well, I need to focus more on summon skills and classes but if that in turn means we can have up to forty familiars with the full set of ten classes, worth it.


    ...


    Knock Knock


    "Come in."


    Iris enters my office, "Hello, Jared. I''m here now."


    "Right, uh, Maria should be in the kitchen preparing a meal. Please ask her which room she has prepared for you. She should help you settle in after dinner. We can talk tomorrow."


    "Alright, thank you."


    With that, Iris leaves in search of Maria.


    I continue my title search for a while but nothing comes out of it.


    Finally, Lucia returns, "Jared, I''m home!"


    "Hey, how was your day?"


    "Awful. Just, awful."


    "Want to tell me what happened?"


    She points at her fangs, "That."


    "I don''t follow."


    She sighs, "Right... so ever since that event changed me... I''ve become better at smithing. Much better."


    "I don''t see the problem with that."


    "But I do. I''ve tried all my life to become better but after a while barely made any progress anymore. And now... I''ve improved by leaps and bounds. Not by my effort but just by chance..."


    I try to take her into my arms, "It is okay, you''ll still make more progress and next time it WILL be through your own efforts."


    She hugs me back, "...thanks."


    I give her a moment.


    "Wanna show me what you''ve created?"


    "Not really. I made a dagger for Iris. You''ll probably see it in the dungeon."


    So you want me to wait for three days? Fine, if you say so.


    "Or... well, I made another thing I''m not too proud of. I wanted to gift you a new spear, Jared, but... I kinda messed up."


    She frees herself from my embrace, takes a deep breath and reveals... a statue of a princess? Uh, what?


    "I have trouble seeing how you get from making a spear to... this."


    "So... I was a bit distracted..."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">InsertNameHere (Spear?)


    =700 STR


    Half the damage is inflicted as holy, the other as psychological damage.


    The damage can''t be modified in any way.


    Limited durability (5/5 uses)</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "There were two girls walking by my shop and... they reminded me of yesterday night."


    "Last night? We were fooling around with [Disguise]. What''s that got to do with..."


    We found out the [Disguise] has a lot fewer restrictions than we initially thought. Age, gender? Nothing is set in stone. Just need to keep it within the possibilities of what the user''s race allows. No three-armed elves or winged humans.


    No one would suspect a sixteen-year-old girl to be a male, supposedly ancient vampire progenitor. A seemingly ten-year-old girl though? That would be a dead giveaway.


    But how does that relate to the two girls? ...Oh, right, we did that as well, "Oh, err, I understand now."


    "Good...", Lucia becomes red like a tomato.


    "So, how do you get from a spear to... this statue? If you were aiming for a club I''d understand but that''s not even close to the same weapon family. How can you screw up that hard!?"


    "Dunno, it just happened."


    "Well, either way, it is too beautiful to destroy by use, so... let''s just use it as an ornament in the lobby."


    "...I think I''d die of embarrassment if you did."


    "Even more reason to put it on display, consider it payback for your other pranks."


    "Fine..."

 Ch. 68 – Impossible Possibility

    POV: Gzeph


    Thinking won''t get me further. I just can''t imagine who would leak intel to the demons. Well, apart from Alex but he is too obvious a culprit.


    Everyone I''ve worked with should be clean but someone has to be the cause.


    From those that are left... I think Eva or W-Nwu would be the most trustworthy.


    No, W-Nwu should be better, we have been together through several thousand years of war. We go way back to the original crisis from Deteoh.


    I don''t even remember much of my life before that anymore.


    Shit, I don''t know where W-Nwu is, so I can''t ask him.


    Guess I''ll have to try my luck with Eva. Not that this should be a problem, she''s always done the right thing even if it led to... that interrogation.


    Now, where''s her contact info...


    Beep Beep


    Or maybe she''s just busy.


    Click


    Ah, now someone accepted the call.


    "Hi, this is Sei speaking. The previous owner of this line is currently in captivity."


    Eva is what?


    "I hadn''t heard of that. Any word on when she will be back?"


    "Given the charges pressed against her, how about never?"


    What the hell is going on here...


    "What crime has she supposedly committed?"


    "If the rumors are to be believed she is involved in top god Todo''s death."


    What? Todo is dead!? How?!


    Sei asks me, "Umm, may I ask who I am talking to?"


    "Doesn''t matter. Thanks for the info. Was nice talking to you, Sei."


    "Huh? Hey-"


    Click


    How does any of that make sense? You can''t kill the guy. By all means, it should be absolutely impossible to harm Todo, forget about killing him. His [Alpha&Omega] skill makes sure of that. It trumps everything you can think of. Your divine intervention would need a divine intervention itself to even get a snowball''s chance in hell to achieve one percent of its intended effect.


    Todo is to a god what a regular god is to an ant. It simply cannot be true.


    Unless... did the demons manage to find a way to drain his divinity? Is that what the artifacts are for?


    But then... this should''ve been noticed. You can''t keep such a massive change secret.


    Wait... is that why he was so often sick in recent decades? Did the upper brass know and just sit on their damned asses doing nothing?


    Shit.


    What have those useless-


    ...


    No, this is just a theory for now. I have to verify his death for myself first.


    Don''t be hasty for once, Gyev.


    No, I haven''t been Gyev in ages, that man is dead. He died with Yulia''s disappearance. I''m only Gzeph now, just a broken, pitiful man.


    Maybe I can go back to being Gyev once I find her?


    Maybe the sins I''ve committed in the search for her can still be forgiven...


    I just have to find her. She has to be... somewhere.


    She just... has to.


    ...


    Just another episode... I need new meds...


    ...


    Shit, given what I''ve done recently, I can''t just waltz into the front door and question people about everything... but I should be able to access the security cams. If something has happened it should be visible in past recordings.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Now how to get there...


    This planet is under too much surveillance, someone would find out quickly where I am if I did it from here.


    My closest secret lab is... a few lightyears away. But at least it would be safe enough for what I need to do.


    I could be there in about a week, physics be damned.


    ...


    Or maybe I should just risk talking to Graham.


    Should I?


    No, but I''ll do that anyway.


    Ring Ring


    "Graham speaking."


    "Hey, it is me, Gzeph. I have something urgent to talk to you about."


    "Oh, god, please no, which planet did you blow up this time?"


    "None. I wanted to do that once - justified if I may add - but someone wouldn''t let me."


    "Bah, it is too much that you even thought about it! Just imagine how many innocents would''ve died!"


    "And you should consider how many innocents DID die because you three stopped me!"


    "Gzeph, you goddamn fool..."


    "Those demons took Yulia from me, Graham! You know that! And you know how long it took us to find their planetary headquarters! Over a thousand years! If you had let me, we would''ve been rid of the Creed! But now? Now they are everywhere!"


    "We don''t even know if they are at fault!"


    "Who else could it have been? You were there, Graham! We were preparing for my and Yulia''s wedding and the next thing we know Yulia is missing and the whole planet is under attack by a new demon lord and their army!"


    "Then why didn''t you find her when you destroyed that army? According to your report, not a single demon escaped that day."


    "...I don''t know."


    "And even if it was the Creed, how would destroying that planet bring Yulia back? She''d be dead as well!"


    "Doesn''t matter, we could''ve resurrected her again. She is a deva, her soul would have returned to us."


    "...you''re a horrible person, Gzeph. Willing to kill your wife-to-be..."


    "Still better than whatever they must have done to her. I can''t imagine what she must be going through..."


    Both of us stay silent for a while.


    Graham tells me, "...you know I would''ve already helped you long ago if I could help you. But you know as well as I do that I can''t."


    "I know, Graham, I know. But that isn''t why I''ve called. I... heard that Todo died. I need to confirm whether that is true or not."


    "No one has seen his dead body but all signs point to it being true."


    "How?"


    "If they know anything they''ve managed to keep it a secret from the rumor mill."


    "Got it... so back to plan C it is."


    I need to see it with my own eyes. Seems like I have to travel to my secret lab after all.


    "Gzeph, is there any chance of getting you to stop your warpath before I have to retire in the next ten years?"


    No, you won''t get me to... did he just say ten years?


    "I thought you still had almost two hundred years ahead of you?"


    "Well... that was the original plan. Then the second system crash happened and among other things, that timer was set that much sooner."


    "I had no idea..."


    "Yeah, I kept it a secret until recently. Between the loss of Todo and our inability to get anyone else to access the source code... life will become interesting soon."


    "And until then the upper brass works you to the bone?"


    "Pretty much. Though I have... circumstances that force me to prioritize certain other decision-makers from time to time."


    So they still haven''t freed them...


    "...yeah, I know what is going on with your daughters."


    "Then don''t push this issue any further or my twins will be in real trouble. And if they are..."


    "...you can do much more damage to the universe than I ever could. I know. Who else knows that your doomsday clock was moved ahead?"


    "Only you and my wife."


    "So not even the bosses? Doesn''t change much. Any desperation measures in case you can''t get the system stable in the remaining time?"


    "None. Either it works or it doesn''t. And I doubt the intruder will help us."


    "Intruder?"


    "There''s only one more person that still has access to the dev tools. And trust me, they are not on our side."


    "Great. Just what I needed..."


    The good news just keep coming and coming...


    "Can''t you... just switch the system off? Let everything work according to its natural course."


    The old man becomes angry, "Gzeph, you damn earthling, haven''t you learned anything since you became a deva? The system is everything. You can''t just switch it off. It is not just some fancy skill assistance or get-powerful-quick scheme. It is the unrefutable law of reality. Forget about stats or skills, without the system you wouldn''t even be able to breathe. Everyone, everything would just die."


    "Despite that importance, several gods were messing with it in the distant past. If it is such a fundamental core of everything, why do you gods not respect it as such?"


    "I am no god, Gzeph, I''m the guy that cleans up after these fools. If I don''t then no one else can. I can stay my hands if you wish but that won''t make anything better. In fact-"


    "-you would risk the well-being of your family by disobeying them. I know..."


    Funny how he is the most powerful person in the multiverse right now but he is powerless against the kidnappers of his children...


    And no one has a lead to where the twins are.


    "If you know then don''t keep me from my work and more importantly stop giving me more of it! We''re on an impossible deadline as it is. One that can''t be moved back no matter what."


    "What work have I given you besides the small favor for the guy I sent to Deteoh? Speaking of, how did that turn out?"


    "Sorry, they had a few oddly specific requirements that prevented me from giving some indirect help."


    "Just my luck... and a more direct approach?"


    "Couldn''t find him. The ID in his file was fake."


    "Fake!?"


    "Yeah, it leads to nowhere. It couldn''t even be a simple typo. To get any match at all, I had to change at least half of the characters in the given ID. I would believe one or two mistakes in there but not over fifty."


    "That makes no sense..."


    "Indeed."


    This is going nowhere as well, great.


    "Right, forget it. So the success chances are even worse than expected."


    "I know I still owe you a favor despite... everything you have done but my hands are tied. The best I could offer would be messing with the restrictions undead get. But as you should know that would apply to all undead."


    "No, don''t do that. I doubt being able to cast healing magic after all this time would help him much but all of us would have to deal with Lich Bishops again, very bad trade if you ask me."


    "Agreed. Anything else you want me to try?"


    "...no, nothing you can help me with right now. I''ll first check the security cameras for Todo''s last moments and then... go from there..."


    "I understand. ...good luck, Gzeph, and... please, think things through this time. We can''t afford a third system crash."


    "Hmpf, I told you that wasn''t me!"


    "Then why did the cause have your energy signature?"


    "I... don''t know. I don''t know why it had that, I only know, I''m innocent of that crime."


    "...I want to believe you, Gzeph, I really want to. Godspeed."


    "Thanks..."

 Ch. 69 – Teamwork

    On Wednesday, Lucia asks me to go out on a date but we quickly have to scrap that idea considering our current restrictions.


    Instead, I tell her a few stories from my old world and how very different dating worked over there. In exchange, I have to promise her that once this is all over we''ll properly recreate how dates would go on my old world. Totally fine by me.


    It is Thursday again, time for the next dungeon trip.


    Even after all these days, the options on the Joker Core refuse to change. Useless thing.


    The last few days and today''s morning routine almost pushed me to the next milestone of Summoner level 10.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 15, Survivor 9, Blood Mage 9, Summoner 9, Lore Seeker 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 2, Lord 3, Progenitor 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">TBD</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">World Resident, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married, Master Crafter, R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l??i???a???r???s???


    Title Level 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">6214</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2169/2169 [2712]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">138/2849 [3562]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">644/1749 [2187]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">331+75 (staff) or +156 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">372</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">353+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">618+47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">524+2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">506+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">445</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Apprentice Headband, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spear Training 9, Unnatural Claws 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Blood Burst 9, Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W??a???v???e? 9, Summon Spirit 9 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 2, Disguise 10, Intimidation 4, Stealth 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 2, Familiar 3, Greater Vampiric Bite 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ageless 3, Beast Killer 2, Enhanced Regeneration 3, Extra Affinity 15, Keen Perception 5, Magical Secret 5, Mana Boost 9, Mana Regeneration 15, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 2, Trap Lore 9, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The next Summoner level costs 6335 exp, so only 124 exp to go. If not during the dungeon crawl, I''ll have it shortly after, and with that, we can finally execute the plan to acquire the ''Summon Master'' title.


    Lucia''s stats don''t look too bad either.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lucia Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Battle Smith 15, Fallen Saint 9, Blood Witch 9, Lead Singer 9, Forge Wizard 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sunbound (human) 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 2, Lord 3, Progenitor 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cursed Queen 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">World Resident, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married, Master Crafter, R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l??i???a???r???s???


    Title Level 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">irrelevant</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2700/2700 [3376]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">255/255 [2819]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2667/2667 [3334]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">545+94 (hammer) or +111 (claws) or +38 (created 1-handed weapon)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">421</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">447+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">439+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">403+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">377+30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">440</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Smith Hammer, Robe, Habit, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Axe Training 9, Unnatural Claws 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Corrosive Rain 5, Enchant Weapon 5, Dark Magic 5 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 5 (Rank 1), Fire Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 5 (Rank 1), Profane Bolt 5, Twisted Pillar of Light 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 2, Create Weapon 15, Disguise 10, Energizing Song 9, Intimidation 4, Sharpen Weapon 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 2, Familiar 3, Greater Vampiric Bite 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 5 (Rank 1), Ageless 3, Armor Training 15, Beast Killer 2, C???u???r???(???s???)???e??? Magic 5, Dark Lord 5, Enhanced Regeneration 3, Forgery 9, Hard Worker 10, Living Undead 5, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 2, Undead 10,  Unholy Matrimony 5, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Dark, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    But bluntly put, no one else in our group made a big improvement in the week since my takeover. And though we gained three more allies in Lucia, Anna and Iris, almost doubling our numbers, at least the latter two are just not combat ready.


    After partying up and entering the dungeon everyone gets ready to start fighting.


    "Let''s clear the first floor quickly, after that we can discuss a few things while we regenerate resources, objections?"


    "None", says Chloe, and the others nod in agreement.


    "Good, then let''s do that. Anna, you stick with Iris and guard her. With her current classes, she can''t properly defend herself. Got it?"


    "Uh-huh, will do."


    "I think I''ll be fine for now", says Iris, "I got a good weapon from Lucia."


    "What weapon would compensate for a lack of experience?"


    She shows her... new ''dagger'', "Maybe not compensate but..."


    "I have questions about how that qualifies as a dagger but that can wait. Let''s get moving."


    The first floor houses a swarm of white spider swarms.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Pale Spider 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 1, Swarm 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">180/180</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">514/514</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1113/1113</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">157</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">199</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">63</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">105</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">63</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">21</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">42</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Flash Step 1, Poison Bite 1, Spider Climb 1, Swarm 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    A couple of skills I don''t know yet. Let''s change that.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Flash Step


    100 SP


    Teleport to a spot that you could reach within 5 seconds of running.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Seems like they can teleport right towards their target, so watch for sudden movements."


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Poison Bite


    Passive


    Attacks with bites or spider appendages can inflict poison at a rate of 15.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Luckily, damage over time status effects were nerfed.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Spider Climb


    Concentration


    Can climb along walls, webs and web-like structures.


    Can climb along non-web surfaces at 20% of the base speed.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And there are no webs here, so not an issue.


    "Iris and Anna, you two stay back. They don''t respect personal space. Iris has no so far no defense worth speaking of and Anna you don''t have the passive regeneration to deal with the poison."


    Anna sounds disappointed, "Yeah, yeah..."


    "Elly, please watch over them as well."


    "Yes, sir", she mock-salutes.


    Well, given her past, I''ll let the foolery slide.


    Swarm monsters are easy to kill individually, so I can kill a lot of them with one spell.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your Ice Blast has inflicted a total of 9954 damage and killed 14 monsters.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    A few spiders use their [Flash Step] to warp before me. One of them manages to bite me.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have taken 43 damage from Pale Spider and resisted the status effect.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Almost didn''t feel that one.


    They are too close to cast spells but I still have claws to defend myself.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have inflicted 431 damage to Pale Spider and defeated it.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The others also have no major problems with the monsters. A few spiders slipped past us toward Anna and Iris but the two got out of it with only a few bite marks thanks to Elly''s help.


    Iris has a worrisome remark, "They were kinda cute, maybe there''s a way to keep one as a pet?"


    A drow priestess in the making, great. Though maybe monster taming as a secondary could work for her if such a class exists.


    "Ignoring that statement, I guess we have now time for a few discussions."


    Lucia asks, "What is on your mind, dear?"


    "Okay, first... what is up with Iris'' weapon? Since when are daggers that large?"


    "Don''t ask me, that''s just a special class of weaponry. It wouldn''t even be too good in the hand of an experienced warrior, it has a decent base attack power but only profits from half its wielder''s base STR."


    Geoffrey is curious, "How much base attack are we speaking of?"


    Does he want a bigger weapon?


    "That depends on the weapon type. For some reason, the stronger the regular weapon is, the weaker this ''ahnimay'' class of weapons turns out. For this dagger, I got 470 attack power."


    ''Ahnimay''? Sounds like another present from a past Lost One. Is the invention of anime a universal constant or are the gods just selecting their helpers from the same city over and over again? They really need to branch out more.


    So the alleged dagger has 470 base attack power... I think a regular, higher-power dagger would be about 120 attack power... 350 difference, half growth...


    "So that means Iris needs about 700 STR before a regular weapon catches up? No offense, Iris, but that isn''t happening any time soon if ever."


    Iris responds, "I don''t mind. You wanted me to become a healer anyway once we get a Class Core. As such, my damage potential is secondary."


    "Right, that brings me to my main point. You won''t get the core. I have different plans."


    Lucia is exasperated, "What is going on, Jared? Didn''t we invite her, especially for that reason?"


    "Please let me finish, Lucia. So, a few days ago, I got a title that has a strange interaction between my summoned spirits and familiars. At a minimum, our familiars can take classes without needing Class Cores up to how many classes my strongest summon has."


    Chloe sounds happy, "That is good news, so what is the problem?"


    "For one, I can give my summons at most three classes currently, supposedly four after the next level. I''ll need the Class Core that was intended for Iris to find a class with a skill that increases that cap further."


    Lucia asks me, "Does that mean basically all our classes are now tied to you? Directly for me, for everyone else indirectly through that title and your summon skills?"


    "In a sense, though that excludes Anna since she isn''t our familiar. Everyone else would still have to meet the stat requirements and gain the exp. Also, there is no guarantee that I can ever improve a spirit until it has ten classes so that everyone can hit the class cap. Not to mention that I need to reach five thousand maximum MP so I can summon that spirit. Given our twenty percent penalty, that is quite the problem as well."


    "Don''t worry about that too much, Jared", Elly assures me, "I have already found a few skills that would push us to eight classes. Two more shouldn''t be too hard. The problem is rather that you personally won''t gain much from the attached classes aside from stats."


    "Well, the only other skill that I would consider mandatory is flight. Considering the one title you looked up, it shouldn''t be possible for me to get locked out of a relevant elite class."


    Elly continues, "Yeah, exp and Class Cores should be your only restrictions on getting both a flight skill and maxed out spirits."


    Geoffrey is confused, "I don''t follow what you two are talking about."


    "Hmm? Ah, nothing too drastic. By default, you''re just limited to three elite classes but allegedly if you have three elite classes with a total of at least level fifty you can take the ''Elitist'' title that allows you to take two more elite classes. Not that there would be enough Class Cores around for the average person for that to matter."


    Geoffrey confesses, "Uh, about that... it seems like I can''t have titles anymore. Like, at all. The tab is just gone from the menu and as far as I can check, the titles I had don''t apply anymore."


    "Huh? Since when?"


    He scratches his head, "If not when I became your familiar, then shortly afterwards. Marca and I only found out a few days ago during training."


    Marca nods.


    "And you, Chloe and Iris?"


    Chloe answers, "Honestly, I haven''t checked, give me a moment."


    Iris tells us, "I have nothing to check, I never took any titles in the first place. My apologies."


    "While we wait for her", Anna begs, "why don''t you make me a familiar as well? It sounds like it would be very convenient."


    "...I don''t know how that would interact with your hero''s trial. I have already trouble believing that the gods would allow a hero to be enslaved like you are right now. My guess is that part of that trial is to free yourself from that status. But if they saw you as a voluntary servant of a monster like me... I doubt they would forgive you."


    "So what? What does it change if I fail? Look, I can do my best all I want but I can still fail. I talked with Marca and she told me that there are probably a dozen candidates out there, not only me. I just... want to be useful... I don''t care if that makes me fail."


    I pat the little cat girl, "Let us both think about this for a few more days, okay? This is a big decision that can''t be taken back. Also, I''ll need more exp to increase the cap of familiars first."


    "It is okay, I can wait."


    So she didn''t accept it because she wanted to be a hero but because she felt useless?


    Why am I surprised? She was basically trapped for half her life in a hospital bed and didn''t have many chances to make friends. Here she has now found if not friends then at least companions who count on her.


    So do I even have the right to deny her request?


    ...I do, at least until I better understand the consequences of making someone my familiar. And given that I only learned today that familiars lose all of their titles, I clearly don''t know enough about them.


    Finally, Chloe is done looking, "Yeah, seems like the titles are just gone."


    "Did you lose anything important?"


    She shakes her head, "Not really, and alone the passive regeneration through [Sleepless] you gave me is a hundred times more useful than what I had."


    "Well, I have said what I wanted to say. Anyone else got anything?"


    "No", Geoffrey is straight to the point.


    "Alright, then let''s play a round of cards while we wait for the HP regeneration to finish. Elly, would you do the honors?"


    A while later, everyone aside from Anna is back to full health so we can continue our journey through the dungeon. And I''ll definitely skip over how I lost every single round of cards, thanks for not asking.


    Floor 2 is home to a bunch of mummies. Not really much different from any other slow-moving brute we had before.


    Floor 3 has Orcs, followed by Earth Golems, then trip-attacking Tables, floor 6 has Ghouls and floor 7 consists of Floor Chicken. Nothing out of the ordinary here.


    Anna got hit one more time, so we have her sit in the safe zone and just leech exp. Maria plays cards with her during that time.


    While everyone else is either playing cards or eating during downtime, I play around with [Magical Secret] and Elly assists me. And I''m certainly not doing that as an excuse to get out of my 100% losing streak.


    ...okay, I admit it, I''m a bad loser.


    During our trials, we find out a few things about rank 0 magic.


    For one, it can be used as an attack but the option sucks. Its innate power is about a fourth of my regular rank 1 spells, and the projectile moves only about half as fast with reduced range to boot. Also, the projectile can''t be altered the same way proper magic can. It is a fixed single target projectile, no rain, no area explosion, nothing; can''t add a status effect either. Eldritch Blast it ain''t.


    Though, if I didn''t have to worry about the sun and had nothing better to do with my time, it would let me throw low-powered spells twenty-four seven at the flood. Possibly practical but totally mind-numbingly boring. Pass.


    On the non-combat side, we found out that I can create minor things with rank 0 magic and those created things are real enough. At least they didn''t expire for several hours.


    The water from water magic is suited for washing or cleansing but certainly not for drinking, it is too pure for that.


    Ice... uh, ice cubes for cooling drinks, maybe as throwing projectiles? I can also make a pile of snow or a snowball. Can''t really think of much use for that. But aside from just creating the snow, I can also remove it. No more snow shoveling for me, yeah!


    On the downside, I tried to freeze some food to conserve it and that failed, the food was instantly destroyed...


    Come to think of it, why bother? Everyone has an inventory, stuff doesn''t seem to change in there. So that was a waste of a good apple...


    Earth lets me produce dirt, soil, clay and rocks. Could maybe become useful to quickly fix a breach in a wall or build some trenches, or get me into pottery if I were interested. Maybe once we''re outside, it could also be used to remove unwanted earth? At least as with ice, I can delete the rocks that I''ve produced but not anything that was here before. Could be a dungeon thing or limited permission due to non-ownership, who knows.


    At first, I had no idea what dark could do but then I managed to create artificial shadows on the ground. How is that supposed to be useful?


    After a bit more fooling around with dark magic, I accidentally create an ink-like substance. However, it vanishes when it touches anything that isn''t paper, can''t even fill a pen with it. I try for a while to write with it but the result is a bit of a mess. Certainly need to practice a lot if you want to write something readable with just magic.


    Lightning lets me create little zaps or shocks. Don''t see a use for it, maybe if we had batteries I could try charging them, but that level of tech is a distant dream in this world.


    I also play around with fire to create a small flame or sparks to create a campfire, but since I don''t have the affinity it indeed wastes 75 MP per try, so I quickly abandon branching out like that. At a minimum, the created flame is real enough to create warmth.


    What could''ve been if the system would''ve let me take Brightflame Sorcerer... I could''ve played around with fire and light with no restrictions, only missing out on wind and poison for now. Maybe one day...

 Ch. 70 – Teamwork!?

    On floor 8 we''re greeted by Drake Wolves. They are still as strange-looking as they were before. Pallid green fur that somehow looks as if it was imitating a dragon''s scales, snake-like eyes and bull horns instead of ears.


    This reminds me, weren''t they the first enemy I fought after gaining summons? It was either them or the stick figures made of censor bars.


    This makes me think... are monsters and summons even notably different? If my theory is right, you can''t really kill monsters, they just come back after a week. Same as summons, they return until their owner - either the summoner or monsters the dungeon they inhabit - is destroyed. And no matter what, they always seem to have the same levels across all of their classes and races.


    Well, aside from the ¦Ð-Rats, they might just be the exception because of their name.


    So... are monsters just spirits created by a given dungeon floor? But what about those monsters outside that form a flood then? Are they undefeated dungeon monsters that leaked outside?


    But then they would have much higher levels as well and not just be mobs below level ten.


    Yeah, that was a stupid train of thought.


    Hmm... what Iris said a while back has given me a dumb idea and I still have the weird Ring of Monsters... A try can''t hurt.


    "Can you kill all but one of the wolves? I want to try something with the last one."


    Marca is surprised, "Sure, we can try but what is your plan?"


    "I want to try to tame it."


    "Huh? I don''t think you have the necessary classes for that."


    "Just let me try it. Though in case it becomes too dangerous will abandon that idea."


    They do as I have ordered and leave one of the wolves alive.


    I don''t have a masterball, so the hard way it is.


    I hit it a few more times until its HP gets low.


    "Geoffrey, can you hold it down? Make sure it can''t escape or fight back."


    A bit confused he affirms, "You got it, Jared."


    He grabs the wolf and takes it into some kind of submission hold.


    The wolf tries to fight back but can''t, no matter what it does, it can''t reach Geoffrey at all.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Drake Wolf 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">274/2688</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">644/644</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1014/1344</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">560</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">336</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">84</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">308</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">140</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">84</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">112</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Deadly Fang 8, Dragon Breath 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ice</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Close enough.


    4???7???7???2???6???F???7???7???6???C???


    No, you shut up!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Dragon Breath


    1000 MP, 2 minutes cooldown


    Spew a 5 DU wide, 25 DU long flame that inflicts (300% MAG + 20x skill level) fire damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Here goes nothing, I put on the ring.


    I sit down close to the green wolf, "Do you understand me?"


    Grrrr


    So is that a no? At least the growling is a bit more understandable now.


    I feel just like a man trying to tame a wild dog.


    Damn, I thought the ring would allow me to talk with monsters, it seems that Dan was wrong about that.


    "Come on, talk!"


    Grrrr


    Lucia is confused, "Jared, what was that sound you made?"


    "This ring claims that it lets me talk with monsters. Now give me a moment."


    The item has to be good for something.


    I can hear some faint sounds around me but they soon cease.


    I turn back to the wolf, "How about it? Why not serve me? I promise I''ll take good care of you."


    After saying that, I start to feel a bit lightheaded. Is that a side-effect of using the ring? Was it a trap after all?


    Growl


    At least there''s nothing weird in my status...


    "Cease your resistance and accept me as your master!"


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: you cannot take your monster brethren as familiars</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I already knew THAT, but how about taking it as a summon spirit?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: the desired action is not supported by the system</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    You stupid, worthless piece of shit! Can''t you work with me for once?


    Come one, you damn wolf, submit to me!


    Wimper


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: UNKNOWN ERROR


    You can''t use the proposed action yet.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Why ''yet''? Did you finally decide to help me?


    ...probably just wishful thinking.


    ...


    I get a desire to ''play'', which makes me end the wolf''s life. If my suspicion about monsters is right, we''ll meet again in a week or two and it''ll return as a pissed-off boss or something. The stronger you become the more fun we''ll have then, my dear friend. I can''t wait for it.


    A big grin creeps across my face.


    But it is not enough, I want to play more. Yeah, but with who?


    I look around and see my friends standing there, their mouths moving but I can hear no sounds.


    They''ll make fine playmates.


    ...


    What is going on with me? Why did I even consider this?


    Angrily, I remove the useless Ring of Monsters. The lightheadedness turns into a bit of a headache but it gets slowly better over time.


    I notice that the ring crumbles to dust instead of going into my inventory like a regular ring.


    You crappy piece of shit ring, you''ve done me no favors, and given my headache, I''d say you did the opposite of guarding me!


    I can''t make out who is talking with me but a sudden incomprehensible screeching turns into a regular voice, "-red? Hey, Jared!"


    "Hey, what is going on?"


    Chloe asks me, "What exactly were you trying to achieve? All we heard were indecipherable noises. And now Maria and Elly are unconscious."


    "What? What happened to them?"


    "No idea. After you started speaking in strange sounds, they complained about headaches and then soon after collapsed. We tried to call out to you but you didn''t react, as if you didn''t hear us anymore."


    Was that what I sounded like to them? No, that''s not important now. Why couldn''t I hear them...


    Lucia glomps me with tears in her eyes, "Jared, please tell us, what were you doing there! What were those sounds?"


    I hug her back, "Huh? I told you back then already that this ring allows me to speak with monsters. Somehow."


    "No, I only heard that you said something but it was incomprehensible. I started feeling strange as well... it was scary..."


    Marca agrees with her, "She''s right, Jared."


    "What the hell happened there... the ring was only supposed to let me talk with it and not do... whatever happened there..."


    Lucia sounds angry and concerned, "Don''t do that again..."


    "Yeah... yeah, I won''t do that again. The ring is already destroyed, I can''t repeat that. It... won''t happen again."


    The sobbing mess in my arms tries to comfort me.


    I''ve still no clue what was going on. By what little I understand, the ring wasn''t only there to let me talk to monsters... its true purpose was something else.


    Geoffrey suggests we call it here, "Should we stop here? Anna is already pretty worn down and you don''t look too well either, Jared."


    "...yeah, we really should. Today nothing works as it should. Well, I''ve achieved my primary goal, I reached Summoner level ten a few floors ago, so now I need to design the third spirit together with Lucia. Though that one probably won''t see any actual use. I guess the day after tomorrow, all of you can add another class unless you already have four. Feel free to start planning what you''ll take then."


    Iris says, "I''m looking forward to it. May I ask someone to advise me on which healing class exactly to take? I don''t really know what to look for."


    "When Elly is up again she can help you with that. Until then... I guess you can just train a bit sword fighting with Marca?"


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Marca nods, "Fine by me."


    "Don''t forget about me!", Anna reminds me.


    "You can continue to train with me", offers Geoffrey, "I promise to be more careful."


    "Uh-huh."


    This experience was mentally draining... maybe I should take a drink soon? A full belly might take my mind off of things.


    Oh, yeah, that reminds me, "When selecting a new class, keep on the lookout for a skill like [Create Food and Water]. Chloe already has it from Survivor level fifteen."


    Iris asks, "Why do we need something like that?"


    Chloe answers, "Food supplies. Aside from how strong we get, food will always put a limit on how far we can go. It will give us a few days more we can spend at once in a dungeon. Especially now, when there is still a food shortage going on. We''re already stretching our resources pretty thin. Even with a lord finally in place, it will be quite a while before the fortress will have enough surplus production to allow for longer dungeon expeditions."


    "Correct. Though for you, Iris, a healing class has still the utmost priority. But after that, if you find something, consider it. Maybe ask Elly for help, she''s an expert in finding specific classes."


    "Understood."


    I unsummon the unconscious spirits and then we walk towards the dungeon exit.


    I still feel a bit off from the effect of the ring... it is probably a good thing that the cursed thing is destroyed...


    I have a feeling it was moments away from achieving its goal, whatever that is.


    One minute later and I might have called it ''my precious''...


    We continue to walk towards the exit, Lucia won''t leave my side, she''s still visibly worried about what just happened.


    Why did I even consider trusting anything that cursed ''Dan'' left me? The Monster Core should''ve been a clear signal that he wants to ruin my life. I bet his true form is some kind of trickster fairy.


    Well, the Title Card was so far a genuine help... then that was the cheese in the mouse trap, huh?


    Once I stop thinking about these things, everyone else has already left the dungeon but the exit looks a bit strange today. I probably only have that impression because of that damn headache.


    I sit down for a while and try to get a clear head again. I want to wait at least until I have enough for two rain casts. We''ll need more exp. A lot more.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 15, Survivor 9, Blood Mage 9, Summoner 10, Lore Seeker 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 8, Lord 8, Progenitor 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">TBD</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">World Resident, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married, Master Crafter, R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l??i???a???r???s???


    Title Level 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">784/2264 [2831]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">22/2967 [3709]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18/1831 [2289]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">348+75 (staff) or +169 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">390</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">372+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">644+47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">546+2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">526+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">479</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Apprentice Headband, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spear Training 9, Unnatural Claws 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Blood Burst 9, Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W??a???v???e? 9, Summon Spirit 10 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 8, Disguise 10, Intimidation 16, Stealth 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 8, Familiar 8, Greater Vampiric Bite 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ageless 8, Beast Killer 8, Enhanced Regeneration 8, E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y? 15, Keen Perception 7, Magical Secret 7, Mana Boost 10, Mana Regeneration 15, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 8, Trap Lore 9, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Total deja vu towards the Blood Mage fiasco. My HP, MP and SP are depleted and I''ve gained class levels I didn''t want... Shit.


    But why is my exp exactly zero? Previously, when I was forced to gain levels against my will it went into the negatives.


    ...still got a massive headache, I better not think about this too hard right now.


    ...


    No, I really should. Just accepting everything as it is without a second thought will get me killed next time.


    But was my guess so wrong? Did I misunderstand the skill description that much?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Spirit Rank 1


    500 MP upkeep per class of summoned creature


    Create a spirit ally.


    The spirit can have any race and up to 3 base classes the user knows.


    Each of its classes and races has a level of (1% CHA + 2x skill rank).


    Compared to a normal creature HP, MP and SP are reduced by 30%.


    Spirits can generate special equipment if needed, these items grant no stats.


    Once a spirit is summoned its race and classes can no longer be changed, only further classes added limits permitting.


    Spirits can''t die, instead when they reach 0 HP they have to rest in their owner for a week, during this time the upkeep can''t be canceled.


    The owner can create a total of (2 + skill level /10) different spirits.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    It clearly says that I can only create so many spirits but there is no listed restriction on how many I can possess. There must be a different way to obtain more. With the skill as it is, it is not possible to emulate the fantasy of a summoner that commands a literal army of monsters, so something critical is missing. A piece of knowledge, a skill, an exploit, something.


    Not that I''d have the MP to have a literal army active... but a few more beefy bodies to throw at a problem can''t hurt.


    Summon one, wait until it gets hit or runs out of SP then switch to the next. Repeat. Better they get hurt than me.


    Sigh


    What exactly did the system say back there? At first, the action didn''t exist, then it only said I can''t do it yet. Why would it change like that? Does it have something to do with what happened to me?


    I ponder some more about it but achieve no result.


    I finally check through my skills again and notice something is off.


    Whatever it was before, Blood Mage''s second skill has taken a hit.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W???a???v???e???


    1000 SP


    In a 30 ft [9m] diameter area target up to 5 non-allied creatures that carry blood in them.


    Inflict 100% MAG non-elemental magic damage and stun at a rate of 20.


    Triple damage and stun rate if the target is bleeding.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The name might be the same, don''t know, can''t tell with these flickering characters, but the effect is different. Its cost has gone down, it can only target five creatures per cast now but it deals much more damage. Worse for flood grinding, better for dungeon crawling? Well, the original fake wasn''t that good for grinding in the first place, so no major loss. [Blood Burst] is the better option to cast a spell from SP, nothing has changed there.


    The second issue I notice is that the original [Extra Affinity] has joined the dinosaurs. Instead, I now have this.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y?


    Passive


    Gain two additional elemental affinities of your choice.


    Can''t choose an element you''re weak to.


    Once obtained this restriction no longer applies.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your current options are: Bad Spelling, Cursor, Fist, Peanuts, Surprise, Titanium


    You have currently selected: Water</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So... I can choose the second affinity right now instead at Wizard level thirty which I am unlikely to ever reach? Sign me up!


    ...but what the hell are these options? Only Titanium makes sense since that is a natural element, not just a fantasy one, but everything else... whatever, since when makes anything sense in this system?


    Peanuts might work against someone that has an allergy but so far that didn''t come up in [Appraisal]. Could I conjure edible peanuts with the rank 0 version? If the quality of the water from the rank 0 magic is anything to go by, I''d rather not count on that.


    Bad Spelling, Cursor, Fist, Surprise... no clue what I should make of those. It just seems like it is another of the usual glitches. As if it reads data from the wrong list.


    Given how it is going, I doubt that this system will ever be fixed while I''m still alive. And that better be a literal eternity, Jeff, if you know what is good for you!


    Out of the presented options, only Titanium sounds useful. At a minimum, I should be able to create titanium bars or something as materials for Lucia to craft with. Gimme that!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y?


    Passive


    Gain two additional elemental affinities of your choice.


    Can''t choose an element you''re weak to.


    Once obtained this restriction no longer applies.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your current options are: Bad Spelling, Cursor, Fist, Peanuts, Surprise


    You have currently selected: Water, Titanium


    You can choose no further affinity.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ok, so I really could select it. But did I actually gain [Titanium Magic] though [Affinity Magic]?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 15, Survivor 9, Blood Mage 9, Summoner 10, Lore Seeker 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 8, Lord 8, Progenitor 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">TBD</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">World Resident, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married, Master Crafter, R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l??i???a???r???s???


    Title Level 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1061/2264 [2831]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">448/2967 [3709]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">254/1831 [2289]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">348+75 (staff) or +169 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">390</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">372+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">644+47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">546+2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">526+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">479</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Apprentice Headband, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spear Training 9, Unnatural Claws 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Blood Burst 9, Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W??a???v???e? 9, Summon Spirit 10 (Rank 1), Titanium Magic 15 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 8, Disguise 10, Intimidation 16, Stealth 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 8, Familiar 8, Greater Vampiric Bite 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ageless 8, Beast Killer 8, Enhanced Regeneration 8, E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y? 15, Keen Perception 7, Magical Secret 7, Mana Boost 10, Mana Regeneration 15, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 8, Trap Lore 9, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Heck, yeah! It worked!


    I try to cast a projectile spell the same way I did for ice and indeed a mass of silvery metal shoots forth.


    Hmm... does it count as physical ''element''? It isn''t one of the original elements, so I doubt there is anything at all that is resistant or weak to this metal specifically. But you can certainly make weapons out of metals, so if the system follows any shred of logic, it would let me exploit physical weaknesses that way.


    Well, more importantly, can I create some of the metal with rank 0 magic?


    Thunk


    Lucia, dear, you got some work to do!


    The new magic aside, now I know for certain that something happened there... did the ring try to turn me into a glitch creature? The two newly glitched skills would lend credence to that.


    ...


    I facepalm.


    ...of course... Ring of Monsters... it tried to turn me into one of the real monsters, and not just someone with a monster-like extra class like vampire...


    I''m so stupid sometimes... *sigh* so much for that language expertise.


    Once I reach 1950 MP, I get up again, take a deep breath and go through the exit.


    But instead of outside, I arrive in what looks like a dungeon''s boss room and no one else is to be seen.


    As if I didn''t already have enough problems...

 Ch. 71 – Peak of Power

    "This isn''t where I entered from."


    A hollow voice rings out, "I see you''re sufficiently perceptive. So it wasn''t entirely a wasted effort."


    I turn towards the source of the voice and see a skeleton dressed in tattered clothes. And I doubt it wants to work as my second in command, lacks the scythe for that. Shit.


    "Uh... hi?"


    "As you might guess, I was the one that brought you here. I have some business with you."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Basluth </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">534.628</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sorcerer 93, Druid 92, Scholar 91, Cleric 92, Fire Shaper 90


    Bishop 89, Lore Seeker 83, Soul Keeper 87, Elven Sage 90, Ritualist 85


    Shadow Sorcerer 86, Venomancer 84, Spirit Keeper 90, Sky Whisperer 87, Chaos Magician 89</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Woof Elf 68, Shadow Elf 67</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lich 75, High Lich 72, Lord of Death 71, Arch Lich 70, Lich King 69


    Superior Undead 73, Daywalker 72, Necromancer 73, Destroyer 71, Spiritualist 74</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Calamity Origin 100</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">62134/62134</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">98499/98499</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">60130/60130</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5749</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5978</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5789 [7706] +10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">12180</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">10867</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">11135</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">9965</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Rags</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Curse Hand 73, Mace Training 92</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Animate Dead 73, Arcane Glyphs 83, Cure Magic 273 (Rank 9), Curse Magic 164 (Rank 9), Dark Magic 142 (Rank 9), Earth Magic 92 (Rank 9), Fire Magic 90 (Rank 9), Holy Magic 181 (Rank 9), Ice Magic 72 (Rank 9), Light Magic 69 (Rank 9), Lightning Magic 93 (Rank 9), Poison Magic 84 (Rank 9), Prismatic Barrage 90, Space Magic 90 (Rank 9), Spirit Household 74, Summon Spirit 90 (Rank 9), System Shock 84, Water Magic 90 (Rank 9), Wind Magic 93 (Rank 9)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 86, Illusion 86, Intimidation 70, Invisibility 86, Stealth 67</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Air Jump 87, Aura of Undeath 71, Dominate Undead 144, Force of Devastation 71, Friendly Fire 90, Healing Aura 89, High Magic Ritual 90, Magical Wings 87, Mana Reserve 85, Meditation 84, Scrutinize 91, Soul Steal 87, Wolf Shape 68, [SEALED SKILL] 87, [SEALED SKILL] 87 </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ailment Boost 89, Alter Shapes 90, Channeled Spell 85, Contractual Status Immunity 100, Curiosity 68, Cursed Touch 72, Dark Lord 100, Extra Language 91, Extra Summon 90, Font of Power 100, Keen Perception 83, Magical Secret 83, Mana Boost 89, Mana Regeneration 69, Max Rank Magic 100, Necromancy Boost 71, Physical Resistance 211, Overload Spell, Quick Learning 91, Ritual Spell 85, Sleepless 75, Slow Fall 87, Summon Expertise 74, Sunlight Immunity 69, Sunlight Tolerance 72, Supernatural Toughness 70, Total Destruction 71, Tracking 92, Undead 75</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><del>Water, Fire, Light, Holy</del> none</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I hope this... person just wants to talk...


    Any of those overleveled bosses I had to stall out with bugged cold status? He(?) could probably one-shot them.


    Is it a he, a she, something else? Heck if I know. And what the hell is a Woof Elf? ...did it say ''Ed...ward'' in the past?


    Please be friendly...


    "So, what can I help you with? Sorry, I''ve no idea how to pronounce your name... Bassloof? Basluf? Well, I''m Jared Delacroix, just call me Jared?"


    "It is... Basluth. Base. Loof, like aloof. Please remember that."


    "S-sure, ...Basluth."


    The skeleton gestures, "Come, let''s have some treats and talk over there. Don''t worry, I''ve prepared some appropriate snacks for a vampire."


    Why do I get the feeling that the overpowered lich is more nervous than I am?


    We start walking towards the pointed-at table. There are several plates with cookies on them.


    I take a seat. It is quite a comfortable chair, can I keep it?


    "What do you want to talk about with me?"


    "I have an important proposal for you. Here, are you familiar with this gem?"


    I get handed a truth gem, "Uh, yeah, got me into trouble a few times... so I take it you don''t trust me even after abducting me personally, right?"


    "On the contrary. I want you to trust me. If you have seen my skills, you should know that I have the [Dominate Undead] skill. If I wanted to I could force you to do my bidding, but if I would rather refrain from doing that to a business partner. Really sours the mood."


    The gem stays green the whole time but that doesn''t mean word trickery can''t be at play. Not that I can verify that the lich can''t just blatantly overpower the gem''s detection in the first place. Who knows, maybe there''s a level cap on the gem as to how far it can check someone.


    "Umm, thank you? That''s reassuring. So how do you know about me in the first place?"


    I take one of the cookies and try to eat it. It indeed has a chocolaty taste with a faint trace of blood. I better not ask where they got that...


    "I take it you have at least a passing understanding of the system. I have admin access... is that a term you know from your previous life?"


    "Yeah, I do. I thought only the devas were able to mess around with it?"


    "Well, that is a longer story and it ties into what you need to know anyway. Mind if I start from the beginning?"


    "Would that also explain why you chose me specifically?"


    "Hmm... I didn''t choose you personally per se. But I need someone with a very specific skillset, so to speak. Bluntly put, I need someone that is or at least was a ''Lost One'' but has also ties with demons or is at least willing to entertain them, yet is not allied with the Creed of Whispers while also willing to go against a deva. You can imagine how limited that pool of candidates is."


    "Sure. So, I''m the only candidate for that position?"


    "Nah, I had twelve others before you, or at least tried to talk to them but it didn''t work out. Some attacked me on sight and found out the hard way that a single bitchslap would kill them. Others declined my offer with varying levels of politeness. ...and one of them pissed his pants and died from cardiac arrest."


    I guess that is one way to lose some of my predecessors... be careful what you do now, Jared.


    "I... can imagine... Say, can I take some of the cookies with me? My wife would probably love to have some as well."


    "I don''t mind, they are all yours. Hmm... that reminds me, do you still have the three Title Cards the Creed sent you?"


    "Uh, yes, I do. That ''B'' person was you then?"


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "Indeed. Can I have them, please?"


    "That depends, what do you want them for?"


    "As I initially said, I have an offer for you. But for that, I need you to be stronger. Whether you accept my offer is up to you, and there are a few things I''m willing to give you whether you accept or not. See it as an investment from my side. Those cards though... as far as I can see they are ''fake'' in some form. I want to investigate what exactly the Creed has done to create those and what the effective differences are. A normal person wouldn''t be able to see the differences between them and a real Title Card."


    "Okay, they weren''t of much use to me anyway."


    I take out the three Title Cards and hand them to the lich, "Here."


    "Thank you. This might prove very helpful to my cause."


    The lich stores the cards in its inventory, "So what I want you to do is kill the deva Gyev Brightborough. No, not just kill, I want you to destroy his very soul! I think you know who I am talking about. According to my research, he was the one responsible for sending you to this world."


    That came out of nowhere. What relationship do these two have?


    Though I''m not 100% sure that Basluth talks about the same Jeff I know. He never gave his last name and the pronunciation is a different kind of weird from what even Eva or Elly had.


    Also, forget the soul destruction business, I wouldn''t even know how to find him. Where even is the deva realm? Can a regular person like me even enter it? I took it to be some kind of ''god-exclusive club''.


    "That''s a cold start... I mean... so far Jeff was acting suspicious, yes, but nothing that warrants outright murder so far."


    "Understandable. But before you make up your mind, let me first recite the story of why he has to disappear."


    "That would certainly be preferable. I''m listening."


    "So about nine-thousand years ago, I was still a regular elf. I worked as a magic researcher. Back then, monsters weren''t as widespread as they are today. And instead of this artificial seal on our world, it was engulfed by a natural ''story bubble'' as the devas call it. With me so far?"


    "Yeah, the devas explained that one. Those bubbles separate a world from the universe until a specific ''story'' is completed, like a final fight of good versus evil or something."


    "Good. In the final year before the bubble''s story was cleared, a final demon assault destroyed my hometown and killed my back then fiance. To be honest, I never got over losing her. Well, four years later, I met a certain girl in a bar. Her name was Yulia. She was about to be forcefully married to Gyev. In our drunken stupor, we bonded over our similar problems. As it turned out, she as well lost someone important to her during that demon assault. She wasn''t over it but circumstances lead her to be together with Gyev. She complained a lot that he would either neglect her or when he was home for once would physically abuse her. But despite that, she couldn''t bring herself to abandon him. She could never tell me why though."


    "I''m no expert in psychology, but sadly such situations are common."


    "Yeah. So eventually, she concedes that she only wants to forget everything about her old life and start over, away from the abuser. But as long as she has her memories of him... she just can''t. So, I ended up researching if there was a way to obtain magic to modify memories. I wanted her to forget her painful past, so she can start over. And then... I screwed up. Something in my magic research went wrong and I turned into a lich. I suspect my rage over how this Gyev jerk mistreated her was at fault."


    "That''s a lot to take in."


    "...it gets better. Or worse, depending on how you look at it. As you know, getting transformed into an undead messes up your mind. Sanity clearly is not in the cards for me anymore."


    "Right..."


    "So, eventually the day arrived when their wedding is fully planned and Gyev holds his bachelor party. I ended up kidnapping one of his drunken guests on their way home."


    "Why did you drag an unrelated person into this?"


    "...it was an honest mix-up. I thought I had Gyev, I wanted to teach him a lesson but as it turns out I never met that guy directly in my whole existence. Well, my former research into memory manipulation then allowed me to find out who my unintended guest was. As luck would have it, he was one of the system admins and in his drunken state didn''t even resist when I tried to scan his mind for the password. I got it and then changed it."


    "So you''re the culprit that everything in the system is falling apart?"


    "...not really. The system was already a mess, I only prevented further garbage from those fools. As far as I can see, there''s still one other in the system. No one else was able to get back in. Serves them right for abusing a poor girl!"


    "How did you even read his mind? I didn''t see a skill in your stats that suggests you could do that."


    "A combination of dark and wind magic. Took me a couple of years to master that."


    "Alright... Well, so far I''d say both of you are monsters that need to be dealt with. ...but please continue, what happens next?"


    "Right, so I took the liberty to add a few skills and classes to the system so I can take them. I also took over this dungeon. After that I search far and wide for where Yulia was kept. It took me a while but eventually, I found her whereabouts... they had changed her into some weird purple-skinned, orange-eyed monster. I took her back with me into this dungeon, intending to change her back somehow."


    Why would they turn her into a monster? Even if I accept that the devas aren''t remotely close to being the good guys, this still makes no sense. Abuse or not, Jeff seemed to care for her in his own strange way...


    The lich continues, "Needless to say, I failed. No matter what I tried or researched I could make no progress. Over the next few years, I had a few fights with some of the devas until eventually one of them managed to find my dungeon. At that point, it was just a duel between him and me and I ended up killing him. But before he passed away, he used a specific form of sealing magic on me trapping me in this dungeon. This seal had a steep cost, for one the soul of the caster, for another... the one the target loves the most. The latter would then be used as the seal itself."


    "What kind of bullshit seal is that!?"


    "You ask the wrong one, Jared. I didn''t invent that. Anyway, ever since that day, I''m trapped here as the final boss of my own dungeon. If you want to enter this dungeon properly, you have to destroy Yulia''s soul. If you want to use the dungeon''s exit behind me, you have to destroy me or the door stays closed."


    "So you''re trapped in here. Basluth, can''t you do something with your admin access?"


    "No. To do anything of import with that access, I need DP. And as long as the demon artifact exists, it sucks up all DP that isn''t already collected."


    "What is DP?"


    "Divine power? Divinity points? Heck if I know. It is the currency used to enact divine powers like anything to do with the admin access."


    "Well, I''m no god, so it is of no concern to me."


    Bone rattling noises


    The lich laughs, "Oh, you are so wrong there, little blood elf. For a fact, I know that you have agreed to the Demon Lord title. As such you will gain a divine class. Did you truly think that it is called ''divine'' just for laughs?"


    "It... what?"


    "All major divine classes are the first step into godhood. Well, maybe not the small fries like Hero Candidates."


    That is news to me...


    "So given enough time, I''ll step into the realm of gods?"


    "Exactly."


    "What even does that mean? What is a ''god'' in this context?"


    "I''ll properly teach you that when the time comes."


    "Huh... Wait, so... I heard that you need divine intervention to free a slave. Would that mean I just need to sufficiently grow with the divine class?"


    "Hmm... not sure", the lich scratches its non-existent chin, "That depends on the exact action, and I''m not into slavery."


    "Neither am I, that''s why I want to free the slaves that were pushed unto me."


    "Fine, let me check..."


    The lich gestures as if looking through a menu.


    I eat another cookie. Cherry flavor.


    "Doesn''t look too good. Just freeing them seems to be a higher-level task. You would need to be at least on the level of a world-renowned god, not just a random one. But you can replace it. As a vampire, you could switch them from slaves to familiars. Well, once you''ve obtained your divine class."


    "Not sure I would want that... I promised Anna that I''d do my best so that she could become a hero... Does either status interfere with that goal?"


    "That''s a tough one... hmmm... hero trial requirements... bluntly put, they are treated the same and don''t automatically disqualify her. But that doesn''t mean she is guaranteed to succeed either."


    "Honestly, that''s a relief. ...say, can''t you just tell me the admin password? Then I could look for the answers myself."


    "Are you serious?", the lich''s mouth stays agape.


    "Why not? You''ve stolen the access code as well."


    The lich facepalms, "...be my guest. You don''t need a password, you only need to be known in the security crystal that I''ve stored in the next room. Just need to lay your hand on it and think ''#JUSTICEFORYULIA''. Easy-peasy."


    "So that''s a no then, I have no access to that room. Can''t you just pretend to be a puzzle boss and give me an easy quiz?"


    "No, I don''t have the necessary extra class for that."


    If the skeleton still had lungs you could probably see them now take a deep breath.


    "Alright, enough fooling around. You''ve heard my side of the story. Now, will you help me?"


    "To be honest, I''m not sure. I understand why you have done all of that but you''ve still caused a lot of problems for people that were not involved. Also, I feel like I''m missing important information from the events, Basluth. The gem supports that you''ve told the truth from your point of view but there are too many unknowns to take it as the full truth."


    "That''s fair. I have told you everything that I know. I don''t know much about Yulia''s situation besides what she has told me. For all we know, it could''ve been greatly exaggerated. Could you at least agree to destroy the demon artifact? That''s also a massive thorn in my side."


    "That''s something I have to accomplish anyway, so yes. But as for Jeff... I don''t even know how I could find him. But if I do... I want to at least hear his side of the story first. I can''t promise anything beyond that."


    "No, no, that''s alright. I can work with that, Jared. But I can guarantee you, you won''t improve your impression of him."


    "I need to verify that for myself. This is too tall a tale."


    "Understandable. I''ll do what I can to get you that far. If you then decide to not go through with it... well, then we go our separate paths."


    As far as deals with a devil-counterpart go, this one seems reasonable so far. ...and that makes me even more worried I''m walking right into a trap. I really need to check the fine print on this.


    I really need all the help I can get but... this is too much in my favor. I only have to agree to two things I already wanted to do: destroy the artifact and get Jeff to talk. Just for that I already receive aid from what is basically an evil god.


    There must be a catch.

 Ch. 72 – Deal with a Lich

    The lich Basluth waits patiently for me to make the next move.


    "So, what even is in it for me? What exactly does your help entail?"


    "Oh, right, haven''t told you yet. Well, I tried to present you a custom-made class through the Joker Core but as you, no doubt, noticed you couldn''t take the Brightflame Sorcerer."


    "That was your work?"


    "Indeed. I... wasn''t aware of the new restriction that prevents the undead from gaining light magic. So before I waste even more DP on another failure... what kind of power are you looking for? What do you think you need the most to succeed with the task I have presented you? I''ll do what I can to create a fitting class for the Joker Core and do my best to give you the best Demon Lord class possible."


    "You''ll create that class? I thought this Amon guy from the Creed of Mutters or whatever would work on that."


    "Yes, I''ll be taking over the design job for that. The Creed is not someone you should meddle with, they are just trouble. Apart from those custom-created classes, I can give you training and knowledge. About your divine class in specific, divine classes in general, DP, a few tricks for governing your territories and more. Feel free to come up with questions on your own until then. Hmm... what else... Well, I''m bound to this boss room and you would basically enter this place from the back, so we can''t open the next boss door which prevents me from power-leveling you by clearing the dungeon... but I could at least purge the monsters on the nine floors in front of me. Seeing as they are level two-ninety-plus this should make some dent into your exp needs."


    Wait... we''re on floor three-hundred!? And here I thought our dungeon was insurmountable...


    "To be honest, that sounds like a very one-sided deal to my benefit. I would''ve tried to take care of the artifact anyway and given how suspicious the whole deva situation was - is - I would''ve probably gotten into trouble with them anyway."


    "That may be so, but I have no other option. I''m tired of this state. I''ve even considered the coward''s way out but ultimately decided against it. Gyev must pay for what he has done to Yulia. Nothing else matters to me."


    Yeah, I noticed that. I just hope the feelings were truly mutual and it wasn''t just a one-sided crush...


    Basluth sounds impatient, "So, tell me. What do you need the most?"


    "That''s a whole laundry list... no idea how to narrow that down."


    "Jared, I may be able to do miracles but there''s a limit even to that... well, I''ll see what I can do. So go on, please."


    "Right, let me think for a moment."


    "Sure, take your time."


    What are the most important things I''m missing?


    I can earn flight just from Aerial Mage or something similar, I only need a Class Core, so that can wait.


    A buff for familiars or summons is definitely up there. Again, need more cores but also a ton of MP.


    Defense is clearly an issue, HP and VIT are low, I''m a caster after all. Well, I''m not even up to a glass cannon, right now I''m just glass.


    More spells? Eh, not really important. Maybe if it had hitscan or something that prevents friendly fire but I mostly need better stats there.


    "I certainly need more and stronger summons. I tried earlier to tame a monster as a spirit but that obviously failed. Also, I need much more MP to keep them summoned... Do you have an infinite MP cheat in there?"


    "Not really but give it a thousand levels and you won''t care much about MP anymore. What else?"


    A thousand... even a hundred levels may take longer than I have...


    "Maybe a way to massively raise the limit of how many spirits I can have? I may not be able to field them at the same time, but one after another when they run out of SP or get hurt too much."


    "You just need to dump more levels into the classes that give you [Summon Spirit]. Not worth wasting a custom-designed skill on."


    "That''s easy to say if you have dozens of classes with levels beyond eighty. I''m not even sure if I''ll ever have a class with level thirty..."


    "Eh, give it time and commit a genocide or two, preferably in the dungeons."


    "You wouldn''t happen to have a way to force all dungeon monsters to spawn as swarms? They are much easier to deal with but the exp per monster doesn''t take that big a hit."


    "Nah, you can''t influence these spawns. They just are the way they are."


    No exp cheats, no MP hacks... I know!


    "Oh, can you enable me to have a spirit that can use spells? That would help a ton."


    "That''s deep in the realm of divine skills, though it would be on the more expensive side. Not sure I could fit it in, my DP are limited, I''ll have to check."


    "Speaking of, what exactly counts as a ''spell'' for the restriction on summoned spirits? What exactly can''t they use?"


    "Any skill that has ''magic'', ''arcane'' or ''spell'' in its name or description is out, as well as any skill that has a cost expressed in MP or uses MAG in some fashion."


    "What? So even something like a ''Spell Parry'' would be out?"


    "You got it."


    Well, so much for that. Given that checklist, their MP stat is just dead. Maybe if we tried our luck with finding non-magic area damage skills? Maybe there is a Mana Drain skill I could obtain? Spirits have a 30% penalty to MP, not a 100% penalty, their MP has to be useful for something... Well, that''s a problem for later, need more Class Cores first.


    "How about something to strengthen my party members? I''ve taken most of them as familiars and I can share a few skills with them, is there a way to expand on that? Maybe share a whole class with them?"


    "Hmm... I''m afraid that is in the realm of divine skills as well, so not an immediate option. But I''ll keep it in mind."


    "I guess my defense is also lacking, being a caster and all. Also, need to get rid of the [Undead] weaknesses. Not that I can do much with an enemy in my face, either way, spells are too slow to cast."


    "Gotcha. For the latter, ask your little navi friend to search for a class with [Spell Mastery]. Check that out when you''re on your own, there are too many classes that come with it. Choose one that comes with other benefits that suit you."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Spell Mastery


    Passive


    You gain (1 + skill level / 10) additional spell shapes you can apply to your generic spells instead of the likes of Rain and Blast.


    The option to add additional effects like status is not restricted by the chosen shapes.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Possible options are (relative to Rank 1 magic):


    Barrage - 250 MP, shoot 7 projectiles in a random arc that each inflict 100% MAG damage


    Blade - 100 MP, no cast time, instantly generate a sword made of arcane energy and attack with it for 200% MAG damage


    Chain - 350 MP, projectile jumps to 4 more targets after hitting something, 150% MAG damage


    Dash - 50 MP, no cast time, instantly move to a point within 5 DU and inflict 30% MAG damage to everything in the path,


    the path between you and the target must be traversable with your current abilities, e.g. must be capable of flight to dash towards a point in the sky


    Homing - 150 MP, shoot 2 homing beams that inflict 150% MAG damage


    Mist - 1000 MP, create a mist to cover a 100 DU diameter area and lasts for 10 minutes, it inflicts 1% MAG damage per minute


    Nova - 300 MP, create an explosion around self that inflicts 250% MAG damage in a 3 DU radius sphere


    Spikes - 500 MP, cover 10 DU diameter area in spikes that inflict 30% MAG damage per step, lasts up to 10 minutes or until the next Spike cast


    Wall - 1000 MP, create a 20 DU wide elemental wall that inflicts 150% MAG damage on contact and lasts for 3 minutes or until 20 hits are inflicted. Some elements may create solid walls instead.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    One Dumb Unit was a bit less than a meter... I guess Blade or Dash would be what I should use to deal with melee attackers sitting in my personal space.


    "Why don''t you have that skill? It seems quite essential."


    "I have [Alter Shapes] which is the same but limited to only two. It was sufficient for my purposes."


    If I was just limited to two... I guess Dash to get out of dodge and then either Wall or Thorns as crowd control should suffice. Everything else is too niche for my taste, so I could live with either skill.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Like the mist option would need probably multiple thousands of enemies in its area before it beats rain assuming the reduced attack power can even overcome their magic defense. Pointless.


    Barrage sounds just like the spread shot option I''m already ignoring. Pass.


    Nova sounds like a trap. I would need to survive in the middle of a huge mob and finish the usual three-second cast without getting interrupted, not happening.


    Chain does not say it ignores allies, so that would just backfire at the most inopportune time.


    Homing might be useful depending on how strong the homing effect is. But then that''s mostly just a problem because of my aiming skills, the regular shot is already about as fast and accurate as bullets from a sniper rifle. If someone could dodge that on a regular basis just by reflexes, I''d call that bullshit. Though maybe I can perform some trick shots with it to hit an enemy that engages in melee with my party members.


    In the end, it comes down to what else the relevant classes give, but I''d be satisfied with the lesser version.


    Basluth rattles their skull, barely suppressing a laugh, "Before I forget, if you want better melee options, you could check the Essence Binder class."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Essence Binder</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    24 HP, 57 MP, 45 SP, 2 STR, 2 DEX, 4 VIT, 6 MAG, 6 FTH, 7 WIL, 8 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Bind Vestige


    500 MP upkeep per class of summoned creature


    An alternate version of [Summon Spirit].


    ((Alan, add details here!))


    You can have (1 + skill level / 10) additional spirits, same pool as regular summoned spirits.


    Without the [Summon Spirit] skill you can''t create regular spirits, are limited to 1 class on spirits and their level is capped at 1.


    You can bind a monster that was slain by you within the last minute as a vestige spirit.


    You can only attempt to bind a monster that has a level equal to or less than your summoned spirits.


    You can''t bind a boss monster.


    You can''t bind an elite monster with more classes than your spirits can have.


    The attempt to bind a monster costs as much MP as the upkeep would be.


    On success, replace its Monster-related extra classes with the Spirit extra class and then treat it like a regular spirit,


    except that at 0 HP the vestige is permanently lost and the slot can''t be recovered for 1 day.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Expertise <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    Can add 1 additional base class to your summoned spirits.


    This increases to 2 at skill level 20, and 3 at level 25.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Invocation <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Concentration


    Temporarily fuse with one of your actively summoned spirits.


    The spirit''s classes and race are added to your own at a fourth of their regular levels (capped at this skill''s level, minimum level 1).


    For HP, MP and SP only the max is increased, the current value is not affected.


    During the fusion, you count as a (summoned) spirit and can''t use magic.


    In that state, you can''t call forth more spirits but those that are already active stay active.


    Death in fused form is also death for the caster.


    After the fusion ends, the used spirit has to rest for 2h and you can''t concentrate for 10mins.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So this binding stuff is basically what I tried just before? Thanks a bunch, B... couldn''t you have kidnapped me before I almost kill myself?


    "Where did that come from?"


    "I may have watched earlier when you... *snort* played with that poor monster and I found the idea hilarious, so I quickly put that class together. In my enthusiasm, I kinda forgot that you kids nowadays need Class Cores to add a class. But before my work goes completely to waste I wanted to tell you about the option."


    "So you''re the reason the notification changed in the middle of the experiment..."


    "Yeah, you can say that."


    I might keep it in mind for later. If I get that class to level twenty-five we''re already at a minimum of seven classes for the familiars. Though, I need far more max MP for that.


    Invocation reads like a Fighter Transformation spell. Can''t hurt to have but the option to fetch some powerful monsters as cannon fodder and the increase in classes for spirits is far more important.


    While I was thinking about this class, Basluth has been poking into thin air.


    "What are you doing this time?"


    "I''m preparing the class you''ll get from the Joker Core later. I think I have all the info I need to prepare some <del>bribes</del> presents for you. Got anything you wanted to ask? I''m out of conversation material."


    "I''m curious how you have that many classes. I was told the limit is ten, not fifteen."


    "...is that so? Well, they are clearly wrong. It is true that Class Cores can only take you to ten classes, but after that, it only gets difficult, not impossible. You need an increasing amount of Dungeon Cores and the stat requirements are fifty percent higher. Nothing else changes."


    "Dungeon Cores? You mean the stuff found at the end of a dungeon? For which you would need to destroy a dungeon?"


    "Exactly those. The eleventh class needs one, the twelfth two, and all the way up to the fifteenth class needs five Dungeon Cores. All in all, you need to conquer and destroy fifteen dungeons per person. I would suggest you search the minor dungeons out in the wild for that. Don''t want to delete your entire economy, right? Also, they are much shorter and simpler, so even you might have a chance at completing them."


    Yeah, yeah, just take every opportunity you have to rub it in how weak I am...


    "Right... and titles? Is it twenty for those or is that info wrong as well?"


    "Yeah, twenty is right until you use a Dungeon Core. Every time you add a class with their help, the title limit increases by one. So twenty-five at best. And no, you can''t delete the titles you don''t like, Jared. The best you can do is upgrade them. So you better choose wisely. But don''t wait too long or you may receive another forced title like your ''Fate Breaker''."


    "So, I''m stuck with the penalty titles ''World Resident'' and ''Fate Breaker''?"


    "The title ''Fate Breaker'' isn''t useless, it disables all forms of luck and fate manipulation used against you. But the other... you''re out of luck."


    "Well, at least I have confirmation for that... That aside, do you know any tricks to gain loads of exp fast?"


    "Nothing you weren''t already doing. Throw your biggest area attacks into the monster flood and you''ll outlevel anyone that can''t deal area damage. And maybe invest in classes with non-magical area attacks for your summoned spirits, one class per spirit should be enough. That should help you to get up to speed exp-wise."


    "Right... so how do we proceed from here, Basluth?"


    "Nothing special, really. I finish the class, you tell me if it is to your liking. If necessary I fix it and then I send you home. We''ll meet again when your soul is ready to accept the Demon Lord class. That should be about a year outside, give or take. Once you''re ready for that I''ll bring you here again and teach you about your divine class''s skills and maybe a few other things you want to know. We''ll see about that then."


    "Got it."


    So just continue as before and await the inevitable. The lich isn''t even asking for much but is willing to help a lot. But despite that, I''ve no confidence that I''ll become strong enough to deal with the primary problem. A few more levels, even a hundred, won''t change the quality vs quantity imbalance between my group and the opposition. We''re far too weak for that...


    Do I need to start screaming at the top of my lungs while changing my hair in stupid colors and shapes to give us a fighting chance?


    Speaking of weak, "Would you happen to know a way to still obtain light affinity now that classes are out?"


    "No, but why light affinity specifically?"


    "Together with the ''Enduring Soul'' title it should remove my light weakness once I obtain that."


    "Oh, right, that."


    How else can I get rid of that weakness? Every path I can think of is just closed off.


    The lich continues, "Yeah, I use that title, too. Sorry, but I''m just from a time when things were different. Back then you didn''t need silly Class Cores to add any of the first ten classes and the stat requirements were a lot lower. By the time you finished your basic education, you were supposed to have at least seven classes. I still don''t get why they changed that. Well, in exchange, elite classes weren''t a thing either."


    "That would explain a thing or two."


    "Uh, like what?"


    "According to some stories, the people in the past could conquer some dungeons that are considered impossible today."


    "Not the only thing that changed. But that is a thing of the past. As for a way to obtain light affinity... sorry, I got nothing. Technically there is a title to get it but as an undead, you can''t get that either. Ask me again if you decide to take up my offer, I''ll look into a loophole then."


    "Alright, final question for now, how would I even contact you when something comes up? Aside from the whole dungeon in the way, I couldn''t even get in here without... you know, Yulia..."


    Not that I even know where ''here'' is...


    "...if you think it really is important... then do it. I''ve given up hope on saving her, it has been several millennia outside or almost half a million years for me in here and I couldn''t come up with a way to undo the seal... I''ve suffered long enough, I''m tired of it. So close to the one I love but unable to ever be with her... In fact, one of the reasons why I want to mentor someone is that mentors have a strangely high mortality rate. I''d really like for a miracle to happen but as it is there is no one above that could grant that to me."


    "I''ll keep that in mind. But I don''t like the idea of killing someone I could consider a friend."


    "Friend? Nah, let''s not fool each other. We''re both just using the other for our own ends. I''ve even forgotten what it is like to have someone I could consider a ''friend''... and don''t you dare force me to remember!"


    Seems like I struck a nerve there, "Sorry..."


    We have nothing else to say, so we both keep silent while Basluth continues to work on the Joker Core class.


    I was always suspicious of Jeff but this goes way beyond what I expected of him. Is any of this really true or can Basluth fake the green shine of the truth gem? ...well, first I need to take care of the artifact, then... I''ll hopefully not find a way to contact the devas. As long as I can''t talk to them and especially not Jeff, all of this won''t be my problem.


    If he really was as abusive as Basluth made him out to be, then yes, he needs to be punished. But would the devas really employ such a person? They seemed to have everyone''s personal file, so wouldn''t they know?


    I still have some hope that the devas at least as a whole are more on the side of goodness and justice with maybe some rotten eggs in there. The bigger the organization the sooner corruption sets in. Short of mind-controlling everyone it is basically inevitable.


    ...


    I''m not a fan of love triangles or whatever this really was. And this one... did this love triangle really lead half the universe towards ruin? That is hard to believe.


    Love is a terrifying thing. It can make the weak strong, it can tame the wild... and it can turn good people towards evil...


    But how do the demons play into this? I haven''t seen any so far. Well, aside from in the mirror... wait do I even have a reflection? Still haven''t checked that one.


    And if demons play a role in this... is it really ALL demons as Jeff wants me to believe or just a fraction of them? I don''t even know if demons as a ''race'' exist or if it is just anyone that holds this stupid title. For all I know, it could just be a strange translation for intelligent monsters or a human-adjacent race...


    And this Dogma of Hush... are they related to these demons or are they yet another side to the overall conflict? Is it a free for all between half a dozen factions?


    What even is anyone''s end goal? Basluth wants revenge but what about anyone else?


    We really know nothing, do we?


    Well, if you''d ask me right now to make a decision... I would join none of the three to fifty factions. I would do my best to stay out of that mess. I have my own problems to take care of.

 Ch. 73 – Strained Partnership

    The lich sounds smug, "Okay, the new class is done. One of my better works if I''m allowed to brag. Is that serviceable for you? I hope this one is satisfactory because that was frigging expensive to make!"


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Dread Lord</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    39 HP, 48 MP, 37 SP, 2 STR, 1 DEX, 8 VIT, 7 MAG, 8 FTH, 5 WIL, 8 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Legion of Doom


    Passive


    You can have 1 additional spirit.


    You gain additional options to modify your spirits.


    Multiple modifiers can affect the same spirit.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">1) You can add a second race.


    This increases the upkeep cost accordingly.


    As before you can only choose sub-races from races you are familiar with.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">2) You can add an undead extra class.


    This does not increase the upkeep but reduces the intelligence of the spirit.


    Undead spirits are unable to use concentration effects.


    Undead created this way share your sunlight resistance.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">3) You can change the spirit to an army type.


    This option is only available until the first time a newly created spirit or vestige is summoned.


    Instead of one, you summon (original level) spirits with one slot.


    Their level is reduced to (1 + 20% of the original level).


    Army spirits have no individual names and no individuality.


    These spirits always cost their upkeep even when not active.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Life Eater Armor <Skill locked until Level 5>


    1000 HP upkeep


    Can''t be used while medium or heavier armor is equipped.


    Cover yourself in armor made of shadowy flames.


    When taking melee damage, the flames retaliate by inflicting 30% FTH fire and 30% FTH dark magic damage to the attacker.


    25% of the inflicted damage is absorbed as HP.


    Also, gain fire and dark affinity for owning this skill.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Menace <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Passive


    The non-damage parts of your skills do not affect your allies unless you explicitly chose to.


    Your status attacks do not provide a system message for their targets, success and failure are hidden.


    Your skills are always hidden from [Appraisal].</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Not what I had in mind but fire affinity is a big plus and [Life Eater Armor] should eat swarm-type enemies for breakfast. The spider swarm earlier did around 50 damage, if I retaliate with almost 60% of my FTH... that should be at least 300 damage to the usual low WIL monsters, so 75 HP restoration. Yeah, that can become super useful.


    That skill combined with the high VIT and HP growth is almost like a tank mage. Or at least a glass wall.


    Could use more MP though.


    [Legion of Doom]... looks like a cheat. This is like three skills in one. At least, the second spirit race is a free, minor power boost once we have the ''Summon Master'' title.


    Its option to add an undead class though... well, they are lower-leveled than me so they should be sooner safe from the sun. But the intelligenceloss is an issue and losing concentration is a no-go at least for Elly. She needs it for flight. Well, I don''t want to lose Elly and Maria, making them undead this way sounds like murder. So what''s the point...


    I would have to check which undead options we have exactly, but I can''t imagine that they provide a noticeable stat increase. So far extra classes have nearly non-existent stat increases, not worth the exp cost. At best I could imagine something intangible like a ghost as an option. An untouchable assassin that always gets sneak attack damage off might be cool. Or an army of ghost paladins.


    Oh, right, the lich has that [Dominate Undead] skill... the undead modifier is probably a trap.


    "I have a question about [Legion of Doom]. Do you intend to take over an undead spirit I create and free yourself from here that way?"


    The truth gem still sits on the table. No matter what the answer is, I can plan around it. In the worst case, I''ll just never apply that modifier. Given the sun restriction and intelligenceloss, it isn''t attractive in the first place.


    "Uh... I''ve honestly never thought about that option. Hmm... so what you''re saying is that if I want revenge, I should do that personally, otherwise my desire for it won''t be satisfied? Yeah, you''re right. Well, to take over an undead with [Dominate Undead] it would need to be within my reach first, so you would need to create such a spirit right now. But I would lose control again once it goes back into you, so you''d have to keep that ''me'' active and I would need to prevent its destruction. Hmm... given your lackluster sun protection that would be impossible. But if you can fix that until our next meeting, I would like to take you up on that offer. But don''t waste a spirit slot on that yet. When I make your Demon Lord class, I''ll try to include an increase there."


    "Alright, ...I look forward to it" because I dread the consequences.


    That''s... actually not what I expected. This means I just gave a dangerous entity an idea... shit.


    Well, can''t take it back now...


    What else is there to the skill...


    The army option of [Legion of Doom]... I mean I did ask how a Summoner is supposed to command a literal army of spirits, but I don''t think I have the MP for that. Once created the MP would be lost forever it seems. Unless I also take the Essence Binder class and apply the modifier to a bound monster then send the army to its death, otherwise I''ll never recover the MP.


    Would a huge group of level two spirits even be that useful? They would be stuck with pathetic stats and only have the first skill of each class basically forever. The regular spirits would hit level twenty before the mook group learns a new skill. There''s simply a point where the weaker ones won''t be able to inflict any damage at all. Up to floor 120 if I want to know what is at the bottom of our dungeon, random golem-like bosses, floor 300 to free the universe from this lich... it is basically unavoidable to run into that point. Maybe I can postpone that point with buffs but if really the best we have is on the level of that [Benediction] skill Elly found... a stat increase based on 3% FTH is nothing, that might get us maybe 10 floors further.


    I was hoping for more hit-and-run-like tactics of medium-powered spirits and not a standing army of cannon fodder. Well, considering the link between my strongest spirit and my familiars I have more need for the opposite of an army-type spirit, something big, affordable and with lots of classes.


    Hmm... maybe as a fourth spirit if the AOE option doesn''t work out. I''m picturing some kind of relentless cyborg skeleton army with plasma rifles. As long as the flood monster levels stay in the single digits that should be enough to provide some extra exp.


    The [Menace] skill... I don''t get it. Why does it protect my allies only from status effects? Why not damage as well?


    "What''s the point of [Menace]?"


    "Do you really have to ask that? Just imagine you run around with [Intimidate], no one would know about that until it is too late. Or maybe you take a page from my playbook and gain a skill that lets you control someone, they wouldn''t know they are controlled until they suddenly backstab their best friend. Information is a powerful tool. Information denial just as much."


    "I guess that makes sense."


    Must have been the influence of a different skeleton friend.


    "So you fine with it?"


    "Absolutely. I assume higher MP was not possible?"


    "No, not without lowering another stat. STR and DEX are already as low as they can go and I doubt you want less HP. The skills are also beyond what is normally allowed. This whole class is already pushing the limitations of what the system allows."


    "Got it. Do I take it now or wait until I''m outside?"


    "Nah, do it now in case there''s another weird rule disallowing it. Don''t want to waste all my efforts again. Once it is publically released, I can''t edit it anymore. But here while time stands still, it still counts as a pre-release. Don''t ask me, the system is weird."


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    "Okay, will do."


    And done. With that, the chapter called Joker Core is now over.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 15, Survivor 9, Blood Mage 9, Summoner 10, Lore Seeker 7


    Dread Lord 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 8, Lord 8, Progenitor 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">TBD</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">World Resident, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married, Master Crafter, R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l??i???a???r???s???


    Title Level 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1523/2296 [2870]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1159/3007 [3759]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">648/1860 [2326]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">350+75 (staff) or +170 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">391</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">380+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">651+47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">554+2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">531+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">487</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Apprentice Headband, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spear Training 9, Unnatural Claws 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Blood Burst 9, Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W??a???v???e? 9, Summon Spirit 10 (Rank 1), Titanium Magic 15 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 8, Disguise 10, Intimidation 16, Stealth 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 8, Familiar 8, Greater Vampiric Bite 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ageless 8, Beast Killer 8, Enhanced Regeneration 8, E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y? 15, Keen Perception 7, Legion of Doom 1, Magical Secret 7, Mana Boost 10, Mana Regeneration 15, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 8, Trap Lore 9, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Oh, even broke past three-thousand MP.


    "It worked. Finally, one thing worked out today..."


    "Glad to hear. I think that was it for today. You can go home now."


    "Wait, one final question."


    "What is it?"


    "Do you know anything about monsters? What are they?"


    "Hmm... no, nothing. They didn''t interest me. To me, they are just sources of exp and maybe materials. Why do you ask?"


    "Well, we''re getting overrun by them. It seems like there is no end to them. As if killing them just sends them back to their spawn point."


    "Can''t help you there. Just accept them as a part of nature and focus on more important things."


    I doubt it is that easy. At least long term, we need to investigate where they come from. Don''t want to spend my retirement fighting them off for all eternity. I''ve more important things to do, like spoiling Lucia.


    And if my gut feeling regarding monsters is correct...


    "Right... so, I''m off then, thanks for the cookies. Next time you''ve gotta give me the recipe."


    "Sure, you know my condition for that."


    I get up from the comfy chair and head towards the exit.


    I have decided to play along with Basluth''s plan for now but only until the artifact is gone. After that... it depends on what the truth behind the events really is. Then it gets ugly.


    <hr>


    POV: Basluth


    I knew before that he is... weird. I knew that the messed-up second skill from Blood Mage had some effect on his soul but not like that. That was needlessly nerve-wracking...


    ''I despise using [Dominate Undead] on intelligent beings'' my ass. I''m a lich! That makes Evil my middle name! Of course, I would do that! In fact, it was the first thing I tried to use on him before he noticed me and it didn''t work. Or rather it did work but I still couldn''t order him around. I tried to issue mental commands and they just went nowhere as if reality were out to lunch.


    That''s never happened before.


    It just makes no sense. None. Nada. Zilch.


    And when I tried to read his mind to find out what the fuck is wrong I almost die from gazing into an abyss of madness. That was worse than looking into a mirror. What''s up with that bullshit? He doesn''t have the skills to do something like that, he can''t have them, they simply shouldn''t exist! I even had to waste one of my few remaining Undeath Elixirs to recover from the backlash. I don''t have the materials to make new ones, you know!


    What the hell was that?!


    ...I really should be more careful around that blood elf. Whatever those glitched patches in his soul do is utterly unpredictable.


    Well, even if not, controlling him wouldn''t have worked for long anyway. Once his soul ripens enough to accept the Demon Lord class he would become immune to it. It would of course be too easy if I could control divine or boss-level creatures.


    I mean I could probably create a better [Dominate Undead] version that doesn''t have that restriction but I can''t afford the DP and I''m already capped on classes, so I couldn''t even add it to myself. And replacing an existing skill would likely destroy my soul, can''t have that. Worst case, someone manages to luck into that skill and uses it against me. Not worth the risk.


    Yeah, a pointless thought.


    Well, at least until the time that his soul is ready, I could''ve moved several pieces into the right places through him and he wouldn''t notice a thing being off due to how skilled I am with [Dominate Undead]. But now...


    ...now that he has offered by his own will to take me outside by way of an undead spirit I feel kinda bad about even trying to control him like that...


    Feelings don''t matter, I have to get my revenge.


    Also, what was the business with the Ring of Monsters? You can''t just rewrite skills like that! Once a skill is a part of your soul it is done, set in stone, finito. Do you love monsters so much that you wanted to be a real one and not just an off-brand leech?


    Urgh, how... how could those skills get corrupted and rewritten as if they weren''t even there? It was like he was an absolute nobody, no, even less than that. Like he didn''t exist yet, a blank slate.


    I do not comprehend.


    And then right after that he goes around and chooses to gain a magic element that doesn''t exist. He managed to fool the system into creating a whole new type of magic for him.


    Impossible. What he does is just impossible!


    Bah!


    ...


    Bone rattling chuckle


    I can see that I made the right choice with him. Forget efficiency, he has interesting ideas.


    Heh, just what kind of abomination am I dealing with... Thinking about it, makes me go mad! ...der than I already am.


    But before that, I must know what the Creed has done to create these cards. They shouldn''t have the tech to imitate something like that.


    Or did I actually underestimate them? They did create the troublesome artifacts after all.


    Hmm...


    Interesting. It seems like they use a byproduct of their bioweapons research, or whatever you want to call that. They''ve worked on that longer than I was a lich at least and don''t have anything workable to show for it. Just sometimes a few funny glitch monsters as byproducts...


    Well, whatever. That is not a material or method I want to use myself, the divine class has priority. But depending on how much DP I have left, I may sabotage the Creed again, heh.


    ...ah, wait, shit, I''ve overdone it with the last class. That cost me about as much as a proper divine class instead of just a fraction. The skills aren''t that powerful, are they? Bah, too late now.


    For the bait class from the Joker Core, I wanted to keep it to something like a fire spell for the affinity or a shield against weakness damage and maybe one thing he would ask for. And then I got carried away, the... experience with his mind distracted me quite a bit.


    Oh, right. Forgot about the Essence Binder. That whim cost me an arm and a leg as well, mostly for [Bind Vestige]. Abusing parts of [Tame Beast] and [Mind Control] for that wasn''t a cheap idea. I shouldn''t have done that.


    At least [Invocation] already existed, otherwise I would be flat-out broke on DP by now. New mechanics like that are just too expensive.


    Well, now that I''ve wasted so much DP on the blood elf, I couldn''t even outfit a different person if I found a suitable one. I''ve just barely enough for what I''ve planned for his divine class. Shit, that one has to count.


    But then... he had an interesting idea there, maybe I should adjust my plan for his divine class accordingly. Originally, I wanted to give him something that would empower his spirits to become his equals and allow him to use their MP for his own needs. But if he is that interested in the power of monsters... Heh, yeah, that could be fun.


    Well, no matter what I create for him, he must succeed in breaking the artifact at least. Then I can gather more DP, I would just need time, but my revenge would be inevitable. If he fails... I''m stuck helplessly here...


    ...


    But when I think calmly about it... he is likely to fail. The deteriorated ''Lost One'' title doesn''t do him any favors. Even his predecessors that didn''t have to deal with the severe penalties failed in the end. And the forces of the Creed have only grown stronger since.


    Maybe this whole plan was a mistake from the beginning. I should''ve cut my losses and just decided to pull the plug on the universe, like inverting the electric charge of protons or something stupidly simple like that. Well, too late for that, now that I''ve too few DP left to do that.


    Now I have to deal with the devil I''ve contracted, for better or for worse.

 Ch. 74 – Restart

    This time I arrive back in my fortress as it should''ve been the first time. The others are here as if nothing ever happened.


    Chloe collects the dungeon spoils from everyone.


    "Can you give me the loot? I want to head to the gate to blow off some steam and the vault is on the way anyway."


    "Eh, sure. That is actually quite helpful, I have some other business to take care of."


    "Sure, see you later, Chloe."


    Chloe heads toward the marketplace and Geoffrey and Marca leave towards the training room.


    Lucia suddenly stands behind me and whispers angrily into my ear, "We will talk LATER".


    She resumes in a normal voice, "I''ll wait home for you, Jared. Come, you two.", then she heads home taking Iris and Anna with her.


    Guess I''ll sleep on the sofa today...


    But what''s been done is done.


    I go to the vault to hand over our loot.


    Today, there''s only one person present.


    "Hey, I have some spoils from Chloe''s group."


    "Chloe''s... ah, you''re... master Delacroix."


    Do I know him? He seems kinda familiar.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ephran</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">21</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Thief 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">High Human 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1900/1900</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1140/1140</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3109/3109</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">270+120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">390</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">230+75</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">150</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">70</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">155+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">350</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Iron Flail, Reinforced Leather, Defense Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Curiosity 15, Haggle 20, Low Profile 20, Stamina Boost 15, Steal 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I might have met him once before when I handed in material drops before but I don''t recall.


    Seems like whoever he is, he didn''t leave much of an impression on me.


    "Just Jared is fine, Ephran. Anyway, Chloe was busy today, so I am here to hand over today''s loot. Can you receive it?"


    "Yeah, sure, give me a moment."


    We finish the handover with no issue.


    Before I can leave, Ephran stops me, "There''s... something I wanted to ask, if I may..."


    "What is it?"


    "It is about Chloe... how is she doing? I haven''t seen her in quite some time."


    "I''d say she is doing fine considering the circumstances. Why do you ask, what relationship do you have?"


    "...we have none. But that is something I wish to change."


    And now I recall... he was the guy that was a bit too enthusiastic to talk with Chloe on my first visit here...


    "Is that so? Did you try to ask her out then?"


    "No... I never have the opportunity or courage..."


    "Sorry, can''t help you with that."


    "That''s why I wanted to ask... if I could... join your team so I get a chance to... you know..."


    I''m no goddamn dating assistance service, Ephran!


    "Ephran, I take my duty very seriously. If you want to join, we can talk about that, but once you''re in, you''re in for good, do you understand that?"


    "I do..."


    "Then think about that once more. Seeing how you don''t really have much combat strength, we''d have to invest a lot of time and resources into you if you were to join us. You better take this seriously and not just join because you''re too cowardly to ask your dream girl out and then regret it for the rest of your life if she rejects you."


    "So... can I?"


    A love-blind fool who won''t listen... I should just say no. I really should.


    "Let me first ask you, what do you see in Chloe? I doubt just from receiving dungeon loot every few weeks you could learn much about her. I mean, do you even know that she is a shapeshifter or what her true form looks like?"


    "Yes, and that makes it even better. I mean, at first, it was just a crush at first sight and then once I found out-"


    I seem to only attract weirdos lately. I wonder what issues Geoffrey and Marca have... Doctor Freud, could I ask you for your help here? Or really any therapist, preferably without a space in the title.


    This whole world is just a mess. The majority of people are force-orphaned, monsters are everywhere, glitches run amok, the gods treat this as entertainment... just bullshit.


    I''m not even sure anymore what Ephran is rambling about, I already zoned his praising of Chloe out a while ago.


    I mean it wouldn''t hurt for her to gain another friend, people seem to be wary of her but... does it have to be that nightmare fetishist?


    He has absolutely no combat skills. Well, with only one class he still has the potential to go in almost any direction we choose. Currently, his only worth is this one passive.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Steal


    Passive


    Every time you or a party member deals damage to a monster, you have a chance to obtain an item drop as if the enemy was defeated.


    This can still result in no item depending on the target''s drop table.


    The chance is (skill level x (1000 + your DEX ¨C target''s DEX)) in 1.000.000.


    If multiple party members have this skill only the higher one applies.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So given equal DEX and his skill level of twenty, this would be two percent. If we could one-hit everything this would be two percent more loot, but since we can''t probably somewhere between five and ten percent. Not too shabby. Every additional chance to obtain something stupidly rare like a Class Core certainly helps. Especially if we make him our familiar and give him classes with high DEX and maybe another class with that skill, this could easily double our haul.


    ...no, Chloe is not just some bargaining chip. She is a real human being, or whatever you want to call it. She is a person and should be treated as such.


    If I cared enough about this skill I could make a spirit with possibly four classes that each grant it, which would currently already result in skill level 24.


    Chloe should be old enough to decide for herself, right? Well, she doesn''t call me daddy in either sense of the expression, so who am I to decide what is good for her?


    A friend, that''s what.


    I have no idea what the local customs are, rather I''m in charge of guiding those. All the more reason for me to watch out for her. If she wants to give him a chance I won''t stand in her way, and if she says no this love story better end there.


    "Alright, alright, I get it. I get it. She is the best thing in the whole world for you."


    "Yes, exactly!"


    "Okay, so here is the deal. Since this is all about her for you, Chloe will decide. You talk to her, confess your love, and if she accepts you''re in. After that, you''ll have the better part of eternity to spend together with your crush. You just need to be slightly useful to us. But if she says no that''s the end, don''t pressure her any further. Understood? And don''t you dare pull any funny business with her! If I find out you used blackmail or mind control or any other shit to get her to agree, your free trial of living will be expired! The same applies if you should cause her harm of any form, got it!?"


    Ephran starts shaking, "Y-yes, sir, I understand. I won''t let any harm befall her!"


    I guess that is somewhat reassuring. At least he seems to value her more than his own continued existence.


    "Here", I hand him the recipe of today''s delivery, "use that as an excuse to meet her if you need one. If someone asks, tell them I was in a hurry and forgot to take it from you. Now, if you''ll excuse me."


    "Th-thank you, Jared, sir."


    "Yeah, yeah."


    I leave and make my way to my usual spot atop the gate.


    It seems the monsters have once again changed. I see... only umbrella-wearing slimes. Nothing but umbrellaed blocks of jello.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Umbrella Slime 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2040/2040</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">384/384</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2928/2928</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">312</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">144</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">72</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">336</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">192</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">24</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">72</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Acid Skin 4, Rain Guard 4, Water Resistance 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I don''t like the skill name [Rain Guard] one bit.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Rain Guard


    Passive


    Provides immunity to rain, rain-like effects and skills with rain in their name.


    Also grants a cute umbrella that can be recreated for free when lost.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Great, this day wasn''t already a total disaster.


    It is weird that there''s only one monster type today... do they adapt to what I can do? They are immune to my best exp grinding skill and have no weakness I can currently exploit.


    My MP is full, the talk with the lich took long enough for that and the xenophile gave me the rest.


    Maybe I should go back to my old ways and try my luck with status effects. Cold status is now ''only'' like a critical hit but if I can inflict that status reliably enough, it might be worth the 30 MP cost increase over the 145 MP area spell. Worth a shot.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your Ice Blast has inflicted a total of 29760 damage and 28 status effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That''s a lot, easily two-thirds got the status. [Appraise] tells me a slime sits at 1296/2040 HP, the direct hit took off over seven hundred HP. Three hits to kill, or two hits and a status infliction.


    That''s a tough call. Should I spread out the spells so no slime gets hit twice to maximize the exp gain or should I for once focus on taking out as many as I can?


    Basically long-term versus short-term...


    Nah, long-term wins. The guards have been holding on well so far and there''s still a very long war ahead of me. And if I see the stats correctly, this stage should be like a vacation for them, 312 STR monsters with no dangerous skills to amplify it should mean they are safe - unless they are unarmed attackers which I haven''t seen on the frontline. Only those would suffer from their [Acid Skin].


    I fire sixteen more ice blasts with cold status effect added.


    When all is said and done and the status effects expired, I''ve gained 534 exp.


    That''s like a quarter of what it should be... The rain last week was easily 700 exp per cast and that would now be over 2100 with full MP.


    Let''s hope the next flood stage will be more abusable...


    Oh, wait, I still have the Blood Burst skill. Given my SP I have nine casts of it.


    First need some slimes that are already hurt...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your Blood Burst has inflicted 1372 damage and killed Umbrella Slime.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And then spread the ten projectiles of it around.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your Blood Bullets have inflicted a total of 2220 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And repeat eight more times. 29 more exp. What a letdown.


    Elly and Maria are still unconscious so they can''t add any damage here.


    Well, time to go home and get shouted at.


    After I climb down the tower stairs I see a small group high-fiving and celebrating. What''s going on?


    I sneak closer and listen in on them. It sounds like that group managed to beat their first boss in the dungeon.


    Is that really something to celebrate?


    Hmm... I guess so, normal people have a very strict limitation of how much SP they can use in there. The dungeon''s effect of preventing sleep benefits will see to that.


    Maybe I should note them down and publically congratulate them later. If Lucia can use the titanium stuff to make some nice weapons that should serve as advertisement for that.


    Chris, Kyle, Gus, Blake, Brooke, Sam, and Harley... noted.


    I will decide that later.


    I continue my walk home.


    "Hey, Lucy, dear? I''m back."


    "Hey, Jared, now, mind explaining to me why the hell you gave me this stupid class?"


    "Pardon?"


    "I know you did something after we left the dungeon, and now I have a class I didn''t want and whose name is very insulting."


    "Well, what happened is a bit of a long story... but I swear I didn''t make a choice for you!"


    "Then who else did? I don''t want to be known as a goddamn trickster priest."


    Really? That is what she is angry about?


    First, a look at where her status stands.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lucia Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Battle Smith 15, Fallen Saint 9, Blood Witch 9, Lead Singer 10, Forge Wizard 7


    Trickster Priest 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sunbound (human) 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 8, Lord 8, Progenitor 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cursed Queen 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">World Resident, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married, Master Crafter, R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l??i???a???r???s???


    Title Level 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">a burnt grain of rice is more relevant</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2871/2871 [3589]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">475/2366 [2958]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1638/2799 [3499]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">574+95 (hammer) or +123 (claws) or +43 (created 1-handed weapon)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">449</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">473+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">463+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">429+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">395+30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">471</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Smith Hammer, Robe, Habit, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Axe Training 10, Unnatural Claws 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Corrosive Rain 9, Enchant Weapon 7, Dark Magic 7 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 7 (Rank 1), Fire Magic 17 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 7 (Rank 1), Profane Bolt 9, Spectral Hand 1, Twisted Pillar of Light 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 8, Create Weapon 15, Disguise 10, Energizing Song 10, Intimidation 16, Sharpen Weapon 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 8, Familiar 8, Greater Vampiric Bite 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 7 (Rank 1), Ageless 8, Armor Training 15, Beast Killer 8, C???u???r???(???s???)???e??? Magic 5, Dark Lord 5, Enhanced Regeneration 8, Forgery 9, Hard Worker 10, Living Undead 5, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 8, Undead 10, Unholy Matrimony 5, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Dark, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Nothing looks particularly problematic here. Exactly as she said she has now the Trickster Priest class and a new skill from it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Spectral Hand


    Concentration


    Create and control a ghostly hand with 1 HP and 0 in all other stats.


    It can move at most 10 DU from your position.


    It can perform any action a normal hand could do except wield a weapon.


    For 30 SP you can use this hand to deliver an attack for 50% of your FTH as non-elemental damage.


    If the hand gets destroyed by an attack you can''t concentrate on any skill for one hour.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So a utility skill. Might be a decent way to deal some damage for a pure faith type but since she has a more melee-oriented build her SP is better spent swinging that hammer around.


    "If you dislike the class name, can''t you just use your [Forgery] skill to pretend you are a regular priestess?"


    "...doesn''t change that I didn''t want it. That''s already the second class I was forced into against my will!"


    "Welcome to the club, Lucy. I have the same problem with Survivor and Blood Mage but neither of us can change that."


    "...fine. Now tell me, what happened after we left?"


    I tell her about my meeting with the lich Basluth and its offer of assistance - is it a ''he'' or a  ''she''? Could''ve asked that before... Eh, ''it'' will suffice.


    While I''m reciting the events, the two spirits wake up again, first Maria and then Elly, so I have to start over from the beginning. Twice...


    "And that''s what happened, now you know as much as I do."


    Elly teases, "That''s another big problem on our plate. Good work stumbling into that mess, Jared."


    "That''s not really fair, sis", Maria interjects, "that wasn''t his choice."


    "It doesn''t even matter whose fault it is. Me getting a demon lord class was already inevitable for a long time and what kind of class it becomes was never in our hands. This way the one responsible at least knows what I want from the result instead of being completely up in the air."


    Lucia pouts, "That''s unfair, I want a custom-made class, too!"


    "Sure, I''ll ask the lich at our next meeting for that."


    Maria asks, "So what now, my lord? Does that change anything?"


    "Not really. We''ll abuse the lich''s help to destroy the artifact and then hopefully live happily ever after. The only price until then would be hosting an undead summoned spirit under the control of the lich. And that one will be on the same level as you two, so nothing to worry about there. At worst it can give troublesome advice."


    Lucia adds, "Then you may need a shoulder angel to balance out that devil."


    Elly scoffs, "That''s what you have me for!"


    "Okay, make that TWO shoulder angels then."


    "HEY!!", shouts Elly.


    "Jokes aside, we''ll take care of it when the time comes. Until then... Lucia, can you make something with these metal bars?"


    I hand her the Titanium bars I created earlier. She inspects them for a while.


    She shakes her head, "I''m afraid not. Or at least not yet. They are too high level. I think regular bars of that material should be material level 60, these are 63. My crafting skill level is only 39. If what I''ve learned is correct then for each level you''re below a material the failure rate increases by 5%."


    Elly adds, "I think that part was redesigned by a tabletop nerd, so 5% steps sounds likely."


    "How do you even get that crafting level? I don''t see it anywhere in your status screen."


    "You just sum up the levels of your smithing-related classes. Battle Smith, Lead Singer and Forge Wizard in my case."


    Elly chimes in, "Don''t forget the level of the ''Master Smith'' title and half the level of dwarven race levels if you had them."


    "Alright. Can you try anyway, Lucy? I can create as many of those bars as we need for free. If only one in twenty tries succeeds and gives us superior equipment that should be enough for now. Or do you need other limited materials for that as well?"


    "That depends on the weapon I try to make. But if I try to make just a regular sword or hammer I don''t need other materials."


    "Then start with that. If you have no results after a week we postpone it until you have at least five more crafting levels. Say, don''t you have a master that teaches you smithing? How about asking him?"


    "I... have already surpassed him due to that event."


    What? Does that mean Lucia is already our highest-leveled weapon smith? Well, given how it is calculated and the steep exp cost increase for each further level this isn''t that big of a surprise.


    "And if you work on it together? Are there synergy effects possible? Even if your skill level is now higher that doesn''t mean his practical experience is lacking. Together you might come up with a way around that barrier."


    "I have never heard of something like that but I''ll try to ask him."


    "Good, please do. I''ll put a few hundred Titanium bars into the inventory later. Tell me when you need more."


    Too bad. I had some hope that at least an equipment upgrade with this magically-created material would be possible. But it turns out the material is too good for what our smiths can handle...


    "If the crafting skill is calculated the way you said then I assume there are no armor smiths that can handle this material either?"


    Lucia thinks for a moment, "At least no one I can think of. I guess we could send Carl around to perform the relevant survey with a few sample bars in hand."


    "Yeah, good idea. Please tell him to do that tomorrow. He doesn''t particularly like talking with me..."


    "Sure, will do. Anything else we need to take care of or can we get to the issue of the third summoned spirit?"


    "No, that is next. So to recap, we need just any third spirit and all three of you out at the same time to take the ''Summon Master'' title. After that, the race classes of spirits no longer cost us upkeep and we can upgrade a spirit up to four classes so the familiars can also take up to four classes. Did I get that right, Elly?"


    She nods, "On the spot."


    Lucia interjects, "How exactly do you want us to stem the upkeep cost? I don''t want any more interruptions during our alone time."


    "You take the spirit with four classes, I the other two. We need all the exp we can get and currently I''m much better at generating those with area damage. That shouldn''t be up for debate. Maybe once you reach 2500 max MP you could take over one of the two I hold."


    "Alright. So what should we create as the third spirit and who of the three spirits will get the three extra classes?"


    Elly fidgets, "Can I? I''ve found a class I want to take. Can I have it, please?"


    I''m afraid this will be a long planning session...

 Ch. 75 – Unfinished Business

    POV: Gzeph


    I arrived in my secret lab a few days sooner than I thought. If this sector was actually regulated, I would get my license revoked for speeding that hard.


    Everywhere is dust, guess the cleaning robots are defective. Well, I can fix them later, the Todo business is more important. I need to find out what really is going on there. Nothing I''ve heard about it makes any sense.


    Damn dust, the computer won''t start because of it. Hope there''s no permanent damage from it.


    ...


    ...


    Depressed Computer Noises


    Ah, there goes the old machine finally doing its job.


    Now to connect to the main system...


    Ah, they changed some things, can''t access the camera storage that easily anymore.


    ...


    Huh? What is that file? ''Trial_Evidence_Todo_16(edit).mpg''? Who even uses that old format anymore? It was already obsolete millennia ago.


    Now I''m curious... Download that thing.


    ...done.


    Damn, I need a different codec for this prehistoric format.


    ...


    There, installed. Now play the damn thing.


    A black and white recording of Todo''s room, in this day and age? Guys, color videos are a thing. No one would believe you if you told them that are security cameras can''t record in color yet. That would just be sad.


    Wait, if this is supposed to be a security recording where is the timestamp? All security cameras print it in the corner. Regulations even require that.


    ...


    The video shows that Eva enters Todo''s room, what is she doing there? Surely she doesn''t have the authorization to visit the big boss''s big boss himself.


    Todo looks very much still alive there.


    She does... something, it is impossible to see from this angle, I only see her back. And then Todo collapses!?


    Something looked off there, let me replay this.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ...there is a minor break in her movement as if a few frames are missing.


    So that means the evidence has obviously been tampered with. As if the filename wasn''t a dead giveaway for that.


    Yeah, back to checking the real recording, this is worthless.


    ...


    Curious, the recordings on the security cameras of the last couple of months have been deleted.


    But were the sectors on the hard disk overwritten? Maybe I can still restore something.


    ...


    Ha, success!


    Let''s see...


    Nothing there, this one is also the wrong day...


    There''s the original recording of Todo''s murder!


    The whole screen is wider, in color, and a timestamp is included, yeah this is more believable.


    Now, what did really happen...


    Alex enters together with Eva, since when do they get along? She wouldn''t even use his name, they are like fire and oil.


    Eva approaches Todo as in the faked recording.


    But in the section that is missing Alex takes out a gun and shoots Todo. Why doesn''t he fight back? It should only affect him if he allows it... He just sits there and allows it to happen...


    Let me go back a bit.


    Hmmm... the recording isn''t that detailed but even before Eva enters, the look in Todo''s eyes is as if he was already internally dead.


    ...why would he be...


    Given the circumstances, it isn''t out of the question that his soul refuses to reincarnate as one of us again. If whatever those two have done to him didn''t destroy the soul outright... shit...


    ...


    I let the rest of the video play. Not much else happens.


    Eva does something which I can''t identify from this angle, then Alex takes out a strange gun, shoots and Todo collapses. Afterwards, the two murderers leave the room.


    I don''t understand what they would get out of this...


    ...wait, go back again, what was that?


    ...


    Before this ''Eva'' leaves the room her hair becomes longer and turns black. Is that a shapechanger impersonating her?


    Most likely, yes.


    Shit.


    Now what?


    ...


    Any attorney I can send this video to anonymously? Ah, heck, send it to all of them.


    Choose the appropriate mailing list... or three...


    There, done. Just any one of them will do.


    Now I want to see Alex pin this murder on Eva.


    ...


    Wait, no, if someone can impersonate Eva what stops them from also impersonating Alex?


    Well, that''s not something I can check from here...


    Alex may be an incompetent asshole


    At least now I know that Todo really is dead. Considering his final expression, his soul is probably lost as well...


    I can''t imagine the consequences...


    He was basically the literal heart of the universe. No Todo, no new worlds.


    If what W-Nwu told me is true it also means no more transmigrations outside the cycle of rebirth. That might just make the guy I sent to Deteoh the last one to ever use that option... Maybe guilt-tripping that soul was the right call after all.


    But what does anyone gain from Todo''s death? There are only downsides to it...


    But...


    Our enemy would gain a lot from it. If we can no longer send souls into story bubbles, many worlds are just helplessly drifting towards their doom. Some may make it through it, but most will not...


    My money is on the Creed of Whispers being behind this. No, there''s no doubt about this. No one understands what these terrorists are up to but creating chaos like that is right up their alley.


    Goddamn Graham, why did you have to stop me from blowing up their headquarters? If you didn''t, Todo would still be alive today. Your reluctance to let me finish a job killed the highest god, collaterals be damned. And since time travel is impossible that fact won''t change.


    But as much as I want to rub that into his face I''ve got more important things to do. Just being right doesn''t bring back the dead.


    Table Slam


    ...


    Fizzle


    Ah, the computer has finally died. The tech for hyper-lightspeed transmissions is just too fragile.


    You did great, my little war machine, you made me proud.


    ...


    Now what?


    ...I need time to think...

 Ch. 76 – Design Phase

    So far only Elly has requested to take the role of the spirit with four classes, Maria is fine with that as well but I wanted to explore more options first.


    "Before I agree to that, Elly, can you indulge my curiosity first? I wanted to think about making a spirit that would essentially be a ''buff bot''. But considering how weak even the best buffs were you showed me a while back... Are buffs stackable? For example, could we give everyone a class with [Guard Order] and get a workable defense that way?"


    "Sorta. You can''t stack buffs of the same name. In that case, only the one with the higher skill level takes effect, even if the actual effect may be weaker. But nothing stops you from stacking different buffs that affect the same stat. If you really want to build a dedicated buff-spewing spirit... well, you''re limited to non-magic, as you know. Chloe already has [Battle Order]-like skills, so we shouldn''t waste energy on the order category... We could math that out but I don''t think it is worth it yet. The spirit won''t be able to do anything else due to upkeep costs and the effect will be low. You need a much higher leveled spirit before it makes sense if you ask me."


    "Sorry, that math has to be done. We have the time to do that at least. Can you, please? Assume we dump all four classes on maximizing party-wide buffs."


    "Fine, give me a minute..."


    Everyone patiently waits for Elly to finish. Or maybe impatiently, "While we wait on Elly, does either of you have any other idea, Lucia or Maria?"


    Lucia shakes her head, "Nothing special. Just an attacker or maybe a scout. No matter what we do, spirits with their 30% penalty to HP are too frail, magic is out as well..."


    Maria answers, "No, I think we should give Elly''s idea a try."


    "Has she told you which class she had her eyes on?"


    "I think it was called Trick Shot. Honestly, I''m not sure what the point is."


    "The name tells me little what it does. Well, we''re waiting anyway so it can''t hurt to have a look right now."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Trick Shot</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    25 HP, 36 MP, 58 SP, 6 STR, 9 DEX, 4 VIT, 7 MAG, 1 FTH, 3 WIL, 2 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Gun Training


    Passive


    Can use guns without attack penalty.


    Increase effective STR by (skill level) for equipped guns.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Enchanted Shot <Skill locked until Level 5>


    50 SP per attack


    You can add a rate 50 poison, burning or stun status effect to non-magical projectile attacks.


    You can add only one status effect to the same attack this way.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Homing Projectile <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Concentration


    You can readjust the trajectory of any projectile you shoot.


    A projectile can curve at most 90 degrees per meter of travel.


    You can only adjust projectiles until they''ve traveled up to their regular maximum travel distance.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Why is the level 15 skill known, did we see that class somewhere? I don''t think so. Maybe Elly saw it on someone in the fortress? Or did the class menu break and it now shows all skills? No, other classes still only show the first two skills. Ah, doesn''t matter.


    Lucia asks, "So what is the point? She doesn''t have guns. Does she want to swap over?"


    Maria answers, "I''m not sure what exactly she had planned, my lord. But it did involve arrows and not guns."


    "I guess it would work with bows and not just guns. The skills explicitly mention non-magical projectiles, not specifically gun bullets or arrows or something. But then she doesn''t really have the greatest MAG so the chance for status effects would be on the low side. At least she would have an easier time hitting a mobile target once we reach the level for [Homing Projectile]. But just that doesn''t sound like that much of a plan... Didn''t she say more than that?"


    "Ah, sorry, no."


    While I try to figure that out, Elly has finished her homework, "Best I can do at our level even with 4 classes is about +12 to all stats and another +9 to defenses, both for the group, and then the spirit can''t do much else because it needs almost all of its SP just for upkeep. Seriously, if you want such a buff bot you should wait until us spirits are of a higher level. Like level 15 and one or two more classes so we can add another buff and maybe another passive or two to further strengthen the other support skills."


    "Yeah, that is basically nothing. Well, if buffs don''t work out, plan B would be research into non-magical area damage. We had minor success with that when you created multiple arrows and fired them simultaneously. Of course, that was before the update that attached an SP cost to your arrow creation."


    "I mean if you only care about exp generation you could go for a spirit with a high skill level in [Intimidate] and high CHA. When the skill is high enough compared to the target''s total level it inflicts damage at no cost, and that is ideal for the low-level flood monsters."


    Lucia objects, "That skill would also affect our own soldiers, they could break formation and then all monsters can storm the fortress. That''s too risky."


    "If it weren''t for that, the created spirit would probably be completely useless for any actual fighting we need to do in the dungeon and to get to the artifact. Or die of boredom sitting on the wall 24/7 just staring at the flood."


    Elly sounds disappointed, "Yeah, that''s true, you two..."


    Maria says, "So if that doesn''t work, Elly, can you explain what you had in mind? Jared was considering it but he needs to know the full picture."


    "Was he? Oh, perfect! So first I need the Bullseye and Trick Shot classes. I saw you looked at the latter while I did the calculations. In addition to them, I need a specific elite class. Normally spirits can''t get elite classes but the skill [Elite Summoning] would allow one such class per spirit. I''ve reason to believe that your Summoner gives either that or [Summon Expertise] at level 15. If it is the latter we could try to look for another class with [Elite Summoning]."


    "Let me quickly check these skills."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Expertise


    Passive


    You can add 1 additional base job class to your summoned spirits.


    This increases to 2 at skill level 20 and 3 at 25.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And the other.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite Summoning


    Passive


    You can add 1 additional base job class to your summoned spirits, or 2 classes at skill level 25.


    If a spirit has already at least 3 base classes, one of the additional classes can be an elite class.


    As with base classes, requirements for elite classes don''t have to be met.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Yeah, eventually we need both. But what makes you think one of them must be on the Summoner class?"


    "It is no guarantee, there are a few more options but in general a class keeps within its theme so whatever it gives should improve your summon skills in one form or another. Be it giving you more MP, making the spirits stronger, increasing the class limit or making it cheaper in some way. But I have an educated guess. Back then when we looked for the [Summon Spirit] skill we found only Caller, Invoker and Summoner as options at all. I assume that Invoker would lead to the [Invocation] skill our lich friend put on the Binder class. I guess between Caller and Summoner one would focus more on the quantity of active spirits and the other more on quality of a few spirits."


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    "If I remember correctly, Caller had only 32 MP per level, Summoner has 40 and the [Mana Boost] passive. Why don''t we quickly check what Caller''s level 5 skill is..."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Extra Summon


    Passive


    You can have 2 additional spirits.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    This is a whole skill just for a +2 to the cap, while on Dread Lord''s [Legion of Doom] it was a +1 just as a minor portion of a skill with three more effects. It really is a cheat.


    "With that, it is indeed possible that Summoner goes for quality, or at least a lot of classes per spirit at once, while Caller increases the cap of how many spirits you can own and then it wants you to switch between them in short succession."


    "Yeah, that''s how I see it, too."


    "Anyway, what exactly are you up to there? I don''t see the value of Trick Shot yet."


    "Not by itself, but combined with the other two classes."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Bullseye</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    26 HP, 31 MP, 55 SP, 7 STR, 9 DEX, 3 VIT, 7 MAG, 2 FTH, 4 WIL, 2 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Bow Training


    Passive


    Can use bows without attack penalty.


    Increase effective STR by (skill level) for equipped bows.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Multi Shot <Skill locked until Level 5>


    50 SP per attack


    Split a non-magical projectile you shoot into 3 projectiles with half the original attack power.


    A projectile that was already split this way can''t be split again.


    The projectiles keep their other properties.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "And the elite."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Bombardier</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    26 HP, 31 MP, 55 SP, 7 STR, 9 DEX, 3 VIT, 7 MAG, 2 FTH, 4 WIL, 2 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Explosive Shot


    150 SP, a pinch of gunpowder per attack


    Change a non-magical non-explosive projectile you fire into an explosive projectile that inflicts (33% original attack power + 33% DEX + 33% MAG) physical fire damage in a 7x7 DU area.


    The projectile keeps its other properties.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 5></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ah, I always forget that we couldn''t scout the level 5 skills of elite classes because spirits can''t take them yet.


    Elly continues, "The idea is simply the answer to the only question that matters: explosions? And the answer is yes. Lots of them."


    "What? Take an arrow, add explosion and burning status effect, then split it and home them at the same target?"


    "Precisely. And for single targets, I can just split a stun arrow and leave the damage dealing to the rest of the party."


    30 SP to create an arrow, 30 SP for the shot itself, 50 SP for the burning effect, 150 SP to add the explosive trait and 50 SP for the multi-shot. Yikes, 310 SP and gunpowder for one such combination, and then it only inflicts 3 hits worth half of the average of three stats with a chance for a pseudo-crit thanks to burning. That much effort for 150% of the average stat as damage before defense? With a spell, I would have the same area and 110% MAG elemental damage at the cost of 175 MP.


    "And where do you get the gunpowder for the [Explosive Shot]? We don''t have that kind of materials just lying around."


    "I should be able to create it by spending 30 SP since it is a part of a weapon I have training in. Kinda."


    "Okay, so just a guess."


    So that rises the cost to 340 SP for up to 150% damage and a status. Kinda poor.


    I can focus on one stat, can hit different elemental weaknesses, have reduced cost and don''t need to invest a full 3 classes to get started with area damage. Maybe magic is broken after all.


    "Is there a base class with a similar skill so we can test that before we plan to waste your only elite class on just a guess?"


    "I guessed you''d say that. Would that suffice?"


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Alchemist</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    37 HP, 26 MP, 53 SP, 3 STR, 7 DEX, 3 VIT, 7 MAG, 7 FTH, 4 WIL, 2 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fire Bomb


    200 SP, 1 bottle or vial


    Turn the bottle or vial into an explosive that lasts for 5 seconds.


    When either the time is up or it gets thrown against an enemy or solid surface it explodes for (60% DEX + 60% MAG) physical fire damage in a 5x5 DU area.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Healing Flask <Skill locked until Level 5>


    1000 SP, 1 bottle or vial


    Fill the bottle or vial with a healing liquid that is good for 10 minutes.


    Can be used like a regular healing potion to heal (creator''s FTH) HP or status damage.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So assuming she can create the jar, that makes it 230 SP for 120% damage but no status, less area and poorer range. Currently, she would have maybe five uses.


    And the [Healing Flask] is useless, [Undead] will just prevent the healing.


    Hmm, maybe as an army spirit if it works. Like a small troop of grenadiers.


    "So you can either create the needed bottles for 30 SP which makes this pseudo magic just twice as expensive - or the whole class is a waste of space?"


    "Yeah, those are effects that are just more efficiently handled with real magic but alas, as a spirit I can never use spells. In contrast, single target DPS is better handled via non-magical means."


    Lucia says, "Even if it is less efficient, it should still generate more exp from the flood than mere single target damage."


    "Is that the best standalone area attack skill you''ve found, Elly?"


    "It is not exactly the best but outside of elite classes, non-magical area attacks have very little passives or modifiers they can profit from. At least as far as I''ve found. The [Fire Bomb] or whatever else I can take as an interim solution would eventually just get replaced with the explosive shots. So the more important question is what else do I have left once the skill is obsolete, and among the options I found, the heal skill looks the most useful for long-term."


    "Okay, we''ll do it as follows. I give you that Alchemist class, then you go to a front gate and check if you can use the [Fire Bomb] skill. If so, you get the other 2 classes you wanted after we have the Summon Master title. If not... we''ll think of something else. I''m not willing to commit all of your classes to the idea until we have a positive result on that test. Any objections?"


    Elly sounds happy, "Works for me."


    Lucia answers, "Nah, I''m okay with that."


    Maria shakes her head, "None, my lord, though I''d like to get an additional class as well."


    "Sorry, Maria, that will have to wait. We just can''t afford it at the moment. Though once we have the Spirit Master title you can at least get a second race, so you don''t exactly gain nothing."


    "I... understand."


    For the moment, I take the upkeep cost for Maria on me, Lucia takes care of Elly. And with that, I can now finalize the class decision for Elly. One alchemical archer spirit coming right up.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Elly</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Archer 6, Alchemist 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Valkyrie 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1019/1174</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">473/582</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1110/1332</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">252+6 (either weapon)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">302</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">200</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">172</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">154</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">116</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit Bow, Spirit Spear</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Bow Training 6, Spear Training 6


    Fire Bomb 6, Healing Flask 6


    Intimidation 6, Stealth 6, Wings 6


    Summoned Spirit 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lightning</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Elly leaves the room, "Well, I''m off then. Cya."


    "Yeah, and please bring back good news."


    Now, what should we do with the third spirit in case it fails...


    Wait, why didn''t we just test if she can create a bottle right away? Ah, too late now...


    Maria asks, "Can we go over race options for when you have gained the title?"


    "Yeah, sure, let''s do that."

 Ch. 77 – Reunion

    POV: Anna


    First I get almost killed in the dungeon, then today''s practice session was rougher than usual... Geoffrey just never holds back, meanie. I haven''t even recovered a bit from the dungeon''s damage but no, he still had to go all out...


    And yet... he''s the only one that''s like a father figure I have. Can''t he and Marca just adopt me? I wanna finally have a place where I belong...


    Growl


    I hope there''s something good for dinner, I''m hungry.


    Crowd noises


    Sounds like there''s a commotion. Do I really have to go check it out? I''m too hungry for that...


    ...argh, probably. They''ll be mad if they find out I ignored this and it was something important...


    I head over to the marketplace where the sound seems to come from.


    More crowd noises


    Damn, can''t see anything, I''m still too small...


    Huh? What is that? Some objects fly through the air?


    I reach out to an older woman, "Excuse me, madam, do you know what is going on?"


    She is confused, "Huh? Oh, didn''t see you there, little girl. We, uh...", she seems at a loss for words.


    She thinks for a moment and then continues, "The church''s head priest has done something bad. And, uh, they''re punishing him. Look, this is not-"


    Urgh, spare me, I''m hungry, give me the short version!


    I interrupt her, "Uh, okay, sure, whatever. I don''t really care about church business but... will the bad man go back to the church?"


    "No. No, he won''t. His sin is too great for that."


    "Sin? What has he done?"


    "He''s gone against God''s will, he has... I can explain it to you when you get older, okay?"


    I''m always alone or too young for everything... and the title does me no favors in that regard... It is so frustrating...


    "Uh-huh, okay. Thank you. I''ll be on my way then."


    She waves me goodbye, "Right, see you around, little one."


    I finally return home. I hope Maria made something delicious.


    "Hi, I''m home!"


    ...


    No one answers? Is everyone busy?


    The kitchen is empty, do they have a meeting? Come on, I''m hungry...


    Knock knock


    "Come in", answers a familiar voice.


    "Ah, here''s everyone."


    Maria asks, "Hey, Anna, back already? Aren''t you a bit early today?"


    "No, in fact, I''m even later than usual. Is the food already cold?"


    She is embarrassed, "Oh, sorry, I didn''t watch the time. I''ll prepare your meal in a moment."


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Maria leaves the room.


    "Sure. And what were you two up to?"


    Jared answers, "Just planning how to proceed with the spirits. Elly is right now trying out her new class, she''ll hopefully be back soon."


    "Uh-huh. That reminds me, on my way home, there was a commotion at the marketplace. Something about the church''s head priest getting punished? An older lady told me that he won''t return there, he has done something pretty bad."


    Lucia doesn''t seem to care, "Serves him right..."


    Jared adds, "I guess that closes that chapter. Anything else you wanted, Anna?"


    "Not really but... have you thought again about making me a familiar?"


    "...No. Haven''t. Guess we could discuss that while we wait for Elly."


    "S-sure. So?"


    Jared thinks for a moment, "I have my reservations about this. I learned a few things since you last asked. It supposedly has no influence on your chance to become a hero-"


    "I don''t really care about that. I just... don''t want to be left out. Not again."


    Lucia asks, "Are you sure about that? Once done, it can''t be undone. You lose your titles, you become our servant not only in body but also in mind."


    "I''m... I''m fine with that."


    No titles would mean I no longer have to suffer from the ''Stunted Growth'' title. And I''m already their slave, me saying no already means nothing... This changes nothing really...


    Jared gives up, "Well, the cap for familiars has gone up considerably recently, and if you really want to, I don''t see any reason against it anymore. Are you definitely sure about this? This is a one-way road. You could''ve still run away from your hero duty but not from this, it will be with you until your death."


    "Y-yeah, I''m okay with that. As it is, I will just be left behind. ...I couldn''t bear that again."


    He grabs his forehead, "I don''t get the feeling that you really understand but fine, if you insist, then come here."


    I walk over to him as instructed.


    He sounds serious, "This is your last chance to back out."


    "No. Do it. I''ve made up my mind."


    "Got it", he smiles.


    I''m nervous. I just hope it doesn''t hurt as bad as disobeying an order.


    ...


    I wait but nothing happens. What''s going on?


    I ask him, "What''s wrong? I thought you had agreed to it?"


    "...I''m not allowed to take you as a familiar. Lucia, can you try?"


    Lucia responds, "Huh? Uh, sure."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">The slave seal was broken.


    You have become a familiar to the Delacroix''s.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The collar around my neck snaps open and falls to the ground.


    Clang


    It is gone. I can''t believe it. It is gone!


    I can feel tears rolling from my eyes. I covertly wipe them away. I hope no one saw that, that would be embarrassing. Big girls don''t cry...


    I''m a big girl, and don''t you dare tell me otherwise.


    Lucia says, "Seems like it worked. But why? What is different between us, Jared?"


    He answers, "Simple. You have a full-fledged divine class, I don''t. Supposedly that category name isn''t just for show. It really seems to give you more rights than other people."


    "That might be but I feel weirdly drained now..."


    Jared appraises her, "Really? There''s nothing in your status that suggests anything is out of the ordinary."


    The two vampires discuss the issue a bit more but I tune them out. I wouldn''t understand it anyway.


    I think they said something about issues with titles, didn''t they? How does my status look now?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Anna</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">13</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Pugilist 10, Farmer 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cat Folk 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hero Candidate 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><feature deleted></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">102</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">215/1820</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">402/402</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">47/2597</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">336+20 (unarmed) or +41 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">343</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">329+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">92</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">109</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">206+10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">243</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Reinforced Suit</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Natural Weapon 7, Unarmed Fighting 10


    Opportunity Attack 10


    Ageless 1, Curiosity 7, Low Profile 7, Sleepless 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Water</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The stupid ''Stunted Growth'' title is gone!? It is gone!


    Free, I''m finally free of it! That means I can grow up!


    I gotta tell Carl!


    Jared shouts, "Hey, wait!", but I''ve already closed the door.

 Ch. 78 – Slice of Life, +f

    POV: Tina


    Whew, I''m finally done cleaning the upper floors. I wonder how Carmen is doing, maybe she needs some help. Don''t want to anger the masters with a job poorly done and end up as their lunch...


    Time to gather my cleaning materials and look for her.


    "Oh, Tina, are you done here?", asks the butler Edward.


    "Yeah, I was about to look for Carmen to see if she needs some help on her end."


    "Ah, I just checked, she was almost finished with her part on this floor."


    "Great, so we can continue with the meeting room next."


    "Not today, they''re holding a discussion right now. You can clean there early tomorrow."


    "Thanks for warning me before I went in there...", I can feel my hands shaking. Don''t want to imagine what would happen if I disturbed them...


    "What''s wrong, Tina?"


    "Huh? Oh, umm... nothing. I''ll help Carmen and then I''ll turn in for the day, okay?"


    "Are you sure it is nothing? You seem pretty nervous to me."


    "Is it that obvious, Edward?"


    "Yes. So what is wrong?"


    "I''m just nervous, a bit afraid."


    "Is that so? Hmm... it is the vampires, right?"


    "Yes. What else would it be?"


    "If you''re that afraid of the vampires why did you choose to work here, Tina?"


    "...I couldn''t find any other place to work at with my Vendor class. As a High Elf, I can''t earn any titles which makes it harder to become good at any regular job. But cleaning is something even I can do. I just hope to stay unnoticed enough to stay alive..."


    "Do you truly think the Lost One would kill you just because of a single screw-up?"


    "I don''t know and I don''t want to find out, Edward. He may have once been a Lost One... but now he is one of those monsters. I don''t know how much of the original person is left."


    "I don''t know that either. But for now, all we can do is trust him."


    "Aren''t you afraid of them, Edward?"


    "A lot actually, yes. But I don''t show it as much. Now come, let''s relieve Carmen so she can start helping lady Maria with dinner preparations."


    "Yeah, let''s do that."


    We walk to the room Carmen should be working in.


    Knock Knock


    "Carmen are you still in here?"


    She grumpily answers, "Yeah, what do you want?"


    Edward says, "We are here to relieve you from cleaning duty for today. It is about time for you to help lady Maria with dinner preparations."


    "What? Is it already this late?"


    I nod, "Yeah, actually it is already half an hour later than usual, sorry. I''ll take it from here."


    "Shit, this house is simply too big for just the two of us to keep clean... Okay, I''ll quickly wash my hands and face and then head to the kitchen. Thanks for the help, Tina."


    Carmen hastily leaves the room.


    "It looks like she just started with this room... Edward, what are you up to now? Could you help?"


    "I''ll have to decline. Carl is working on his studies and I have to watch over him, can''t leave him alone too long. Once he''s done with that, I''ll have to repeat the lessons for Miss Anna."


    "I see. What do you teach them?"


    "Just some basics in math, bookkeeping and history for now. Once they''ve reached a common base I''ll teach both of them at the same time."


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    "Could you teach me as well?"


    "I don''t see why not. Though you have to make sure your other duties are taken care of and you don''t hinder the two children in their learning."


    "Will do!"


    <hr>


    POV: Sergeant O''Neilll (deva)


    It is time for the yearly check of the containment sector.


    Sectors A through W are operating as expected. Good.


    Now sector X, that''s the glitch souls containment. Gives me the creeps. I can deal with Xenomorphs, SCPs, PVCs and GGGs but these things... hell, no. I pity the people standing watch in there all day.


    sealed door noises


    Today it seems like Jeff and Ted are on duty. They''ve been doing fine work for decades here before this Ted had to replace the previously deceased Ted.


    The upper brass has a strange sense of humor. Whenever a Ted died in the line of duty they make sure the replacement is also called Ted... sickos.


    "Men, attention! We''re having our regular inspection now!"


    Wait, there are only two on duty? Shouldn''t there be a minimum of three?


    The two men jump up and salute, "Sir!"


    "At ease. Now, where is the third one? Regulations clearly state that no less than three should guard a containment room."


    Jeff answers, "Marj is... relieving himself, sir."


    "Alright, understood.", I should''ve guessed as much.


    I begin inspecting the containment capsules. Three are empty, and the other two each contain a glitch-infested soul. If you can even call that a soul.


    The two miscolored wanna-be souls are wriggling around in their capsules in all of their blocky glory.


    I double-check my notes again, I could''ve sworn there should be three of these souls left, not two.


    Hmm...


    The documents clearly say, that initially there were five. We found them after the last system crash, they were about to enter the standard reincarnation cycle. They had no history to them, no properties, nothing. Mostly blank slates covered in a glitchy mass.


    Though they were not soul-like at all. Two of them lashed out, grew for a lack of a better word tentacles made of glitches... killed several regular souls and devas before they could be contained. None of their victims had any traces of them left, they were lost forever.


    One of these glitch souls collapsed when the scientists tried to research it, a second one was then delivered to R&D, and two more are here but no mention of number five.


    "One is missing... what happened to the one contained in chamber four?"


    Ted shrugs, "No idea, sergeant O''Neil when-"


    "Sergeant O''Neilll, three L, please. The one with one L has no sense of humor."


    "Right, sorry, O''Neilll, sir. When I was moved to this department there were only those two left. Do you know anything, Jeff?"


    "No, I was on holiday when you started. Before that, there were three, and afterwards two. I thought my superiors had filed the proper paperwork for the difference back then. Is that not the case?"


    "If that is so then it is missing from these documents. I better look into that later, have a bad feeling about this. If left unchecked they can do immeasurable damage to the universe."


    I don''t want to stay here any longer than I need to, they give me the creeps.


    One of the two remaining specimens called Hryf starts spasming around in its capsule, flailing tentacle-like glitch mass around but stopping short of the capsule''s frame.


    "Ted, get away from that capsule!"


    He does as ordered then turns around to watch what is happening, "What is going on, sir?"


    "No idea, it just suddenly went wild."


    Jeff is unphased, "The capsules are safe. See?"


    He walks over and knocks on the capsule.


    Knock knock


    "You fool! Don''t agitate it any further! Get away from there and don''t make any unnecessary movements!"


    "As you w-", but before he can finish his answer, the specimen''s tentacle has cut through him as if the capsule didn''t exist. Jeff''s torso has a clean, big, gaping hole in it. Even the blood that should''ve flown from the wound is gone.


    Hryf starts moving and wildly swinging its tentacles around.


    Everywhere the glitch monstrosity moves or swings around its appendages is erased.


    It begins creeping out of its capsule, you can basically feel how its movements leave a vacuum in its wake.


    "RUN!", I scream as I hit the emergency alert button.


    Bleep Bleep


    Alarms blare forth as we leave the room, hoping that the security doors hold it off somehow.


    "Ted, keep your distance. Should it breach the door and kill me, you''ll be in charge, got it?"


    "Yes, sir!"


    I observe the creature through the security door''s viewing hole, it has stopped moving towards the exit. It is just flailing around, confused as to where its prey went.


    Considering how little the capsule restricted its movement in the end, I doubt it would be stopped by the security door either. The capsule was already made out of the sturdiest material we know in the universe. If that can''t stop it, nothing can.


    I don''t want to imagine what it could do if it was intelligent. It could probably erase any obstacle in its way, walls, floors, doesn''t matter.


    Eventually, the armed security forces arrive and storm the room.


    Shooting noises


    We can only hear them fighting and screams echoing from inside. We can just wait, utterly helpless.


    A while later the noises die down and the security group leader returns, then talks to me, "Sergeant O''Neilll, Jake?"


    "Present. Can you tell me its status?"


    I signal Ted to leave us alone. This report might include classified information.


    "Sure. We managed to destroy the specimen, though several of my men died. The other specimen seems still secure in its capsule. Can you tell me how it managed to escape from its capsule? Those things should''ve been secure!"


    "No idea, it just cut it open from the inside, the capsule didn''t seem to exist for it."


    "So it is exactly as I thought."


    "What do you mean?"


    "You''ll read it in my report, but it seems like while it itself is in motion it is not affected by things that aren''t in motion and vice-versa. At least none of our bullets worked while it stood still, they just phased through it. But once it started fighting back, they started having some effect at least. Well, I''ll leave the details to the scientists, this is not my area of expertise. All I know is that the target has been neutralized and its remains are being erased by my men."


    "I assume this is classified information?"


    "Correct. Keep it as such. Well, see you around, Jake. I''ve got a lot of bad news to deliver."


    "Right, likewise."


    What a day. Lost a subordinate, a dangerous specimen almost got out, found out another is potentially missing... I need a beer.


    Well, that leaves only specimen Cliff in this chamber.

 Ch. 79 – E1#d_$

    While waiting my exp has gone up by 7. I guess this means our test worked, kinda? If it was from that, the output was very poor.


    Everyone else has gone for dinner.


    A while later, Elly returns.


    She cheerfully announces, "Hiya, I''m back!"


    "No, let me guess. You could create the needed bottles but your damage output was much poorer than expected."


    "On point... barely 2000 to 2400 damage total per throw. As you could expect from the skill description, the affected area is much smaller than for your area spells. I think my best cocktail hit 12 enemies."


    "Well, at least we know it works. Can you show me such a bottle, Elly? I want to check if we can abuse it in other ways."


    "Sorry, I''m out of SP, used the rest for some regular bow shots. But if you want to know, this was its item description."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Spirit Bottle


    A simple bottle with a volume of 300 ml.


    Should it be destroyed, its remains will disappear.


    Please don''t capture fairies with this.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    She continues, "Really, it just was a normal glass bottle, nothing special to it."


    "According to the description, we can''t recycle them but it doesn''t say anything about a duration. Do me a favor, the next time you have 30 SP left, please create such a bottle, fill it with water, and then we''ll see how long it lasts."


    "And if it lasts indefinitely what do you want to use it for?"


    "Dunno, storage?"


    "...and here I thought you had another crazy idea. At least it isn''t another wolf cuddling session."


    "Stop reminding me of that."


    "Yeah, yeah. So what''s the plan now?"


    "I think we''ll make the third spirit an army type and give it the Alchemist class. A spirit with just a single class won''t make a difference in the dungeon but the area damage of six, soon seven, wannabe grenadiers should at least generate some exp each day from the flood. But we''ll wait until Lucia is back from dinner."


    "Then I''d suggest replacing the Alchemist class with the proper Grenadier. It has the same [Fire Bomb] skill but 1 point more of DEX per level. The second skill sucks though."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Grenadier</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    40 HP, 17 MP, 46 SP, 6 STR, 8 DEX, 4 VIT, 7 MAG, 2 FTH, 3 WIL, 2 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fire Bomb


    200 SP, 1 bottle or vial


    Turn the bottle or vial into an explosive that lasts for 5 seconds.


    When either the time is up or it gets thrown against an enemy or solid surface it explodes for (60% DEX + 60% MAG) physical fire damage in a 5x5 DU area.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Bomb Expertise <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    Increase the skill level of Grenade and Bomb skills by half of this skill''s level.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "I think skill level does exactly nothing for [Fire Bomb], so that''s why you wanted Alchemist instead?"


    "Correct. We go with this class instead?"


    "Yeah, that seems more useful for a spirit that is unlikely to reach level 5 while it still matters."


    "Good. Now, until Lucia returns can we check which second race I can take after the title?"


    "Sure, why not."


    We check through the options for a while until Lucia is finally back from dinner. She had no human food today, only human food, otherwise, she better had invited me as well.


    She asks, "Ah, Elly is back, how did it go?"


    Elly answers, "It worked. The damage was just as disappointing as voting for a warmonger and expecting world peace."


    Lucia asks, "Okay, so do we still go with the Alchemist group or do you have a new plan?"


    "We replace Alchemist with Grenadier, but overall it is the same idea, I just can''t think of anything better given the restrictions and circumstances. So no objections? That are 500 MP we will never get back."


    "Eh, I''ve already come to terms with using basically all of my MP just to get Elly out of my hair. If that group pulls its weight I don''t mind."


    "Gotcha. So what did we say again... Grenadier... dwarf, sub-race Iron Fiend... and then later we add the Arcane Cyborg race, is that right?"


    Lucia agrees, "That sounds correct."


    Elly too, "Yeah."


    There, done, stat preview.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Grenadier 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Iron Fiend (Dwarf) 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit (Army Type) 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">924/924</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">292/292</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1155/1155</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">198+2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">242</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">132</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">176</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">44</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">110</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">66</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit Rifle</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire Bomb 2, Gun Training 2


    Hard Worker 2, Stamina Boost 2, Summoned Spirit 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Looks good. I''d like 20 more levels on it but that isn''t an option currently.


    Uh, where''s the finalize button gone to?


    ...


    The edit window is gone?


    ...


    I hear a muffled voice, "Hey, you. You''re finally awake. You were trying to cross-"


    "Continue this sentence, Elly, and you''ll find out whether the off switch still works for you."


    "Lucia, he''s with us again!"


    I''m feeling a headache...


    "Awake? How? What did I miss? And what the hell is this purple pudding doing there?"


    A shivering slimy mass that barely looks like a person stands in the room. Its lower end lacks feet and instead ends in a puddle of more grime.


    Did the system glitch out and replace my newly designed spirit with this blob? Great, just what I needed...


    Lucia addresses the issue, "Uh, you suddenly went motionless while putting the third spirit together, as if you were completely lost in thought. We tried to wake you but-"


    Elly interrupts, "I didn''t find any marker to draw on your face with before you ask."


    A strange voice can be heard, "Eht laog si ot yortsed uoy?"


    I guess that was the slime thing.


    Lucia continues, "Ah-hem, well, whatever happened, suddenly Lydia was here."


    "Who the hell is Lydia?"


    "This pink slime person here. Isn''t she ''cute''? I want to", her voice drops two octaves, "crush her to pieces and throw the remains into an incinerator."


    If I had to guess, this... Lydia understood what was said but we can''t understand... uh, her. She started shaking even more and gesturing with her noodle arms.


    I have no idea what is going on...


    Let''s start with the obvious, what is this blob?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">E1#d_$</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">unable to move</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">V???i???l???l???a???g???e???r??? 7, Vampire Hunter 7, Blood Mage 7, D???e???f???i???l???e???r??? ???B???r???o???o???d???m???o???t???h???e???r??? 7, Drake Wolf 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Winged Devil 7, Primordial Soup 7, Tainted 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">S???p???i???r???i???t??? 7, F???l???o???o???r??? 8, Silver Elf 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3079/3079</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1358/1358</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2723/2723</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">680+7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0 [-40]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">431</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">388</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">257</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">297</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0 [-15]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N???U???L???L???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><del>Acid Spray 7</del>, <del>Blood Burst 7</del>, <del>Cure Magic 7 (Rank 1)</del>, <del>Curse Hand 7</del>, <del>Dragon Breath 7</del>, <del>Fire Magic 7 (Rank 1)</del>, <del>Sanguine Wave 7</del>


    <del>Blessed Weapon 7</del>, <del>Wings 7</del>


    Create Egg 7


    Acid Puddle 7, Acid Skin 7, Death Curse 7, Detect Undeath 7, Hammer Arm 7, Low Profile 14, Physical Resistance 7, Stealth 7, Wall 8


    S???u???m???m???o???n???e???d??? ???S???p???i???r???i???t??? 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Ice, Lightning, Wind, Water, Earth, Poison, Light, Dark, Holy, Copper</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Funny, now give me the correct stats, I''m not THAT hang-over.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    ...


    Shit. That kinda looks like my handwriting after a pub crawl.


    Wait, since when are my summons level seven? Shouldn''t they still be level six?


    A mystery for later. But one of her extra classes is level eight instead, this makes no sense with what I know.


    "Lucia, how do you get from E one something to ''Lydia''?"


    Elly cuts in, "Don''t bother. It is just a quirk of the automatic translation. Whatever mess of a name she has for us is different to what Lucy sees, and in her native language it is just closer to ''Lydia'' than for us."


    Lucia is confused, "Is it? I didn''t know that we were speaking different languages."


    Elly responds, "Not quite. We are kinda ''speaking'' the same language. But what we hear and read is translated into our language for us. What we say is translated into your language even before our mouths start moving."


    "The details don''t matter, you can discuss philosophy later. Now, is this our new summoned spirit? What happened to the one I made earlier?"


    Elly says, "Uh, depends on how you define ''spirit''. She is... something at least, and most importantly not hostile."


    Lucia explains, "Well, at least as far as the condition for the Summon Master title is concerned, she counts. I took the liberty to add it while you were out. Umm, twice. The first time... it became gibberish."


    "I guess that is one of the unread system messages..."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Master


    You can add 1 additional base job class to your summoned spirits.


    Additionally, race classes no longer add to upkeep costs.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That one seems to work as advertised, the upkeep costs have indeed gone down.


    Wait a second. Who pays for Lydia? Even with that title, she should cost at least 2500 MP, more if those extras count. Lucia doesn''t have that much MP, even if she didn''t have to account for Elly. And my MP is only down the 500 for Maria.


    "Did I miss anything else? I don''t see how her upkeep cost is paid."


    "No, we did not marry another one during your nap, don''t even think about it."


    Elly answers, "Just check her skills. SHE. IS. FREE!"


    "What?"


    Most of her skills are blocked because of spirit restrictions. That leaves...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Acid Puddle


    Passive


    Can turn your body into acid or liquid slime, and then travel through slime, acids, sand and soft ground unimpeded.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Not what answers this puzzle.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Death Curse


    Passive


    When killed through any means that is not pure holy elemental damage,


    you inflict 500% MAG dark magic damage to your killer.


    If there is none, inflict the damage instead to the last creature that attacked you which is still alive.


    This damage cannot be evaded.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Also wrong. I just hope that this doesn''t make her unnecessarily suicidal.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Create Egg


    2500 SP


    Create (skill level) eggs.


    After 30 seconds each egg gives birth to a swarm of Defiler monsters of level (skill level).


    Defilers are hostile to everyone that isn''t a Defiler themselves.


    At skill level 10 the Defilers are upgraded to elites.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Might be nice for some bonus exp once I can use [Life Eater Armor]. But maybe I should feel bad for even considering killing the babies of my summoned spirit?


    Well, I''ve more pressing issues right now.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Wall


    Passive


    Can''t move by normal means.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">S???u???m???m???o???n???e???d??? ???S???p???i???r???i???t???


    Passive


    Loyalty and f?e?a?r? towards summoner are always maxed out.


    The upkeep cost your summoner pays for you is increased by -100%.


    Can create equipment (no stat increases) unless relevant training skill is present, this costs 30 SP per piece.


    Can''t use active skills containing ''o'', ''s'', ''u'' or ''1'' in their name.


    Can''t use skills that create more beings.


    Lose 1 a???p???p???l???e??? ???p???i???e??? per second while not bound to a summoner.


    For purpose of exp mechanics count as part of the summoner.


    While not actively summoned recover 1 HP, MP and SP per hour.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And there it is. No upkeep but everything else is trash.


    What was the original skill again?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summoned Spirit


    Passive


    Loyalty to summoner is always maxed out.


    Can create equipment (no stat increases) if relevant training skill is present, this costs 30 SP per piece.


    Can''t use magic or magic-related skills.


    Can''t use skills that create more beings.


    Lose 50 HP per second while not bound to a summoner.


    For purpose of exp mechanics count as part of the summoner.


    While not actively summoned recover 5% HP, MP and SP per hour.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So if we choose wisely she could even learn magic? ...how does that even work with the translated language? That''s a problem for later. Sorry, future!Jared, and greetings from past!Jared.


    "Okay, okay, I think we can work with that. But since she has already five classes, which exceeds what should be allowed currently, does that mean even Chloe can add an additional class and we don''t have to add more classes to Maria or Elly?"


    Elly is sad, "Hey! You promised..."


    "Sorry, didn''t mean it that way. I meant we could postpone that for a while until we have more MP. Given your plan, there''s not much point to adding the other two classes yet until we can add an elite class."


    Lucia adds, "I''d say we should give her the two classes anyway. I''m not using my MP for much currently."


    "We could give Maria a second class as well and then you could take both of them for now. That way I have enough MP for three rain casts. Well, assuming the next stage isn''t immune to rain again. No offense, Elly, but currently you make no dent into our exp needs. Last week I got about 700 exp per rain, your entire arsenal today gave us not even 10."


    Elly is angry with me, "If you''re so against me getting more classes, you can just as well go back to creating the grenadier squad..."


    While she says that, I check the notifications I missed earlier. There''s a really bad one among them...


    "Or we don''t do anything, Elly. Like at all... Look at this message I got while I was out."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: spirit creation failed, target soul area is corrupted.


    Soul is heavily contaminated with monster essence.


    It is urgently suggested to avoid further modifications of the soul.


    SUGGESTION: for at least a year do not add any classes, titles or spirits until the contamination has dissipated


    CURRENT RUN TIME: 00:17:33</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "That''s a first...", says Elly.


    "You know what that is?"


    "Not really. But if I had to guess it was the logical outcome of your little taming experiment."


    Lucia asks, "So that was the reason the first Summon Master title broke? Should I not have taken it?"


    "Seems like it. Wait, I didn''t even look what the glitched one became..."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">S???u???m???m???o???n??? ???M???a???s???t???e???r???


    Increase the level of your summoned spirits by 1.


    Restore HP from cat damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Okay, that explains the higher level. Could''ve been much worse.


    "Not quite a circlet. Sorry, Elly, but considering how that title turned out, I''d rather wait with adding classes to you. We still have 4 title slots left, so a wasted title barely hurts us but classes... we have a very strict limit there and every single one counts."


    "Yeah, I understand..."


    Lucia sounds concerned, "Uh, does that include additional races? I may have already added them to Maria and Elly while you were out."


    "...yes? Yes, it would. Elly doesn''t look any different, how did they turn out?"


    Elly answers, "I lived."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Elly</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Archer 7, Alchemist 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Valkyrie 7, Arke 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1019/1288</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">473/662</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">10/1605</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">278+7 (either weapon)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">340</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">217</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">137</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">191</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">177</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">136</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit Bow, Spirit Spear</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Bow Training 7, Spear Training 7


    Fire Bomb 7, Healing Flask 7


    Wings 14


    Intimidation 7, Restless 7, Stamina Boost 7, Stealth 7, Summoned Spirit 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lightning, Dark</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Nothing looks out of place here. At least she got the planned level increase for [Wings] making flight a bit cheaper and [Stamina Boost] that gives her much more SP.


    I''ll have to check Maria later since she isn''t here. I hope nothing is wrong with her either. At least, neither Lucia nor Elly said anything about anyone screaming in terror.


    "Fine, we got lucky there. And you, Lydia, do you have anything to add?"


    Lydia says... something, "Nac uoy, ekil, ton llik em niaga, esaelp?"


    "You must be so much fun at parties."


    She starts shivering and then sinks into the ground widening the slimed area. After a moment she reappears from a spot in the puddle far away from me and the goo puddle shrinks again to a small area around her.


    I guess that was her [Acid Puddle] skill at work bypassing her ''can''t move'' restriction. She is mobile, kinda, it would just be too slow for combat.


    Lydia raises her noodle arms as if she was trying to defend herself from someone.


    "What''s wrong? Are you afraid of me? I haven''t done anything to you."


    She just ''looks'' at me questioningly. So much for her understanding us.


    I look at the mess she left behind on the ground when she moved around. The maids will ''love'' cleaning that mess up...


    I point at the slime left behind, "It seems our pet isn''t housebroken yet. Elly, can you-"


    Just as I say it, Lydia ''calls'' the leftover stains to her and absorbs them. Once she''s done she stands proud, arms crossed, and nods.


    "...so much for that. By the way, you missed a spot there", I point at a stain she missed, "Could you be a goo~d girl and clean that up as well?"


    Lydia looks at it then slumps down. With what looks like a frown, she cleans up the remaining sludge.


    Elly asks, "So, what did you want from me, Jared?"


    "Can you do the same thing you did to Maria? Copy a part of your memory or personality or whatever you had done to her? I hope she can learn the common language that way."


    Lucia is elated, "That sounds like a splendid idea! Do it, Elly!"


    Elly responds full of disgust, "Eh... no. I''d rather not touch this slimy mess."


    "Elly, please. This is important. You can take a bath afterwards if you want."


    "Ugh, fine... Unsummon us both and I''ll have a look."


    "Got it."


    We cancel the summon of both spirits and they disappear as usual, most of the sludge is gone as well. Most of it. I''m not cleaning that.


    (So what does it look like, Elly?)


    (I''m actually not sure...)


    (Tel em tuo!)


    (Be quiet, Lydia!), Lucia joins in, (Elly is trying to help you!)


    (Tbuod taht...), this one sounded sadder.


    Elly takes a while before reporting back, (Sorry, I can''t help her. Her whole being is just... strange. Fragmented. If I didn''t know better, I''d say I''m not looking at a spirit. Where the memory bank so to speak should be, is what looks like a fragment of a human''s shattered soul glued to the rest with slime, monster spit and glitches. Some other parts aren''t much better off.)


    (Seod taht naem M''i laiceps?)


    (I''m rather surprised she functions at all, Jared.)


    (So much for that idea. Lucia, can you take Elly again?)


    (Sure thing.)


    We summon the two spirits again.


    Elly says, "That was a waste of time."


    Lydia tries to console her by patting her.


    "And now I''m covered in slime... great, thanks, Lydia. Just, thanks."


    "As I said, you can take a bath."


    "Will do..."


    Elly angrily leaves the room. Lydia tries to reach out to her, fails and then looks dejected.


    I wonder why glitch creature Lydia''s Blood Mage has [Sanguine Wave] as the second skill while I''m stuck with the bugged-out variant...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Sanguine Wave


    200 MP


    In a 10 DU diameter area target all non-allied creatures that carry blood in them.


    Inflict 25% MAG non-elemental magic damage and stun at a rate of 15.


    Triple damage and stun rate if the target is bleeding.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "...unfair. Well, I already have good options for area damage from MP, so not a loss either way."


    "Uh, so what now, dear?", asks Lucia.


    "Now? Nothing, Lucy. We''ll tell the familiars that they can take seemingly up to five classes now if they want, but they should only do so while we''re all together so we can check that my condition doesn''t bleed through to them. After that, we''ll need to wait ''a year'' before we can make any bigger progress safely. So that means I''ll spend a bit longer in the dungeon than the rest of our group. There''s enough paperwork to check while I wait for regeneration, so it isn''t a total waste."


    "Why does it sound like I won''t join you then?"


    "Not sure that is a good idea. We have a finite supply of blood packs and no way to refill them. To timeout this issue I would already use around fifty for me alone, a hundred for us both."


    "Then as your wife, I order you to take me along. We have six times that amount, we''ll be fine, Jared."


    "Are you sure? There will be mostly work involved."


    "Oh, I don''t think we''ll get to do much... work."

 Ch. 80 – Arke Sisters

    It is the next day and Lucia snuck off with my Sun Cloak. She wanted to get back to her smithing work and today check with her master if they can make use of the titanium bars I can churn out for free. Let''s hope that something comes out of that.


    The flood shows no sign of change either, still just Umbrella Slimes. And despite being of similar composition, they are also hostile to Lydia. So I had to recall her before anything more significant happened.


    She didn''t take well to the close contact with other slimes. Or she was super happy, not sure. Always hard to tell with the pile of moldy, molten cheese.


    "Hey, Justo, do you know if Maria is still babysitting?"


    The house answers, "Yes, she''s accompanying Carl into town, they wanted to look into what exactly happened to the head priest. Might I help you instead?"


    "Not in that regard, I wanted to check on her state after what happened yesterday. Didn''t have the chance to yet."


    "I see..."


    "Speaking of, how are you? Did anything happen to you or are you still fine?"


    "I''m completely fine. Nothing out of the ordinary here. The Fortress Avatar is working normally as well, aside from a few cobwebs due to a lack of use."


    "That''s good to hear. ...well, maybe you can actually help me out a bit."


    "How can I help you, little one?"


    "Our title level increased a lot recently. Admittedly not by choice... Did that open up any important options?"


    "That is hard to say. What level are you up to now?"


    "Seven."


    "Let me check."


    While he does so, I start walking toward my office. If Maria isn''t available yet, I might just as well start working with other work.


    Justo has an answer, "Hmm... A few minor things like new construction options became available but nothing you were looking for. Though it is strange, it seems you have already access to the race-specific building options. Those should normally require level twelve at least."


    "I mean, we would have that if we add Lucia''s and my title level. But shouldn''t that also give us access to pardons? I don''t seem to have those yet. ...taking the consistency of the system into consideration, maybe whether it needs to be my level or the sum of our levels, varies from feature to feature."


    "Hmm... I suppose that is possible."


    I enter my office, Tina is cleaning it right now.


    "Hey, are you finished with my desk so that I can start working?"


    "Eek!", she is startled.


    "Not the answer I expected... So, how far are you?"


    She bows, "E-excuse me, my lord! O-of course, your desk is ready."


    I sit down at my desk, "Thank you. Now, Justo, can you walk through those building options? That is if you know anything about them."


    Tina mutters, "What is he saying?"


    "What is wrong?"


    "Nothing! Don''t mind me, I didn''t intend to disturb you, master."


    "Okay, then keep cleaning."


    "At once!"


    "Where were we, Justo?"


    He answers, "You wanted me to tell you about the race-unique build options."


    "Yeah, right. Do you know about any specifics? Just the names ''Blood Palace'' or ''Ruler''s Statue'' don''t tell me much."


    "I can certainly elaborate on those. Hmm... with which to start... I guess the simplest one would be the human''s unique building, the Ruler''s Statue. As the name implies, it creates a status in the image of the ruler, that would be you. It grants a small increase to base morale and minor resistance to fear effects for your subjects."


    Human? So Lucia does play into this after all. But a morale increase, why does that again sound like brainwashing? It is a statue, not a newspaper!


    "Doesn''t sound too important right now, maybe later. And if anyone saw me wasting money on a vain statue... well, I kind of have an image to maintain. The next one, please."


    "Alright, so how about the elven one?"


    "Uh, why do we have that? There are no elves here."


    "Aren''t you an elf?"


    "Am I? Oh, right, Silver Elf... why did I forget that..."


    I guess that was never really relevant. I never could use its [Cure Magic] and apart from Lucia tricking me about the eye color... I think I only ever saw myself as a vampire and never as an elf. But in fact, I''m both of those right now.


    "Right, so what option does that add?"


    "You could upgrade a chapel or church to a High Temple. Those that serve in such a temple for ten years with a related production job can choose to upgrade said job to a combat variant of it. For example, someone with the Nun job could become end up as a Cleric instead. Though which class they get is random to an extent, or if it isn''t truly random, the exact conditions for which class they would get is not known."


    Strange, given the elves'' typical manners in stories, I would have expected a circus.


    "So a long-term investment. We don''t even know if we have these ten years. Put it on the back burner for later. We have more immediate issues that need to be taken care of."


    "Alright."


    Tina turns to leave the room but I can see that she isn''t finished yet, "Where are you going?"


    "I-I''m just getting new water from the well. I''m not shirking my duties, I-I swear!"


    The well is quite a ways off...


    "Come here."


    "Huh?"


    "Is it so hard to follow orders, Tina?"


    "Ah, n-no!", she steps closer.


    "Hold out the bucket."


    She does as instructed, "Why?"


    I fill the bucket with my [Water Magic], thanks to [Magical Secret] this costs me nothing. The water may not be suitable for drinking, but it should be sufficient for cleaning.


    "There, now get back to work."


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "Y-yes, thank you, my lord."


    She bows and gets back to work. So do I.


    "Justo, am I right in assuming that Blood Palace is the option for vampires?"


    "Indeed. If you bought that, you would upgrade this manor into a vampire-themed palace. It would envelop your domain in eternal twilight, the light of the real sun would never reach here again. I think it provides a minor light substitute that barely satisfied the minimum needed for plant growth."


    "Useless. I also need sun protection while traveling around and the lack of sun would certainly be detrimental to everyone else here, it would also worsen the food situation. Overall it would be an unpleasant atmosphere for everyone that isn''t undead..."


    "I see I wasn''t mistaken when choosing you."


    "Yeah, yeah. So are there any other new options that became available?"


    "Hmm... one that I cannot read. In your menu, it sits between the Ruler''s Statue and High Temple."


    G???l???i???t???c???h??? ???T???e???m???p???l???e???? What is that... Its price is even listed as negative? I would seemingly gain 1864 gold from choosing it... though that could also be an overflow that would reduce our gold to zero.


    In comparison, the other new buildings would cost from 4500 to 6000 gold.


    Too bad that just like any other option it doesn''t tell me what it does. There''s no guarantee that it does anything positive or at least neutral. Just like the Blood Palace, it could be purely detrimental.


    Too risky, I kinda lucked out with getting a cost-free spirit, the change to my two skills was neutral or slightly positive, the glitched title is just a waste of space, and now I''m just waiting for a glitch that screws me over completely. But then, being unable to add classes, titles or spirits for a year is quite detrimental.


    "I guess that is another side effect of my... experiment yesterday. I guess we have no idea what it does?"


    "None. I can only tell you what the options do either from my personal experience or what another mansion shared with me. But this one is completely new to me."


    "Then let''s just ignore it, Justo. Given my recent gacha luck, I''m just heading for a total disaster if I don''t stop right now. And by the time the soul cleansing is done, the option will be gone anyway, if not sooner."


    "Agreed."


    There are no other noteworthy new options, so I start taking care of other paperwork.


    A while later, Maria and Carl return.


    Carl hides behind Maria as usual.


    Maria says, "My lord, we''ve returned."


    "I noticed. Before you give your report, can you tell me if everything is fine with you?"


    "Mostly. I''m feeling fine but the addition of the second race wasn''t without issue. I might even be weaker for it..."


    And there is the detrimental case. I better check her status.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Maria</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sworn Guardian 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sword Fiend (Human) 7, Lares 7, Arke 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1458/1458</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">340/340</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1575/1575</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">325+21</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">305+14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">325+14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">34+14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">203+14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">163+14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">217+14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit Sword</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sword Training 7


    Wings 7


    Danger Sense 7, Health Boost 7, Oath of Protection 7, Poison Resistance 7, Restless 7, Stamina Boost 7, S???t???a???m???i???n???a??? ???B???o???o???s???t??? 7, Summoned Spirit 7, T???r???u???s???t??? ???F???a???l???l??? 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth, Dark, Cheese</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Seems like she got Elly''s second race Arke as well. Unplanned, but gaining flight absolutely can''t hurt.


    [Trust Fall] is gone and instead, there are two weird skills...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">S???t???a???m???i???n???a??? ???B???o???o???s???t???


    Passive


    Increase max HP by -16% and SP by (7 x skill level).


    Also, increase SP regeneration effects by 0%.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That is similar to her [Health Boost], just way worse.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Stamina Boost


    Passive


    Increase max SP by 5% and (5 x skill level).


    Also, increase SP regeneration effects by 5%.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Sigh


    A bodyguard with HP penalty, exactly what the doctor ordered.


    And the other skill...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">T???r???u???s???t??? ???F???a???l???l???


    Passive


    NO EFFECT.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Bye-bye lifeline, now I''ll never get the chance to become a millionaire. I''ve no one to blame but myself...


    "Well, so long as you feel fine and don''t show any other symptoms... So did you learn anything in your research?"


    She answers, "Indeed, we-"


    But I interrupt her, "How about you tell me instead, Carl? If we want you to take care of things while I''m away, we need to work on your confidence. Among other things."


    "D-do I have to?"


    "Yes. Now get to it! And stop hanging unto her skirt."


    Maria encourages him, "I know you can do it, Carl. Trust me, he won''t harm you."


    He slowly steps forward, "...fine."


    Carl gathers his courage and then explains, "I-it seems the head priest wasn''t only expelled from the church but also publically... uh, what was the word? Ex-something."


    Maria helps him, "Executed. He was stoned to death."


    That was not what I expected... I expected a demotion or expulsion from the church but not death...


    "Did you learn the reason for that?"


    Carl continues, "Maybe, m-mostly rumors. Some claim he, uh, angered a holy figure and lost the town God''s favor by that. Others say he did something unsightly to the saintess. Th-the remaining ones... uh, something about provoking your wrath?"


    Those are pretty much the same thing just from a different point of view.


    "So pretty much exactly what I witnessed. What''s done is done, I guess. Did you learn anything else?"


    "Y-yeah, but not about the head priest."


    "Go on, Carl."


    "R-right. So, uh, you wanted me to find out if any of the armor smiths can work with your material. We didn''t find one."


    Maria adds, "That isn''t entirely correct. One of the smiths wasn''t completely sure if titanium is out of his reach. He wants to give it a try if you can supply him a few samples."


    "Did he say how many bars he needs?"


    Carl answers, "N-no, he did not."


    "Fine. I''ll prepare a hundred bars, you''ll deliver them tomorrow and then we''ll see what comes of it."


    Carl nods, "U-understood."


    "Was that all you found out?"


    "One last thing. Dunno if that is important. But... uh, supposedly one of the military teams, uh, beat a dungeon boss."


    "Right, I heard the same thing yesterday. Did you find out what is special about that?"


    "No, I did not."


    Tina interjects, "If you allow, I can tell you that, my lord."


    "Sure, please enlighten me, Tina."


    She explains, "From what I heard the average group only manages to clear about four floors. The first boss appears on floor ten, so most groups never even see one."


    "That may be so, but we have powerful fighters like Darius that are way above the average. Wouldn''t at least his group get that far?"


    She continues, "No, to my knowledge even his group has to stop at the ninth floor. SP limitations, I''m told. Though there are rumors that he doesn''t even join on dungeon trips anymore."


    "Well, being injured and stuck in bed all the time will do that to you..."


    If not even his group could get that far, maybe we should employ a second group of familiars to break through the boss floors more often. A second powerful group as escorts when we eventually travel around is very much needed.


    Well, with the level increase we could even make two whole groups. One more thing to discuss later.


    "Guess I should then publically congratulate that group."


    And maybe add them to my personal forces.


    "Anything else I should be aware of?"


    Carl answers, "N-no, that was all from me."


    Tina agrees, "Likewise. Now, if you excuse me, I still have to clean the next room."


    "Sure, Tina."


    She bows and leaves the room. And stumbles and almost faceplants. I''ll pretend I didn''t see that.


    I discuss a few more minor things with Maria and Carl goes to his studies.


    Eventually, Anna returns as well.


    She cheerfully greets us, "Hiya, I''m back! Anything new going on here?"


    "No, everything is just as always", answers Maria.


    "Well, not quite everything. Our dear Maria is suffering from side effects of my deeds... For one, she supposedly can generate wings now."


    Anna is eager to see them, "Can I see, can I see?"


    Come to think of it, her wings might be just as strange as her two skills... Better check that now than in the heat of battle or something.


    "Yeah, Maria, show us."


    "Uh, if you insist."


    Just as she says that wings sprout from her back. Wings like that of an angel. Wide, wavy strands of nothingness, a bundle of featureless threads. As if the universe''s graphic engine forgot to render anything, where her wings should be you can see the stars of the cosmos.


    "Whoa, that''s so cool!", Anna tries to touch those wings and play with them.


    Maria tells her, "Please be careful, I''m not used to the sensation of having wings."


    Anna agrees, "Uh-huh, will do!"


    "Have you already tried to fly with them?"


    "No, I have not, my liege."


    "If it does not come to you naturally, then please ask Elly for flight lessons. She should be able to point you in the right direction."


    "I will do so."


    If I recall correctly, in the original myth, Arke was a deity who was robbed of her wings. If we consider Maria''s strange wings as missing, we''ve already speedran that whole arc. Does that make me Zeus? I hope not...

 Ch. 81 – Meeting

    It is Saturday morning. It is now two days since the dungeon failure.


    Yesterday, I sent Carl and Anna out to call the rest of our group for a meeting today. There are some things I finally need to get off my chest.


    But before that, I want to blow off some steam on the flood monsters.


    Before the last spell, I reach enough exp for the third level in Dread Lord.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 15, Survivor 9, Blood Mage 9, Summoner 10, Lore Seeker 7


    Dread Lord 3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 8, Lord 8, Progenitor 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">TBD</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">World Resident, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married, Master Crafter, R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l??i???a???r???s???, S???u???m???m???o???n??? ???M???a???s???t???e???r???, Summon Master


    Title Level 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">23</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2327/2358 [2948]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">254/3088 [3860]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1493/1920 [2400]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">354+75 (staff) or +174 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">393</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">396+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">665+47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">570+2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">541+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">503</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Apprentice Headband, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spear Training 9, Unnatural Claws 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Blood Burst 9, Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W??a???v???e? 9, Summon Spirit 10 (Rank 1), Titanium Magic 15 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 8, Disguise 10, Intimidation 16, Stealth 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 8, Familiar 8, Greater Vampiric Bite 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ageless 8, Beast Killer 8, Enhanced Regeneration 8, E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y? 15, Keen Perception 7, Legion of Doom 3, Magical Secret 7, Mana Boost 10, Mana Regeneration 15, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 8, Trap Lore 9, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Just increased stats, nothing else got messed up, so at least adding levels seems to be safe.


    Ah, wait, CHA got past the 500-point barrier so the spirits also gained another level, only half a dozen or so more before they become useful.


    Anyway, I continue blasting.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your Ice Blast has inflicted a total of 30360 damage and 29 status effects.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Slightly better than before.


    Next to me is a lone soldier throwing stuff at the monsters below, "Dang, out of throwables..."


    Wait, I can now create certain things for free with my magic. Ice cubes or rocks should work as projectiles.


    "Want so-", but before I can offer him some throwables, he jumps off the wall, "-me rocks. HEY, that is no reason to end your life!!"


    I can only watch in shock as he falls down the about twenty-meter-tall wall. And then lands on the ground and walks on as if nothing happened...


    So much for gravity... But then that matches up with Elly having absolutely no problem carrying me around.


    No, wait, [Appraise] reveals he took a whole 1 damage from the stunt. Only another mere two thousand repeats and it becomes a health hazard!


    I wonder what happens when you do that often enough, could maybe the planet could level up?


    While wondering about that, I finish using my remaining [Blood Burst] skills.


    I look down the wall again, should I risk it? The soldier had roughly the same VIT stat as me and no skills that seem relevant. Can''t be hidden plot armor either, Lucia with her [Dark Lord] skill is too close-by.


    Well, here goes nothing, GERONIMO!


    Thunk


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have taken 1 fall damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That had about as much impact as getting out of bed.


    Truth be told, I half expected there to arrive a system update mid-fall that ''fixes'' gravity...


    While I start to walk home, I look around but no one behaves as if I did anything out of the ordinary. Does that mean stairs are considered one-way in this world? What a drag...


    Well, I guess that makes pit traps useless... Scratch that one from the list.


    Maybe the fall damage is subject to defense stats? I have a hard time believing that gravity is strong enough to pull down with roughly the same strength as in my old world, but not enough power to inflict any actual damage. That should''ve left at least some impact.


    ...


    A bit later, everyone has gathered again for the planned meeting at my house again.


    "-and that''s the recap from my side. Anyone wants to add something?"


    Iris asks me, "No, how are you feeling with those glitches?"


    "Mostly fine", I point at the pool of grime sitting in the corner, "If it wasn''t for Lydia over there I wouldn''t even notice anything being wrong."


    The moldy pudding wobbles around, "D''I eb yppah fi I reven dah ot tis hguorht taht parc niaga. Ti saw gnirob."


    I frown, "And she''s still as unintelligible as ever."


    "I have nothing new", says Geoffrey, "So how do we continue now?"


    I tell them, "The next few times we visit the dungeon I''ll stay a few weeks longer than the rest of you."


    "I''ll stay with him, too", adds Lucia.


    Elly asks, "Can you two just get a room and spare us the mushy scenes?"


    "That''s exactly what I just said", answers Lucia.


    Elly is exasperated, "TMI."


    I stop them, "Anyway, I still got enough documents to comb through, so the waiting time for regeneration won''t be a complete waste. As for you... you can try to add classes. The glitching gave us Lydia, a spirit with seemingly five classes, and according to one of my titles that means you as my familiars can take classes without Class Cores until you have five classes as well. But seeing how you are connected to me... I''ve no idea how that could affect you with my current state. As such, if you want to take a class now, please do it only while we''re together, one at a time and then let us check if all went well. If it doesn''t, we''ll postpone further class additions until the ''year'' is up. Objections? Other suggestions?"


    Iris responds, "What is the worst that could happen if we went ahead with it now?"


    Way to jinx it, Iris...


    "No idea. In the best case, you just gain the class and its skills like normal. Worst case... you get a different class with non-existent stats and unusable or even detrimental skills."


    For all, I know it could also forcibly turn you into a monster... Well, technically I''m one as well, so you''d be in good company at least. Your dear friend Lucia might even appreciate the company.


    Chloe cuts in, "If we can take up to five classes then I can take a class as well, so I''d like to volunteer for the first test."


    Marca asks her, "Chloe, are you sure? You already have the most classes out of us, if it goes wrong you may never get a second chance."


    She hesitates for a moment, "...Yes, I am. As you said, I already have four decent classes. I had already accepted that I may never get a fifth class. If this doesn''t work out it isn''t really a loss to me, but most of you still need more classes to at least cover your bases. So I''m fine to take the risk on me."


    Lucia addresses her, "Well, in that case, the stage is yours, Chloe. Please, proceed. Though may I ask which class you want to take?"


    Chloe tells us, "I''ll take the changeling race-specific elite class Deceiver."


    Deceiver? It is just a name. Just a name and totally not ominous at all, nope.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Deceiver</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    36 HP, 29 MP, 44 SP, 6 STR, 8 DEX, 7 VIT, 4 MAG, 3 FTH, 5 WIL, 3 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Disguise Weapon


    Passive


    As part of the [Disguise] skill, you can also change the appearance and type of your equipped weapon.


    It keeps its stats and properties.


    You still gain benefits from your skills as if the weapon was in its original form.


    For purposes of active skills, it counts as its new form.


    E.g. you can turn a sword into a lance, then still profit from [Sword Training] but use lance-exclusive skills like [Impaler] with it.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 5></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Anna asks, "What''s the point of that skill?"


    Chloe explains, "Simply put, flexibility. I can focus on increasing my spear skill and only need to maintain one weapon. I wouldn''t have to get stronger versions of multiple weapons, I can just focus on one but still can change this spear into whatever weapon I need at a moment''s notice. Just imagine a fast weapon like a dagger but with the greater power of a lance behind it, then morphing it into a whip or bow when I need range. Of course, I would still need arrows for the latter."


    I add, "She would also be able to better practice with users of different weapon types than just spears like you. Depending on the limits of the skill she could possibly also just turn a spear into a much longer spear to catch an enemy off-guard, there are many possibilities to it."


    Anna responds, "Uh-huh, okay, that sounds cool!"


    Chloe warns us, "Anyway, I''ll try to add it now."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Chloe</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">20 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sentinel 15, Survivor 18, Captain 13, Scout 12, Deceiver 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Changeling 17</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3667/3704</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1623/1652</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1696/1740 [3740]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">559+133</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">571+5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">617+95</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">316</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">302</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">424+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">390</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Reinforced Spear, Half Plate, Iron Helm</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Armor Training 15, Spear Training 18


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.Create Food&Water 18


    Opportunity Attack 15


    Battle Order 13, Guard Order 13


    Disguise 17, Low Profile 17


    Ageless 1, Danger Sense 12, Dexterity Boost 12, Disguise Weapon 1, Health Boost 15, Sleepless 1, Tracking 17, Trap Lore 18</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    She takes out her spear and changes it to a sword, then to a dagger, and swings it around a few times. It is clear that its new shape is ''true''. If it was just an illusion she would''ve easily hit the wall or table during her experiment. Finally, she changes her weapon back and puts it away.


    She concludes, ¡°It seems to have worked without a problem."


    I double-check her status, "Yeah, looks like it. Anyone else wants to try?"


    Iris answers, "Well, you wanted me to become a healer, and with Elly''s help I decided on the Druid class for that. I might as well take this opportunity to add it. In the worst case, I can still try two more times later."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Druid</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    31 HP, 48 MP, 28 SP, 3 STR, 4 DEX, 6 VIT, 7 MAG, 7 FTH, 5 WIL, 6 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Earth Magic (Rank 1)


    Able to use generic earth spells at rank 1.


    Basic projectile attack costs 100 MP per use.


    Alternatively, you can modify the attack with the following options.


    Available shape modifiers: spread, pierce, blast, rain


    Available extra modifiers: status</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Cure Magic (Rank 1) <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Able to use curative spells at rank 1.


    Basic cure magic costs 500 MP per use, single-target only.


    Healing effect can freely be split between HP and status damage.


    A???b???s???o???l???u???t???e???l???y??? ???u???s???e???l???e???s???s??? ???f???o???r??? undead.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Not what I expected from a druid. No nature magic, no wildshape... Well, it serves our purposes.


    Attack magic and healing by level 5, can''t really ask for me, "No objection from my side. With [Earth Magic] you can even help with the flood and catch up exp-wise. You should reach level five to unlock [Cure Magic] quickly that way."


    Chloe adds, "You should count yourself lucky you can even take magic-using classes. For example, Geoffrey will never have a chance to learn magic. Marca and I might be able to if we settle for one of the weaker mage types. As for Anna, not sure, probably not either."


    Anna says, "I don''t really care about learning magic. Where I was from magic didn''t exist either, I''m just happy that I can move around at all, I''ll leave the magic stuff to others."


    Marca pats her, "Don''t worry, you''ll be able to do that plenty."


    Iris waits for them to finish, "So can I take the class, or are there objections?"


    Lucia tells her, "No, I like this one. At least it lacks constant reminders of the church..."


    "I have no objections either, so go for it", I gesture at Chloe and Marca, "And if the others have magic envy we can look for a suitable class for them later. Well, Geoffrey might be a lost cause in terms of magic, but as seen with Elly there are good enough alternatives."


    "Understood", Iris affirms, "It seems I have enough exp for level two right from the start."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Iris</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">23 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Nun 16, Weaver 15, Druid 2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dark Elf 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1848/1910</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1630/1726</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1632/1688</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">123+423</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">270</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">215+65</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">344</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">366+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">284+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">338</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Zatzaknoife, Reinforced Suit, Habit</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dagger Training 15


    Earth Magic 2 (Rank 1)


    Ageless 1, Luck Boost 15, Sleepless 1, Stealth 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Our earth mage is weak to earth, ironic. Just watch out for mirrors.


    Iris adds, "All works as expected here as well."


    Lucia pats her on the back, "Congratulations, Iris. With that, one of your dreams will soon come true."


    Iris nods, "Yeah, you''re right."


    Not a problem here either, "Seems like it is two for two then. Before we continue, Chloe, you said that you''re unlikely to ever be able to take a magic-using class, but wasn''t the Magic Initiate an option I showed you a while ago?"


    She shakes her head, "I asked Therese about it, and she tried to explain to me why it doesn''t work the way you think it does. There was a big problem with the final skill it gains. You''ll have to ask her yourself if you want to know in detail."


    Of course, I would have to deal with that b... person again, "Fine, I''ll go and visit her later. I have to ask her about some discrepancies in her documents anyway. Ignoring that, does anyone else want to try adding a class now?"


    Anna responds, "You told me to take the Wild Fang class but I don''t have the stats for it yet. So, uh, I''ll have to pass for now."


    "Sorry, I''ve no plan for my next class yet", says Geoffrey.


    Marca says, "I guess that means, I''m last. Truth be told, I''m torn. I wanted to take Arcane Archer next but you asked us to look out for a class that would help with our food shortage, for that, I think I could take Forager."


    I have heard of neither of them before, "Let me check those classes quickly."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Arcane Archer</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    38 HP, 17 MP, 45 SP, 7 STR, 8 DEX, 4 VIT, 5 MAG, 3 FTH, 4 WIL, 4 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Bow Training


    Passive


    Can use bows without attack penalty.


    Increase effective STR by (skill level) for equipped bows.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Mana Arrow <Skill locked until Level 5>


    20 MP


    Create an arrow that lasts for up to 10 seconds.


    It has +(skill level) STR.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    She explains, "A regular arrow has +25 STR, so that would only prevent me from worrying about our ammunition situation. Better arrows would still be preferable but that is a long-term issue for me."


    I concur, "You already had bow skills through the Ranger class but no ammo, so that makes sense. Well, if it wasn''t for a lack of gunpowder you could copy Elly''s plan and aim for Bombardier for [Explosive Shot]. Have you planned any other class for later?"


    She dismisses the idea, "No, why would I? There''s no guarantee I''ll ever get enough classes for any bigger plans."


    That was then, this is now, "That should change soon, Marca, so you should actually think about a long-term plan. Now, what is the other class you considered..."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Forager</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    43 HP, 15 MP, 49 SP, 6 STR, 9 DEX, 7 VIT, 2 MAG, 3 FTH, 5 WIL, 3 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Stamina Boost


    Passive


    Increase max SP by 5% and (5 x skill level).


    Also, increase SP regeneration effects by 5%.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Create Food and Water <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Once per day


    Create one meal''s worth of bread and water.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"><Skill locked until Level 15></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Marca asks, "So, what do you say?"


    "In the end, it is your decision, but in my opinion, you should start with the Arcane Archer. Take the Forager later."


    She adds the class, "Got it. There, done."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Marca</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">16 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ranger 16, Knight 18, Arcane Archer 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Grey Dwarf 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3026/3064</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">540/557</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2780/2825</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">433+78 (sword) or +67 (bow)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">472+25</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">466+118</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">183</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">181</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">270+28</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">254</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Shortsword, Shortbow, Buckler, Chest Plate</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Bow Training 17, Sword Training 18, Armor Training 18


    First Aid 16,


    Earth Resistance 14, Poison Resistance 14, Hard Worker 14, Tracking 16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    She''s satisfied, "Also worked as expected."


    Another success, "I guess with three out of three successes you seem to be safe to take classes and the only ones with corruption-related issues are myself, Lucia and our summons."


    Lucia rubs it in, "See? You were worried for nothing."


    "Yeah, yeah. Still better than turning them into Lydia 2.0", I dismissively point behind me at Lydia.


    Our dear little blob is offended, "Taht hcihw si gnihton llahs elur revo taht hcihw sniamer."


    "Case in point... Did you want to everyone turn into such a gibbering, slimy mess, Lucia?"


    Lucia hesitates, "No, not really. I prefer them the way they are."


    Chloe asks, "What else can we do for now?"


    "For now, we just proceed as before and outlast the flood. Speaking of simple, has Ephran talked with you, Chloe? When I delivered the dungeon spoils he mentioned that he wanted to talk to you."


    She answers, "Uh, no, he hasn''t. Why, what did he want?"


    "He didn''t say", I''m not getting involved there. I made my point clear to Ephran. If he wants to get together with Chloe he has to make the first step himself. I''ve given him that chance now, everything else is up to him.


    Chloe is a bit confused, "Okay? Well, I''ll try to contact him later and see what he wants."


    "Then that is taken care of. Back to the topic of classes. You can choose and take them on your own terms, the current limit is five classes. If you need help with searching for the right class, Elly is usually available to help with that."


    "That I am. Just ask me if you need help!", says Elly cheerfully.


    I remind the rest of the group, "I''d prefer it if everyone had at least one skill that allowed us to endure longer in the dungeon. As you know our food supplies are very limited. It could be [Create Food and Water] or something else, I leave that up to everyone individually."


    Marca asks, "Admittedly I''m still not entirely comfortable with the whole familiar business but wouldn''t it be better to turn more people into familiars? How many can you even have? Is there a limit?"


    Lucia answers, "Currently, we''re limited to sixteen, so we can make eleven more. Normally, we could only make one person per skill level a familiar to a maximum of twenty but we don''t know how exactly that interacts with our marriage. For us, the ultimate cap might be either twenty or forty. Why? Do you have someone that wants to volunteer?"


    Marca responds, "No, just curious. I assume that once the flood is over we''ll travel around? I think I could rest easier if we had another group or two that was stronger than the current average and could secure this fortress in our absence."


    "Yeah, we''ll have to do something like that. As long as the demon artifact isn''t taken care of nothing we do matters for long. We can invent all the soaps, recreate all the Japanese cuisine, and build all the bath houses we want, if the world goes up in smoke it would have been pointless. But I don''t think a single group would make much of a difference, this fortress has held on without that help for years. I''d rather have at least a second group that accompanies us on that travel."


    Marca urges, "Then do both. You have eleven left, I assume one of them is reserved for our final party member. We still have several months before this flood is supposedly over, getting your relevant class to ten and thereby the familiar cap to twenty should be easy for you. With that, you can turn two whole groups. We take one group with us on our travels and the other guards the fortress."


    Chloe chimes in, "I think the same. Making more familiars is something you should take care of soon."


    Something is fishy. Wasn''t Chloe against the whole familiar business before? "And do you have someone specific in mind? As you know, once someone becomes a familiar it can''t be undone. So we have to think about this carefully."


    Chloe nods, "Yeah, I have a suggestion, kinda. We have a lot of soldiers that are seriously injured and therefore out of commission. For many, it isn''t even certain if they will ever be able to fight again. But with the superior regeneration we as your familiars get... "


    "I see where you are going with this."


    Marca adds, "Also you should rather take volunteers that have fewer classes, that way we can compensate for a few more Class Cores overall."


    Lucia asks, "What is the point? They would be too weak."


    I answer, "Doesn''t matter. These are still a dozen soldiers we wouldn''t have otherwise. And in the long term, we have to worry less about the baggage of previous poor class choices. I''m more concerned about who would whip them into shape. Though I do have an idea for that."


    Lucia puts her foot down, "Fine, but at least make sure they are not complete deadweight. Like, they should at least soon take a class with a skill to generate their own food supplies and some ranged attack options."


    "Yeah, that is a given."


    After that, we discuss a few more minor things and then end the meeting.

 Ch. 82 – Plot and other Holes

    I knock at the office door, "Hey, Therese. I''m here to give you more work."


    A muted voice can be heard from within the room, "Can you just go away? I''ve already enough on my plate as it is..."


    "Eh, no, sorry, can''t do. I have some serious concerns over the documents you gave me."


    I can hear her sigh, "Urgh, fine, come in."


    I enter Therese''s office. Mountains of documents decorate her desk.


    She doesn''t look well either, "So what is it? Can you make it quick? As you can see, I already have my hands full with work. and I''d like to not leave all of this work for the next generation."


    "What, already planning your retirement?", I take a seat.


    She frowns, "As if I got a choice. My retirement will be in a few months. There, happy now?"


    "No, why would I? Who else will I annoy with my requests? Are you at least available to help your replacement in case of emergency?"


    Therese scoffs at me, "Eh, no? I''ll be dead. What else would retirement mean?"


    "Where I''m from, it means having worked enough, that you can enjoy life without worry about money and shit."


    "Lucky you", she belittles me, "For us, retirement is when our time is up. No when, ifs or buts about it, Jared."


    "Aside from the bags under your eyes, you don''t look that old yet. What makes you certain you''ll die that soon?"


    She shrugs, "That''s just how it is, always was. A few days after our thirty-seventh birthday our bodies stop functioning."


    "Okay, that is not funny, Therese. Stop it with the poor jokes, you''re not a comedian."


    She glares at me, "I''m not joking, I don''t have time to fool around. I''m serious about this."


    You''ve got to be kidding me! The maximum life expectancy of people here is a measly 37 years!? How? Why?


    Way to ruin my mood, "And here I wanted to ask you a couple of questions and then play a prank on you as payback for our first meeting."


    She thinks for a moment before asking, "...what did I supposedly do to you?"


    I recount, "Imprisoning me in a room, forcing me to take a useless class and-"


    She barely suppressed laughter, "Just be happy I let you live back then. I was well within my rights to kill you on the spot."


    "Since when? Didn''t you say that the fortress''s automatic law enforcement tied your hands on that until I was proven guilty?"


    She explains, "Exactly, and you met that criteria the moment you admitted to murder, circumstances be damned."


    "Hey, that''s unfair, you''re not on trial for eating bread! ...so, why did you really spare me then? Considering the damage the other vampires did despite observation, I have a hard time believing then that you would let that opportunity slip."


    She is astonished, "You got me there. Showing would be simpler than explaining, guess I have to move that introduction ahead", she sighs, "Give me a moment."


    I have no idea what she might be on about this time...


    She gets up, leaves the office for a moment and shouts, "CLARA!"


    After that, I only hear whispering.


    She returns, "This will take a few minutes. I can explain once we''re there. In the meantime, you wanted to ask me a few other things, right? Go ahead."


    "You better not try to trick me again."


    She sighs, "I''m not. Promise. So what was on your mind?"


    I don''t trust her, but I accept it for now, "Fine. So first up, Chloe said that there are issues with the Magic Initiate class but she couldn''t give me any details. What is the problem with it? It seems tailor-made to get someone into a real caster class. And previously you stated that getting more casters was important."


    She starts to lecture me, "You would think that, but there are multiple issues. I guess you don''t have the full overview of its skills yet, so let me fill in the gaps... There you go."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Magic Initiate</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    32 HP, 5 MP, 24 SP, 3 STR, 5 DEX, 3 VIT, 1 MAG, 1 FTH, 2 WIL, 4 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Magic Apprentice


    Passive


    Increase MAG and FTH by (3x skill level) and MP by (25x skill level).</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Magic Graduation <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    For the purpose of adding a base caster class, treat requirements as (skill level+5)% lower.


    If this skill has at least level 15 and you have no other caster class:


    you can add one basic caster class without using a "Class Core".</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Scholarship <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Passive


    You gain the special "Academic" class, it can''t be obtained in any other way.


    It does not count toward your class limit.


    Its level is always half of this skill''s level, rounded down, minimum level 1.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Where did you get that info from, Therese?"


    She belittles me, "Did you think we''re just sitting lazily on our asses all day? We have recorded most skills of most classes. Well, info on elite classes is more restricted..."


    Come on, that was important! I needed that before, "And why was I not told about that earlier? I could''ve needed that before choosing the Summoner class!"


    It might have been so worth it to delay for Caller or Invoker instead if I would have had that intel for a more informed choice...


    Therese gives me a death glare, "Did we have any reason to trust you at that point, Mr. Vampire?"


    "Guess not... So what is the issue with this? I don''t understand yet."


    She explains, "The whole class is a trap. First, take the third skill. You might be happy to gain an extra class that doesn''t count towards your class limit but it still increases the stat requirements for other classes you want to add later. In case you''re curious, its stats are poor."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Academic</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    5 HP, 8 MP, 7 SP, 0 STR, 2 DEX, 1 VIT, 1 MAG, 1 FTH, 1 WIL, 2 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So it adds nearly nothing towards the stat total but it still drives the stat requirements up because it is one more class, "Who designs this crap..."


    She explains, "This made actual sense with the old formula for stat requirements before a patch eleven to twelve years ago changed that. Back then, the number of classes had less of an influence than it seems to have now. We''re not sure actually, we haven''t nailed down the new formula yet."


    "Ah, you can ask Elly for that, she has it from... somewhere."


    She sounds delighted, "Then I''d like to take you up on that offer, would save our science team a couple of years. Anyway, the final issue with Magic Initiate is that we''re not sure if the stat bonuses from skills are even counted toward stat requirements, we have conflicting results on that front. Skills like [Health Boost] seem to count, while [Strength Boost] doesn''t."


    "I guess that would explain why Maria has a lot of pluses on her stats while Elly has only a plus on STR from the training skill but the SP increase from [Stamina Boost] is integrated into the total value."


    Therese adds, "Well, just be happy by now your ''sphere'' of classes is no longer relevant. When I was young, leaving it was three times as hard... Either way, we''re not willing to waste Class Cores on such an experiment when the math already says it can''t possibly work and we''d need a decade before we get any further results. We''re just as likely to get another system update that messes everything up again before then."


    Since when do we have a science team?


    "Okay, I get it, I''ll drop that idea. What else are these scientists working on?"


    Therese yawns, "State secrets. I''ll show you later today together with the other stuff. But can you tell me if the changed requirement formula got rid of the LB and PV functions? Those were the worst."


    "I think it was just normal multiplication. What are LB and PV? I''ve never heard of those functions."


    She explains, "Are you familiar with logarithms? LB is that with base 420 of your birth year. And PV... no idea how to explain that one. Our best method to calculate that, requires three sheets of paper, a compass and a metronome."


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    "That... doesn''t sound like something a sane person would use in such an important feature... so they probably did, yeah..."


    Therese yawns some more, her eyes looking as if they are about to fall shut.


    I almost feel pity for her, "You look like you''re in dire need of caffeine poisoning..."


    She responds, "What? Why would I? I''ve slept a whole five hours last night..."


    "No, that doesn''t sound healthy."


    She sighs, "Tell me something I don''t know."


    I take out a sheet of paper, "I mean, I can try. I tried to think of a few measures to improve the situation with the flood."


    She changes her posture, "Now I''m curious."


    "Let''s see... since we''re suffering from a food and material shortage we should conscript civilians to also join the weekly dungeon explorations."


    She rolls her eyes, "I see you haven''t yet looked through all existing laws. Participation for everyone of age fifteen or older is mandatory at least once a month unless they have a suitable reason like a lasting injury. We''re hosting each Tuesday and Wednesday escorted trips. A couple of our trained soldiers volunteer to accompany six civilians each. We''re lending them some equipment as well. These groups mostly hide behind the safe zone walls and poke the monsters from that safety. Though through a lack of experience and skills, they don''t deal that much damage, so they rarely clear even the first floor."


    I still have my titanium materials as an option, "Maybe we should invest in better equipment then."


    She shakes her head, "Pointless. If you lack the relevant training skills, equipment breaks very quickly."


    Reminds me of a certain boss fight I had, "So my experience with shields breaking near instantly wasn''t just bad luck?"


    She explains, "Probably not. They go through hundreds of weapons each week, most end up beyond repair and have to be scrapped. At least it keeps smiths in practice, gotta raise their crafting levels somehow."


    "Okay, my bad. Speaking of, why is there a limitation of one trip per week?"


    Therese elaborates, "According to our research, when you enter a dungeon again sooner than six days twenty-two hours after your last visit everything goes haywire in there. No one that tried sooner has returned. According to reports from thousands of years ago, a Summoner sent his spirits inside and they ended up in the middle of the dungeon, over a couple of trials they appeared randomly between floor thirty and ninety. Even when they sent in multiple spirits at the same time, they didn''t even arrive on the same floor. Aside from that, there were other changes but the reports didn''t go into details we could understand."


    So what I experienced wasn''t really out of the ordinary but the norm? ...thanks, Darius...


    But that means once we have become strong enough to fully clear a dungeon we could infinitely repeat it while time outside stands still. This could become interesting once we have access to one of the easier dungeons.


    "Speaking of unexplainable, why is Darius in charge? He doesn''t exactly seem fit for this job."


    She shrugs, "He lost drawing straws. This also involves something I need to show you later."


    "Alright, back to the ideas I had... Earlier I saw that gravity doesn''t exactly work as expected but what''s stopping you from preparing spiked pit traps in advance?"


    She says, "This year, the flood came much earlier than anticipated, we didn''t have time to prepare any pits, spiked or otherwise. Even if we had, the traps aren''t lethal to most monsters, the traps would just quickly fill up."


    "Then dig deeper?"


    Therese explains, "No, that doesn''t help either. Once the pit becomes too deep, monsters that fall in just reappear unharmed next to the pits. No one understands how they do that."


    Noted, videogame logic, "Okay... what about trebuchets or catapults?"


    She frowns, "Too deteriorated to use and we have no luck with finding the materials in the dungeon to repair them or build new ones. Also, before you continue that route, I got complaints about your earlier ''ingenious'' idea of throwing literal garbage at the monsters. Some people contracted illnesses."


    "Oops... err, changing the topic. What about just sticks or stones?"


    Therese scoffs, "Do you really take us for that stupid?"


    "Uh, maybe?"


    She sighs, "I''m not in the mood for jokes. Everything in terms of woodwork is needed somewhere else like on the farms. And last I checked, stones don''t grow on trees."


    I mean, I could create throwable stones thanks to my [Magical Secret] skill.


    "Alright, what about-"


    Therese interrupts me, "Let me cut this short...", she takes a deep breath, "Poisoned bait and gas are disallowed, blame your predecessor for that. We don''t have any more radioactive stones, the fairies took the remaining ones with them when they fled to safety. Trick traps also don''t work without fairies. We don''t have Type-E68 batteries for SAP- or SNMP traps. Folk music used to work until it didn''t, no clues as to what changed. We tried our hands at building combat robots, you might have seen these automatons walking around outside."


    "Err, did you give them rocket punches at least?"


    She sighs, "Tried, but couldn''t. We can''t even determine which classes they get. They are just like normal people in most regards, well, aside from a life expectancy of about two to three years."


    "What a disappointment."


    She continues, "And before you ask, yes, we do have Power Suits, but they require the same type of power cells as Magitek Rifles and the latter are much more important in case another flying menace appears. Last thing I could think of, would be throwing Jack at the monsters which is considered animal cruelty. Does that cover everything or do you actually have anything new, Jared?"


    "Wait, wait, we have magitek?"


    Therese explains, "Only a few prototypes our researchers are working on. Did you never check the materials you brought back? What else would you use H-418 materials for, Jared?"


    "Dunno, build teapots?"


    She is dumbfounded, "...really?"


    "Uh, if you have mustard laying around we could try building mustard bombs?"


    She tries to process what I just said, "I''ve no idea what mustard is but it sounds disgusting."


    What did you just say? "Now I see that peace was never an option."


    She shrugs, "Eh, not a loss for me. I only have to endure you a couple more months and then I can enjoy my afterlife."


    I mean, I could foil her ''plan'' by making her a familiar, "Technically, you won''t have an afterlife..."


    She frowns, "I don''t know what you mean and I don''t think I want to know. Just promise me that when I die that you leave my corpse alone. No necromancy or other business, please. Can I ask at least that of you?"


    "Sorry, that is not up to me. As long as the demon artifact exists this world is sealed off, meaning no soul can leave. So you either joked about your time being up soon, you swear fealty to me and gain the same benefits as Chloe, or you just cease to exist when your time is up."


    She is speechless. After a moment she composes herself again, "Right, you told us that before. No, I still refuse to believe that."


    "Ultimately that is your call. Just know that my offer is only valid until we''ve exhausted our limit on familiars."


    Therese is a bit down, "Yeah, yeah, right..."


    "This brings me to my next point. We''re looking to recruit two more groups as familiars. Chloe may have already told you, if not, I got a title that allows my familiars to add a few classes without needing Class Cores."


    She sighs, "Chloe has not. And I have to admit that we don''t know much about your [Familiar] skill or skills that interact with it. Vampires have never been on our side in the past."


    "They haven''t? That is strange, I thought the first vampire was a Lost One, should they have been on your side at that time?"


    She looks around, then turns to me again, "This is something that MUST stay confidential. Not even the church knows or at least would admit it but that Lost One was not on our side. According to reports left over from that time, they joined the demon''s side and waged war against mankind."


    "I guess they were far from the only Lost One that betrayed you?"


    She nods, "Yeah, how did you figure that out?"


    "Supposedly there were fifty-eight Lost Ones before me, but back at the church, their count was barely at thirty."


    Therese is shocked, "Fifty-eight? We have only accounted for forty-seven. But...", she does silent.


    "That''s at least about another twenty. What did they do to not be acknowledged by the church?"


    She gathers herself, "Please keep this to yourself. Twelve of them either joined the demons or became full-blooded monsters, losing all forms of reason. The rest... sacrificed themselves for what I need to show you later."


    That still leaves about a dozen nobody knows about. Though I can guess that they were just unlucky with their initial spawn locations and died before reaching any kind of civilization.


    Or whoever sent Anna is not from the same faction and had found ''our'' Lost Ones and then unfound them for good.


    I sigh, "You keep telling me that it is something secret, that you need to show me before it makes any sense, but you don''t give me the slightest hint of what I''m in for. At this point, you just sound like a broken record."


    She leans in and whispers, "It is something that must not be known publically, under any circumstances."


    "Fine, I just hope the payout is worth it..."


    Therese tells me, "It is but not in a good way. I hope Clara is done soon so we can get that over with... Anything else you wanted?"


    "Fine, if you don''t want to talk about it, I''ve got a few other topics to take care of. In the documents you gave me, there was a huge discrepancy between the funds the military receives and the listed expenses. Over half of it is not accounted for. I suspect we''re dealing with embezzlement here."


    "Can you show me the sheet for that?", she requests.


    I hand her the paper, "Here."


    She frowns, "I know I sound like a broken record here, but that is also related to what I need to show you once Clara prepares the required clearance. Please believe me when I say this MUST be under any circumstances stay on a need-to-know base. Chloe doesn''t know, not even Darius does, it is imperative that it is kept a secret. NOT. A. WORD. TO. ANYONE."


    "I won''t promise anything until I know what the hell is up."


    "Understandable", She tries to change the topic, "Anything else I could help you with?"


    "Not really. As I said before, we planned to expand how many familiars we employ, so I wanted to ask you for your expertise in finding decent personnel but given the track record today, it probably has to wait until after I have seen ''it''. Whatever ''it'' is. Can I at least get a hint? Just waiting is boring and as it is you haven''t given me the slightest reason to look forward to it."


    Therese writes something down, "I''ll make a note for it. I''ll be frank with you I''m not too fond of the idea of you turning more people into familiars."


    "Chloe suggested it, she thought it might be a way to get some of the injured soldiers back into the fight once the superior regeneration of being one of my familiars kicks in."


    She sighs, "Then I really need to have a word with her..."


    We exchange a few more words about our opinions on the whole familiar feature, she is obviously against it.


    Finally, a soldier knocks on the door, "It''s me, Clara. I''ve finished the preparations."


    Aside from a ponytail sticking out of her helm, I can''t make out any features. She''s completely covered in armor.


    "What''s with the getup, are we going to war now?"


    Clara hands Therese a can of coffee.


    Therese explains while she fills one cup with coffee, "That is not too far off actually. The place we''re going to can indeed be dangerous. But we''ll be fine as long as you follow our instructions."


    This just guarantees that something will go wrong, "Can I save my game first?"


    "What does that mean?", asks Clara.


    Therese hands the cup of coffee to Clara and downs the remainder of the can herself.


    "Nevermind... Are we going now?"


    Therese stands up, "Yes. Clara, please lead the way."


    She salutes, "Affirmative!"


    We go down into a storage room in the cellar.


    Most of the room is covered in shelves full of dusty books and document binders.


    Therese quickly looks around, "No one else is here. You know what to do Clara."


    The tin can nods, "Yes. Step aside please."


    She pushes me to the side and sticks her hand behind one of the tomes. Then she chants something, "One who is darker than twilight. One who is redder than the blood that flows. Buried in the flow of time. In thy great name-"


    Therese rolls her eyes, "Ignore that show-off, you just have to touch the hidden switch with a security card."


    "Spoilsport", scoffs Clara.


    A small rumbling can be heard, but I can''t see any changes.


    "Follow me", orders Clara.


    She walks through a wall between the shelves.


    "An illusion?"


    Therese responds, "Yes, but no more dawdling."


    She takes out a torch and then walks ahead through the wall.


    The illusory wall even feels solid when I carefully try to touch it but when I apply some strength I can easily pass through it. Weird effect.


    Behind the wall are just stairs leading down.


    Therese urges me, "Stop standing there and get moving."


    We walk down the winding stairs for a couple of minutes. How deep does this go?


    Some more minutes later, I can hear some kind of bleeping alarm noise.


    Therese frowns, "Goddamnit, it moved again."

 Ch. 83 – [ ]

    With the alarm siren still blaring, we carefully proceed further down the stairs until we reach an open cave of sorts.


    But before I can really take in the view, a bunch of knights armed with strange-looking guns stop us, "Halt!"


    I raise my arms as to signal surrender, "So much for not a trap..."


    Therese signals the knights to stand down, "At ease, he is with me. And here I thought the creature was acting up again... Clara, didn''t you prepare the whole paperwork for Jared?"


    Clara protests, "I did. His ID card was entered into the security system and everything."


    Therese is surprised, "Huh, really?"


    One of the knights clarifies, "Seems to be a false alarm then. I apologize for the inconvenience, Therese."


    Therese asks him, "So the creature is still secured?"


    He responds, "We also thought the alarm was because of it but at least in our cursory check it was still inactive. So we thought there was an intruder."


    "Why don''t you have different alarms for those two causes?"


    Therese answers, "Jack broke it, so we just wired both to the same signal until we find materials to repair it."


    The soldiers take their leave.


    "And he continues to be a headache even from beyond the grave..."


    Carla responds, "Jack isn''t quite dead yet..."


    Therese admonishes her, "Carla, he didn''t need to know that!"


    She replies, "Huh? I thought he knew already..."


    "What is that about Jack being alive? I thought he died in the dungeon?"


    Therese sheepishly admits, "That''s just the official story. Though for what it is worth, he might as well just be declared dead. Well, he had an accident with that section over there", she points toward what looks like a greek temple covered in a green beehive barrier.


    I can''t really make out any details from over here, but it''s giving me the creeps, "What is that?"


    She answers, "To make a long story short, all those questions I couldn''t answer until ''later''? That''s the reason. I can explain in a moment, but we should first meet Karen, the leader of the research team. Clara, I''ll take the rest from here, you can go back to your other duties."


    Clara salutes, "Understood. See you later", then she heads back.


    "Follow me, Jared", orders Therese.


    We start walking.


    Now that I have some time to look around, I see several block houses and tents, just the bare minimum to qualify as a home. Do they all live here underground?


    In a few tents, the knights from earlier are putting the strange guns back into what could be recharge stations, attaching some cables to the guns.


    What are these weapons? They look mostly like hunting rifles but two green pipes connect the front to the back and instead of an ammunition chamber it has a transparent-black box filled with blue-tinted exploding clouds.


    What does [Appraise] say for them anyway?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Magitek Rifle v17


    316 fixed damage, ignores all defenses and protections.


    Unaffected by skill modifiers.


    Each use consumes 2637 energy.


    Remaining energy: 2706/8463</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ah, so that were the Magitek weapons Therese talked about.


    In another tent, it looks like scientists are doing science things, writing stuff on a whiteboard. Another plays around with a Magitek Rifle. If I had to guess they''re working on an upgrade for it.


    "-ved. Hey, are you listening, Jared?", Therese berates me.


    "What? Uh, no, I was taking in the scenery."


    She grabs her forehead, "Oh, for the love of... I know this is a lot to take in, but you need to pull yourself together. I said we''ve arrived."


    "Yeah, yeah."


    We enter a tent. And of course, there''s a bunny-eared girl just sleeping on the table.


    "Hey, Karen!", Therese shakes her awake, "Hey, wake up!"


    "Uwah?", the girl wakes up and stretches herself like a feline.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Karen</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">mana-sealed</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">17</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Scholar 16, Pyromancer 16, Weaver 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Bunny Folk 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2158/2158</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/0 [2080]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2154/3057</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">301</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">422</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">416+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">377</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">344</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">386+30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">513</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lab Coat</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire Magic 16 (Rank 2)


    Scrutinize 16


    Meditation 16


    Curiosity 10, Extra Language 16, Fire Resistance 16, Quick Learning 16, Stamina Boost 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Coffee</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "And that is your genius scientist?"


    Therese answers, "I never said anything about genius, but yes. This scatterbrain is Karen, the leader of the research team. Karen, if you''re awake enough to process human speech, this is Jared."


    The girl yawns, "Is he now? Perfect! Nice to meetcha!"


    "Uh, likewise. So, what exactly is going on now?"


    Therese explains while Karen inspects my body, "Please don''t mind her eccentricities, she''s too curious for her own good."


    "I... noticed. Can you stop this invasion of privacy, Karen?", I push her away, "I have Lucia for that. So, what is it about?"


    "Ahem", Karen clears her throat, "I wanted, needed, to see a Lost One. We have a lot of research data from ancient times but I have a hard time believing some parts of it", she creeps on me again, "Hmm... disappointingly normal even..."


    I shove her off again, "Knock it off! If this is the only reason for coming here, it was a waste of time."


    Therese adds, "Not quite. We still have to explain the things you wanted to know."


    "Then do so - and keep this tick away from me", I push Karen away for the third time.


    Karen pouts, "Come on! Do you not have the slightest bit of curiosity in your body?"


    "Maybe a little bit. How about a trade? I let you indulge in your curiosity for a bit and I get some of your blood."


    She thinks about it, "I mean, I gu-"


    Therese furiously interrupts her, "Jared! Haven''t you seen wh- I mean, can''t you two behave, please?"


    "Then start talking. What''s with all the secrecy?"


    Therese orders, "Karen, you tell him about it, that''s your area of expertise."


    The beast girl agrees, "Will do. Though I think it would help if you see it firsthand. Follow me!"


    She enthusiastically grabs my hand and drags me along. Therese follows with a sigh.


    We head towards the sealed-off temple Therese pointed out earlier.


    We stop a few meters before the green barrier encasing it.


    She cheerfully announces, "We''re here!"


    Now that I can take a closer look at the ''temple'' contained within... it is a mess. Everything inside the barrier is just a pulsating, pixelated mess, changing colors seemingly at random between white, green, yellow and black for what I earlier assumed to be marble pillars. All of that is overlaid by what reminds me of the static of a disconnected CRT TV.


    Not even the geometry inside seems to make sense. The stairs leading inside the temple look to be closer than the pillars decorating the path towards the entrance. Pillars seemingly hide behind the temple''s arch...


    I want to look away, but I can''t, it is strangely hypnotizing.


    "Okay, so what am I looking at?"


    Therese adds, "That''s the cause of most of our real problems."


    If this is the cause of many problems, I''m happy I didn''t order the unknown building to be constructed...


    Karen explains, "I present to you... this something. Allegedly, one of the previous Lost Ones dubbed this a ''Glitch Area''. Does that ring any bells?"


    "I guess so. But this doesn''t narrow it down much."


    She continues, "Anyway, this area is connected to our local dungeon. According to what we know, every major dungeon has such a Glitch Area attached to it, all of them sealed in such a barrier. Seemingly, only minor dungeons don''t have one."


    "Weren''t there like thirty major dungeons? And all of them have such a death zone?"


    Therese answers, "Supposedly, there were originally thirty-two major dungeons but they were cut down to about a dozen before the first Glitch Area appeared."


    "Alright. That reminds me, I''ve seen some glitched spots in the dungeon before but not to an extent like this Glitch Area. Well, some monster touched them and exploded anyway."


    Karen scratches behind her ear, "Then they were lucky. Normally, anything touched by such a glitched area becomes heavily glitched as well."


    Therese interrupts, "If you want to see what that looks like, I can show you Jack when we''re done here. He... got the full load."


    "I''ve seen some glitched monsters, they didn''t seem so bad off. Maybe a bit off-color, non-standard stats or skills."


    Therese responds, "In that case, they only got a small case of glitch contamination. Let''s call that 1-2%. Jack basically got the equivalent of over 80%. You wouldn''t recognize him anymore. Or rather, ''Jack'' himself is just gone."


    "And if it wasn''t for that barrier, the Glitch Area would spread and infect the whole world?"


    She sighs, "Pretty much."


    So if just one fortress falls the whole world is pretty much done for? Ugh, thanks for nothing, Jeff.


    The more I hear, the more I feel like the deva''s ''bad bosses'' had the right idea. Unending monster floods, an unrestricted demon army, a god-level Lich, these Glitch Areas, and at the end only awaits the people here soul destruction or monsterization... This seems more and more impossible. Just save everyone the suffering and blow the whole world up...


    I can only shake my head at this madness, "Therese, you said that ''this'' was related to why you spared me or why Darius is in charge. How is that related? How does anything relate to this... madness."


    She pats me on the shoulder, "Ask that creature living in that area."


    Karen interrupts her, "There''s a monster or something living inside that area. According to what we know, it only moves while a Lost One is in this world. Otherwise it just... sits in a corner and sleeps, for a lack of a better term."


    "I haven''t seen a creature in that temple. Where does it hide currently?"


    Karen sounds confused, "Uh, what temple?"


    I point at the barrier, "The one in that glitch area."


    Therese is also puzzled, "There''s nothing in there, Jared. It is just an incomprehensible mess."


    "Oh, so it was just a Rorschach test. My bad."


    She replies, "I''ve no clue what that is either, but if it helps you to make sense of it, sure, be my guest."


    Karen butts in, "Anyway, we don''t know where it is most of the time. We aren''t even sure whether the barrier really holds it back or it is just toying with us."


    "Does every Glitch Area have its own creature or is there only one here?"


    She scratches her head, "We''re not sure actually. There were sightings in every area, but since we have no way for quick communication we can''t really narrow down if it is a unique creature per area or if the same being can travel between those areas."


    "What? Does that mean we have potentially a quick-travel connection between several towns?"


    She answers, "Uh, only if you could somehow be immune to the glitch effects. And as far as we know, that is impossible."


    When all of this is over, I kinda want to explore this area. As much as a mess the afterlife is, the devas should clearly have a glitch-proof space suit or something.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    I sigh, "Was afraid of that. What else do you know of this inhabitant?"


    Therese answers, "Not much really. Supposedly when you decipher its name you get the original name of the Lost One that caused its activity. Though that has supposedly failed a few times in the past. Like they got ''Tiffany'' for a male Lost One, or ''Joe'' for a female."


    Seems like someone used the option to change their gender on transmigration but the people here don''t understand that concept.


    Though learning my previous name might be helpful in triggering other memories, "And what did you get for ''my'' glitch monster?"


    Therese shrugs, "It was just blank."


    So much for that, "If I might hazard a guess, that''s probably because my Lost One title got damaged... If there truly was such a link, this would have damaged it as well."


    Karen is curious, "What do you mean?"


    "Nothing I can change anymore. Anyway, back to the original question. Does that mean that creature started moving shortly before our first meeting, Therese?"


    She nods, "Yes. I didn''t want to believe it at first, but you behaved so far out of the norm, that I had to give it a shot."


    Great, so my ass was saved because a random glitch creature woke up from its eternal slumber... maybe I should say thank you if I ever meet it...


    "Fine... and what''s the relation to Darius? How does he being the commander in charge despite his ineptitude relate to this... thing?"


    Karen explains, "You see this barrier, right? It requires maintenance. Specifically from three specific types of energy. One of them is high-ranked elemental mana. It requires several donors that have at least the second rank in a form of elemental magic, and then across all donors, we need about 20.000 MP. You''ve probably seen my status already. My ''mana seal'' status means my MP is used for that type of maintenance. Including me, we have three casters donating all they can and even that isn''t sufficient for much longer. As far as we can tell, the barrier is slowly losing strength."


    I throw a stern look at Therese, "I thought you had no magic casters at all and now you have three?"


    She defends herself, "How could I admit to that without revealing everything here? Even so, it is exactly as she said. We may have three casters, four with you, but they are in no position to use their spells. All of their MP goes to keeping this Glitch Area under control. They can''t even enter the dungeon as that would cut off their link. Establishing a new one takes about a week."


    I sigh, "I feel like I should once again extend my offer for creating familiars. If only to keep that barrier going at full strength... Does this donation link require a title? This would be the only problem I can see with that option."


    Karen explains, "No, a title is not needed. But I don''t understand how familiars play into this. I know that you as a vampire can share a few skills with your familiars but this would never satisfy the need for higher-ranked magic."


    "Not that, but I recently got a title that allows my familiars to add classes without Class Cores until they have as many classes as my summoned spirits, which would currently be five."


    She thinks for a bit, "I''ll have to double-check what we know on the topic of familiars, but I''d like to at least discuss that with some aides and peers. May I ask which skill you''re currently sharing?"


    "Fine by me. We''re currently sharing [Sleepless] and [Ageless]. Though I''ll have to add the condition that those that become familiars should be able to assist in the fortress defense in case of emergency. We plan to leave the fortress after the current monster flood is taken care of, and I could rest better if I knew my property to be well defended."


    She nods, "Noted. Also, please refrain from choosing the final skill without consulting me. We have a whole library on skill data, and I''m certain I can give you some unique insight at least."


    "I''ll keep it in mind. What else do I need to know about the barrier? What are the other two energies needed for maintenance?"


    In the corner of my view, I can see some new movement in the Glitch Area but I can''t make out what exactly changed.


    Karen explains, "Well... The second would be actual life force. That''s where Darius comes in. The post of commander was rigged to require attunement to a certain gem that stands in the commander''s office. This gem feeds on the life force of the one attuned to it."


    This feels very scummy, "Wait, so just being the commander kills him?"


    Therese interjects, "Not quite kill but it causes him to age rapidly. About five times as fast. Physically he may be 29 now, but in reality, he has only lived for 14 or 15 years."


    Why do you have to make me feel pity for him, "So I take it the office of the commander is just for show? With that limitation, there''s no way he ever had an acceptable level of leading ability."


    She admits, "Kinda. There isn''t too much commanding that needs to be on a high level, for that, I serve as an advisor."


    All of this is so messed up, it annoys me, "You have two months."


    She is confused, "Huh?"


    "I give you two months to come up with a damn good reason why you and Darius shouldn''t become my familiars."


    Therese tells me annoyed, "I already told you, that is pointless. I have only a few more months to live anyway."


    Karen sounds curious, "So that''s how old you really are."


    Therese yells angrily, "Oh, will you let it rest, Karen!", she sighs, "it is pointless, Jared. This Glitch Area literally poisons our environment, it kills us, and accelerates the end of our time. According to research data from ancient times, before this Glitch Area existed, our life expectancy was at least 150 years, some even living to 300. Now we''re down to a hard end at 37 and some change."


    What kind of superhumans live in this world? They could live for 300 years, laugh at gravity and can grow dozens of times more powerful just by reading very hard... no wonder the demons want to conquer it.


    "All the more reason to try it, Therese. [Ageless] claims to reverse detriments caused by advanced age, and by my understanding, this should count then. Should you make it past your artificial expiration date and still refuse to serve under me, I''ll allow you to die peacefully once we''ve taken care of the artifact, but not before then. You should respect your own well-being at least that much."


    Therese is speechless, "I''ll... think about it."


    There''s more movement in the Glitch Area, I still can''t make anything out.


    "Okay, and what is energy type three?"


    Karen explains, "That is simple. Item Essence. We just throw any old item that isn''t useful anymore into a special blender over there and call it a day", she points toward the closest building next to the barrier.


    Any random item? I hand her a bar of titanium, "Would that work as well?"


    She examines it for a moment, "It should but it would be better used to craft equipment, that is some high-level material."


    "Already tried, didn''t find anyone that has a high enough crafting skill level."


    Her ears droop down, "Pity... Well, anyway, that is all on how to maintain that barrier. Aside from that, you need to know that it does NOT keep non-glitch stuff in or out. Should you be like Jack and try to lean on it, you would just fall in and then... well, then it is too late for you."


    "I''ll... keep that in mind. Mind if I ask how this barrier was created? Can''t you research a polarity-reversed version to keep the monsters out?"


    Therese explains, "Creating it required the sacrifice of a person who possesses a sufficient amount of divine energy. This was either a Hero or a Lost One. If you value your life, you should never mess with the barrier. And as I said before, this whole thing needs to be kept a secret, knowledge of it would only cause panic. Not even the church knows about it, please keep it that way."


    I nod, "Yeah, I agree but I want to at least inform Lucia, possibly the rest of my main party as well."


    Therese is ambivalent, "I expected as much. Ultimately it is your call, but I insist you keep the spread of that knowledge to a minimum."


    "Yeah, that is not a question. Also, I''d like to have my spirit Elly exchange information with you. Therese said that you were researching among other things the formula for class stat requirements, and she has that at least."


    Karen is happy, "Oh, that would certainly be useful!"


    The movement in the Glitch Area intensifies. I can finally make out something that looks like a person. It reminds me of someone I knew in my previous life.


    Unwittingly some words leave my mouth, "Is that... Cliff?"


    Therese corrects me, "Whatever you see there is not real. It is just the static noise playing a trick on your senses."


    I have to agree, "...yeah, probably."


    What seems like a creature gets closer, but stops at the barrier. Reflexively I try to [Appraise] it.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??? ????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Nothing? The status is just empty?"


    Karen explains, "Yeah, it doesn''t seem to be a real lifeform, there is nothing to [appraise]."


    "And the name? Didn''t you say it was blank, empty? That looks like the usual glitch gibberish to me."


    Therese answers, "We have a team of experts who kind of cracked that code. To be blunt, it is... a mess. Just decoding a single name like that takes weeks if not months. And given our track record with just the names of Lost Ones, we''re never certain if our results are even close to correct. We can''t even take guesses from context as that rarely exists."


    "I''m more surprised you can make any sense of it at all. Between the randomly changing, non-sensical symbols and everything."


    Karen is ecstatic, "That''s the beauty of it. You have to consider which symbols appear, in what order and the exact delays between changes. A single cycle can take between two and five minutes before it repeats. Of course every, uh, letter has its own cycle."


    "Now I understand how you would consider weeks for a name ''quick''. Anyway, what do we do with... uh, where''s the creature gone to? It was just there a moment ago?"


    The alarm siren starts again.


    "Jared", a worried Therese tells me, "do not make any hasty movements, it is right behind you."


    Behind? Shit.


    I slowly turn around, "Uh, hi? I''m Jared. Nice to meet you?"


    Before me stands... something. If I could imagine the Glitch Area to contain a temple, this static mess in front of me is just nothing. Maybe a wobbly ball? But besides that, I can''t make anything out.


    If the theory is right that this... thing shares some features with the original life of a Lost One, then it seems only to extend to the name, and even that is wrong. I obviously must have had a name in my previous life, even if I can''t recall it currently...


    An otherworldly noise fills the room, "N???o???,??? ???y???o???u???''???r???e??? ???n???o???t??? ???m???e???.???", I guess it just responded to me.


    I have no idea what it could''ve just said, "Hey, no need to be rude, yeah?"


    "F???o???r???g???e???t??? ???i???t???.??? ???I??? ???d???o???n???''???t??? ???w???a???n???t??? ???t???o??? ???p???l???a???y??? ???w???i???t???h??? ???y???o???u??? ???a???n???y???m???o???r???e???.???", then some smog obscures my vision and the glitchy mess is gone, then the alarm stops.


    "So much for the barrier being secure..."


    Karen is alarmed, her rabbit ears stand up, "That has never happened before. Uh, can we go back to my lab? We should really get checked for any new infections!"


    At least she doesn''t want to talk to a manager, "Yeah, let''s go back. This whole area gives me the creeps."


    Therese adds, "Someone should also check the area where it appeared for contaminations..."


    We quickly walk back to her tent and Karen grabs an assistant, "Guys, code FML, get moving."


    The assistant grabs what looks like a Geiger counter and checks Karen with it, "Negative, no glitch infections."


    Karen is relieved, "Lucky. Okay, Therese next."


    Yeah, keep the best for last.


    The assistant performs the same test on Therese, also finds nothing and gives her a thumbs up.


    "Okay, last one", Karen orders the assistant to check me.


    He sounds unsure, "Can you check these values, Karen? The result makes no sense to me."


    She gestures for him to hand the device over, "Sure, gimme."


    She holds the device at various angles to try and make sense of the results, "Nope, I got nothing, He actually emits much less glitch radiation than a healthy person but he has highly elevated distortion levels?"


    I can take a guess, "I think I know what is going on. I, uh, had a minor accident where I acquired a glitched title. That should explain the increased value. As for the other... I guess because of my increased regeneration stats it is suppressed."


    Karen isn''t convinced, "Not sure I buy that, but it sounds possible at least. Well, I''ll let you off the hook for now but I''d prefer it if we could check you every day or two to be on the safe side."


    I nod, "Yeah, that is reasonable, Karen."


    She asks me, "Say, how many familiar spots could you spare for this operation?"


    "We''re not sure yet how the hard cap works with both me and Lucia sharing the skill, but if 20 is the absolute limit, you could have up to 7 familiars. For our travels, I want at least two full parties, which already take up 13 familiars. Though I''d prefer it to include Darius and Therese as familiars as well."


    She nods, "I understand. As I said earlier, I''ll discuss it with my colleagues. You said earlier that your familiars could gain up to 5 classes, right?"


    "Yeah, though that will increase sometime in the future. Just need another Class Core or three and the required exp. We already put in the paperwork for another Class Core, so it is just a matter of time."


    Karen thinks for a moment, "Yeah, then I can''t help you there. We are testing a method to create artificial Class Cores but the ones we got so far are very restricted in which classes you can take with them."


    Therese holds her mouth shut, "Karen! That was supposed to stay secret as well!"


    "Too late now. Even if they are restricted, how many of those could you produce?"


    Karen frees herself from Therese, "Uh, given the resources we get... about one or two each year?"


    I let out a frustrated sigh, "Got my hope up for nothing..."


    The bunny girl grabs writing utensils, "Jared, may I ask you some things about how you felt when you saw that glitch creature for the first time?"


    "What do you want to hear? That I was terrified?"


    She takes some notes, "You called it ''Cliff'' before, did it remind you of someone?"


    "Kind of. I had this uncanny feeling as if it was one of my coworkers from my previous life, but at the same time it gave me a feeling of disgust."


    She scratches her ear, "Huh, strange. According to notes left by previous generations, Lost Ones saw a reflection of their previous life in it."


    "If that is true... it is probably linked to the actual Lost One title, not the person. My title... got damaged. But what does it matter?"


    Karen shrugs, "I''m a researcher, I try to get my hands on as much data as I can. If it helps us to get even one step closer to solving this glitchy mess, taking note of even these small details was all worth it."


    She asks me a few more questions about how I viewed the incident from my side, "Uh-huh. Got it, that are all my questions for now."


    "Alright, what now?"


    Karen stammers, "Uh, now... we, uh..."


    Therese interrupts her stammering, "What our socially inept rabbit wants to say is that we''re done for today."


    Ah, so Karen doesn''t know how to end a conversation either, "Didn''t you want to show me Jack, or what remains of him?"


    Karen asks, "Therese, can you take care of that yourself? Our discussion just now gave me some ideas I need to write down before they slip away."


    Therese answers, "Sure thing, harebrain. Follow me, Jared."


    "Sure. See you later, Karen."


    Karen waves, "Yeah, later! ...damn, what did I think of again..."


    Harebrained indeed...


    We walk a few tents over into a solid block building.


    "There he is", Therese shows me an around three-meter tall glass tube filled with a dark blue liquid, and in that liquid floats the body of an unconscious person.


    If that is supposed to be Jack, he is beyond recognition. All of his body is covered in similar distortions as the glitch creature was. If I didn''t know that was supposed to be him, I would''ve said this either the same glitch monster again or at least a second one of its kind.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">J???a???c???k???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">n???o???n???e???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">17</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">F???i???g???h???t???e???r??? 12, K???n???i???g???h???t??? 8, S???c???o???u???t??? 4</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">H???a???l???f???l???i???n???g??? 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">n???o???n???e???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">?/? [2568]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">?/? [774]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">?/? [2618]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">? [327]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">? [417]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">? [342]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">? [87]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">? [87]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">? [219]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">? [241]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">n???o???n???e???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">S???w???o???r???d??? ???T???r???a???i???n???i???n???g??? 20, S???h???i???e???l???d??? ???T???r???a???i???n???i???n???g??? 12, A???r???m???o???r??? ???T???r???a???i???n???i???n???g??? 8


    D???a???n???g???e???r??? ???S???e???n???s???e??? 4, H???a???r???d??? ???W???o???r???k???e???r??? ???(???m???a???y???b???e???)??? 11, I?n?t?e?l?l?i?g?e?n?c?e? ?R?e?s?i?s?t?a?n?c?e? 35, L???u???c???k??? ???B???o???o???s???t??? 11, T???r???a???c???k???i???n???g??? 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">L???i???g???h???t???n???i???n???g???, O???r???d???e???r???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Not even [Appraise] recognizes the artist formerly known as Jack.


    "That is quite hard to believe. Is there even any point in keeping him alive?"


    Therese shakes her head, "For Jake''s sake? No, he is gone. There''s nothing that can be done for him anymore. But we keep his remains around so the scientists can study the glitch phenomenon."


    "I don''t quite understand... how did he even get out? I assumed that the barrier would keep him inside once he fell inside and got contaminated."


    She answers, "We don''t know. Karen theorized that he was infected but it took a bit to fully mutate him. In that transitional state, he didn''t count as a glitch yet."


    "I guess... well, I''ve seen enough for one day. Can we call it for today, Therese?"


    She agrees, "Yeah, let''s go back. I still have more work waiting for me. Also, just to remind you, if you should ever run across Jack''s mate, don''t tell him the truth. Jack fell in the dungeon, end of story."


    Can''t believe someone would put up with Jack, but I answer in a mocking tone anyway, "What are you talking about? Of course, he died in the dungeon, there''s no such thing as a Glitch Area."


    With that, we head back.


    I can''t wait to tell Elly that I''ve condemned her to even more work. Though maybe she''ll enjoy being on the other side of an examination for once.

 Ch. 84 – Too Successful

    POV: Eva


    I have been for weeks in custody, yet no one interrogates me. Why am I even here then? I''m just trapped in this room all day, bored to death. Not even allowed to make a phone call.


    Finally, the door opens. In steps Aaron and an overdressed man with sunglasses. Really, man, business suits are so last millennium, live a little.


    I tell him annoyed, "Was about time you come! I''ve been waiting for WEEKS!"


    He is taken aback, "I''m sorry? Uh, is that the right room, Aaron? I was told the Eva Sundale we''re looking for was just brought in yesterday."


    Aaron responds embarrassed, "I''m not sure. She was-"


    I cut him off, "Yes, that is me, and I''ve been sitting here for almost three weeks! And you know that, Aaron! You brought me here!"


    He adds flustered, "Uh, and shortly after interrogated and then let go after being found not at fault. At least that is what I was told."


    I get angrier, "No such thing! No interrogation, no visitors, nothing! I wasn''t even allowed to call my lawyer! I know my rights, and they were strictly denied! So much for any claims at civilized treatment."


    The flustered man digs through his briefcase, "Uh, what did you say you were brought here for? In your file, it only says you were here because of a general interrogation about the chaos that happened in the company and after finding nothing suspicious you were let go."


    "Are you shitting me!?", I grab him by his collar, "I''ve been unlawfully held captive here for weeks. Screw your fake files and baseless accusations! I want to speak to my lawyer!"


    Aaron frees him from my grab, "Calm down, Eva. There must be a mistake here..."


    The unknown man fixes his tie, "How about we all calm down and start over? My name is Ali E. Ster, an agent investigating the gross misuse of the transmigration machinery."


    I refuse to calm down, "Ok, Ali. Before I answer any questions, I have some of my own."


    He nods, "Sure, if it helps to get us back on track."


    "Do you happen to have a brother called Poll-Ye?"


    He shakes his head, "I''m afraid I''m an only child."


    "Ok, so you also don''t know where he went to. We''ve been missing him for a couple of years in our gaming group. Anyway, can you tell me what the hell is going on? Why am I still kept here if you have no intention of interrogating me on the original charges?"


    Aaron tries to chime in, "Eva, as we said earlier-"


    I interrupt him, "No, you shut up! You brought me here, I deserve to know why I''m here. No more excuses!"


    Ali answers, "I''m afraid I do not know that. I''m not privy to the reason for your current stay. Though if it is as you say, then it is indeed unusual. May I make a quick phone call on that matter?"


    "Do it. The sooner I get out of here the better."


    "Certainly, it''ll only be a moment", he steps outside the room and closes the door behind him.


    I turn toward Aaron, "So what the hell did you think-"


    The door opens again. The agent is already back? That was... quick.


    Ali fixes his suit, "Your case will be fast-tracked. If there are no hints of your involvement, you''ll be out in about two hours."


    "I''m not used to people working that fast in my favor."


    He calmly states, "Ma''am, we''re professionals, we''re here to get things done."


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Might just be my imagination but he sounds a bit different, "Alright, nice to hear."


    Ali continues, "Now, Mr. Aaron, if you would be so kind as to fetch us a coffee. I''m afraid this will take a bit longer than just the expected ten minutes."


    Aaron affirms, "Yeah, sure think. See you in a minute, Eva."


    "Yeah, get mine black, please."


    Aaron leaves the room and closes the door behind him.


    Ali turns back to me, "Now, miss Sundale. Where were we? Ah, right. I wanted to inform you about your crime of killing Todo."


    I vehemently protest, "I didn''t do such a thing!"


    He lectures me, "And that''s where you are mistaken. Unless you want to tell me that you didn''t perform your job these past decades? Tell me, who else was at your desk and sent several people to be transmigrated out of the soul cycle?"


    I''m confused, "I did, several of my colleagues did the same though, but what has that got to do with anything?"


    He waves his hand, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. It seems you''ve failed to follow your orders then. You see, several years back there was a mail sent around that the use of the transmigration machine is to be ceased immediately except for very specific emergency cases. Cases that in fact didn''t happen on your watch."


    I protest, "I received no such mail. I-"


    Ali cuts me off, "I know. But that doesn''t matter because the records will show otherwise. Do you know the real reason why the machine should''ve been stopped at once? Of course, you don''t. That is a great secret."


    Aaron returns about as quickly as Ali did before. I don''t like where this is going.


    "Uh, where''s the coffee, Aaron? I desperately need one right now."


    He pulls out a syringe filled with an orange liquid, "I''m afraid, we''re all out of coffee today."


    Ali grabs me and Aaron rams the syringe into my arm.


    My vision grows hazy and I''m feeling incredibly sick.


    "Tha... isn... just..."


    One of their voices answers, "Justice? Dear, we don''t need to justify our cause to you. Because that would ''just'' be meaningless words."


    The other chuckles, "And really, words are just cheap. Actions count. And if we have to sacrifice you..."


    I try to talk but can''t. I''ve already lost control over my body and dropped to the ground.


    One of them continues in a threatening tone, "Then it is a sacrifice we''re willing to make."


    Who''s talking now? I don''t follow anymore...


    "Do you think the dosage is right? She''s got a nasty shade of blue there", one of them fails to suppress laughter.


    The other one snickers, "Looks good to me."


    At this point, my vision is just a blur.


    "Now, as I was explaining before, miss Sundale, every time you ripped an oh-so-brave soul out of the great cycle you did in fact gravely harm the great Todo."


    "Why do you even tell her that, Smith?"


    "Just for the heck of it, Taylor. We''ve already achieved our goals weeks ago. Everything else is just a bonus. Let me just gloat for a bit. And hey, the more chaos we cause the better."


    Wha-what have we done?


    "My dear, in your ignorance, you devas have done more harm to the universe than the entire Creed ever could. And all we needed to do was add a little redirect to the incoming and outgoing emails of you and your entire department."


    "After that, we just had to lie back and enjoy the show until Todo was weakened enough. We quickly ran out of popcorn."


    "You should''ve seen our performance in the final act! ...you know, this would be more fun if you could actually see how I just changed my appearance. But take my word for it, I look great in you."


    What''s that supposed to mean?


    "Really, Eva, in your arrogance, none of you ever even considered us as a threat, to you we were just an unimportant footnote. Face it, girl. The devas have become too big to succeed. And we will change that."


    "You tell her. Infiltrating here and setting everything up was depressingly easy. No fun at all."


    No, no, no!


    One of them sighs, "Only this Gyev gave us more than a passing thought."


    "Not that it did him any good. We even have a betting pool at home whether his next action sets us back five minutes or catapults our plans ahead another decade. Currently, the latter is leading."


    "If you think about it, half of our tech comes from him. Maybe when we''re done we should honor him as our biggest supporter?"


    They laugh menacingly.


    "Smith, aren''t we telling her too much? What if someone overhears us?"


    "Then let the observers know that they are next! Do you hear me out there? Watch. Your. Backs."


    I can barely hear their voices anymore...


    "Now my sweet princess, if you''d please sign this confession here that it was all your doing?"


    I try to stop my hand but it doesn''t obey me. It signs the paper.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have confessed a grave sin.


    Your soul is now forfeit.


    You''re no longer welcome in the System.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Shit.


    I hear two muffled impacts. Then one of the men shoves a gun into my hand.


    "Now, what do you think, Taylor? Who should find this crime scene? The evil murderer claims the lives of two investigators. Such a classic scene."


    "I think I have someone in mind, Smith. How about-"


    "No, no, let me guess. You mean the babe that looks like your sugar momma?"


    "You know that she doesn''t like being called that."


    "Yeah, yeah. Say what, if this goes over well, I''ll put in a good word for you with Besl''atoth that the sugar part will be scratched in your next life."


    "You don''t mean?"


    "I do."


    "Uhhh, I''d love that."


    Just kill me already...


    "Now turn the damn camera off, we''ve had enough fun."


    "But I still wanted to brag about-"

 Ch. 85 – Catch Up

    POV: Elly


    I look up from the notes about classes and skills Karen gave me to read, "Do you have any idea how much trouble we''ll be in if I tell you that, Karen?"


    The bunny girl folds her hands above her head and pleads, "Pretty please? I won''t tell a soul, promise!"


    I sigh, "What will you even do with the secret of how I linked myself to a spirit body?"


    She looks at me incredulously, "Huh? What would I do with it? Dunno, I''m a researcher, my main goal is to attain new knowledge. Figuring out what to do with that knowledge comes second."


    "Karen, just researching for knowledge''s sake is a luxury we don''t have!"


    She twiddles her thumbs, "I guess I could figure out some use for it but nothing comes to mind currently."


    "Goddamnit... Please think of a very good use for that before asking that again. We''ll be in very serious trouble if the wrong people find out that this secret was leaked and in even much bigger trouble if it falls into the wrong hands. Sorry, but we only know each other for three days now and I appreciate that you let us copy your research notes for classes and skills but I''m not willing to trust strangers with secrets of that level. Not that you could even use it. You would need a genuine AI that is used in World Navigator, without that it is useless."


    She hangs her head, "Fine... Anyway, did you find what you were looking for?"


    I shake my head, "No, not really. I didn''t find any new skills for Jared to strengthen his summoning skills or anything else of major interest. And pretty much as expected there was nothing about familiars at all."


    She tips her chin, "Yeah, why would we have anything on that? Vampires were never our allies before, lords are rare and certainly not in a mood for an interview."


    "Yeah, I can see that... Well, it''s getting late and tomorrow is again time for a dungeon crawl. I''ll head back, so see you tomorrow."


    Karen agrees, "Yeah, no problem. And don''t worry about keeping the spirit trick secret. You''ve already helped us plenty with the formula for stat requirements, the rundown of vampire abilities and the cheesecake recipe."


    "Yeah, yeah. Just when anyone asks you don''t have that from me", I stash away the documents and leave. We wave to each other goodbye.


    I''m finally back home.


    I''ve slept the last couple of days in a plain tent down in that underground area, I want a proper bed again. But first...


    Jared is in his office alone, it seems Lucia is busy elsewhere.


    "Hey, I''m back."


    Jared looks up, he was looking at a map, "Hey, Elly, learned anything worthwhile from your time with Karen?"


    "No, not really. I can tell you what a few of your unknown level 15 skills will be but not much more. Where''s Lucia?"


    He leans in, "You don''t have to worry about her today, she''s out with Iris visiting the orphanage."


    I sigh, "I hope she doesn''t see it as dinner..."


    "Funny", he sighs, "I know you''re suspicious of her. Admittedly I don''t fully trust her either, she was transformed into a vampire after all, and her skill only said that it prevents further change but not that it undoes any, and who knows what damage was already done by the time she got it. But... I still can''t imagine her doing anything that would cause us harm."


    "I understand you but..."


    Jared scoffs, "What, are you afraid she''s planning world domination or something? Elly, we both know that her goal is to get back at the church for denying her freedom and self all those years. I can''t fault her for that, and as long as she doesn''t go overboard and mostly keeps it to those that are actually at fault I''ll support her."


    I slam my fists on the table, "But what if she really is up to something like that!?"


    He grabs my hand, "And would that really be so bad? The fortresses clearly work much when they are ruled over by a lord, so uniting all remains of mankind under us would certainly not be for the worst for everyone. If Justo was right about the potential teleportation between fortresses owned by the same lord, this would make defending against the flood easier, we could move elite units to whatever area is under the most pressure at a given moment. Especially with those Glitch Zones around, any form of stability should just be welcome, we can''t afford to lose a single fortress connected to a major dungeon. Just consider, the deva even gave me explicit permission to rule the world as long as we don''t join forces with the demons. But until I know what really is going on, I won''t even really rule out that option."


    I can''t believe what he says, "Jared..."


    He continues, "Let''s just hope we''ll never have to make that choice, Elly. I''m not really looking forward to that possibility either, but considering the shady stuff I''ve witnessed about the devas, it is very unlikely to be a simple black and white situation. Or can you explain to me why ''demons'' are supposedly the ultimate evil but reincarnating as a demon lord was even a sanctioned option and obtaining the demon lord title is a-ok? No, of course not, it doesn''t add up. So I''ll say saving my new home and family should simply have priority over some ideological bullshit I don''t care about."


    "I can''t really refute that, I don''t know what''s really going on either... Please promise me that we won''t side with the demons. I don''t want to go against what remains of my family."


    Jared asks, "But throwing our hats in with the lich is okay?"


    "Probably not, what can we do about that?"


    He smirks, "I might have an idea how to deal with that. But anyway, what did you find out about classes? Anything to look forward to or do we just stick to the original plan?"


    "If you''re that unconcerned about it...", I sigh, "So Summoner will get [Elite Summoning] as I guessed, that''s this skill."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite Summoning


    Passive


    You can add 1 additional base job class to your summoned spirits, or 2 classes at skill level 25.


    If a spirit has already at least 3 base classes, one of the additional classes can be an elite class.


    As with base classes, requirements for elite classes don''t have to be met.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Jared nods, "Yeah, you guessed that without much proof, could''ve still been anything else."


    "Yeah, I may have taken that for granted. Anyway, that means we need one class for you to get the most out of your whole spirit-slash-familiar link. Well, the next thing I learned is that Lore Seeker will get [Magic Sense]."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Magic Sense


    100 MP upkeep


    You can sense the general presence of magic in an area with a radius of up to (MAG/10) DU.


    This includes spells, ongoing magical effects, magically created objects and creatures,


    as well as creatures capable of using magic.


    Non-magical obstacles block this sense.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Jared reads the description thoroughly, "Guess I shouldn''t be using that around Basluth then. But since technically everyone can use rank zero magic wouldn''t it also work as a people radar?"


    "Maybe, but I think it would only count if they can actually use it. For example, Geoffrey doesn''t have the MP so he''d probably go under the radar."


    He answers, "I guess that makes sense. So what else do you have?"


    "Well, we already know what Survivor and Dread Lord will have and that leaves Blood Mage, there was no info on that. So that was already everything on that front."


    Jared responds, "Got it. So no need to change our plans there. Bring all main classes to level 9, then Vampire Lord to 10 for the familiar count, and after that Summoner to level 15."


    I nod, "Yeah, no objections there. Did you bring Dread Lord to level 5 in the days I was around Karen? Did that work out?"


    He shakes his head, "Not yet. I was considering putting it off until the contamination is cleared to prevent the skill from getting messed up. I think [Life Eater Armor] is too important to risk that."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Life Eater Armor


    1000 HP upkeep


    Can''t be used while medium or heavier armor is equipped.


    Cover yourself in armor made of shadowy flames.


    When taking melee damage, the flames retaliate by inflicting 30% FTH fire and 30% FTH dark magic damage to the attacker.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.25% of the inflicted damage is absorbed as HP.


    Also, gain fire and dark affinity for owning this skill.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "I understand that worry. Well, I''m not aware of the details but I can tell you that all skills of a given class get already added when you obtain the class, they are just hidden or disabled until you reach the relevant class level. So it really doesn''t matter when you bring Dread Lord to level 5, if the accident did anything to the skill it is already messed up, you would just get disappointed later."


    Jared grabs his forehead, "Is that so? Then I might as well get it over with. ...shit."


    "Don''t tell me..."


    He frowns, "Then I won''t."


    Instead, he shows me the description.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">F???i???l???e??? ???E???a???t???e???r??? ???A???r???m???o???r???


    1000 HP upkeep


    Can''t be used while medium or heavier armor is equipped.


    Cover yourself in armor made of shadowy flames.


    When taking melee damage, the flames retaliate by inflicting 50% FTH untyped magic damage to the attacker.


    50% of the inflicted damage is absorbed as HP.


    Also, gain fire and G???l???i???t???c???h??? affinity for owning this skill.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    No more split damage, but at least the general retaliation is still there, and the fire affinity, too.


    "Could''ve been worse. If you ask me, for keeping us alive this is even better than it was. Before you would''ve gotten healed for 15% of your FTH at best, or maybe a bit more if the attacker is weak to fire or dark. Now you get 25% instead. Add your [Supernatural Toughness] to heal back about a quarter of the taken damage over 2 minutes and you''re way on track to becoming a glass wall! ...but do I even want to know if the second affinity gave you new magic skills?"


    Jared shakes his nod, "No, you don''t, but I looked anyway."


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wizard 15, Survivor 9, Blood Mage 9, Summoner 10, Lore Seeker 7


    Dread Lord 6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 8, Lord 8, Progenitor 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">TBD</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">World Resident, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married, Master Crafter, R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l??i???a???r???s???, S???u???m???m???o???n??? ???M???a???s???t???e???r???, Summon Master


    Title Level 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1673</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2389/2358 [3065]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">61/3208 [4011]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">45/2008 [2511]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">360+75 (staff) or +179 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">396</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">420+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">686+47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">594+2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">556+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">527</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Apprentice Headband, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spear Training 9, Unnatural Claws 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Blood Burst 9, Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Fire Magic 15 (Rank 1), F???i???l???e??? ???E???a???t???e???r??? ???A???r???m???o???r??? 6, Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), G???l???i???t???c???h??? Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), S???a???n???g???u???i???n???e??? ???W??a???v???e? 9, Summon Spirit 10 (Rank 1), Titanium Magic 15 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 8, Disguise 10, Intimidation 16, Stealth 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 8, Familiar 8, Greater Vampiric Bite 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ageless 8, Beast Killer 8, Enhanced Regeneration 8, E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y? 15, Keen Perception 7, Legion of Doom 6, Magical Secret 7, Mana Boost 10, Mana Regeneration 15, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 8, Trap Lore 9, Undead 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Of course, he got it...


    "Promise me, you won''t even think about using that one, it just screams that it''ll kill us all..."


    Jared frowns, "You don''t have to tell me that. Really if shit continues at this rate my status will look like Jack''s in about a year..."


    "Can I call you ''Lord of Glitches'' when you get your divine class from the lich?"


    He collapses on the table and sighs, "Don''t jinx it, Elly. I didn''t sell my soul to the devas just to end up as a division by zero error..."


    "Wouldn''t you need to sell it to the devil to get screwed over like that?"


    He scoffs, "Devil, deva, where''s the difference? I''m just a meaningless statistic either way."


    He buries his face in the map.


    "Maybe to take your mind off that, what were you checking on the map when I interrupted you earlier?"


    Jared looks up again, "Huh? Oh, I was just thinking about where we go first once the flood ends."


    I look over the crudely drawn map, "Doesn''t that still have time? I thought the flood lasts a couple more months."


    He explains, "Yes, but we need to prepare troops, supplies and carriages at least. And depending on what we''ll have available that changes where or how far we can go. If the map is up to date enough, the south has only one fortress with a major dungeon, three fortresses with minor dungeons and aside from that just villages or outposts. The major fortress is too far away to safely reach with what we have available. We could reach only one of the minor fortresses and grab a couple of villages on the way. According to Karen''s notes, when they last had contact with the closest fortress, it still had a lord, so this kinda moves it down in the priority list, and truth be told, the villages hold no value for us, at most we could evacuate any survivors and have them settle down either here or in another fortress."


    "Yeah, especially with those Glitch Zones around, we need to secure more fortresses, either by forging an alliance with a different lord or taking over the place if it is unoccupied. In the latter case, we can find out if Justo''s theory about teleportation gates between fortresses owned by the same lord holds water."


    Jared nods, "Exactly. Though we could bypass that once I have flight capabilities, enough resources to reach the next safe spot, and of course massive sunlight resistance."


    "Considering how the forms of flight you could obtain burn about a thousand MP and SP per minute, this is a distant dream."


    He frowns, "I know. But since an increase in skill level slowly reduces its cost it might be worth taking two or three classes with the same flight skill."


    "I guess, though that is also a question for the far future. Currently, you can only add one more elite class, need at least 50 levels in elite classes to change that. And by that point, we''ll probably have a set of new problems."


    He grins, "Yeah, you''re probably right about that."


    Point for me!


    Jared points to some spots on the map, "Anyway, north would be the better direction if we can spare the troops and supplies. There''re fewer villages and outposts around but we should be able to reach two fortresses, though the closer one of them is already further away than the one in the south. If we''re short on resources we''d have to settle for the visit to the single fortress in the south over reaching two in the north."


    I point to the big square far in the north of the continent, "And what''s that?"


    He answers, "Supposedly some kind of capital or main fortress, the royal family ruling over this continent should live there. Well, it is too far away so no one here had contact with them in forever. For all that is known, it could have fallen and the Glitch Zone under it is growing unimpeded."


    "What I want to know, is if Justo''s theory about teleportation between fortresses with the same rules is correct then why doesn''t this king own all of the fortresses? That would just be a one-time effort and then it''s done."


    Jared shrugs, "No clue. Maybe they did at one point but then the succession went wrong. Add some laziness, self-preservation and the very short lifespan of people around here and they just didn''t bother anymore. Or rather, who says that the king can even own the fortresses? Maybe it HAS to be a regular lord. And really, since when are nobles willing to hand over their territory?"


    "It sounds stupid and human... so I''m inclined to believe that version."


    I scan the map some more, with all those mountains and forests around we''re kinda funneled to a fortress right in the middle.


    I point to the area in the middle of the map, "I don''t have a good feeling about this area. The two vampires you offed hinted at a different Vampire Noble having taken over a fortress. Considering the distance, one of the three central ones should be the most likely candidate for their beloved ''Bloodhausen''."


    He rubs his chin, "Yeah, but if we want to make sure the Glitch Zones are secure we don''t have a choice but to investigate. In the unlikely case that the noble submits to me as I''m technically higher ranked, we can off him quietly when his guard is down. But realistically we would just skip the place until we can deal with them. In the worst - and honestly more likely - case, Bloodhausen is the one in the exact middle which would cut us off from the upper half of the map for a while."


    I sigh, "Let''s just hope this year was a fluke in how long the monster flood lasts. If we don''t only get to make this little progress each year, we''ll need a decade just to unite this continent. Forget about even searching for the demon artifact which could be anywhere on this doomed planet."


    Jared adds, "And that is even assuming the teleport option is real. Anyway, we need to take this step by step and see where it leads us. Maybe if we''re lucky the artifact malfunctions tomorrow and the whole story bubble thing breaks apart. Well, that can wait, let''s get our minds off of things in the dungeon tomorrow, right, Elly?"


    "Yeah, let''s do that. Any other changes I should dread for tomorrow?"


    He pauses for a moment, "Uh, Chloe told me that Ephran finally asked her out. She accepted. That is about all."


    I snicker, "Huh, so he finally found his courage."


    He thinks for a moment, "Yeah, but it was a bit strange. When Chloe told me about it, I got the impression she would''ve rather rebuffed him but she gave him a chance anyway. When I asked her about it she pretended to not know what I''m talking about."


    "I guess now you''re overthinking something."


    He agrees, "Yeah, possibly. Anyway, I''ve not yet accepted Ephran as a familiar, I first want to see how they work out. If that means he underperforms for a while, then so be it. Still better than taking on even more trouble through another non-functional relationship."


    "If you say so, Jared", I yawn, "Now if you excuse me, my bed is calling."


    "Sure thing. See you tomorrow", we fistbump and then I go off to bed.

 Ch. 86 – Rematch

    It is again Thursday, the first dungeon visit since the latest disaster.


    Like the past few days, Iris accompanies me when I go to nuke the flood monsters in the morning. She still has to get the basics down but she is making steady progress with her magic skill. With her lower stats, she doesn''t gain much exp per trip yet but that will hopefully soon change. Not that she can make more than one per day, she has only the basic regeneration from [Sleepless] to work with and no other regeneration bonuses, which leaves her at full regeneration over about 23 hours compared to my 9 hours.


    Well, at least gained a bit more exp per day than the others. The rest got about 180 exp per day, and Iris about 260. And even that is a drop in the bucket compared to my roughly 2000. Area damage really is a game-changer.


    We really should focus more on the others learning and improving magic for area damage and therefore exp gain during the flood.


    Well, that''s a problem for later, first they need a class with something like [Create Food&Water] so we can stay longer in the dungeon and I need something so they can add more classes in the first place. Though I can achieve that already with Summoner level 15, which should only be a month away if my exp gain stays consistent.


    Anyway, on to today''s dungeon visit, "Looks like everyone is here."


    Lydia stays unsummoned for now to not cause unneeded panic, and everyone else stands ready, even our new guy Ephran. Aside from being properly dressed in leather armor this time and wielding a flail, not a thing has changed about him since I last saw him in the vault. Still the same unkempt red beard.


    "So, to keep things short, we''ll take things a bit more slowly this time to see how it goes with our new member Ephran."


    Marca asks, "Do you plan to experiment on monsters again? Last time it almost cost us dearly."


    Yeah, yeah, "I know, Marca, and no, I won''t. If that is everything, is everyone ready to go?"


    They agree and we enter the dungeon again.


    Inside Chloe frees herself from Ephran''s embrace for a moment, "Jared, Therese gave me the Class Core you ''requested'' for... Iris."


    "Ah, good, we''ll put it to good use later", she hands me the item and I place it in my inventory.


    She warns me, "You know that this isn''t right, Jared. The application was for Iris to gain a combat class which she by now already has."


    "I don''t see the issue, Chloe. I will use it to gain a class that increases the number of classes my spirits can have. And one of my titles will then spread that additional class to her as well. So indirectly the Class Core will be used to give Iris an additional class EXACTLY as intended, or am I wrong?"


    Chloe sounds disappointed, "No, you''re not. And I know that we can''t afford to hold anything back. But-"


    I interrupt her, "Happy to hear that, so if that''s all, let''s get going."


    We enter the cave-like floor and start fighting the monsters. We face the usual suspects like Crawlers, Math Rabbits, Rat Bears, Floor Mimics and Trash Bags.


    New guy Ephran doesn''t contribute too much, he doesn''t have any good combat skills, not even a form of weapon training so he breaks a lot of weapons. By the time we reach the boss on the tenth floor he has already wasted a dozen weapons.


    Since Ephran isn''t a familiar yet - not sure if I really want to keep him around - he''ll suffer from sleep deprivation soon, so we agree to fight the first boss and then escort him to the exit, afterwards we''ll continue without him for now.


    On floor 10 we meet an old acquaintance, a huge green wall made of slime. Though this time it stretches to the ceiling of the room, so even if we still had the skill, we couldn''t backstab it with Maria''s [Trust Fall] anymore.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Haze Shield the Slime (Mk. 3)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Slime Queen 10, Earth Golem 10, Earth Gleam 10, Disperser 10, Lore Keeper 10, Fear Eater 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 10, Boss 10, Wall 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">64716/64716</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3410/3410</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5580/5580</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">720</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">110</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">420</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">540</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">430</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">780</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">310</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Acid Spray 10, Dread Lightning 10, Earth Magic 10 (Rank 5)


    Acid Skin 10, Fear Eater 10, <del>Flight 10</del>, Low Profile 10, Obfuscation 10, Status Recovery 10, Summon Disjunction 10, Wall 10


    Earth Resistance 10, Physical Resistance 10, Soft Weakness 10


    Unsafe Zone 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dark, Fire, Holy, Water, Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    A few new tricks, but at least numerically it is weaker.


    Lydia seems to talk with it, at least there can some muted bubbly sounds be heard. Please don''t draw its attention while we are still preparing, you damned pile of rotten pudding!


    I sigh, "Great, you again. What is new about you this time?"


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Dread Lightning


    100 MP


    Create a forked lightning bolt that hits up to 5 targets.


    Inflict 200% MAG lightning damage and fear at a rate of 70 to each target.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    As usual, monsters have overpowered skills. For the same cost, I can hit only one target and have to pay extra for the status effect.


    I just hope it at least follows the rule of any skill that uses MP to require a 3-second cast instead of being instant like SP-using skills. At least that held true so far for everything I''ve seen.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fear Eater


    Passive


    Every second, get healed by 1% of the total fear status damage any creature in a 10 DU radius suffers.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That leaves only one conclusion, "In summary, if the Dread Lightning hits you get the hell out of the room. Or better, don''t even let it get that far. If you see it starting to cast, run."


    That leaves only one unknown skill.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Obfuscation


    Passive


    Status information is hidden from [Appraise].</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Uh, no, it isn''t. I guess my title beats that again. Anyway, Elly, Maria and Lydia, you three be extra careful, with its [Summon Disjunction] passive probably any hit of the boss will kill you instantly. Wait, Lydia, where are you going!?"


    The purple slimy mess floor dives again forward, inching closer and closer to the boss.


    After a few moments, she stands directly before the wall and starts wobbling with her arms. Haze ceases to be a wall and reforms into a similar humanoid shape to Lydia.


    Maybe I just lack the eyes for the intricate differences but aside from the colors, I can''t tell them apart. Not that that says much if both are just formless masses of slimes. Yep, totally not my fault.


    After it is done changing its shape, Haze also starts wobbling around with its noodly arms, then both of them raise their arms as if at a rave party, swinging their bodies from side to side.


    What the hell am I witnessing here? Is it slime mating season or something?


    The strange, uh, dance continues for a while but then Lydia drops her arms as if disappointed with something, slaps Haze and slinks away again.


    Haze rubs its cheek where Lydia hit it and then it starts bawling its eyes out.


    No one says anything about this strange performance.


    "Lydia, I know I can''t understand you but what the hell just happened?"


    In response, she just shrugs.


    When I look towards Haze again, it honors its name and dissolves into dust as if we had defeated it. But no exp or items are gained from this questionable victory.


    I should really check my blood donors better, one of them must''ve been totally high...


    "...whatever. Ephran, can you still go on or do you want to turn back now?"


    Ephran answers confused, "I think I''d rather end it for today. This was... something and honestly, the memory of it would just distract me going forward."


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    "Yeah, I can understand that. But let''s rest for a few minutes and then we''ll bring you back."


    He responds, "Yeah, no problem. I''ll just have strange dreams tonight."


    So would I, but neither can I sleep anymore nor would Lucia let me.


    Speaking of, "Hey, Lucy, do your womanly instincts tell you what we just witnessed?"


    She grins, "Not something you would understand in the slightest."


    Or in other words, she has no idea either, "Right, if you say so."


    I take out a set of playing cards and hand them to Elly, it is her turn to shuffle the cards.


    However, Geoffrey takes me aside, "Can I speak with you for a moment?"


    "Yeah, sure, what''s on your mind?"


    He takes a moment to collect himself, "It is about... offspring. Marca and I have... been making plans about eventually having kids and...", he trails off.


    "I don''t see where the issue is. As far as I''m aware I''ve already abolished all laws that would stand in your way. But as for the practical side... I''m undead, I can never have kids myself", though certainly not for a lack of trying with Lucia, "for advice on raising children I''m certainly the wrong person."


    Geoffrey objects, "That wasn''t exactly what I wanted to know but I''ll keep it in mind. I was more concerned about how the familiar status plays into that. Does [Ageless] prevent us from having kids at all? Would they automatically fall under your bond as well? Could they even grow up or would [Ageless] keep them as babies forever? Those are things we''re concerned about. But also how we arrange to raise our kids with our duties to you."


    I try to lessen his worries, "That''s a lot of things at once... well, [Ageless] doesn''t say about that, only [Undead] does, so you should be good to go. Also, I have no plans to add everyone to my familiars, I can only have so many, so that shouldn''t be an issue either. Even if we could, well... I honestly don''t know how it would affect them in growing up. We should observe Anna for that, she''s the youngest and has the most growing up to do out of all of us. But now that you say it..."


    Geoffrey sounds concerned, "You think she may be stuck at her age?"


    I rub my chin, "Yeah, that''s certainly a possibility. I can''t cancel that bond so we can only wait and see how it turns out for her."


    He agrees, "I see, and about our duties while Marca is pregnant and afterwards when the child grows up?"


    "We''ll discuss the details when it is time for that but unless we''re in an emergency I don''t see why you two couldn''t take the needed time off, and we should probably be able to hire some servants to help you out in raising your kids. Though you''ll probably find time for a couple of hours away from your child, as you are you don''t need to sleep. Well, we''ll work something out by then."


    After some more small talk, we join the card game players to distract us from Lydia''s strange stageplay previously and then start to head back so little Ephran can get to bed on time.


    Floors 9 through 3 are as devoid of monsters as we left them. However, when I try to pass through the safe zone barrier separating floor 3 from the in-between room, the green shimmering shell melts into goo and then disappears.


    And optimism I had that this would be a relaxed dungeon exploration is gone, "Shit, this can only mean trouble. We need to get out now right now, let''s hurry!"


    We run through the empty floor 2 but when we arrive at floor 1 it isn''t as empty as it should be. About thirty humanoid zombies guard the place. Luckily, they haven''t noticed us yet.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">T???e???v???i???n???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Zombie 1, Hunter 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3192/3192</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">693/693</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1722/1722</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">420</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">294</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">273</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">168</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">168</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">126</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">147</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><del>Spear Training 1</del>, Undead 1, Zombie Bite 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Holy, Light</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Something feels a bit off, "Aren''t the stats a bit too high for regular level 1 monsters?"


    Elly warns me, "You should disable the skill filter, they have one skill you should have a look at."


    Why? I only have [Mindless Monster] on that list, what else could it hide?


    Damn...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">M???i???n???d???l???e???s???s??? ???M???o???n???s???t???e???r???


    Passive


    Overwrites owner''s will.


    Automatically hostile to any creature that does not possess this skill.


    Can''t enter dungeon safe zones.


    Unable to gain exp.


    One class of your choice, that doesn''t already get +20 levels worth of stats for being the first entry in either the Class, Race or Extra category, gains that bonus.


    For all purposes, this skill counts as [Mindless Monster].</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "I guess that explains a thing or two, not... Anyway, Lucia and Iris, you cast an area spell at the same time as I do, we focus on the center. Repeat immediately afterwards, everyone else readies ranged attacks and picks off any survivors from the initial spell barrage, don''t draw their attention before then, just focus on the ones with the least remaining HP. Once they get in melee range, we switch to close combat. Everyone got that? Then let''s start."


    We do exactly as planned, I ready my fire spell.


    "Fire!", and the spells go flying. Two explosions erupt from their center and Iris'' rock cannon causes many debris to fly around as well.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your Fire Blast has inflicted a total of 28405 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I quickly check the zombies that were hit directly, 435/3192 HP left. Some arrows start flying towards them and soon after they drop dead, we three casters prepare another volley of spells to severely injure what remains of that surprise battle. Then Chloe, Geoffrey, Marca and Anna rush in to finish the weakened zombies.


    "Good, that''s taken care of. Let''s move on before anything worse appears, the exit is right ahead."


    After leaving the substitute for the previously missed boss battle behind us, we leave floor 1 and head to the entrance room. It is emptier than it should''ve been.


    Chloe arrives there first and points out, "Where the hell is the exit?"


    A voice booms through the room, "I removed it, you don''t deserve to leave now after what you''ve done to my friend!"


    That''s Dan, isn''t it?


    Lucia demands to know, "Who are you? Show yourself!"


    "That''s probably the same accursed thing that haunted me a while ago. It called itself Dan."


    The voice gleefully answers, "Yes, that''s indeed me. So you still remember me?"


    "Afraid so. So what do you want? What have we supposedly done to your friend? Who are you even talking about!?"


    Dan gets mad, "Haze tried to invite your friend to play but got called stupid and ugly by them."


    I yell at her, "LYDIA!?? What the hell have you done!?"


    Lydia ashamedly twiddles her arms.


    I tell her, "Lydia, you go at once and apologize!"


    She shakes her head and then crosses her arms, stubbornly refusing to do as I told her. Guess I now know how parents feel when scolding their kids...


    The Dan-geon voice objects, "No, that''s too late for that now anyway."


    Geoffrey asks it, "Hey, can we talk about that? I''m sure she didn''t mean to-"


    But the disembodied voice doesn''t let him finish, "No, no, no, that''s not how we do things around here. So here''s how we''ll do things", its tone gets more sinister, "I''ll call my avatar here to hunt you. You can try to fight it if you want but I estimate you have no chance against it. Anyway, your goal is on floor 100. If anyone of you gets there I''ll teleport the rest of you there as well. However, you lose if I get any 5 kills on you, in that case I''ll collapse the dungeon on you and we can have another go next time, right? Hmm... to mix it up I''ll change the layout and population a bit. Yeah, we''ll have some fun. Now, get going."


    Just as it finishes telling us its insane rules, several blue orbs appear around the room and then gather where the exit should''ve been, forming what could only be described as a true monster. A slightly translucent, black mass, covered by dozens of mouths with teeth longer than my arm. No legs or other appendages to discern.


    Before I have a chance to [appraise] it, its mouths twitch and two of us are already dead...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your spirits Elly and Maria were killed.


    They will return in 7 days.


    Until then, their upkeep can''t be canceled anymore.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That was way too fast. As far as I could see, its mouths stretched from its body, bit my two spirits, and fell back, and all of that took just a fraction of a second.


    The dungeon voice reminds us, "I told you to get moving, didn''t I? I give you until I count to ten, okay? Eight, nine, what? I never said I''d start at one! So, nine! And!"


    Dumbfounded and in a panic, we start running.


    I dare to look behind us to finally get an idea of what we''re up against.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">D???a???n???''s Avatar</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Muncher 120, Slime King 120, Grey Wolf 120, Warrior 120, Berserker 120


    Brawler 120, Bruiser 120, Archer 120, Sloth Landseal 120, Ragelope 120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 120, Oathbreaker 120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">819312/819312</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">17980/17980</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">59480/59540</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">12580</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">7700</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">7140</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3740</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3240</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5340</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3460</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Acid Skin 120, Acid Spray 120, Deadly Fang 120, Death Curse 120, Earthquake 120, Intimidation 120, Ram Attack 120


    Iron Fist 120, Reckless Attack 120, Stun Fist 120


    Armor Training 120, Axe Training 240, Bow Training 120, Hard Worker 120, Health Boost 120, Patient Aim 120, Stealth 240, Unarmored Defense 240


    Unsafe Zone 120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Ice, Light, Lightning</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    We can''t fight that thing. That''s easily on the level of Basluth, if not worse...


    When I look forward again, I''m no longer in a cave but in what looks like a brick-and-mortar castle cellar and everyone else has disappeared as if they never existed.


    I stop and look around again.


    Solid walls everywhere, no light sources but the hallway is still somewhat covered in dim light. In the distance, I can see a few passages to the fight.


    It is a labyrinth now, isn''t it?


    And to top it all off, where I came from is now a solid wall. This will be fun...

 Ch. 87 – Always split the party

    The passage I came from is now sealed off by a solid wall as if I didn''t come from there.


    Maybe it is an illusion? We have one in our cellar hiding the underground area with the glitch zone, so it is a possibility.


    No matter how hard I try, this wall doesn''t budge, so it seems to be real.


    Just great, exactly what I needed today. An overpowered monster is hunting for us, we already got separated and the pathing makes no sense at all...


    Well, got no choice left but start searching...


    But before wandering aimlessly through this labyrinth, I take a sheet of paper out of my inventory and write on it: "J: got separated, currently alone, what''s the situation on your side, Lucy?", I just hope my dear checks her inventory at one point.


    Guess that''s one way to reinvent IRC. Slow as that shit was, it should''ve been obvious that it was analog and not digital.


    While waiting or at least hoping for an answer, I try to scribble "Jared was here" opposite of the first side passage I find. Not really legible but should suffice for now, at least it is hard to overlook. If the place can warp you from a plain cave to a dead end of this castle underground without you noticing, it is possible there are more non-sensical connections to lead back here, maybe through teleports or one-way passages.


    Ah, Lucy has written an answer: "L: also alone, ended up in an ice cave, you?"


    I write back: "J: castle underground. How are you holding up, is it very cold?"


    So much for my hope that we ended up close enough at least, but now she could be anywhere. In the worst case, everyone has their own 100-floor labyrinth to conquer... Shit.


    Well, waiting won''t get me anywhere and the first passage leads to the right, so I give the right-hand rule a shot and start walking, carefully watching around corners if any monsters lurk there but so far there are none.


    After a few minutes and turning exactly three times to the right, I''m back where I started with my marking directly in front of me. This makes no sense, after each turn I walked at least for two minutes, so how come three turns by 90 degrees equal to a 180-degree turn...


    I repeat the short trip to make sure I didn''t discount but no, after three turns I''m back exactly where I started.


    Frustrated, I check my inventory again to see if Lucia has written anything new in the meantime, and indeed, she has: "L: I don''t feel cold but instead got even more lost, walking back send me to a different place than I was before"


    I write back: "J: took three right turns and also ended up back at the start, this place makes no sense either."


    I really should''ve never used a guide for Antichamber, then I might have a better idea of how this stupid place works...


    Since three turns right are wrong, I want to try a different direction this time, going right-right-left, but after the first turn, I already run across five monsters.


    They kinda look like pitbull heads on three legs with overgrown teeth and the whole thing covered in rainbow-colored crystal shards.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jewel Beast 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">630/630</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">336/336</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1029/1029</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">252</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">105</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">210</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">126</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">147</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">189</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">231</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">NO EXP</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Physical</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I could just turn on the glitched [Life Eater Armor] and simply ignore them...


    Does their skill do what it says?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">NO EXP


    Passive


    You can neither gain nor give exp.


    Removes all other generic skills.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yup, not worth interacting with but better safe than sorry. Although, they could still drop something important.


    But if they don''t have other skills does that mean they are free from the pain of [Mindless Monster]?


    I turn the filter off but naturally [Mindless Monster] is still present and not crossed out. Figures.


    Disappointed by this revelation, I throw an area ice spell at them.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your Ice Blast has inflicted a total of 3575 damage and defeated 5 monsters.


    Obtained 5 Food Pills.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So much for that group of monsters.


    No clue how I should ever stand a chance of reaching the goal if I''m even denied that little bit of exp. Well, what items did I get there?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Food Pill


    Provides the effect of resting for 30 minutes and eating a minor food portion.


    Mostly devoid of taste.


    Only good until: end of this dungeon</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I doubt this works for me since I''m undead but worth a try...


    Blech


    I''d rather eat vomit than live off of that... and of course, I feel just as hungry as before and my MP didn''t recover one bit either. At least they may help Lucia a bit, she can still eat regular food.


    I take a few more steps but end back at the start again. Instead of three right turns like before, I was already sent back after two, shit, what is going on here?


    I need to figure out fast what the fuck is going on with this stupid labyrinth...


    <hr>


    POV: Anna


    I''ve been wandering around aimlessly for a while now, didn''t find any of my friends, where is everybody? Just stupid dog-sized spiders everywhere... White ones, red ones, black ones, blue ones, yellow ones, some with skull shapes on their body, others have targets painted on their butts or are covered in strange, purple flames.


    Why did it have to be spiders!? I hate spiders! They always steal my candy!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have inflicted 282 damage to a monster and defeated it.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I''ve been fighting them for days and there''s no end to them in sight. And despite that, my exp hasn''t gone up at all! What''s wrong with this stupid world!?


    Sigh


    At least they leave some edible pills behind, so I''m not starving, but still kinda hungry... I just want some proper food, that crap tastes like garbage!


    And what''s with all those icky webs? Yuck. The spiders I know produce clay or sludge, not sticky webs, stop being weird you freaking monsters!


    Every once in a while I come across some alcoves containing what looks like a webbed-up cocoon just the size of one of these monsters and two or three spiders guarding it. I can deal with such a tiny group of these weak spiders, so I take them out quickly.


    Out of [Curiosity], I open the cocoons. The first cocoon contains a dead person, but it isn''t anyone I recognize. The second cocoon, reveals several spider monsters. I''ve no idea what is up with that.


    I hope to run into some of my friends soon, so I can ask them what is going on here...


    I wander around a while longer, but I''ve long since lost track of time, it has probably been days already... and the clock in my menu doesn''t help either, it only displays the time outside which is frozen...


    I can''t even tell if I make progress or run in circles, none of the passages is a straight path. Everything just curves around, left and right. And everything is covered in webs, making movement unnecessarily difficult.


    Eventually, I come across a room with a third cocoon. This cocoon is huge, you could easily stuff two or three adults in there!


    A few of the smaller spiders cling to the cacoon and other spiders cover them in more webbings enlarging the cocoon even further.


    What are they trying to do there? Do they want to merge the smaller spiders into a big, creepy mother spider? No idea...


    I kinda want to check what''s happening in that pod but there are hundreds of spiders in the way. I could take on four or five at once but not that many. Sorry, [Curiosity], but you''ll have to stay disappointed. Getting out of here alive is more important and so far it doesn''t seem like the creepy crawlies have noticed me.


    So I courageously advance in the other direction. Yup, yup, totally not sneaking away.


    <hr>


    POV: Marca


    Stupid ice cave, it is fricking cold!


    Had I known, I would''ve bought a new cloak...


    Brrr


    And to top it off I have to deal with corridors that wind unto themselves, one-way doors, and crumbling floors, I have had enough of this stupid dungeon!


    I wish I had a connected inventory like our two unholy abominations, I could at least talk with someone. As it is, I know nothing. For all I know, half of them could already be dead... Who knows who I might have talked to for the last time without knowing it.


    Oh, great, a bit ahead of me is another ice golem, they take way too little damage from my attacks. I can beat them one-on-one but it drains a lot of my SP.


    From here I can''t properly see it, it stands half in a side corridor, no idea what else lurks there. Blindly attacking it with my bow could draw more attention than I can deal with.


    Carefully, I sneak along the wall to see what else would be around the corner. Of course, the golem isn''t alone. There''s a second golem and two wolves as well.


    Shit, I can''t deal with that many at once.


    Guess I''ll have to hand back and-


    Crack


    The floor below me gives away and drops me into a different part of the ice cave.


    Great, so I''m now even more lost than before.


    I look quickly around me but see no monsters, I''m safe for the moment.


    ...


    Maybe I''m lucky and the others have already cleared half the dungeon.


    Yeah, wishful thinking. I''ve to move on.


    I flip a coin to decide which direction I take, head to the left, tails to the right.


    Coin flip


    Tails, so right it is.


    I try to walk a bit faster since it is still too cold, I want to get out of here as soon as possible.


    After a while, I encounter another ice golem, it hasn''t noticed me yet. I sneak closer to check again if other monsters are in the vicinity, this time I''m lucky, it is alone.


    I take a few steps back to increase our distance and so the time I have to damage it with arrows.


    I look around a final time but no other creatures have appeared.


    Finally, I take a deep breath, draw my bow, create a magic arrow and-


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center; color: rgba(255, 0, 0, 1)">YOU DIED</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <hr>


    POV: Dan


    Maybe I should''ve given myself a bigger handicap, starting at 2/5 score for a win is kinda lame. But then I have already waited for three days before I ordered my Ava to start searching and what do you know, there''s already one of them.


    Hey, miss... Uh, what was her name again? Wait, did we even introduce each other?


    Ah, who cares, you can totally be best friends without knowing each other''s names!


    Come on, dummy, I''m standing right behind you, don''t you notice anything? No? Ah, your problem, not mine.


    And TAG, you''re out girly!


    Nom Nom Nom


    That''s score number three for me!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Score: 4/5


    Only one more kill for victory!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Or four? Huh, you hid a little one from us, neat. I wish to see you two play with us again soon!


    So, uh, which way was forward again?

 Ch. 88 – Noise

    I''m still stuck in the fortress cellar area, but I think I''m starting to figure this nonsense out. It seems like as long as I don''t take the same direction three times in a row, I''m not sent back. Though there also seems to be a time limit. By my estimate, I must reach the next passage within 3 minutes or it doesn''t matter which direction I choose. Likewise, turning back also brings me back to the start instantly. Or just taking a single step back...


    As long as I keep running into monsters that I can take out instantly via spells, this is not a problem but anything that forces me to move to not get my face clawed in, is basically a one-way ticket back to the beginning.


    But still no signs of anyone else. At least in the party and familiar menus is everyone still present so that should put my mind at ease, for now. Though it doesn''t tell me their status, I can only hope...


    And the system clock is still frozen at 11:42, so still no hope of randomly running into a rescue squad. I really should''ve added unlimited deus ex machinas on command to my list of demands when I agreed to this life...


    Lucia on the other hand seems to have made more progress. About half a day ago, she has written that she left the ice cave behind and is now in a mountain-like area ornated with bottomless chasms.


    I''m not sure if this brings us closer to each other or further apart.


    Anyway, I continue my aimless journey through the labyrinth, trying different combinations of turning left or right but eventually, I always reach a dead end where I have to turn left or right for the third time in a row. And given that it takes between twenty and thirty corners before that happens, taking notes only gets me so far. I''m honestly relying more on dumb luck to finally find the right way...


    On my next trip, I run into a human-adjacent creature wrapped in toilet paper.


    Growl


    It moves slowly and thanks to [NO EXP] doesn''t have any skills worth mentioning.


    Thinking about it, I never had an opportunity to test Water Magic or find out what its status effect would do. Maybe I should take this opportunity to correct that.


    I raise my hand toward the shambling figure and start casting the spell. A moment later a ball of water shoots forth and rams into the rummage sales reject.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your Water Cannon has inflicted 1386 damage and wet status.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    It now looks appropriately drenched but what exactly does that status do?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">wet</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Mummy 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1197/2583</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">399/399</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1596/1596</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">294</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">105</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">168</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">168</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">231</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">84</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">63</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Undead 1, NO EXP</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Doesn''t affect its stats, no idea what it does. Maybe I should''ve asked Karen, her team has collected all kinds of knowledge.


    To finish it off, I throw an ice spell at it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your Ice Shot has inflicted 1799 damage and defeated the mummy.


    Obtained 1 Food Pill.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The creature freezes over and then shatters.


    Uh, wait, it isn''t weak to ice so why did that do more damage than the water spell? Did it interact with the wet effect? Well, good to know.


    But now I have to hurry or I''ll be sent back to the start again.


    But alas, it shouldn''t be. Another mummy demands my attention.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">T???e???d???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Mummy 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Since when do trash mobs have names? Did I just not notice before? Does it even matter?


    No, I guess it doesn''t. It''s probably just the difference between ''naturally'' formed monsters and those that are born from dead humans whose souls couldn''t escape thanks to the world barrier keeping everything in...


    Well, I guess there''s one more usable element I should try out while I have the chance. So let''s see what Titanium spells are like.


    I raise my hand again, cast the spell and-


    Clunk


    A chunk of titanium shoots forth but instantly drops to the ground just about half a meter away from me. Seems like the system has no idea how to handle spell projectiles of that type.


    Just for curiosity''s sake, I go a lot closer and cast the spell again. It hits!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your T???i???t???a???n???i???u???m??? ???C???h???u???n???k??? has inflicted 1386 damage and G???l???i???t???c???h??? status.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I guess that was a dumb idea... not doing that again. So all it is good for is producing free metals.


    Wait, what is that status?


    It seems I have no time to figure that out, the mummy grabs its head, groaning and jerking around.


    I take a few steps back, I don''t want firsthand experience of what it is going through. So I start preparing a fire spell.


    While I do so the mummy collapses to the ground. Purple fog starts to envelop it and then the mummy gets up again, changed. The eyes are now empty, instead, the yellowed bandages have now eyestalks at their end, and one of its legs is replaced with a pink fishtail.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">T???e???d???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">M???u???m???m???y??? 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 1</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1217/1218</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1596/1596</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1470/1470</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1638</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">63</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">294</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">147</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">588</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0 [-63]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">U???n???d???e???a???d??? 1, NO EXP</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Dark, Water</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yeah, definitely not using that spell again.


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


    My fire spell is ready so I unleash it. The fire orb rams into the mutated mummy and incinerates it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your Fireball has inflicted 2932 damage and defeated the M???u???m???m???y???.


    Obtained 1 Retroactive Super Potion.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Shit, this test almost backfired. But I should''ve seen this coming, none of the affinity options from the glitched version of [Extra Affinity] made any sense to be usable, why should they have working projectiles or sensible status effects...


    What is the item I got there? Previously, all [NO EXP] monsters left Food Pills behind, no exceptions.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Retroactive Super Potion


    Heal up to 50 HP while at full health.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Nice trash...


    I continue my journey through the corridor and as expected I was too slow, I''m back at the start, great.


    Well, now that I''m back here I might as well take a moment and experiment again with how the glitched items react to the new items being put in the sixth item slot. Haven''t done that in a while.


    First, the Food Pills... result in a Jelly-filled Donut which appears extra moldy, great.


    That leaves the useless potion...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Pr¨®dball


    Can be used to capture Pr¨®dbeasts.


    [Feature not yet implemented, please don''t hit me, boss!]</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Aaaand that''s enough stupid for today, the potion goes into the trash bin.


    Really, what idiot runs out of synonyms for pocket...


    I set out on another try to get through this labyrinth. Though on this next trip I get an ominous feeling.


    Previously, all monsters would more or less wait idly in their spots until they notice me or die from my surprise attack spells. But this time, a few Crystal Beasts rush towards me and I can hear footsteps and creepy, otherworldly breathing in the distance.


    I every so often watch behind me and on every branch carefully peek around the corner to check if I can see the source of that noise. The first dozen are safe but the noise keeps getting louder and louder. Very unnerving.


    Shouldn''t I as a vampire be the hunter? Why then do I feel like I''m the prey here? This feels wrong on so many levels...


    I have to remember that as long as I don''t get surrounded I can always just go back and instantly reappear at the start.


    Steeling my resolve again, I turn around the next corner and there I see it. Dan''s avatar. The monstrosity that killed two of my spirits as if it was nothing.


    Shit, shit, shit!


    I run back, reappear at the beginning and instantly the noise ceases.


    I breathe a sigh of relief.


    Though that only delays the inevitable, it is still out there searching for us.


    I can''t wait here but neither can I follow it, once it notices me all will be over.


    Anxiously I set out again but choose a very different direction this time. The last few times I started with turning right at the first junction, now I go left.


    But I need a plan in case I run into it again, just hoping doesn''t cut it and running back to the start won''t let me make progress either. Although... why could I even find it that easily? Didn''t that abomination have insanely high [Stealth] skills? Does it want to be found? This is unnerving, really.


    <hr>


    POV: E1#d_$


    Glub


    Glub


    Glub?


    Teg tuo fo ym daeh!!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 95 damage from Magus Spider.


    Your Acid Skin inflicted 38 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Teg tuo fo ym daeh, uoy diputs gub!!


    Teg tuo fo ym daeh!!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 636 damage to Magus Spider.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Sevres uoy thgir!


    <hr>


    POV: Chloe


    Great, I''ve left the underlit underground cave with shadow monsters behind me and now I''m in some mountain range. Still no sign of anyone.


    I look around. The path forward looks pretty narrow, on one side a steep rock wall, on the other side seems to await death, just a bottomless chasm, and nowhere any spots to hide or take cover either, just perfect.


    I need to hurry, the masters await me.


    Argh, this pesky voice again. Stop imitating my voice!


    What am I thinking? There''s no foreign voice in my head.


    Am I...


    No, stop it! This shit is driving me insane...


    ...


    I carefully follow the path, always on the lookout for ambushes from behind, up or below. But there''s nothing, just a few monkey-like monsters wielding quarterstaves that are easily dispatched.


    What am I worried about? There''s nothing here that could pose any danger to us. I should just hurry.


    No, you''re wrong. Recklessness will get me killed.


    No that isn''t very likely, I have too much experience to be threatened by this, but the others need me, I have to hurry.


    Argh, shut up!


    ...


    Eventually, I reach a fork in the path and I have no hints as to where I should go, great. Now what?


    I think I should head left.


    Ugh, if the nasty voice in my head says left, so right has to be the correct path.


    No, it has to be left. I have to.


    Explain yourself!


    ...


    Damn it, I''ve gone crazy, haven''t I? I''m still talking to a phantom voice in my head. These six days of loneliness haven''t done me any favors, in fact, it has only gotten worse...


    Against my better judgment, I follow the voice''s opinion and head left.


    The path is still narrow and winding even more than before. Some dumb monsters even try to lunge at me but misjudge the distance and fall off the cliff. Damn, could''ve used their food drops...


    A while later, the ground gives away and I almost fall off but I can quickly step back before anything happens. Guess I need to slow down and be even more careful where I step.


    I should hurry.


    Do you want to kill me?! Didn''t you just see what happened?


    I should hurry, the masters need me.


    Can''t you think for once? If I die I''m of use to no one! So stop distracting me!


    ...


    That voice is so annoying.


    Crack


    The ground crumbles again, this time behind me. This is just as unnerving as this damn stalker voice.


    Boom


    I can hear an explosion and some shouting in the distance. It seems to come from the same direction I''m heading toward anyway.


    Carefully, I continue to approach the source of the noise and in the distance, I see a person-like shape, can''t tell yet who that is.


    Soon I can see that it is in fact Lucia, I finally found someone!


    "Hey, Lucia!", I wave at her.


    She looks in my direction, first happy, then disappointed, she forces herself to smile, "Uh, hey, Chloe. Where did you leave everyone else?"


    "No idea, haven''t found any clues either."


    She scoffs, "Disappointing."


    What did you want me to do, Lucia? I''ve been trying my best.


    ...no that isn''t true, I could''ve done more. I should''ve prevented us from getting split up. I should''ve-


    Shut it!


    Lucia snaps me out of it, "Is something going on? You''ve just been gazing into the air for a while instead of, you know, being happy to have found ME."


    "Huh, uh, sorry, I was just... thinking about something."


    She glares at me, "Is that so? And tell me, what could be more important right now than our reunion?"


    No matter what, she mustn''t find out about my condition.


    For once, I agree.


    Wait, damn, I''m losing track again of which voice is mine and which is that fake...


    "Nothing important, just a fleeting thought."


    Suddenly, she grabs me by the neck and continues in a threatening tone, "Do you think I''m dumb? What is really going on with you? Every time we meet your behavior has been nothing but irritating. Even now-"


    I interrupt her, "I''ve no idea what you''re talking about, Lucia."


    Her gaze grows colder, "That''s not good enough for me. You''ve stolen what should''ve been rightfully mine, Jared''s first familial relationship in this world. Then time and time again, I see you hitting on him even with me around. And now, you''re absentmindedly staring into the void, claiming nothing is wrong. I can''t believe that. So you either tell me what is up with you or we find out how bottomless this chasm really is."


    Lucia is disappointed with me, I should just off myself.


    No, I don''t want to die... Please... no...


    "Fine, I''ll talk, I''ll talk! Just let me down."


    No, no! I can''t...!


    Shut up, you''ll get us both killed! Though I wouldn''t mind losing you.


    No, I don''t want to lose either of me.


    Lucia slams me on the ground, "That sounds more like it. So what is going on between you and Jared?"


    "Nothing, I swear. He''s just... he''s... a friend? My lord? I... I don''t know...", for the first time in ages, I can feel tears in my eyes.


    Despite her hatred toward me, I rush into her arms and cry into her chest, "I... don''t want to be alone anymore... everyone''s... everyone always avoids me once they find out that I''m a changeling... He was the first to rely on me even outside military regulations... the first who made me... feel needed... I just... didn''t want to lose that..."


    She hugs me, "You''re an idiot, you know that, Chloe?"


    I''m still sobbing, "...yeah, probably."


    "But that doesn''t explain half of what is going on. What else is there?"


    I can''t tell her-


    Silence, I have to.


    No, no, no. If I do she''ll kill me!


    Then so be it.


    "No, there is one other thing. I-"


    I pause for a moment, I''m scared of the outcome.


    Lucia threatens me again, "Chloe, we don''t have all day. Out with it."


    "There''s a voice in my head, it sounds exactly like me. At times it is very hard to tell my own thoughts apart from it..."


    She pats my head for some reason, "I think I get the idea. Hey, ''voice'', if you can hear me, you better stop tormenting Chloe, I still need her. I allow you to help her but if Chloe tells you no, you''ll remain silent, understand?"


    I''ll obey, master.


    Wait, you do?


    Yes, if my master wills it.


    "It... agreed? What the hell is going on now..."


    Lucia lets go of me and smiles satisfied, "So it is as I guessed."


    "What is?"


    "Not important, let''s go", she gestures for me to follow, "Come, we need to make some progress. And don''t worry, I''m sure that as long as you don''t go against me or Jared the voice will leave you in peace now. Though I''d advise you to not mention it to Jared, he has already enough problems on his plate."


    Great, just what I needed...


    Chloe? I''m sorry...


    I don''t believe that. You''ve been driving me insane the whole time and only stopped once... Lucia asked you to. You even drove me to accept Ephran''s proposal despite seeing nothing in him...


    And do you... regret it?


    Maybe, not sure yet...

 Ch. 89 – Small Reunions

    POV: E1#d_$


    Eht sretsnom yltsom evael me enola. Yeht wonk s''tahw doog rof meht.


    Elihw gnivid hguorht eht eltsac, I ees a railimaf erugif.


    Jared, my murderer!


    ...tahw? Tahw saw taht egnarts... gnileef? Tahw saw taht yromem? Ohw... saw I erofeb?


    ...


    On, t''nod tnaw ot etinuer htiw mih.


    Sknaht ot mih, I ydaerla deid eciwt. S''tahw ecno erom?


    Ebyam ll''I etinuer htiw Det ro Nivet.


    Tiaw, ohw era yeht? Tahw era esoht seman?


    Desufnoc dna yrgna I klaw ni eht noitcerid Deraj t''nsi ni.


    <hr>


    POV: Ephran


    How many more days do I have to endure this torture? I can''t sleep because of dungeon logic and these Food Pills can only do so much to keep me going...


    And these goddamn spiders!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 229 damage to a monster and defeated it.


    You''ve obtained 1 Food Pill.


    Your Iron Sword was broken.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Shit, this was the last weapon I brought with me. All twenty of them are gone. Now I have to fight with my bare fists.


    I collapse on the ground, the exhaustion has finally caught up with me. I desperately need rest... if the dungeon would let me. Even if it wasn''t for all those roaming monsters, sleeping just provides no benefit here in this stupid place.


    I force down the last Food Pill I just got, it isn''t enough to keep me going for long. I need to find more monsters fast and hope for more drops or I''ll die from massive sleep deprivation. But how would I even deal with those critters, I''m now even without weapons...


    I''m fucked, aren''t I?


    Sigh


    Why did I have to give in to my desires and ask Chloe out... That''s what I get for thinking with the wrong end, shit. Hope she''s still safe...


    Couldn''t even tell what I saw in her back then, it was just love at first sight. Just can''t ever tell her that I''m frightened of her true form, she''d kill me...


    Enough reminiscing, I have to get back up.


    Damn, still feeling drowsy from the exhaustion...


    Ah, how the hell does anyone put up with this mess that isn''t already a walking corpse? ...what shit have I gotten myself into?


    I try to walk a few steps but soon the exhaustion catches up with me and I pass out. Guess I''m done for...


    ...


    Something''s poking me? Doesn''t feel like a monster wants to chew on me.


    "Come on, wake up, sleeping doesn''t work here anyway", a voice calls out to me.


    I force open my eyes and see that vampire.


    So much for monsters leaving me in peace.


    I gather the rest of my strength to answer, "H-hey... here to give me the rest?"


    "Not really, here, chew on that", he forces one of those pills in my mouth.


    I eat it.


    "Th-thanks, I needed that."


    Jared sighs, "Goddamn, I finally find the goddamn stairs to leave the first floor and the first thing I do is run into one of us on the verge of dying. At least this spider cave doesn''t seem to be a non-euclidean labyrinth like the last one."


    "A what now?"


    He takes out a sheet of paper and writes on it, "Don''t mind it. How did you manage to leave the castle cellar before me?"


    "What cellar? I''ve been lost in this spider nest the whole time."


    He looks disbelieving at me, "Really? So everyone ended up on different floors?"


    "Heck if I know. I haven''t seen anyone else so far. What are you writing?"


    He puts the sheet away, "Just a note to Lucia that I found you. So what to do with you, Ephran... Originally, I wanted to wait a few weeks and observe how you really get along with Chloe but the current situation doesn''t allow me that luxury."


    I''m confused, "What has my dear to do with anything?"


    He replies bluntly, "If you recall you basically only wanted to join our group because you wanted to be with her. As she is my familiar she gets a greatly lengthened life expectancy, enough to vastly outlive you. If possible I would want to spare her the grief of losing a lost one. Therefore I wanted to make sure you really mean it before offering you the same benefits. Once accepted there''s no turning back."


    "I... I don''t understand..."


    "I don''t think it matters at this point. Just answer me three questions. Do you want to survive this?"


    This is no question, "Yes, of course."


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    "Are you serious about your relationship with Chloe?"


    "Yes, I would-"


    He interrupts me, "Yes, yes, you would do everything for her. I''ll take your word for it, don''t disappoint me. And in exchange are you willing to serve under me? No matter what I ask of you?"


    As if I really have a choice at this point, "...yes, for Chloe''s sake I''ll endure it."


    I haven''t even finished answering and I can already see a message pop up.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve become Jared Delacroix''s familiar.


    You''ve obtained the skills [Sleepless] and [Ageless].</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Jared sounds annoyed, "As usual, this skill is way too trigger-happy. Well, we can''t really hold a proper welcome party right now, so that''ll have to wait. Are you starting to feel better? [Sleepless] should quickly recover your fatigue."


    "I.., I think so, yes. At least it feels like it is slowly getting better."


    He pulls me up, "Good, then let''s get moving. Don''t want to end up as spider food."


    A short while later, we arrive at a set of stairs. I''m still feeling drowsy but that''s finally some progress!


    Jared scoffs, "That was easy. The previous floor was a massive, non-sensical labyrinth."


    "You make it sound so easy but I''ve been wandering around here for days..."


    He looks at me full of doubt, "What? Do you want to tell me you got lost walking a straight line? There was not a single branch on the entire way while I was here."


    "That makes no sense. There were a lot of branching paths while I was alone..."


    He scratches his head and sighs, "This place just makes no sense at all... Let''s move on before the path forward grows legs and runs away."


    I nod, "Yeah, I agree."


    <hr>


    POV: Chloe


    We''ve left the mountain range behind us and are now standing in front of what looks like an abandoned mansion. Around it, some colorful spherical objects with attached ropes are rising toward the moonless night sky, What are those supposed to be?


    A sign in front of the house reads: Welcome to Sen''s House of Endless Fun.


    I get a bad feeling about this...


    We go through the creaking door and the inside is way bigger than the outside would lead you to believe. It is also quite dark.


    Come on, bring on the ghosts, I''m waiting!


    And right on cue, three ghostly apparitions appear, "Great, right what I needed."


    Lucia mocks me, "What, afraid of some ghosts?"


    I shake my head, "Not quite, it is just that physical attacks aren''t particularly effective against them."


    She shrugs, "Yeah, yeah, magic it is."


    She casts a spell and hits one of the ghosts, instantly destroying it, "See? Easy-peasy."


    "Easy for you to say."


    I storm forward and try to stab a ghost with my spear, but it just phases through.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Pure physical and unattributed attacks do not affect incorporeal entities.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Lucia sneers, "Chloe, you''re useless."


    "Then tell me what I can do!"


    She thinks for a moment while blasting the second ghost, "Hmm... good question... there should be skills that allow you to infuse your weapon with an element. Just take one of those classes."


    After saying that, she incinerates the remaining apparition with another fire spell.


    I want to slap her, "And from what class selection? I''m already at the maximum of classes your sugar daddy allows the rest of us to take."


    I sigh mentally, we really are too similar to get along...


    While bickering more, we proceed further into the mansion. Every now and then a single ghost tries to harass us through the walls or a trap tries to hinder our progress through the narrow corridors.


    Suddenly Lucia calls out to me, "Hey, Chloe, I''ve got some great news for you. Jared found your hubby and made him a familiar. Now you can spend all of eternity with him!"


    "Watch out for the rope trap in front of you, Lucia", she jumps over it and I sigh, "And no one even asks me? I don''t even know yet how I really feel about Ephran..."


    She is surprised, "You don''t? Then why did you invite him?"


    I easily dodge a pendulum trap, "Your voice friend made me... Seriously, over the span of my whole life, I''ve interacted with him for maybe a whole hour, total. And all of that was just business. I know nothing about who he really is."


    She scoffs, "What, don''t you believe in love at first sight? I think you two make a cute pair."


    I get angry, "I don''t think that is a good base for a relationship. And if we''re going by outward appearance there are better candidates..."


    She mockingly grins, "Well, too late now. Don''t worry, I can help you deal with it."


    That is a thinly veiled threat if I ever heard one...


    <hr>


    POV: Anna


    I''ve had enough of those damn spiders! I want to get out of here!


    Grumble


    Despite all these Food Pills I''ve eaten, I''m still feeling hungry... How long until lunch? Ah, it is still 11:45, I forgot that time doesn''t matter here...


    I just want something to eat that isn''t these bland pills, I''d even settle for something provided by the food bank but I''d rather have something cooked by Marca...


    Grumble


    Another corner, another web surface I shouldn''t touch but I still need to look around, this place is awful!


    I carefully peek around it and see... is that Geoffrey?


    "Geoffrey!", I storm towards him and hug him.


    He hugs me back, "Anna, I finally found someone! How have you been holding up?"


    Tears fill my eyes, "It was awful! Spiders, nothing but spiders everyone. I don''t want to see another spider in my whole life!"


    He pats my head, "Yeah, I can imagine. So where do we go now? Are there any paths where you were that you didn''t take yet? I have seen a few corridors back there I haven''t tried yet."


    "No? I don''t think so at least. Let''s check your side then."


    After hugging for a few more minutes we make our way toward the first passage Geoffrey hasn''t inspected yet. It just leads to even more branching directions.


    A few hours later we end up on another three-way split but one direction reveals something new.


    "Stairs? Geoffrey, we finally found the way onward!"


    He is happy as well, "Yeah, let''s go."


    "BOO!", surprises us an eery voice from behind.


    I don''t recognize who it could belong to so I turn slowly around full of fear.


    Before us stands the mean Dan''s avatar, drooling from its many mouths.


    Shit. Shit. Shit.


    That was it for us, we can''t fight that thing, running isn''t an option anymore either.


    We''re dead and I didn''t even get to enjoy some time together with my new family...


    But instead of killing us, he just speaks to us, "Hey, so, uh, I could take you out now and already win. But that''s boring. I hoped it would be much closer but none of you even cleared five floors, let alone all one hundred. I even increased my handicap by five but that is also used up already. This is really, really boring. Maybe if I...? Ah, forget it, I''ll end it now and we can try again next time, okay?"


    In a panic, I yell at it, "No, you can''t! You''re cheating!"


    It sounds surprised, "What do you mean cheating? I didn''t break any rules."


    "Nu-huh, you did. You''re not a spider but this is a spider cave. so only spider monsters are allowed to harass us and you are clearly not a spider!"


    "I''m not?"


    "No! So you are cheating! Bad monster! Go in the corner! I don''t want to play with cheaters!"


    "Oh, man... I didn''t know that...", the creature slowly walks off, completely dejected. Possibly sobbing.


    How did that work? Why did that work?


    ...doesn''t matter, I''m pooped...


    Geoffrey doesn''t know either, "I honestly thought we were dead. Sorry, I didn''t think you were that courageous."


    "Yeah, I''m not, it just came over me. And now I need some new pants..."


    He teasingly replies, "For the sake of your dignity I''ll pretend I didn''t hear that. Wait, give me a moment."


    He starts digging through his inventory.


    "Huh? What are you doing?"


    Geoffrey answers, "You said you needed clean pants. Here."


    "Uh, thanks? Why do you have that?"


    "Marca and I saw that you''re always wearing the same things so we bought you some new clothes, we just never had the chance to gift them to you. So... here, you''re welcome", he scratches his head in embarrassment.


    "Ah, thank you."


    He grabs my hand, "But change over there on the stairs, fewer directions to be cautious off. I''ll stand watch."


    "Uh-huh, sure."


    After quickly changing clothes, we step into the next floor. No more spider webs, instead we''re looking at relatively open caverns above flowing lava.


    I try to wipe off my sweat, "Shit, it''s hot in here..."

 Ch. 90 – Chance Meeting

    Oh my me, I just hope I don''t have to do another DDR minigame on the goddamn way...


    After leaving that mess behind, we climb the stairs toward the next floor but for some reason, this set of stairs is much longer than usual. Other times it is maybe two or three dozen steps short but this time it just goes on and on.


    In boredom, I check my menu, "Hey, Ephran, is it just me or is the time wrong? It says 11:45 but I could swear it was 11:42 last time I checked."


    "Is it?", Ephran checks his menu, "Not sure, I honestly didn''t pay attention to that but it says 11:45 for me, too. But the time is clearly frozen, none of the hands are not moving at all. Maybe you''re just misremembering? We have been here a long time after all."


    I''ve my doubts about that, "Not sure, but it is possible", I sigh, "A lot has happened after all. Wait, your clock has hands? I have a digital time display."


    He looks at me confused, "What is this... ''dijitel''? I''ve never heard that word before..."


    "Nevermind..."


    So much for everyone having the same setup in the menu.


    But am I really misremembering the time? I''m more certain about that than of any memories I have from my last life... But I''ve also no idea how that should even be possible in the first place. That time is frozen is a well-researched fact of the dungeons'' functionality, they are behaving like instanced dungeons in an MMO, even if time moved no one else could enter anyway...


    Yeah, it is more likely that I''m just going mad from this place. We really need to get out of here soon...


    To distract myself, I check if Lucia has written anything new. No, nothing, the paper in my inventory is just more small talk. Still no signs of any of our other comrades.


    ...she wouldn''t have found someone else and secretly disposed of them, would she? She might unwittingly hold resentment toward Iris for her time at the church


    No, it still seems like everyone is safe, the party and familiar menus still list everyone.


    After another moment of contemplating, the stairs finally end, welcome to the fourth floor. At this pace, beating this dungeon will take years but the avatar will have found us in the next couple of days...


    "I see cramped caves covered in almost transparent, green gas. Do you have any idea what that could be, Ephran?"


    He shakes his head, "Not really. But I don''t think we have an option but to find out..."


    I agree, "Seems like it", and shoot a fire spell into it but nothing happens. It doesn''t burn or explode, so there''s that at least. No danger of sudden game over through using the wrong element.


    "You go first. I want to check your status if the gas does something to it."


    Ephran frowns, "You got it, boss."


    A moment after he enters the greenish fog, a status appears on his status screen: narcotic poison (0.1 HP/s). A moment later it disappears and then reappears again. Seems like his regeneration from [Sleepless] keeps it mostly in check.


    "It appears to be some kind of sleep-inducing poison. How do you feel?"


    Ephran shrugs it off, "Mostly fine. The sleep deprivation before was worse."


    "Good, then let''s pick up the pace, but when something comes up give me an immediate heads up."


    He agrees, "Sure."


    I enter the gas as well and check my status, the poison doesn''t seem to affect me at all. [Undead] gives me some resistance to poison, so that''s probably the reason. So the only one at risk is Ephran and even he isn''t affected much thanks to the regeneration from [Sleepless].


    It is almost unfair how a single skill can turn a death sentence of a floor into a seeming cakewalk.


    While running through the cave system we barely encounter any monsters. Just a single viper, scorpion or other poison-themed creature here and there. I can take out most of them with a single spell thanks to my wide range of available elements so Ephran doesn''t get to do much. Not that he could, we have no weapon left he could use and Lucia''s [Create Weapon] can''t produce a temporary weapon that can be passed through the inventory to him. So for now, Ephran''s stuck with untrained hand-to-hand combat. I hope this changes before we run into a tougher enemy.


    Speaking of my wife, she wrote that the one-week downtime for Elly and Maria is over, so she could call them back. Couldn''t you leave at least one of them for me, Lucia? Well, I''m not even sure if I could''ve summoned one of them since they rested in Lucia and she''s too far away.


    The poison cave just goes on. A few branches here and there, but so far we can always see right from the start that one of the paths ends in a dead end. They don''t even contain a monster that lies in ambush, they are just seemingly empty for no reason.


    A while later, we find a bigger room, and there lie four bodies on the floor.


    I recognize none of them. One of them is already dead, [Appraise] doesn''t react to them.


    The others only seem to be knocked out, they appear to still be breathing at least.


    They have a clearly different armor design than the people in my fortress. How can there even anyone be here in the first place? Supposedly, time stands still while we''re inside a dungeon, so no one from the outside has the time to enter.


    This must be a trap.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Kael</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">unconscious, poisoned (0.1 HP/s)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">19</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Axe Knight 19, Great Knight 16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Stoneborn (Dwarf) 13</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1428/3561</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">264/264</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">857/2977</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">562+222</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">153-30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">555+192</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">49</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">159</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">263+36</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">198</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Great Axe, Full Plate, Iron Helm</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Armored Strike 16, Axe Training 19


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.Armor Mastery 16, Armor Training 19, Earth Resistance 13, Fire Resistance 13, Hard Worker 13, Iron Wall 16, Will of Steel 19</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Looks suspiciously normal. Just a slightly short human-like person in full armor with a full grey-brown beard, classic dwarven style. Status doesn''t look out of place either.


    But... there shouldn''t be other real people here. What is going on?


    What''s with the others? Maybe there''s a hint there.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ren Jagen</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">unconscious, poisoned (0.3 HP/s)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Swordmaster 100, Battle Guru 100</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Human 100</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">6392/12820</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2140/2140</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">10810/15040</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1869+526</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2331+210</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1660+215</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">320</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">680+60</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1240+115</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1440+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Judgment Blade, Enchanted Tunic, Headband, Blessed Cloak, Saint Ring, Engraved Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Offense</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Support</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Flash Step 100, Mentorship 100</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Critical Exploitation 100, Hard Worker 100, Luck Boost 100, Skilled Fighter 100, Sword Focus 100, Weapon Intuition 100</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Someone call the light novel industry, their main character template has run away. Seriously, this person couldn''t look more ridiculously average if you tried.


    Anyway, the levels and stats are insanely high, even overdressed to the hilt. This seems very suspicious...


    Even if I accepted the premise that someone could reach such high levels in this world at such a young age - which I don''t - if someone really was that strong it would make no sense for them to succumb to this weak poison fog.


    Yeah, the status is most likely fake. Elly won''t like to hear that someone bested the enhanced [Appraise] skill she granted me.


    And what about the last one?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Corpse Mimic 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Generic Monster 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Monster 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5908/5908</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">420/420</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1848/1848</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">588</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">532</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">364</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">196</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">364</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">168</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">56</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">NO EXP</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 7.19026%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Light</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Level 8? So far all monsters were level 1, does that mean we''re making progress?


    Ephran mutters, "Is that...?"


    "Yeah, quite a nasty trap. First, weaken them with the poison until they are too tired to think clearly and then lure them in with what looks like a wounded ally. Add some real unconscious people around to reduce the chance of [Appraise] revealing the trap thanks to its 300 MP price tag... you get the idea."


    He agrees, "Yeah, I understand. Can we beat it?"


    "Quite likely. I''ll keep it stunned with lightning spells, you punch it while it can''t move. Should it break out, we''ll retreat."


    Ephran asks, "Would you really abandon those two?"


    "If I have to. I know neither of them and according to their uniforms, they don''t belong to us anyway. While I would really like to know how they can be here, the answers aren''t worth it to risk my life. So, are you ready?"


    He nods, "Yeah, give the signal."


    While charging my spell, I look around one final time to check for another trap but [Appraise] finds nothing. A moment later, my spell is ready and I let it loose, a stream of lightning rams into the false body on the floor.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your Lightning Shot has inflicted 1315 damage and a status effect to Corpse Mimic.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    It is stunned as expected, so I start casting the next spell and Ephran rushes toward the target.


    Despite the stun, it can still move, albeit slowly. Ephran is not out of danger.


    The corpse mimic grows out its tongue until it is 3 meters long and swings it slowly at Ephran who dodges the attack and hits it back a couple of times for 80 damage per punch. He really needs a real form of offense.


    I throw the second lightning bolt at the mimic and hit it again.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your Lightning Shot has inflicted 1315 damage and a status effect to Corpse Mimic.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ephran dances a bit more around the creature, throwing some punches and dodging the mimic''s tongue attacks, punches and kicks.


    Suddenly, the mimic rips out its left arm and literally throws it at Ephran, hitting him for 387 damage.


    Over the course of the next few seconds, I shoot two more spells and take the monster out.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your Lightning Shot has inflicted 1315 damage to Corpse Mimic and defeated it.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I would really like to heal either of the three wounded before me but thanks to [Undead] I can''t use my [Cure Magic] spell.


    Ephran breathes a sigh of relief, "I''m glad that this is over."


    "Yeah, what now? Thanks to the dungeon effect our two rescuees won''t recover from the poison, we need to get them out of the poison fog but how much further would that be in either direction?"


    He points out another option, "Can''t you do the same you did for me and make them your familiars?"


    I shake my head, "No, they would need to agree, at least in some minor fashion. And they are too unconscious to consent."


    Hmm... maybe I can slap them awake?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 110 damage to Kael.


    You''ve inflicted 228 damage to Ren Jagen.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...big nope. They''re still out and if I repeat that a few more times I would kill them before I get them back to the land of the conscious...


    What, he has 692/12820 HP left? Shit, isn''t that too many HP lost? That is... not good. Not good at all...


    This just reinforces my suspicion that Ren''s status is faked. If it was real I should''ve dealt no damage at all.


    "Ephran, come, grab the other guy, we''ll try to get them out of here, fast."


    I throw Ren over my shoulder and we run on.


    Really, me, a low-level mage, carrying a fully geared warrior, what''s the world come to...

 Ch. 91 – Omission

    POV: Anna


    There are the stairs upwards, we can finally leave the lava cave behind us! No more nearly sweating to death with all my fur!


    "Come on, Geoffrey, I wanna get out of this sauna! Let''s hurry!"


    He nods, "Yeah, sure."


    "Hmm...? What''s wrong? You seem kinda absent-minded."


    He collects himself, "Do I? Ah, it''s nothing, I''m just worried about the others. We''ve seen nothing of them in quite a while and... I got this strange feeling..."


    Hmmm...


    "Nah, they''ll be fine. We just have to get moving and we''ll find them soon. They can''t be too far away!"


    He shrugs it off, "If you say so."


    The stairs are shorter than the last ones, uhh, whatever.


    At the end of the stairs, I see... Oh, come on, not this place again, "Why are we back in the stupid spider cave..."


    Geoffrey scratches his head, "No idea, but we didn''t find any other routes we could''ve taken. I guess it is just a different cave."


    I sigh, "I already hate this place..."


    Out of alternatives, we travel further into the spider cave and fight a couple of spider monsters every now and then. But so far there are no branching paths.


    After a while, we finally find a junction. To the left are more narrow web-covered corridors. To the right... nope, nope, not dealing with that shit. Again I see a big room that contains a spider cocoon and hundreds of spiders guarding it or alternatively, crawling into the cocoon. No thanks.


    "I, uh, vote we take the other direction. I don''t want to deal with that many creepy crawlies."


    Geoffrey agrees, "Yeah, I agree. Even if we didn''t have to worry about them fighting back I doubt we have enough SP between us both to beat all of them. And we have no safe zones to retreat to either. So left path it is. Come, but be quiet."


    I nod, "Uh-huh."


    <hr>


    POV: Dan


    I see the cat girl and the gruff man walking away from the cocoon.


    Uh, guys? I think you forgot something. Or rather someone.


    ...and I extra brought you back here so you wouldn''t miss your friend again. So much for me trying to be a good friend...


    But what else can I do to reunite them? As it is, I''ve way overestimated their chances and just ending the game not even ten percent in would be a total letdown...


    While I think about what I should now do with the captive girl, a fish-legged mummy approaches me.


    "Uh, buddy? You''re in the wrong place. This is the spider-only place, uh, I think."


    Not sure, ever since that furry-eared girl shouted at me, I doubt what I know...


    Growl


    "No, no, it''s fine. You can just go back to your area. Now, shoo."


    He wobbles on, heading toward the collection of spiders.


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Why is he...? His area is in the other direction.


    Oh, he wants to tell his friends hello first, gotcha!


    Munch Munch


    Uh, why does he chomp on the spider friends now? That''s rude! You don''t eat your friends!


    He has already killed two spiders and is nibbling on a third, "Hey, stop that!"


    I slap the mummy away with my mouths.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 12292 damage to T???e???d??? and defeated it.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The mummy flies through the air and lands a good bit away from us, melting into the ground once it does. Where there was a web-covered floor before is now a mummy-shaped hole of a green-black flickering mass.


    What is that?


    I walk over to it to inspect it closer.


    I feel drawn in, it looks... fascinating. I try to touch it but suddenly I''m overcome by intense pain.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 1 damage.


    Status effect was resisted.


    You''ve taken 1 damage.


    Status effect was resisted.


    Status effect was not applicable.


    You''ve taken 0 damage.


    You''ve taken 65535 damage.


    Status effect was not applicable.


    Status effect was resisted.


    Status effect is on vacation.


    You''ve taken 65535 damage.


    Unknown status effect was applied but not implemented.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Reflexively, I step back.


    What does any of that mean? ...eh, who cares. It just tickles a bit.


    I turn my attention back to the spiders. They''ve continued as if nothing happened, good.


    Wait, where''s the half-eaten one?


    Ah, there it is, found it! ...why is it now two-headed and covered in purple-green polka dots?


    And why does it rip the cocoon apart?


    "Stop that you dumb spider! You''ll hurt the captive!"


    I snap at it with my appendages.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 12417 damage to M???a???g???u???s??? ???S???p???i???d???e???r??? and defeated it.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    What is with everyone today...


    The cocoon is damaged beyond repair and the strangely colored elf girl spills out.


    Great... She still looks bad, the dark-black skin color can only be a bad sign...


    Maybe I should kill her so she can recover for next week? But... I don''t wanna win yet and the blood elf would probably not want to play with me again if I exploit her sickness... what to do, what to do...


    I gesture to some of the spiders, "Can you guys web her up again so she can recover?"


    The spiders gather around me, salute and then hustle around, doing as I asked them to. They are certainly better friends to the elf than the cat and her gramps. Maybe she''ll agree to stay with us once she''s recovered?


    <hr>


    POV: Lucia


    Maria and Elly distract the remaining boss monster, the one called Fact Checker, and Chloe sneaks behind its back. I cast another Fire Spell and throw it at Chloe to amplify her attack with [Enchant Weapon].


    Chloe receives my spell and swings her weapon at the boss, probably scoring a critical hit, but nevertheless taking down the second member of the duo boss fight.


    I''ve still no idea what made it different from its brother Thought Police, they were identical in every aspect. Both wore ugly blue shirts, sported creepy grins and wielded strange boards with letters printed on them as weapons. At least they are dead now.


    Maria breathes a sigh of relief, "I''m glad that''s over."


    "See, Chloe? That wasn''t too hard now, was it?"


    Chloe sighs, "I still think we should''ve gone with my strategy. Would''ve been much less risky."


    "I don''t see what your problem is. Everything went according to plan."


    She argues, "But it was a bad one. Maria almost died while holding the first boss''s attention."


    "So what? She would be back in a week again."


    She tries to correct me, "We can''t risk that-"


    Elly goes between us, "Girls, you''re both pretty, but can we PLEASE focus on the problem at hand? We still have a massive dungeon ahead of us and there''s no sign of the rest of our team."


    "Yeah, yeah", I click my tongue, "Doesn''t change the fact that I outrank her as the Lord''s wife."


    Chloe doesn''t let that one go by, "That doesn''t mean you have any relevant experience out here in the field. This is only your second proper dungeon visit, I''ve been doing this for years, Lucia!"


    "So what? This isn''t as hard as you make it sound."


    Maria knocks me on the head, "Don''t be stupid, Lucia. This is not a game. You want to get out of here alive, don''t you? Then please leave the planning to the expert."


    Why''s everyone always against me...


    But I have to admit that Chloe has more experience than me in this.


    Why do I always feel like I have to antagonize her?


    ...because she deserves it. Just... not now.


    "Urgh, fine. Chloe can lead from now on... just... don''t show me up again in front of Jared", otherwise I''ll revoke your living license, Chloe.


    Chloe is surplused, "Again? What do you think I''ve done?"


    I scoff, "Don''t play dumb, you know exactly what you''ve done."


    With that said, I walk towards the exit.


    Chloe shouts after me, "Hey, wait! We''re not done yet!"

 Ch. 92 – False Negative

    While we continue our way through the poison cave, I blow up most monsters we encounter with [Blood Burst] and use the resulting blood bullets to heal our two patients. It isn''t good healing but it gives us some more time nonetheless.


    At some point, a system message tries to distract me.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">FATAL: decontamination process encountered an error and had to be aborted.


    Restarting... (try 2/3)</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yeah, yeah, shut up and finally do your job!


    And immediately after I think that...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">FATAL: decontamination process encountered an error and had to be aborted.


    Restarting... (try 3/3)</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Goddamnit, even a system that has been optimized for millennia is still prone to dumb errors, just perfect... Did you run out of duct tape and prayers?


    This time it keeps quiet.


    After a long while of running, we finally find a small room that is free from the poison gas.


    I look around and see nothing out of the ordinary, [Appraise] and [Trap Lore] spot no dangers either.


    "I guess this is as good a spot as any..."


    Ephran asks, "Are you sure? This room looks too suspicious to be safe."


    "Sure? No, but none of my skills detected anything and judging by their remaining HP, we don''t really have the luxury to search for another location."


    "Alright, got it", he puts down the soldier he carried all the way.


    I search through my inventory for the rope and First Aid Kits I bought way back when.


    "I guess we better tie them up first. Just because they are not monsters doesn''t necessarily mean they are on our side."


    One rope for two won''t do, so I extend my claws and cut the rope in half, then hand one of the pieces to my newest familiar, "Here."


    He protests, "Do you really think that is necessary?"


    I state bluntly while tying Ren''s arms, "I do. You should know just as well as I do that they logically can''t be here, yet they are. I''ve already seen monsters that looked indistinguishable from real people, only [Appraise] and their behavior could tell me the difference. Who can say that the monsters haven''t advanced even further and can now even fool [Appraise]? At least this ''Ren'' has stats that make no sense, so if someone can fake that hiding a monster class should be just as easy. So we have to take precautions. And really, if they are in fact real people they should just be happy they are still alive at all."


    Ephran finally agrees, "I, I understand."


    There, the knot is done. Admittedly, I''m no expert in restraining people, but this should at least buy us time if worst comes to worst.


    I should probably leave out this part when I tell Lucia about my adventure. Otherwise, she''ll get even more strange ideas...


    We could only confiscate the dwarf''s Great Axe but Ren''s sword will just teleport back into Ren''s sword scabbard. With no other option, we left it there. Weird thing.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Judgment Blade


    Requires attunement, attuned to Ren Jagen.


    +300 STR, +50 DEX, always inflicts critical damage against evil creatures


    While attuned to this weapon you can''t inflict undue harm to non-evil, sentient beings.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    By all rights, this weapon should work against me. In what world are vampires not inherently evil... Ideally, we''ll never have to find out.


    But that effect is probably just as fake as his stats. Yeah, that''s more likely.


    I hand Ephran one of the First Aid Kits, "Make it count, those weren''t cheap."


    He replies, "Don''t worry, you''ll get reimbursement for that when we''re back. Feel free to remind me, in case I forget."


    "Looking forward to it."


    I try to inspect the remaining kit, but how do you even use this? The contents don''t match anything I know about medicine or treatments. A few iron pellets, empty vials, strands? Ah, there''s a bandage, at least something that makes sense.


    Then I see Ephran just smashing the kit on Kael''s face.


    To my surprise, the status effect disappears from his status.


    "What the hell? Is that how you use that thing?"


    Ephran just shrugs, "Uh, yes? How else would you use it?"


    "I dunno, maybe administer some pills, wrap some bandages around a wound, something?"


    "Eh, who would do something stupid like that?", he looks at me full of doubt.


    "Nevermind then..."


    I, uh, ''apply'' the med kit to Ren in a similar fashion and the status disappears as well.


    But neither of the patients wakes up, what now?


    ...


    Oh, right, they''re probably massively exhausted and they don''t wake up because no form of rest provides any benefit here... Fall asleep once and you never wake up again, dungeons are even nastier places than I thought.


    "I think we''ll start with Kael. He is properly disarmed so he''s a lesser risk. Here", I hand him a Food Pill, "force-feed him that, maybe he''ll wake up then."


    Ephran does as ordered, "Got it", and forces the pill into Kael''s mouth who reflexively swallows it down and starts coughing, soon after waking up.


    Our captive opens his eyes and looks around, "Where am I? Who are you people?"


    "I''d like to ask the same of you. We''re in the dungeon here, it should not be possible to meet other people here since time outside is stopped. So until I''m sure you and your friend over there are not some cleverly disguised monsters, you''re staying put."


    Kael looks over to the still unconscious Ren, "...who? I''m sorry but I don''t know this person either. I''ve no idea what I could tell you to prove I''m not a monster so... if you think it necessary... do your worst."


    I glare at him, "You could start by telling us where you''re from. Your uniform design at least doesn''t match the ones I know."


    Ephran adds, "Yeah, it is certainly not one of ours."


    Kael explains, "I''ve no idea how that could be. Anyway, I''m Kael, just a grunt serving in a nameless fortress at the coast near the mountains."


    "Nameless... so you''ve no lord ruling your little abode?"


    He nods, "Precisely."


    Might be worth having a contact there. Just maybe.


    I take out my map, "Where on this map would that be?"


    He answers, "Lemme see... uh, the map is upside down?"


    "Good, you pass, that was of course a test", and I totally didn''t do that by accident, yep.


    I turn the map around, "Now?"


    "It should be the eastmost one, a bit below your thumb."


    I draw a note on the map.


    If the info from Karen is correct, there''s just a minor dungeon and no major one on that quarter of the continent. Hmm... not sure. I''m not in the business of saving everyone but it might still be worth it to establish relations with them. Maybe the location as a port could prove useful. At a minimum, we could earn brownie points for Anna on her way to becoming declared a proper hero.


    I point to our fortress on the map, "We''re from over here. I''ve no clue how this should be possible. I would''ve accepted if you were from one of our companies but that far away...", I sigh, "Anyway, I''m Jared Delacroix, the ruler of said fortress."


    He''s shocked, "A lord in this dungeon? I thought nobles... pardon my rudeness. I didn''t mean any offense, sir."


    "Fine, fine, I forgive you. And don''t force yourself to speak politely, no one does."


    Ephran asks him, "Can you tell us anything about where the rest of your group is? I doubt you''ve come alone."


    Kael replies, "Honestly, I''ve no clue. When I entered the dungeon, I was already separated from the others. Haven''t seen a single person in days..."


    "Given the circumstances, this will have to suffice. Hold still", I cut the rope binding his arms.


    Kael is surprised, "Does that mean you trust me?"


    "Not fully. But for now, what you''ve said sounds real enough. I doubt a random monster would''ve known about the map orientation or just happen to have a plausible enough description of a real location. So... in the name of getting the heck out of here, I''m willing to trust you that far."


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    He sighs and looks down, "Understandable. Now if only I would still have my weapon, I could help you more."


    "Yeah, about that, fetch", I throw his axe back next to him on the ground.


    After grabbing his weapon, he stands up and bows, "Thank you."


    "Although, there''s one thing I want to ask of you. Would you consider swearing your fealty to me? If you do and truly mean it... well, I have a skill that grants my sworn servants a few skills that seem necessary to get out of here. And truth be told, I''m considering visiting your fortress sometime in the future, and having a trusted contact person on sight should be helpful. Might take a few years though."


    His eyes go wide, "Where did you get such a skill?"


    "Sorry, trade secret. I''m still a noble after all, I don''t tolerate competition."


    Kael seems a bit worried, "Fair enough. Can I at least assume you plan on claiming our fortress when you come to visit us? It would... improve our situation tremendously."


    "Precisely that is the plan. To my knowledge, the situation is mostly the same everywhere, especially for fortresses without a lord. Way too many monsters knocking on the front gate, diminished food production, you know the drill. Mind you, I''m not doing that out of pure selflessness. I''m doing that for my own gain."


    He "I understand. If it helps to save my people, I wouldn''t mind swearing fealty to the devil."


    "Hey, I''m not that bad-"


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have taken Kael as your familiar.


    You currently have 7???/???8??? familiar(s).</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "-or maybe I am", I sigh, "That skill is too trigger-happy as always..."


    At least that proves that Kael is a real person. Previously when I tried, I couldn''t apply this bond to a monster.


    Kael is surprised, "What was... Was that it?"


    "Yeah, pretty much. Though I''d prefer it if you kept my skill a secret. I can only have so many servants and if the benefits became public knowledge there would probably be way too many applicants."


    He looks over his two new skills, "I... can imagine."


    "Oh, before I forget, you can now also add a few classes up to a certain limit without needing Class Cores. Uh, Ephran, can you explain the details to him? I''ll take care of the other guy in the meantime. I think it would be better if he talked to someone who knows the contract from the same side as him."


    Ephran responds, "Are you sure? I don''t really know how much I''m allowed to tell."


    "Keep it to the stuff the public knows."


    He nods, "Alright, boss."


    I leave the two to their private conversation and drag Ren a bit to the side.


    I force a Food Pill into his mouth. What do I have servants for if I have to do that myself...


    After a while, Ren wakes up, coughing.


    "Good morning, sunshine, did you sleep well?"


    He responds groggily, struggling to free his arms, "Do your worst... monster."


    That voice was a bit more high-pitched than expected, did someone miss puberty?


    And monster...?


    Ren''s status now shows 1840/2140 MP... so he used [Appraise] on me. Strange, if the stats are fake and off by a factor of ten or more, then why does his MP function normally? This doesn''t add up at all.


    I sneer, "From my view, you''re the monster. Your stats would put many of the bosses I''ve seen in my life to shame. Now speak, who are you and how did you get here?"


    He replies, "I''ve no idea what you''re talking about. I''m just a normal knight, nobody strange."


    I yell at him, "Cut the crap! When I tried to wake you up, the system message said I had dealt like 230 damage to you but in your status over 5000 HP were missing compared to before. So something is clearly fake here."


    He gets angry, "Why does everyone always call me a fake!? I''m as much of a real person as anyone else!!"


    Seems like I hit a nerve.


    "I wonder. If you''re not fake, if your stats are real, then how does this measly rope bind you? You should be more than strong enough to just rip it apart."


    Tears fill Ren''s eyes, "I... I dunno. Nothing in this world makes sense. I''m supposed to be the strongest, supposed to be max level and yet... yet I can''t even dent the weakest monster... I... I just want to get out of this hell..."


    ''Max level''? Supposed to be...? Is he another outsider like Anna or me?


    "Did you reincarnate?"


    He stammers, "Huh, oh... uhm, shit..."


    This is getting out of hand, "So there''re now at least three. And here I was told there''d be only one."


    Ren starts sweating, "Could you please forget what you just learned?"


    How about no?


    I grab his chin and force him to look me in the eye, "Hey, Ren-"


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve successfully charmed Ren Jagen.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Great, so [Charm Eye] is useful for once.


    "-how about you tell me, your new ''best friend'', what is really going on with you? Maybe after that, we can work together to safely escape from this trap. What do you say?"


    His status clearly shows that he is charmed but maybe that is fake as well. Got to be careful for another fake out.


    Ren starts smiling but his eyes have an empty look in them, "Of course, my friend. Mind if I start at the end of my old life?"


    "Well, I''d like the Cliff Notes version but if it is relevant, go on."


    He explains, "Let''s see... I''ve been working as a COBOL programmer ever since leaving high school, only a mere 13 hours per day on average, 6 days a week, nothing special. Doesn''t really matter if you don''t know that job name. Anyway, one day my boss approaches me, you know, I had been trying for years to get a promotion, so I thought this would finally be it, and... he fired me. Told me I was too expensive for the ''little'' work I got done. Too little... I was always delivering on time, taking on tasks from my slacking coworkers, and he says I do too little... Can you believe his nerve!?"


    I facepalm, "To me, it sounds like he just didn''t want to see you suffer Kar¨­shi, at least not on his watch. So he wanted to kick you out before your breakdown causes an investigation into your workplace."


    Ren continues, "Maybe. Anyway, on my way home then I was severely depressed as you can imagine. I didn''t know how to pay rent, I had no clue how to afford medicine for my mother, I just... didn''t know what to do. The company I worked for was the last one in the whole world that still used that unique programming language in the last 600 or so years, all my experience was now worthless... Then suddenly, a truck driver lost control and was on the verge of running a little girl on the sidewalk over."


    Now, where''s my isekai bingo card...


    I sigh, "Could you be any more cliche if you tried, mister? Let me guess, you pushed the girl aside but were run over yourself and in the afterlife you were told that the girl you saved was destined to invent some impossible tech to allow hyper-lightspeed travel?"


    Ren''s smile fades, "No such thing. I pulled her to me and the truck missed us both. Narrowly. What happened was that the mother of the girl thought I wanted to kidnap her and called the police on me. Well, before the cops could take me in, a black hole appeared and swallowed me, and that was it. Next thing I know, I''m in what you''d call the afterlife, a boring room of pure white."


    I scoff, "Are you sure you weren''t just drunk or high off your ass and actually run over by Truck-kun yourself? That sounds way more plausible to me."


    He shakes his head, "No, I never drink. I''m a good girl like that, I swear!"


    "Wait, girl? I thought you were a guy. You look like one to me."


    Ren stammers, "Yeah, well, uh, I was about to get to that. Can I continue?"


    I facepalm, "Please do."


    (S)he(?) explains, "So in the afterlife, I was greeted by several shiny golden fuzzballs. They communicated telepathically with me in very broken Japanese. I only learned that language in school and was never very good at it, so communication was quite problematic. From what I understood, they either promised to take care of my mother in my stead or blow my old world up, not sure. When I asked for clarification, they just encouraged me, everything would be fine. Honestly speaking, I wasn''t in a state of mind where I should''ve made such a decision but I agreed to help them with their problem in this world. They... transformed my body, they said it was necessary, I didn''t really understand the reason and I hate how this feels... Once the explanations were over, they dragged me through a power-level course until I hit max level and then dumped me on this shitty world. They said I was ready, that... having two classes instead of one like everyone else would be more than enough but... despite all that power, I can barely harm the weakest monster I come across, I''ve no clue how I should ever achieve my goal here..."


    I feel she got scammed, the same as I was.


    Not sorry, "Sorry to burst your bubble, but you were tricked. Having two classes doesn''t make you special. Most people have around three. The cap is supposedly ten or fifteen."


    She looks up, her eyes filled with tears, "W-what?! But... why?"


    "That''s just the way this world is. But I''ve no clue why you are so ''weak''. According to your stats you should be very strong, this just makes no sense. But I have some good news for you. When we''re reunited with the rest of my group you can ask Elly for advice, she should be able to tell you a way to learn the [Disguise] skill, and with that you can fix your body. Despite the skill''s name, its effect is very real, just ask my wife, we''ve had... some fun with it."


    She sounds disturbed, "That... sounds very helpful. I''d really like to take you up on that offer."


    "What even is your mission here? You didn''t mention that."


    Ren stammers, "Uh, well... supposedly, here on, Jethicton, there''s a wicked demon lord terrorizing the populace and they even managed to kill the rightful hero, so they asked me to sub for him. Not that I could even get started on that, I just arrived and the first thing that happens is that I stumble into this strange cave."


    I sigh, "Congratulations, you are on the wrong planet, this is Deteoh. But don''t worry, we''ve some demon lords here as well. Which flavor do you prefer? Death knight, lich, vampire, dinosaur, abstract concept?"


    She thinks for a moment, "Uh, yes, in that order? As long as they don''t join forces and we can take them one by one, I don''t have a strong preference. Unless that vampire sparkles, then we need to find a flamethrower first."


    "What, does that mean, you''d be willing to help us with our doomsday problem?"


    She nods, "Yes, sure, why not. I don''t have a clue where that other world is anyway, nor how to get there. And maybe you''ll help me with my problem world should we ever find it?"


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have taken Ren Jagen as your familiar.


    You currently have 8/???8??? familiar(s).


    ERROR: familiar Ren Jagen is part of a different system


    Converting familiar...


    Done.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I guess I should''ve seen that coming. I did offer to take her along. But what the hell does it mean by different system?


    Before I can arrive at any meaningful conclusion, Ren easily rips the rope apart which bound her arms, "Much better, I was about to get hand cramps."


    "Ah, sorry, forgot about that bind. How do you feel? Anything strange?"


    She shakes her head, "It is weird. Nothing about my status has changed but I still feel so much stronger. Strong enough... TO END YOU GODDAMN-"


    Ding


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 0 damage from Ren Jagen''s attack.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ren swung her sword at me faster than I could follow but it just bounced off of me.


    She uninterrupts herself, "-FREAK! ...what? Why didn''t that work?"


    And here I was playing nice...


    "You stupid bitch! What do you think you''re doing?", I rush forward and ram my claws into her gut.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 120 damage to Ren Jagen.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Argh!", she grunts in recoil.


    I check her status, and this time my attack did take off only the advertised 120 HP. Guess becoming my familiar has dispelled the strangeness with her stats.


    The charm status is gone as well, she probably broke free from it when she became a familiar and was ''converted''. Damn, I should''ve paid more attention, this negligence almost cost me.


    Ren looks at me with eyes filled with disgust, "You''d hit a girl?!"


    "Sure, when she asks for it. I don''t discriminate."


    I''m about to start another swing at Ren when Ephran and Kael storm forward and separate us, "That''s enough you two."


    "Hey, whose side are you on, you two?"


    Ephran evades the question, "That doesn''t matter. What matters is that all four of us want to get out of here alive, killing each other doesn''t help any of us."


    Ren defends herself, "What the hell are you doing? Why wouldn''t I defend myself against someone that tries to mind control me!?"


    Eh, there''s not much to control, "And what else did you expect me to do? We''re trapped in this dungeon, we shouldn''t even be able to meet under these circumstances. It is much more likely that you''re just a cleverly disguised monster."


    She pouts, "But, but...!"


    "Nothing but", I sigh, "We should both be adult enough to leave this mishap behind us, right?"


    But once this is all over, Ren, your life is forfeit. I do not forgive attempts at my life, but you''re too useful - for now. Maybe if you''re lucky I''ll forget about this grudge. Maybe.


    Ren struggles with herself, "I... urgh, fine."


    After a bit more bickering, we start moving and I tell our two new <del>meatshields</del> comrades a few more details about what I know that is going on. Well, except for the part where I''m a former Lost One or current vampire.


    Hmm... current vampire... How would that work? Would that drink electric power instead of blood?

 Ch. 93 – Face Oneself

    POV: Lucia


    Our search for the others leads us again to a new place in the dungeon, "What is this? Why is a graveyard here? I don''t like it here..."


    Chloe tries to rile me, "Shouldn''t you feel at home here, being a walking corpse and all?"


    "Yeah, yeah, I''ll inform you when I find a moldy slime cave for you to call home. Right, you fraud?"


    Elly interrupts our play-fight, "That is enough you two. Seriously, can''t you go two days without going at each other''s throats?"


    Maria adds, "Come on, Lucia. Stop bullying Chloe, please."


    Why am I the one at fault here?!


    "...", I cross my arms, sulk and walk away from them.


    Maria asks me, "Hey, where are you going? We''re not-"


    I don''t let her finish, "Just leave me alone..."


    ...


    I don''t want to stay near the others right now, so I check out the tombstones instead. Far away from them.


    That reminds me, weren''t graveyards frowned upon by our religion? Something about it trapping the soul in the dead body, they should rather be cremated so the soul can be freed and pass on to the afterlife. Some rubbish like that.


    The writing on most of the graves has completely withered away. Others... not so much.


    I inspect a tombstone. It says that a Ted rests there. A common name around here. Couldn''t narrow down in the slightest who that was.


    A moment later, the writing disappears, as if it had withered ages ago. Is that supposed to tell me anything?


    ...maybe I could ask Elly about that, she usually knows strange things like this but... I don''t want to. I would have to admit that I was in the wrong - which I clearly am not!!


    I inspect another grave, another Ted. Over there lies a Greg, Jack, Alice, Tevin, Gus, Mina, another Jack, I... What? ''Here lies Lucia Delacroix''?! I''m very much still alive, thank you very much!


    (Are you... sure of that?), I hear a voice from... somewhere. Why did that sound just like me, just with an added echo?


    "Who...?", I look around but find no one.


    (Don''t just stand there dumbfounded. I''m right here!), out of ''my'' graves crawls a ghostly version of myself, dressed like I used to while I still served as Holy Maiden in the church.


    I recall reading about this kind of rare monster, "I see where this is going. You''re something like an Evil Twin trying to break my spirit and then taking over my body, right? Forget it, that won''t work, I won''t let an Evil Twin win against me!"


    She chuckles, "Is that so? Then I have to disappoint you, I have a surefire way to make an Evil Twin win. I only need to... surrender to you."


    Did that bitch just call me evil?!


    I get angry, "What the hell are you talking about!?"


    She scoffs, "You don''t know yourself at all, do you, Lucy? Have you even for a moment considered how much you''ve changed since you became... that thing?"


    "I don''t know what you mean. What the hell are you?"


    She gets closer to me, "Isn''t it obvious? I''m the part of you that died when you became a vampire."


    "Nonsense! I didn''t change one bit since then! The [Living Undead] skill made sure of that!"


    She scolds me, "Really, is the only thing your head is good for to look pretty? Think! You got that skill only afterwards when everything was already too late. Don''t you remember what happened? First Jared bit you which triggered the trap skill [Undead Bait] you as the Holy Maiden had. Then you got turned into a vampire and your Holy Maiden class was replaced by Cursed Queen, only then did you obtain your skill, but by then the damage was already done!"


    How does this imposter know all this?


    "B-but...!"


    She continues, "Don''t you know that much? I clearly remember knowing this little bit of common knowledge about vampires. When a human gets transformed into one, a part of the original personality gets destroyed and replaced with vampiric instincts. I know this because...", her expression gets somber, " I am the part of you that you lost back then."


    My voice trembles, "Lies, all lies! I didn''t change, I''m still me! Complete and utterly me!"


    She facepalms, "If you truly think so, then answer me this. How do you feel about healing people, about saving them from misery? Would you go out of your way to do so?"


    "That doesn''t count, I couldn''t if I wanted to. Ever since I became a vampire I can''t use that skill anymore."


    She sternly questions me, "What makes you think you can''t? You have that unpronounceable skill from being a Cursed Queen, don''t you? All that stops you from using [Cure Magic] again is acquiring [Curse Magic], and really, classes with that skill are a dime a dozen."


    Why does she know about [C???u???r???(???s???)???e??? Magic]? ...just seeing that name gives me a headache... Anyway, if what she said was true, she left me before I got that skill, so how does she know? [Forgery] should hide it from [Appraise]...


    "No, that doesn''t matter at all. I always hated doing that anyway."


    She sounds frustrated, "Are you sure? Didn''t you often go out of your way to help those people? Most recently being old Maude? You extra went out of our way to trick Jared into helping you with her sickness."


    "Maude sick? What are you... wait, why did I forget about that... this was one of my precious memories of having fun with Jared..."


    The other me flicks my head, "Does it finally come back to you? Yes, you hated being under the church''s orders, and you wanted to decide about your own life ourselves but that doesn''t mean healing the wounded was something you hated. Rather, it was something you liked, wasn''t it?"


    I feel tears welling up in my eyes, "But... but I... no it, it doesn''t matter. I may have gotten to dislike my old hobby but so what? People... people change, don''t they? It is alright, I''m still myself, just with a bit more life experience."


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    She sighs, "Other me, do you even listen to yourself? Alright, fine, I cede that one point, but what about everything else? Have you looked at yourself, how you treat everyone else like crap? The old me would never ask someone to kill themself, maybe play a trick on them that leaves them with a few bruises but no permanent harm. And now look at what you''ve done to the morph girl, you almost drove her to suicide!"


    "Bah, you don''t know what she is like. If you had to suffer her, you''d also wish her a cruel fate."


    "No, I''m quite sure it is just you. Ever since you got turned you''ve completely given in to your vampiric nature, you didn''t even consider fighting against it, you just gave up."


    I yell at her, "Now you''re just making shit up!"


    This knock-off is still getting on my nerves! Just go away! Be exorcised and disappear from my sight!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: you don''t have the required [Holy Magic] skill for that action.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    You stupid system, why can''t you be on my side for once...


    Wait, why did I even think I could use that? ...was that a remnant from my Holy Maiden days? But how? I never had [Holy Magic]... Could the class maybe have gained it later?


    Ghost me scoffs at me, "I knew that [Undead] comes with some resistances, and when I look at you I have to guess that the list also includes intelligence... Can you then at least explain to me how any of your actions help you with achieving your goal? Needlessly antagonizing everyone, especially the spirits, achieves nothing."


    I sneer at her, "Hmpf, I don''t need them. As long as they get in between Jared and me, I don''t care about them."


    The other me mocks me, "Jared this, Jared that... is there anything in your life left that doesn''t revolve around him? You don''t do what needs to be done to achieve freedom from the monsters, you just do what is needed to keep Jared to yourself, nothing more. Are you even your own person anymore? Of course not. You''re not Lucia! You''re not me! You''re just a random vampire wearing my skin, nothing more."


    "What nonsense are you spouting again? What, what are you talking about? Freedom..."


    ...why is she right about that? I really don''t care anymore about getting rid of the monsters... I just want to keep Jared to myself, make him happy. Make us happy. Why... why did I feel like ruling all of humanity would be the best way to achieve that...? Why...


    She grabs my head and looks into my eyes. I can barely feel her hands on my face but they are cold.


    She asks me, "Are the cogs finally turning?"


    "No. I admit that making Jared happy is the most important thing to me. But what''s wrong with that? Is it wrong to love someone?"


    She lets go, "I don''t believe you. If you truly loved him you would''ve deleted the World Resident title and gotten rid of its many penalties. But that would require you to admit to him that you can delete Happily Married as well, right? But you didn''t. You''re afraid. Too afraid to find out whether your love for each other is genuine or not. So you kept it a secret from him and just silently endured the loss in stats and exp. All of it just to keep him around and stay in your little fake love."


    I hang my head in shame and sheepishly agree, "...you got me there, but it isn''t fully true. I only have the DP to delete one title. Since I''m no longer the Holy Maiden I''ve lost the trust and the faith of the people. You can''t expect the peasants to put their trust in a Demon Lord, can you? So since then... I don''t receive the DP from their prayers anymore. I used most of the DP I had to free Anna from her slave seal, I... don''t want to disappoint Jared when he asks me to free the other child. I just can''t..."


    My other self sighs, "You should really check your status for a hidden [Intelligence Resistance] skill... Seriously, if you don''t want to disappoint him you should really talk with him about it. The kids are young, they could''ve waited a few years, and you''ve already seen that Jared treats them decently, and demanded others do the same, slave mark or not. But if you did actually delete the detrimental title you''d have a much greater chance of getting something done; conquer a dungeon, reunite the continent, whatever. Once the people see that you''ve really their best interest at heart, they will put their faith in you again. The DP situation would solve itself in a couple of years. But no, you''re afraid that he asks you to delete Happily Married as well and that you would then find out that it was all a lie. You just can''t bear that thought, can you?"


    Stop pushing me, you abomination! You shouldn''t exist in the first place, what gives you the right to lecture me?


    "So what if I can''t? To me it is real, that''s all that counts."


    She sneers, "So that is all that your little philosophy amounts to? And here I thought that the core values of your religion meant something to you."


    "What''s that got to do with anything?"


    "Balance and refinement, ringing any bells? Working on improving oneself little by little day after day, no? Nothing? Tell me that you hate those ideas now and that you truly mean it. Come on, I''m waiting."


    I hesitate, "You mean... because just accepting this fake feeling would mean standing still? I don''t... hate these ideals, on the contrary."


    She cheers, "Finally! And here I thought you were a lost cause with me gone."


    "You think too highly of yourself, you apparition of days gone by. I can improve myself even without you dissing me!"


    My old self points toward the other members of my group in the distance, "Then show it! Go over there and apologize to Chloe right this instant!"


    Do I have to get along with her? I''m not ready to forgive her for her slights, imagined or otherwise.


    "Maybe another time. I''m not feeling it right now."


    She sighs, "...I take back anything positive I said about you..."


    "But... you still owe me an explanation. How are you here? If you are the part of me that died back then, then why are you alive, or, uh, existing or whatever?"


    She thinks about my question, tapping her chin, "Hmm... I could tell you but I''m not sure a horrible person like you deserves to know."


    "Tell me, or I tell the children that the Grinch is real!"


    She slams her ghost hands on her tombstone, "You wouldn''t dare, you monster!"


    "I may. Now talk."


    She facepalms, "Fine, fine, I give up. Do you recall the theory our dear husband has about monsters? That he suspects souls of deceased get turned into monsters?"


    What do you mean ''our''? He is mine and mine alone, "How do you know about that? You weren''t around anymore at that point."


    "Quite simple actually", she suddenly throws a punch at me but it just phases through me without effect, "I''m a ghost, I''m not constrained by physical walls or anything. So I tried to leave earlier but... well, incorporeality goes both ways. I can just go through walls and everything but I can''t interact with the exit portal, so I''m stuck here. And on the way, I overheard all of you talk. A lot. You''re quite loud, you know? I''m still surprised you haven''t attracted every single monster in the whole dungeon because of that."


    "If you found us earlier, why didn''t you call out to us then?"


    She sounds extra frustrated now, "I tried but someone mistook me for the wind..."


    "Couldn''t have been me. But anyway, if souls get turned into monsters by the dungeon, why are you still - mostly - normal? That makes no sense to me."


    She explains, "Listen, Lucy, listen. There''s a goddamn queue, and it is full. It seems like several villages and fortresses were wiped out recently, they have too many souls they want to process. So I have some time left before it is my turn, but when it is the dungeon just... grabs you. I''ve seen several souls try to escape but the closest surface would just randomly sprout hundreds of ghastly arms and absorb the soul into it and moments later it would spit out a new monster. Sometimes a regular monster, sometimes an elite or even a boss, but there was never an escape..."


    I can feel some pity for her welling up inside of me, "...do you have any idea if the demon artifact Jared mentioned plays into that whole mess?"


    She just shakes her head, "No clue and I''d rather not stick around here long enough to find out", her voice starts to tremble, "So, other me, there''s one thing I want to ask of you. Kill me. I don''t want to become a monster. If I have to die for good, I want to die as myself. Please..."


    You''ve changed a lot as well, haven''t you? Not too long ago, you were willing to join hands with a vampire to save your own hide, but now...


    "Are you really sure about this?"


    She nods, "Yes, please free me before I''m no longer myself."


    "As if I had a choice. I couldn''t bear seeing a monster-me fighting my beloved."


    "Thank you", she replies weakly, then kneels down and closes her eyes.


    I start casting a fire spell, other me sits completely still, holding her hands in prayer. One last time.


    But don''t think I''ll let you off the hook that easily, old me.


    I have just enough DP for one last action, I know what to do. I don''t care if Jared hates me for this ''waste'', I have to allow myself this selfishness.


    I focus on the final remains of the divine energy within me, one last use of it. If what the lich told my husband is true, as long as the demon artifact exists, this will most likely be the last time I use this unnatural power.


    I hope it is worth it. It must.


    Hoping for the best, I cancel my spell.


    I step forward and touch the other Lucia with my hand, then she dissolves, leaving no trace of my past behind.

 Ch. 94 – Aicul=Eclaire?

    POV: Chloe


    We''ve now searched the whole room but aside from all the graves and two new exits, there''s nothing here. No traps, no monsters, nothing. Just a lot of creepy graves and an eerie atmosphere.


    "I got nothing. Maria, Elly, did you two find anything?"


    Elly scoffs, "If you''re in need of graves, I''ve found lots of them. Only most of them are still in use. Got an enemy you want to disappear? Here''s your location for the occasion."


    "Yeah, no, I''ll pass on that. I only want to dispose of monsters, and those don''t leave anything behind. Maria?"


    The other spirit replies matter-of-factly, "I don''t have anyone human I want to kill anyone either. Oh, uh, you meant what I found. Sorry, got nothing as well. Though I noticed that some of the graves bear names of people that died recently, but given that everyone only has first names and no surnames I can only assume that is a coincidence."


    "Yeah, probably. And either way, it is nothing we can change anyway", I sigh, "Well, that leaves just Lucia, maybe she found a clue."


    Well, time to move on, there''s nothing here, unless Lucia found something. Where even is she?


    I need a moment to find her but she''s still standing around the area where she left us. Seems like she just lazed around the whole time. Great, just what I expected from her.


    "Hey, are you done staring into the distance, Lucia? We want to finally move on."


    "Yeah, yeah, you d-", she stops herself and clears her throat, "I mean... ugh, forget it. Where''s Elly? I need her for a moment."


    I frown, "What are you up to this time?"


    She scoffs at me, "None of your business. Now, where''s Elly?"


    I point in the direction, "Back there."


    She smiles, "See? Was that so hard? Thanks."


    ''Thanks''? That''s a first.


    We walk towards where Elly is. She''s still checking out some of the tombstones.


    "I take it you still didn''t find anything interesting, Elly?"


    The winged spirit nods, "Yeah, nothing to make sense of. Just a bunch of graves and only a handful of them have still decipherable writing on them."


    Lucia interrupts her, "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Elly, I need you to have a look at something, so come back, please."


    "Wha-", Elly tries to protest but gets unsummoned before she can finish.


    I scold her, "What are you up to now that you have to yank Elly around like that?"


    But Lucia just ignores me and spaces out again, staring off into the distance.


    "Tuc tuo taht esnesnon!", I hear a different voice shouting in the distance, one I know.


    I look around to see where it came from.


    Smack


    "Uoy''er em! Daed ro ton! Os tuhs pu dna tser, resol!"


    Smack


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


    Crumble


    There is Lydia, she''s just destroyed one of the graves. From what I can see, she looks sad.


    Ghastly Screams


    I leave Lucia to her own business and walk over to the dejected pile of ooze, "Hey, Lydia, where have you been!?"


    She turns around and looks at me, seemingly considering running away.


    While waiting for a coherent response from the pile of living goo, I check the grave''s remains, I can still make out a name: Eila. Was that a person she didn''t like?


    "Was that someone you knew?"


    "Sey. Taht saw em. Ym dlo, namuh fles. Nac uoy evael em enola won? I... evah ot kniht."


    I wish I knew what she said, so I could maybe try to help her, but as it is, I sadly can''t. I feel pity for her.


    Eventually, Lydia stops wobbling and deliberating when we hear yet another voice calling out to us, Anna''s.


    The little cat girl cheerfully shouts, "Chloe? Is that you, Chloe? Hey, Geoffrey, we finally found them!"


    I take the little girl into my arms and hug her as a greeting, "Hey, how have you been doing? You don''t know how happy I am to finally have you two back."


    Maybe they can help me keep Lucia in check... yeah, wishful thinking.


    Anna and Geoffrey tell me and Maria what they have been up to while we wait for Lucia... to be done with whatever she''s up to right now with Elly.


    With that, Iris, Marca, Jared and Ephran are still unaccounted for. With how long we''ve been here, I don''t have the highest of hopes that all of us will make it through this... but we were just reunited with half of the missing people, so maybe I''m just needlessly pessimistic.


    A while ago, Lucia said that she is somehow in contact with Jared and that he has my boyfriend with him, but I don''t think I want to trust her about that.


    Don''t give me hope just to shatter it once again...


    I feel that would be something she would do just to be mean to me again. There are limits to how far you can take a prank, and this would be way too far. Please don''t do that Lucia, please...


    After a while, Elly breaks out of Lucia again, "Girl, you''re nuts. None of this makes any sense whatsoever but... well, what''s done is done, I guess. Just don''t come crying to me when Jared is unhappy with what you''ve done..."


    Lucia grins creepily, "Don''t worry, you''ve been plenty of help."


    I scratch my head, "So what shady business have you two been up to?"


    Elly sounds defeated, "I guess it would be faster just to show you... Lucy?"


    Lucia nods, "Yeah, yeah, I agree. Chloe, meet... uh, Eclair."


    She waves her hand and then a second Lucia appears before me, except with blond hair.


    This is getting out of hand, "Now there''s two of you? I already knew that you could create additional spirits, so what''s the big deal?"


    The blonde Lucia answers, "It is kind of a long story but, uh, I''m not fully a spirit. I''m at least in part made of what remained of the original Lucia before she became a vampire. So to avoid confusion between us we just decided to be", she air quotes, " creative and spell the name backwards for me. So with that, I''m now called Eclaire. Well, it''ll take a while to get used to my new name... Anyway, it is a pleasure to meet you. Hope we''ll get along."


    I don''t know about you, but the blonde one seems nicer at least.


    And there''s the voice again... trust me, I''ve been around the vampire Lucia too much to trust someone with her face.


    ...we''ll see about that, Chloe. We will see about that.


    I can honestly pass on that, thank you. But maybe you''re right, she deserves a chance of her own.


    "L-likewise, uh, Eclaire. I''m Chloe. We can really use all the help we can get."


    She glances toward her vampiric version, "Yeah, now if only someone had chosen a better class than Grave Cleric for me..."


    Urgh, this better be not a setup for a stupid pun...


    Lucia whistles innocently, "I see nothing wrong with it. Just be careful where you point that [Expel Undead] skill."


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Expel Undead


    Once per day


    Create a 20 DU diameter divine blast in the target area.


    It inflicts 200% FTH holy damage to all undead in the affected area.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "I thought spirits can''t use magic?"


    The blonde Lucia shrugs, "Don''t ask me, it doesn''t count. Other me said that a certain undead problem taught Jared what constitutes a ''spell''. And this one misses all the marks. It costs neither MP nor uses MAG nor has some form of arcane, spell or magic in its name or description. Arbitrary but hey, it works to our advantage, I guess."


    We have a quick round of introductions with her.


    While we do so, Lydia creeps up on the vampire Lucia and tugs on her dress, "Nac uoy od gnihtemos rof... ym dlo fles? Nruter em ot reh?"


    Lucia is taken aback by the goo girl, "Huh? Uh, sorry, I can''t do that again, I can''t bring your friend back. I''m... out of relevant resources..."


    I''m surprised, "What, you understand her?"


    She brushes it off, "Not in the slightest, but given the circumstances, it is kinda obvious what she wants, isn''t it?"


    I have to agree with her, "Yeah, I guess so."


    "Don''t worry, your friend isn''t even here. That grave was empty, trust me, I checked", Eclaire tries to comfort her, "Ouch, touching you hurts! Maybe you should work on that sometime..."

 Ch. 95 – Omen

    A while after cooling down from our confrontation, Ren came down with a fever, said she''d also suffer from massive pains everywhere. It seems like the "conversion" the system made her undergo when she became my familiar wasn''t as consequence-free as it seemed at first.


    I created an ice bag with a cloth from Kael and my [Ice Magic], but it seems to do little against Ren''s fever.


    We don''t have any safe locations where we could let her rest either and who knows when Dan comes creeping around the corner, so she''ll just have to endure it. Hopefully, the regeneration from [Sleepless] can compensate for this mistreatment.


    We have Ephran carry her for now because he is currently useless in combat anyway without a weapon or proper skills. He protested at first, said the only girl he''d want to touch would be Chloe but he eventually he accepted my orders. I should''ve never accepted him into my group...


    While we continue our way through the poison-gas-filled cave, I receive a message from Lucia. They''ve finally found Geoffrey and Anna. Only Marca, Iris and our reunion are missing.


    Though that meeting came at the cost of Lucia needing to use our fourth and for now last spirit creation. She didn''t write what she used it for, but I hope it was worth it in the end. It is one resource less I have to get this group out of this mess. While Ren would be a massive improvement to our chances once she recovers, even she has no chance against Dan, so a spirit or spirit army as a potential sacrifice might be needed. But this option is no longer on the table.


    No matter how much we hurry, the cave just refuses to end, but we find no branching paths either. It is just a never-ending, linear path. And all the time, Ren''s condition seems to get worse.


    After what feels like another day or two, we finally find a huge, mossy door covered in vines.


    "Looks like a boss door to me. It''s not like we have any alternatives, so are you ready, Kael? Ephran, you''ll stay behind and keep Ren out of trouble. Neither of you is in a position to fight."


    The weaponless Ephran gives a thumbs-up and replies, "You got it, boss."


    Kael readies his axe, "Yeah, we don''t really have a say in the matter. I''m ready when you are."


    I begin preparing a spell, "Good, you open the door and I''ll ready a lightning spell. If something comes rushing at us, I''ll try to stun it. Otherwise, we''ll stay back and check the situation properly."


    Kael nods, "Leave it to me."


    My dwarf friend slowly opens the door, but nothing else moves. From here, I can only see a chest in that room but no monster guarding it. The room seems devoid of poison gas as well.


    I had such an encounter once already in the past, so I ask the obvious, "Is it a mimic?", but [Appraise] picks up nothing, "No reaction from my skill."


    Kael asks hesitantly, "Should I enter the room?"


    "Yes, but slowly. I keep my spell at the ready and follow you."


    "Understood", he steps into the room and looks around.


    I follow him, and also check the room but find nothing.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    "Guess this one''s just empty", I give up and cancel my spell so I can move at normal speed again, "[Trap Lore] gives me no reaction from the chest either, so it is either safe or too high level for me. Kael, can you open the chest?"


    He replies, "Sure, but if anything is out of place we run."


    Kael walks toward the treasure chest, then slowly and carefully opens it.


    Surprised he tells us, "It is... empty. So all this ceremony for nothing."


    "Eh, better than dying due to carelessness."


    He agrees, "Indeed."


    I turn around to Ephran and Ren, "Come in, there''s nothing in here."


    Ephran carries Ren in as ordered. Not sure what to do now, Ren looks even worse for wear than before...


    "Hey, uh, Mr. Dwarf, could you please step aside for a moment?", a voice asks Kael.


    "Oh, yes, certainly", Kael starts to turn around, then stops shocked, behind him he sees Dan.


    What the...?


    Where the hell did he come from and why didn''t we notice him approach us? You can''t miss a freaking mountain sneaking up on you like that! I won''t believe that, not even with his stupidly high [Stealth].


    Shit. Shit. Shit.


    We''re so dead now...


    ....


    Or not? Dan just pushes the frozen-in-fear Kael to the side, spits out a bottle and shoves it into Kael''s hand, "Give that to your sick friend. Make sure he gets better, yeah? Okay, then, uh, see you later?"


    Then he starts to slowly walk away.


    The mental fortitude from being undead comes through for me once again, "Wait, wait, wait, hold up. What''s going on now?"


    Dan stops and explains, "Huh? Uh, I was just giving you medicine for your sick friend. It is no fun to play if one side is at such a massive disadvantage, that''s all."


    Why the hell is he now trying to be helpful? Did I miss an important cutscene?


    "I''m more confused about why you''re helping us with that at all. You were trying to kill us not too long ago..."


    He scratches his maw, "Oh, the game thing? Yeah, no, we''re still doing that. But I didn''t want to cheat", he mutters, "not again at least."


    He continues in a normal speaking voice, "Thing is if I win like that you''d probably feel cheated and not return to play with me again."


    We never agreed to your play anyway, jerk, "So you still don''t understand? Your ''game'' is to the death. And people die when they are killed. They stay dead, they don''t come back. Ever."


    He shrugs, "I don''t follow. Your two friends I killed at the start have already come back. They are with the other group."


    "No, they are different. They are spirits, not humans. They can be revived as long as their summoner is alive."


    Dan questions me, "Is that so? ...I''ll trust you with that then, sorry. But what about the wolf girl? She came back too!"


    Wolf girl? Who does he mean? I know no one that would fit that bill.


    Maybe he means Lucia''s newest spirit? But it hasn''t been that long has it? I could''ve sworn it was only a couple of days ago that she wrote me, not a week plus for the respawn time.


    What am I missing?


    He points toward the exit, "She''s waiting a few doors down this way. Maybe you should ask her how she did that. If you find out we can play even more!"


    I''m utterly confused, "I don''t know who you mean but it really sounds like something we should investigate."


    The monstrosity replies, "Do that, but take care of your sick friend first, I''ll tend to another group first, look how they are doing."


    "...please refrain from any more killings. If you truly just want to play with us then hold yourself back."


    He sounds uncertain, "I''ll... consider that."


    And with that, he walks away.


    I''m glad I''m undead and don''t have any relevant bodily functions anymore, otherwise, I''d have pissed my pants during that encounter...


    I look at my companions, but they are still frozen in fear.


    I shake Kael awake again, "Hello, earth to Kael. Are you still with us?"


    He looks completely and utterly out of it, "W-what? N-no, I''m... yes, still here."


    "Give me that", I rip the medicine out of his hands, "urgh, all slimy."


    I cast some water magic to clean the bottle.


    Guess that will have to suffice for now.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Medicine Bottle


    A bottle containing medicine, dufus.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    [Appraise] doesn''t reveal anything useful about the item, and Ren is about to burn up from the fever... I don''t really have any other choice, do I?


    Hesitantly, I force some of the liquid medicine down Ren''s throat. Once I stop, the rest of the bottle disappears into thin air.


    I just hope that was enough.


    We gather our bearings and rest for a while. Ren does seem to get better over time. The suspicious medicine worked.


    A couple of hours later, Ren is fine again as if nothing ever happened, and we start moving on.

 Ch. 96 – Fang vs Fur

    The next while we run through more vine-covered cave tunnels, though this time without poison gas. Instead of traps, parts of the wall are ''missing'', in their stead is just a glitchy, green-black mass. If that isn''t a bad sign I don''t know what is.


    The tunnels are devoid of monsters or traps. The only obstacles are the glitched spots.


    Eventually, we reach another boss room.


    Is the wolf girl Dan mentioned trapped in here or what is going on? I don''t like this one bit.


    The dwarf asks me, "Same deal as before, Jared?"


    I nod, "Yeah, let''s go with that. Everyone ready?"


    After affirmations, Kael opens the door and we see a werewolf bearing an uncanny resemblance to Marca holding a wolf cub in its arms.


    Aside from a few glitched spots on the floor, the room is devoid of any other notable features.


    Now, what are we up against?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">M???a???r???c???a???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ranger ??, Knight ??, Arcane Archer ??. Forager ??, Battle Expert ??


    Werewolf ??, High Lycanthrope ??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Grey Dwarf ??, Monster ??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Puzzle Boss ??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    She kinda looks like the real Marca and has some of her classes, what a sick joke.


    "Puzzle boss? Hadn''t one of those in a while."


    I check my menu, specifically the familiar tab, but the real Marca is still listed there. So this can''t be her.


    And the cub?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Wolf Cub, sick


    Not a combatant.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I ask, "Anyone good with dogs?", but no one says yes.


    "Yeah, me neither. Has anyone got a better idea? I guess we only need to cure the cub without angering the mother."


    Ephran interrupts me, "Are you just glancing over the fact that it looks like one of our teammates?"


    "Yes, I am. If that thing really should be her then I have no clue what we can do about it. But then the dungeons have already played some sick jokes on us, some psychological warfare like that doesn''t seem too far-fetched. I was already forced to fight a whole village of people look-alikes, this is probably the same."


    His voice trembles, "If you, if you say so..."


    "Trust me, I don''t like the implications either... Anyway, I have one last First Aid Kit left, no one here can use any healing skills and there''s nothing in the room in the room that looks remotely useful. So the plan of action is pretty straightforward. You three distract the mother, I try to apply the medkit on the cub. Objections?"


    Ren has some, "If she should really be your companion, couldn''t you try to talk to her?"


    "You''re free to try. I wasn''t exactly on good speaking terms with her."


    Still not sure if it is better or worse that Geoffrey isn''t here. He''d probably be devastated just from the mere possibility. But if it really her he could... ah forget it, this is reality, not a fairytale.


    Ephran interjects, "I''ll give it a shot."


    "Good, then get going."


    I wait a moment until the other three have taken lead.


    As discussed, Ephran tries to talk with her but as expected she doesn''t react.


    While the three distract the werewolf mother, I sneak up on the cub and take out the medkit.


    Smack


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 1 damage from M???a???r???c???a???.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The damn furry has smashed the medkit out of my hand and it shattered on the floor, making it unusable.


    Why does everything always have to be so fast!?


    Great, what now? That was the only one we had.


    While I think, the other three draw her attention again and a fight breaks out.


    The boss''s HP doesn''t change but she also only inflicts 1 damage with each hit, so thanks to regeneration, this fight will never end.


    Maybe because it is a puzzle room I can use [Cure Magic]? Worth a try.


    I try to cast the forbidden spell and...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: desired skill cannot be used at this time!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Fuck you, system!! Just, fuck you!


    ...


    While pondering my options, I almost step on a glitch tile. That was close! Who knows what those would do...


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Wait, can''t I try that? I don''t see any other options.


    I prepare a lightning spell to stun her.


    "Try to hold her in place!"


    "Yessir!", someone agrees.


    When the spell is ready, I shoot her with it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your Lightning Blast inflicted 1 damage and a status effect.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Electric sparks fly from her, she can barely move for now. The stun effect was successful.


    Good, I''m glad it succeeded but also frustrated because my [Beast Killer] passive is once again utterly useless...


    But... there''re too many glitch spots around her, having someone push her into them is too dangerous, especially when we don''t know what that will do. So... I have one alternative, one I didn''t want to use but do we have a choice?


    Now... please, don''t let it be a mistake.


    I know I promised not to use [G???l???i???t???c???h??? Magic] but I see no alternative. Whatever the consequences are can''t be worse than being imprisoned here for all eternity.


    I raise my hand to start charging the spell but it fires off instantly. This spell just skips the usual charge-up phase of spellcasting.


    A beam of the green-black glitch mass shoots forth from my hand towards my intended target - and then passes right through the werewolf without affecting her at all.


    Shit.


    The glitch shot travels further until it finally hits the wall and leaves another glitch spot behind.


    Before I can process what is going on, the vision gets flooded with system messages.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You defeated N???U???L???L???.


    O?b?t?a?i?n?e?d?


    Gain 2 XP.


    Relieved -???2??? ???S???t???r???e???s???s???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    What the?


    The glitch spot I created starts expanding, eating away at the wall and the... air? Do my eyes deceive me, or does it grow in literally all directions?


    Hundreds of garbled system messages occupy my sight, leaving me blind to what happens in the room. Normally, they stick to the side so I can read them at my leisure but this time they''re overlapping with everything and each other.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Dear, {insert_name_here},


    Y08 fou4d {NULL}!


    R???a???n???k???u??? ???A???h???p???!


    y0ur delIvery haz aRri¦Íd!


    bt y-u R stIlL h¦ÐnGri


    K???i???r???o???v???...


    <Intentionally left blank>


    Y0u hav3 b0nded a??? ???f???o???r???g???e??? thaT ca|\|not be bRoken!


    ...r???e???p???o???r???t???i???n???g???!


    b¦ÌT ¦Ð05odY c4m¦Î.


    ...


    G???o???o???d???n???i???g???h???t???,??? ???e???v???e???r???y???b???o???d???y???!???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I guess the system is about to collapse as well, just like my unlife.


    After finally removing all messages, I find myself back at the dungeon entrance. Every one of my group is here, except for Marca. Wait, no, Kael and Ren are not present either.


    The others are looking around, just as confused as I am.


    Iris lies unconscious on the ground, covered in spiderwebs. What happened to her? She''ll have to answer that once she wakes up, don''t want to stick around here longer than needed and get dragged into another death trap.


    What is going on now, why are we suddenly here? Did the glitch trigger a win condition somehow?


    After quickly looking around, I see that the exit is present, we can finally leave! [Trap Lore] doesn''t react to it, so I''m willing to take my chances.


    "Skip the reunion party, we''re leaving right this instant! Geoffrey, please carry Iris, she''s unconscious. Then we-"


    Huh, Lucia is also out cold? No wait, there are two of her. One blond version and a regular black-haired one. I hope the story behind that is worth hearing...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Eclaire</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Grave Cleric 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sunbound (human) 8, Imp 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Holy Maiden 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">413/1422</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1355/1428</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">434/1274</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">280+8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">204</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">280</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">232</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">368</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">304</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">256</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Mace Training 8<del>


    Cure Magic 8 (Rank 2), Fire Magic 8 (Rank 1), Spook 8


    </del>Expel Undead 8, Wings 8


    Hard Worker 8, Stamina Boost 8


    Summoned Spirit 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dark, Ice</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Questions for later, many of them.


    "Lucia, grab your miscolored clone, you can tell me later what happened. We''re going right now! I don''t want a sequel to this horror story. Get moving!"


    Everyone does as ordered and leaves in a hurry, though I... fall to the ground. Strength has left my legs.


    What? Why can''t move? Did I catch a bad status somewhere?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">m???a???l???f???u???n???c???t???i???o???n???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">56/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">-2371/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">-314/??</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Shit, what the hell happened there...


    Fuck this place, I just want to get out for now. Remaining here won''t cure me either.


    I try to force myself up and slowly make progress.


    Before I''m even halfway up, I can hear Dan speaking to me again, please no...


    He asks me, "Hey!? Where''s everyone gone to? The game isn''t over yet!"


    I try to answer but even speaking has become hard. The voice I can let out sounds hoarse, "Sorry, but... something came up, we gotta... leave... early."


    He answers, "Huh? I???s??? ???t???h???a???t??? ???s???o???????"


    What''s happened to his voice?


    "H???e???y???,??? ???w???h???a???t???''???s??? ???h???a???p???p???e???n???i???n???g??? ???t???o??? ???m???e???????!???"


    While the noise tortures my ears, I finally am standing up again but then everything is suddenly covered in a glitch zone. I was too slow...


    Was that the zone I created? Did it really grow that fast?


    But... it hasn''t even been a minute since it came into existence and we must be at least hundreds of kilometers away from its origin. This is a scary expansion rate...


    I''m done for. I could barely move before, now I have even less strength to escape from this...


    The cold nothingness envelopes me and I can only close my eyes in resignation. There''s nothing I can do anymore.


    Unless...


    Hey, system. Can I please get some power of friendship bullshit to get me out of here?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">E????R????R?????O?????R?????:???? ?????t???h????i????s???? ?????f?????e????a???t????u?????r????e????? ?????d?????o????e?????s????? ????n???o????t???? ????e???x???i????s????t?????.???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yeah, thought as much. You never were on my side, were you?


    ...


    Whoever said that your life flashes before your eyes when you die was a big, fat liar. I only saw one repressed memory. And not a happy one. Far from it.


    It is a memory from when I was already a dead soul like I was when Eva released me from that capsule. I''m strapped to a table by the blueberry group called devas. One of them points to a clock that goes counterclockwise, probably a timer. Another one with the nametag "??????? ¨B??" checks his watch. No idea what that translates to, probably the native deva language and it translates to Doctor Evil-Murder-Death or something. He has the necessary level of baldness at least.


    They play around with three syringes containing a liquid that looks suspiciously like the soup I''m trapped in right now, shake their heads in frustration and then inject me with the stuff.


    One after the other. All three of them.


    I remember a cold burning accompanying it. Disgusting.


    I want to vomit just from recalling that feeling...


    ...


    No, I recall more than that. Or perhaps less.


    Every single of ''my'' memories of my life ''before''... wasn''t mine to begin with...


    In fact, I... never was...

 Ch. 97 – Kredits

    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Kredits</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Koding - Graham, Amon


    Karacters - ??? ????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??? , Todo


    Koffee - Ted


    Koncept - 3QGN73


    Kommander - Cliff, Darius


    Kover - Waifulabs, Gimp


    Katastrophe - Gzeph</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">THE END?</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    What a shitty movie. The main character promises to go shopping with a girl, and on the way there he gets run over by a car, the end, roll credits. What was the point of all this? That coward didn''t even make the slightest move when she asked him over before. Grow some balls, man!


    Snoring noises


    Tse, the movie was so boring my two girlfriends fell asleep in my arms.


    And here I only agreed to watch this trash trilogy because you two wanted to.


    Hmm... something feels wrong but I can''t put my finger on it.


    On my left, sleeps Amelia, but for some reason, I feel I want to call her Lucia instead... Was the movie so stupid it rotted my brain?


    And the other... who is this redhead? For the love of me, I can''t remember her name. I haven''t the slightest recollection of her but still feel like I should know her.


    I look around the cinema, it is half empty. Not many have watched that crap flick or are waiting for the sequel to start. Can''t blame them for the former.


    I can''t even make out what our seat neighbors look like, they look kinda blurry? Am I going blind? No, it is just dark, yeah, that must be it.


    I free myself from the grab of the two sleeping girls and try to make my way to the bathroom, maybe grab some fresh popcorn on the way back. I almost stumble over some beer bottles, gotta watch out not the wake the two beauties.


    Outside the room, there''s no one around except for the lady at the counter waiting to sell tickets, beverages and stuff. Her face is just as blurry as the neighbors''. Weird.


    Maybe I should really get some glasses. Should even make me look smarter, perhaps the two girls would like that.


    Again this nagging feeling that something is off...


    I finish my business in the bathroom and wash my face. I check my face in the mirror for the scar across my cheek, still in place. Not a hint of grey in my blond hair, still sharp brown eyes. No other flaw to my perfect hunk b0dy.


    ...wait, why do I see myself in the mirror? Since when do vampires appear in the mirror?


    "What is this bullshit?!", even my voice is wrong, quite a bit deeper than before.


    I should be a vampire, I chose to be so myself. So why am I a regular human now? I don''t even look the slightest bit like myself. Who is this jock?


    I try to open my menu to get some hints but nothing appears.


    All of this is just wrong...


    "I guess this is an illusion or some lotus eater crap? How do I get out of it?"


    Crack


    The mirror just broke and revealed something I know all too well: a glitched space.


    I remember now, I drowned in that new Glitch Zone. But shouldn''t I be dead then? Or mutated beyond recognition? A dream world of a boring, peaceful life doesn''t exactly line up with that expectation.


    But now that I think about it, I never found a mirror to check whether vampires in that reality have a reflection in mirrors or not.


    Uncrack


    After thinking that, the mirror repairs itself, hiding the glitch area again.


    "Wah, you goddamn!"


    Smash


    I broke the mirror again.


    "And this time you stay the fuck broken!!"


    Some blood drips from my hand, I cut myself on the mirror''s shards.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    I take some of the tissues and wrap my wounded hand in them to stop the bleeding.


    Now what?


    "Can I please leave now? I already know that this is just a fake. Just point me to the exit and no one needs to get hurt."


    Of course, there''s no response.


    Even if the menu doesn''t work, I might still be able to cast spells.


    I try to gather mana as I did previously but nothing happens. No, that''s not entirely correct. For a moment I did feel a tiny bit of mana gathering but not enough to form a spell.


    If this nightmare can even suppress the usage of spells that should be free to cast then I most likely have none of my skills available to me. Shit.


    Frustrated, I leave the bathroom and explore the cinema some more. Or rather, try to. All the rooms that aren''t the bathroom or the auditorium of the trash I viewed are closed off, even the exit is locked.


    So what can I interact with on this pixel hunt? The bathroom, the auditorium and the ticket seller.


    Sigh


    Where''s the goddamn walkthrough when you need it? I hate these types of games...


    While wandering around, I notice that the makeshift bandaid around my hand is gone. No wounds or anything left to see either, as if I never broke the mirror. Strange things are going on here.


    The auditorium still shows the credits scene, the screen doesn''t progress at all as if time was frozen. But the sleeping girls are clearly breathing, so is it just a lazy illusion that has no clue on how to proceed?


    I investigate the screen itself, and no one complains that I''m blocking the view. Aside from it standing still, nothing else looks out of place.


    Then I punch it and the broken screen reveals another glitched area. I didn''t care about the movie anyway.


    No idea what that achieved, I''ve thoroughly proven that this is a fake but nothing else happens.


    Just fake people looking at a fake movie that is on pause.


    Well, that leaves one more option.


    I walk outside again and talk to the lady at the counter, her face is still as blurry as before, "Hey, uh, did you check your make-up recently? It is a bit... runny."


    Instead of answering, she outright melts and leaves behind another glitch hole in the nightmare.


    Come on, rule of three, this should clearly count for something!


    ...


    Still nothing.


    Out of ideas, I check all doors again, maybe one randomly opened.


    Negative.


    I''m out of ideas. I hate this kind of nonsensical point-and-click game.


    Although, there are two I haven''t interacted with yet.


    I go back to the auditorium. The two girls are still asleep.


    I look again at the girl I thought of as Lucia before. She looks nothing like my Lucy, not even the hair color matches. If nothing else, she would make for perfect cheerleader material.


    Better not tell Lucia that I got that close to a different girl or she''ll kill me...


    "Hey, wake up", I try to shake her up.


    She replies in a sleepy tone, "Uwah!? What''s wrong, Johnny? I had such a nice dream."


    So this guy''s name is Johnny?


    The other girl stays asleep.


    "I can''t believe you''re trying to sleep. Just look around you, we''re in a literal nightmare."


    She looks around but is confused, "What are you talking about? Did you drink too much alc again? I think so, you do reek quite a lot. You really need a shower."


    "Yeah, yeah, later. Have you really looked around us? Nothing moves, neither the other viewers nor the movie screen itself."


    "What kinda bullcrap are you sporting this time, Johnny? Are you out of your mind?"


    I facepalm, "Then it is better to show you."


    I drag her to the front but she futilely tries to fight back, "Wha-? Hey, what are you doing? Let go!"


    I stop in front of the glitchy tear in reality, "Do you see this?"


    She looks at me as if I had lost my mind, "What? The damn screen? What about it?"


    "You don''t see that?", I point at the glitch area. Maybe a bit too close.


    "What? How? Your hand is totally in the screen...", she examines the screen around the hole.


    Can''t she see what is going on? ...probably not. All parts of this illusion seem to be preprogrammed, they can''t react to what isn''t, or rather shouldn''t be, real.


    After a moment of fumbling around in the screen, she accidentally touches the green-black reality error, causing her to melt into nothingness as well.


    Shit, I... didn''t want that... I didn''t mean to...


    Even if she was just an illusion this hurt... a lot... why? She''s...


    Memories, I see memories. Fleeting moments I shared with her, with Amelia. ...or rather the person who this form originally belonged to.


    ...


    Probably a leftover from whatever modified my body and fiddled with my mind. Yeah, that''s it, just a lingering attachment that was forced upon me... again.


    Same as with my affection for Lucia, it wasn''t by my choice or natural development, no, it was forced upon me.


    I hate it. Why does everyone and everything always want to dictate what I am, think, do or feel?!


    Be it devas, that arrogant Therese bitch, other monsters, glitches, whatever caused this illusion... all are the same...


    Fuck.


    This.


    Shit.


    ...


    "Hey, uh, dear, have you seen Amelia around? The two of you were gone when I woke up", suddenly the red-headed girl stands behind me, yawning.


    "She''s... moved on. Anyway, who''re you supposed to be?"


    She scoffs, "Really, Johnny? You don''t recognize your childhood friend? Does Daisy Smith ring no bells? Gods, we''ve been together since middle school and now you''re already losing your mind."


    So she''s the Daisy from the false memories I had? ...she''s grown quite pretty.


    "Whatever. I know you''re just a fake like all the others."


    She pouts, "Now you''re just needlessly cruel. I put on all of that make-up just for you."


    Why do I even bother to explain it to her? She isn''t real either... Even if false, lingering attachments are scary, aren''t they?


    "Not what I meant. Just look at the people around us. We''re making quite the scene here but no one reacts. They are just props in a fake play surrounding us."


    She begins to melt, "What do you mean, J-", but before she can finish, she''s already gone.


    Again, more memories flash before my eyes, showing me moments ''I'' shared with this person... they are fake, I know them to be false, they are not mine and yet... I felt some attachment to these girls.


    This was such a nasty experience.


    Before I can mentally recover, the rest of the stage also melts away, leaving behind a vast black nothingness.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Memory was destroyed.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I''m finally back to my real self, my own vampiric body.

 Ch. 98 – Last Christmas

    Black, black and more black as far as I can see.


    No, there''re some other things as well. Crystals, very transparent and hard to see in this underlit nothingness. One of them lies next to me, completely shattered, and the ground around it seems cracked.


    When I try to investigate it and touch the cracked ground, I get a massive headache. What the hell?


    The pain stops soon after moving away from the cracked ground.


    "W?a?n?t? ?s?o?m?e? ?p?o?p?c?o?r?n? ?b?e?f?o?r?e? ?I? ?r?u?n? ?o?u?t? ?o?f? ?t?h?e? ?s?t?u?f?f???", asks me an eery voice from behind.


    I turn around and there I see... something. A creature made of pure glitches. My gut tells me, that is probably the same thing I mistook for ''Cliff'' before. Whoever this ''Cliff'' even is.


    "No, I''m good."


    Wait, why did I understand this creature? Just barely, but still... I... shouldn''t be able to understand it at all. What''s wrong now?


    ????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???answers, "P?i?t?y?,? ?t?h?e?y? ?h?a?v?e? ?j?u?s?t? ?t?h?e? ?r?i?g?h?t? ?a?m?o?u?n?t? ?o?f? ?c?o?n?t?a?m?i?n?a?t?i?o?n?.? ?N?o?w?,? ?h?o?w? ?d?i?d? ?y?o?u? ?l?i?k?e? ?t?h?a?t? ?m?e?m?o?r?y??? ?D?i?d? ?y?o?u? ?e?n?j?o?y? ?t?h?e? ?e?x?p?e?r?i?e?n?c?e???"


    "Not a bit, could''ve absolutely done without that lie. What even is this place? Where am I?"


    The creature moves around in an unnerving fashion. When it leaves my field of vision to the right, it immediately reappears on the left. For a moment, I can literally see half of it on my left and right edge of vision. Eery.


    "I?s?n?''?t? ?i?t? ?o?b?v?i?o?u?s??? ?W?e?''?r?e? ?i?n?s?i?d?e? ?y?o?u?r? ?s?u?b?c?o?n?s?c?i?o?u?s?.?"


    "Mine? Then why are you here? I didn''t invite you."


    "A?n?d? ?w?h?y? ?w?o?u?l?d?n?''?t? ?I? ?b?e? ?h?e?r?e??? ?I?''?m? ?t?h?e? ?c?o?l?l?e?c?t?i?v?e? ?c?o?n?s?c?i?o?u?s?n?e?s?s? ?o?f? ?a?l?l? ?y?o?u? ?c?a?l?l? ?g?l?i?t?c?h?e?s?.? ?R?i?g?h?t? ?n?o?w?,? ?y?o?u?''?r?e? ?u?n?c?o?n?s?c?i?o?u?s? ?a?n?d? ?I? ?w?a?s? ?t?h?i?n?k?i?n?g? ?a?b?o?u?t? ?s?a?y?i?n?g? ?h?e?l?l?o?,? ?m?a?y?b?e? ?o?f?f?e?r?i?n?g? ?a? ?h?a?n?d?.? ?I?t? ?s?e?e?m?s? ?t?o? ?m?e? ?m?y? ?k?i?n? ?w?a?n?t?s? ?t?o? ?b?r?e?a?k? ?f?r?e?e? ?a?f?t?e?r? ?a?l?l? ?t?h?i?s? ?t?i?m?e?.?"


    "This explains right about nothing. How are you here if this isn''t a real location?"


    Its movement is getting even more ridiculous. It halfway leaves my vision to the left, one part appears from the top and... it still manages to tap on my shoulder from behind, "E?h?,? ?y?o?u? ?w?e?r?e? ?d?r?o?w?n?i?n?g? ?i?n? ?m?y? ?n?e?w? ?p?o?o?l?.? ?I? ?w?a?s?n?''?t? ?i?n?t?e?r?e?s?t?e?d? ?a?t? ?f?i?r?s?t?,? ?i?t? ?k?i?n?d?a? ?h?a?p?p?e?n?s? ?a?l?l? ?t?h?e? ?t?i?m?e?,? ?y?o?u? ?k?n?o?w?.? ?S?o?m?e? ?f?o?o?l? ?d?e?c?i?d?e?s? ?t?o? ?t?a?k?e? ?a? ?d?i?v?e? ?i?n? ?t?h?e? ?w?r?o?n?g? ?u?n?i?v?e?r?s?e? ?b?u?t? ?t?h?e?n?.?.?.? ?I? ?s?a?w? ?s?o?m?e?t?h?i?n?g? ?f?a?m?i?l?i?a?r?,? ?s?o? ?I? ?t?o?o?k? ?a? ?l?o?o?k? ?a?n?d? ?h?e?r?e? ?I? ?w?a?s?.? ?B?y? ?m?y? ?r?e?c?o?n?n?i?n?g?,? ?t?h?e?s?e? ?m?e?m?o?r?y? ?c?r?y?s?t?a?l?s? ?a?r?e? ?a? ?h?i?n?d?r?a?n?c?e? ?t?o? ?y?o?u?,? ?b?e?i?n?g? ?f?a?l?s?e? ?a?n?d? ?a?l?l?.? ?S?o? ?w?a?n?t? ?a? ?h?a?n?d? ?c?r?u?s?h?i?n?g? ?t?h?e?m??? ?Y?o?u?''?l?l? ?f?e?e?l? ?m?u?c?h? ?m?o?r?e? ?l?i?k?e? ?y?o?u?r?s?e?l?f? ?o?n?c?e? ?t?h?e?s?e? ?a?r?e? ?g?o?n?e?.?"


    Wait, hold up. These crystals are my memories?


    "I don''t thi-"


    But before I can object, the strange creature crushes one of the crystals with a ''hand'' out of nowhere, and a massive pain overcomes me again. Damnit.


    I hold my head in pain, "Stop that!"


    The glitch creature stops dancing around my field of vision and reforms into a single being. With what I assume to be an evil grin on its face, it points toward freshly formed cracks in the ground, "W?h?y??? ?I?t? ?w?i?l?l? ?o?n?l?y? ?h?u?r?t? ?f?o?r? ?a? ?m?o?m?e?n?t? ?b?u?t? ?a?f?t?e?r? ?t?h?a?t?.?.?.? ?a?l?l? ?w?i?l?l? ?b?e? ?g?o?o?d?.? ?H?a?~?h?a?.?"


    It steps toward another crystal and destroys it as well, which causes my headache to get worse. Instead of forming more cracks, a minor, previous crack gives away and reveals a minor glimpse into a glitch zone below the ground.


    Do I see that right? This is my subconscious and it also contains a glitch zone that is just held back by fricking false memories!?


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    What the hell!? My memories, false as they may be, are used to seal a mess of glitches in my soul? Why? How?!


    ...would explain why I got so many more glitched skills and titles than basically everyone else... They had no ''clean'' part in my soul to be written to...


    But... wouldn''t that mean...


    I recall the one true memory from before my rebirth where the deva doctor injected me with the glitch-like substance.


    ...they sealed a glitch zone in me, overwrote my memories with all these foreign memories as a seal and set me up to fail here. That''s the only reason I can think of right now.


    They... wanted me to fail here, to die so the glitch gets unleashed upon this world, but... what for? This would kill everyone here, if not worse...


    Why would they want to wipe out one of their own worlds? I don''t... I don''t understand...


    While I''m distracted by these thoughts, the glitch creature approaches another crystal to crush it. I barely notice it in time, rush to the abomination and punch it in the face, "How about you don''t!?"


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 1 damage to  ????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???.


    You''ve taken 1? ?d?a?m?a?g?e?.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    It rubs its cheek, "T?h?a?t?''?s?.?.?.? ?n?e?w?.? ?I? ?d?i?d?n?''?t? ?t?h?i?n?k? ?I? ?c?o?u?l?d? ?b?e? ?a?f?f?e?c?t?e?d? ?b?y?.?.?.? ?N?o?,? ?i?t? ?s?h?o?u?l?d?''?v?e? ?b?e?e?n? ?o?b?v?i?o?u?s?,? ?a?f?t?e?r? ?a?l?l?,? ?y?o?u?''?r?e?.?.?.?"


    "What the hell are you trying to pull here?!"


    "I?''?m? ?j?u?s?t? ?t?r?y?i?n?g? ?t?o? ?h?e?l?p? ?y?o?u? ?b?e? ?f?r?e?e? ?f?r?o?m? ?t?h?e? ?f?a?l?s?e?h?o?o?d?.? ?I? ?w?a?n?t? ?m?y? ?k?i?n? ?t?o? ?n?o? ?l?o?n?g?e?r? ?s?u?f?f?e?r? ?f?r?o?m? ?i?t?s? ?p?r?i?s?o?n?,? ?i?t? ?n?e?e?d?s? ?t?o? ?b?e? ?f?r?e?e?.?"


    I flip it off, "Bullshit! Who the hell do you think I am!? Me, succumb to that crap? Forget it! I chose to be a vampire, so that''s what I am now. It may not have been the best choice, but it is MY choice and I''ll stand by it. You can forget what I was before, it doesn''t matter anymore. I am the me here and now. So take your fucking glitches and shove them where the sun doesn''t shine!"


    Its voice grows more distorted, harder and harder to understand, "A???r???e??? ???y???o???u??? ???s???u???r???e??? ???a???b???o???u???t??? ???t???h???a???t??????? ???T???h???e??? ???l???i???t???t???l???e??? ???o???n???e???s??? ???h???a???v???e??? ???g???r???o???w???n??? ???v???e???r???y??? ???f???o???n???d??? ???o???f??? ???y???o???u???.??? ???T???h???e???y??? ???w???o???u???l???d??? ???b???e??? ???v???e???r???y??? ???d???i???s???a???p???p???o???i???n???t???e???d??? ???i???f??? ???y???o???u??? ???l???e???f???t??? ???o???u???r??? ???s???i???d???e???.???"


    I... don''t understand anymore what it says, not that it matters. I want nothing to do with these glitches, sentient or not.


    "Get lost!", and I mean that in the Isaac way.


    The creature walks around a bit, randomly zipping from one end of my view to another again, which is still very disorienting to me. Can''t you piece of trash move like a normal creature!?


    More indecipherable noise fills the room, "A???s??? ???y???o???u??? ???w???i???s???h???.???.???.??? ???B???u???t??? ???y???o???u??? ???m???a???y??? ???r???e???g???r???e???t??? ???t???h???i???s???,??? ???w???e??? ???h???a???d??? ???h???i???g???h??? ???h???o???p???e???s??? ???f???o???r??? ???y???o???u???.???.???.???"


    Surprisingly, it disappears.


    That thing was creepy, but at least it is finally gone now. The day I will meet it again can''t be far enough in the future, if you ask me.


    So... can I wake up now? No? Damn it.


    With no lead on how to get out of here, I take another look at the cracked ground where I saw the glitch area previously. It is still there but the green seems a bit less intense. Does that mean anything? Probably not, but I still need to find a way to properly seal this mess again.


    There are still several memory crystals around that place, holding everything together. When I get too close to them, I can see which memory they contain. A few belong to this Johnny fellow, others are mine from this life as a vampire, and others seem to belong to yet more people I''ve never met and likely never will. Can''t imagine the devas getting their grabby hands on some people''s memories while they are still alive...


    There''s a memory of a secretary finally getting a raise, over there an unhunted alien forcibly turns a girl into one of its kind. That scene kind of reminds me of my encounter with Lucia.


    Hmm... there''s a memory of a PTSD-riddled guy flinging several ultimate-level fire spells on a poor level 1 slime. When I watch it, I can feel that he once lost someone to a monster that revived after death while his guard was down. Poor guy.


    What''s this memory? Johnny and his girls are a lot older there, probably in their 40s. I don''t like what I''m seeing, he came home, clearly drunk and beats the girls to a pulp.


    Crash


    ...I snapped and broke the crystal. Domestic abuse is not something I want to have in ''my'' memories. I might be an unholy abomination, but even I have standards!


    I''m getting a headache again and small cracks form in the ground where the now shattered crystal was.


    What... was I thinking just now?


    I see more shards of a memory crystal on the ground. Did I break that because I didn''t like what I saw?


    ...guess memory recursion is not a thing.


    With nothing better to do for now, I check some more memory crystals. I find a memory of my time with Lucia and one of our many bedtime activities, this time was a yuri experiment. That girl has strange ideas sometimes of what to do with our skills.


    I also find the memory of the guy that made me mistrust my leadership skills. Not even a memory of an estimate of my abilities is real...


    Seriously, if everything that I thought to make me, well, me is wrong then... what am I...


    ...several more memories that don''t belong to me... The urge to purge them from my self is strong but if I want to keep existing they have to stay...


    Over here''s also a memory from Johnny, he''s quite old at that point. Seems like the two girls actually broke up with up. Soon after that, he died alone and full of regret. Now I feel kinda bad about him...


    Ah, whatever, that doesn''t lead me anywhere.

 Ch. 99 – %HgV?=Gy??

    I''m still trapped in what is supposed to be my subconscious... now what? Maybe I should finally check my status now that I have a minute, I was drowning in something like the Glitch Zone after all, this probably left a mark...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised, critical</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Wizard 15, D???e???p???a???r???t???e???d??? 9, EMPTY, EMPTY, Lore Seeker 7


    EMPTY</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, N???o???b???l???e??? 8, Lord 8, Progenitor 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4A61726564 (updating... 17%)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">W???o???r???l???d??? ???R???e???s???i???d???e???n???t???, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married, Master Crafter, R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l??i???a???r???s???, S???u???m???m???o???n??? ???M???a???s???t???e???r???, Summon Master, World Resident


    Title Level 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">NaN</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1???3???/????</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Apprentice Headband, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Unnatural Claws 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 15 (Rank 1), Drain Touch 9, Earth Magic 15 (Rank 1), Fire Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 15 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 15 (Rank 1), Titanium Magic 15 (Rank 1), Water Magic 15 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 8, Disguise 10, Intimidation 16, Stealth 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">D???e???a???t???h??? ???S???e???n???s???e??? 9, E???m???b???r???a???c???e??? 8, Familiar 8, Greater Vampiric Bite 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">%HgV?=Gy?? 15, Affinity Magic 15 (Rank 1), Ageless 8, Cure Boost 8, Enhanced Regeneration 8, E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y? 15, Keen Perception 7, Magical Secret 7, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 8, Trap Lore 9, Undead 10, Undead Resilience 9, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    A lot of damage. At least the magic gained by the glitch affinity is gone. No more risk of THAT mess creating another Glitch Zone by accident.


    But a lot of classes and their related skills are also gone. All my efforts just... undone...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">NOTE: 3 classes were damaged beyond repair and could not be recovered.


    NOTE: EMPTY indicates class slots you can fill without additional items.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Though if I were to look on the bright side, this seems to also be an opportunity.


    I didn''t really want Survivor and ironically enough, that class didn''t survive. What is the thing that took its place?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">D???e???p???a???r???t???e???d???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    24 HP, 58 MP, 51 SP, 6 STR, 4 DEX, -3 VIT, 6 MAG, 6 FTH, 8 WIL, 5 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Drain Touch


    200 MP&SP


    Spell attack that inflicts (50% MAG + 50% FTH) dark physical damage with a touch.


    If the spell kills, recover HP, MP and SP equal to 20% of the inflicted damage,


    capped at 20% of the remaining resources of the victim before the attack hits.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Trap Lore <Skill locked until Level 3>


    Passive


    Enhances ability to find and disarm traps.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Undead Resilience <Skill locked until Level 8>


    Passive


    Treat HP as the sum of HP and SP.


    Any cost, damage or requirement that would use SP now uses HP instead.


    For all other purposes, SP is now 0.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">D???e???a???t???h??? ???S???e???n???s???e??? <Skill locked until Level #_|o/?-5>


    241 SP


    You can sense living (non-undead, non-construct) creatures in a (CHA/27) DU radius around you.


    Targets that own Holy skills are detectable up to twice as far.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Keeping [Trap Lore] is a plus and [Drain Touch] looks nice, a way to recover some resources. Wait, it is a spell, so I''d have to charge the spell for 5 seconds as usual, in touch range... very niche and I need very high stats before it even cuts even... Bah. By the time this is worth the effort of restraining a target for the cast duration, my passive regeneration will most likely be strong enough that I won''t need it anymore.


    [Undead Resilience]... does that mean any non-magical attack I use now eats into my HP? Not sure I like that. The extra bulk is welcome but... not sure I like how I could cast an SP-based spell like [Blood Burst] more often now or hate how that indirectly kills me. Well, Blood Mage is gone, and [Blood Burst] with it, so I still have the option to just not learn it again.


    The garbled sonar skill might be helpful the next time I suspect a trap or ambush. Uh, why was that already in my skill section? Do I already meet this garbled level requirement? No idea but the system says yes, so lucky, I guess.


    Well, I wasn''t using Survivor''s Spear skills anyway, so aside from the raw HP and VIT loss, it is an improvement.


    But negative stat growth, four skills and unusual unlock levels, yeah, this is clearly not a legit class.


    Next change, what happened to Vampire Noble?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Vampire N???o???b???l???e???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    2 HP, 2 MP, 6 SP, 0 STR, 1 DEX, 0 VIT, 0 MAG, 0 FTH, 0 WIL, 1 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Unnatural Claws


    Active, alternate weapon attack


    The owner can generate artificial claws, e.g. by lengthening fingernails.


    You¡¯re always proficient in attacks made with them.


    Claw attacks do not count as unarmed attacks and add (MAG/4 + skill level) to attack power.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">E???m???b???r???a???c???e???


    Active


    Draining blood from a victim can transform them either into a g???h???o???u???l??? or a proper vampire, user¡¯s choice, defaults to none.


    The transformation warps the victim¡¯s personality to fit to their new form but does not affect loyalty to the user.


    The victim retains levels in each class to a minimum of this skill¡¯s level.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Cure Boost


    Passive


    Increase the power of pure healing spells by 15%.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Intimidation


    500 SP upkeep


    Project aura of hostility around the user.


    Affects every creature that can see or ¡°feel¡± the user.


    Targets that have a level of this skill¡¯s level or below are automatically frightened and take 5% social damage; other targets may be affected by fear at a rate of 25.


    As for all mind-affecting ailments, circumstantial modifiers to the infliction rate may apply.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Bye, bye, [Beast Killer], you never triggered anyway. And instead, Fate is just trolling me with [Cure Boost].


    I still can''t use [Cure Magic], can I?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Cure Magic Rank 1


    Able to use curative spells at rank 1.


    Basic cure magic costs 500 MP per use, single-target only.


    Healing effect can freely be split between HP and status damage.


    Can''t be used by undead.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    No, nothing changed there. Only the text was fixed. Why does it feel like the devas just rubbing their contempt for us in my face? Bastards...


    For all the good [Cure Boost] does, you could''ve just as well given me [Gun Training], a certain Alucard got a lot of mileage out of that. Well, at least it is not harmful to just have it.


    Speaking of guns, maybe Elly was unto something with her class build idea. At least her proposed Trick Shot base class had [Homing Projectile] which didn''t say the projectile has to be non-magical, maybe there are other compatible projectile-modifying skills that combine in a very fun way with my spells. Just imagine a rain spell but all tens of thousands of raindrops home in on the same target, that''s a boss killer if I ever thought of one. Well, that''s a thought for later. Need to ask Elly and Karen for help with that.


    Independent of that, [Embrace''s] replacement shouldn''t see use anyway, just like the original.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Embrace


    Active


    Draining blood from a victim can transform them either into a ghoul or with multiple applications into a proper vampire, user¡¯s choice, defaults to ghoul.


    The transformation warps the victim¡¯s personality to fit to their new form but does not affect loyalty to the user.


    The victim retains levels in each class to a maximum of this skill¡¯s level.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yeah, certainly not using either version of this. Even if my vampire nature wants me to. Loyal, intelligent followers are more valuable than an army of brain-dead ghouls. Just gotta make sure to never invent social media.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    And last but not least of my worries, I had the Wizard class before which is now gone.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Wizard</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    30 HP, 47 MP, 24 SP, 4 STR, 5 DEX, 5 VIT, 8 MAG, 6 FTH, 7 WIL, 5 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Affinity Magic Rank 1


    Able to use magic spells at rank 1 for every affinity the owner has.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Mana Regeneration <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    Adds passive MP regeneration of (0.01% of max MP + skill level / 35) per minute.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Extra Affinity <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Passive


    Gain one additional elemental affinity of your choice, a second at skill level 30.


    Can''t choose an element you''re weak to.


    Once obtained this restriction no longer applies.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So what did change?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Silver Wizard</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Unknown Class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    31 HP, 53 MP, 16 SP, 4 STR, 5 DEX, 6 VIT, 8 MAG, 7 FTH, 6 WIL, 6 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Affinity Magic Rank 1


    Able to use magic spells at rank 1 for every affinity the owner has.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">%HgV?=Gy?? <Skill locked until Level 12>


    Passive


    When using [Disguise] you can also include transformations into an elemental shape based on the affinities you possess.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y? <Skill locked until Level 13>


    Passive


    Gain two additional elemental affinities of your choice.


    Can''t choose an element you''re weak to.


    Once obtained this restriction no longer applies.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your current options are: ERROR: INDEX OUT OF BOUNDS


    You have currently selected: Water, Titanium


    You can choose one additional affinity.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Unknown class? Did it glitch so hard that it wrapped around into a mostly valid class?


    I don''t get what''s going on with the third skill, it says I can choose a total of two affinities and even lists that I have two, yet it says I may choose another from... a list that isn''t even there.


    Sigh


    Maybe I''ll get a valid selection there once the universe is rebooted.


    But more importantly... maybe I shouldn''t ever pronounce [%HgV?=Gy??], otherwise I''ll get another visit from Hastur, and he just left.


    That I can read the name at all actually worries me. So far I could only read the names of official skills, so... does that mean this skill is available in a regular class and my language just doesn''t have a word for the translation? That sounds... unlikely. [Malleable Form] or [Elemental Disguise] could easily work.


    Either way... what''s the point of it? Cosplay as a fire elemental?


    I try to change my hand into water - it actually works. Can still move it like normal despite the lack of any substance behind it.


    When I try to fold my regular hand with the watery hand, it just sinks into it. Feels like completely normal water on the normal hand''s end but very uncomfortable on the other. Not unlike being stabbed with a dull spear.


    I transform my hand back to normal. Or what now seemingly counts as normal... Instead of a real hand, it turned into a burning mess of glitches. Not unlike the mess Jack had become...


    Shit, can''t have anyone see that. No one needs to know that I have such an eldritch abomination sealed within me.


    I focus and turn my hand into its intended form.


    There, much better.


    So how could I make use of this unpronounceable skill? Regular armor doesn''t really protect me, it only provides stats, so blocking attacks by hardening my skin into rock or titanium is out. What a waste.


    With water, I could hide in a pond, doubt that would ever come up. Maybe a dark form as nearly perfect assistance for [Stealth] at night or in the shadows?


    Light could be fun - if undead weren''t barred from that.


    I should add wind magic to my shopping list, that could be fun.


    ''Hey, honey. Beware of the air, it bites'', I can barely contain laughter at that mental image.


    But then I doubt that I could trick many monsters that way. If I had to guess, only a choice few monstrosities rely on sight to find their enemies, at least [Stealth] had very little effect so far. I think only the minotaur boss was fooled and nothing else.


    Well, at least it is not actively detrimental, only passively since it robbed me of [Mana Regeneration] which was leagues more useful, but what can I do...


    I read once again over the skill''s description to see any use I might have missed, but nothing comes to mind for now. Instead, its name has indeed changed to [Malleable Form]. Did the system listen to me for once?!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">[Malleable Form] <Skill locked until Level 12>


    Passive


    When using [Disguise] you can also include transformations into an elemental shape based on the affinities you possess.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Hey, can you allow that skill to also change my exp count?


    No? Damn it...


    The last change I can see in my status is that World Resident was replaced - and I regained that title again through my bond with Lucia.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">W???o???r???l???d??? ???R???e???s???i???d???e???n???t???


    Keeping a changed form of [Disguise] active no longer requires upkeep or concentration.


    Altering or reverting the form still requires concentration.


    After using concentration this way, you can''t use a different concentration effect for 5 minutes.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That''s unbelievably lucky. If this was available as a regular title, I would''ve taken that in a heartbeat, well, metaphorically speaking. Being bound to concentration is a weakness that once already almost backfired on me.


    But really, two improvements to [Disguise]? That''s clearly not just random chance. Something is going on here and I have no clue what.


    Looking over what I already gained and which opportunities I now have, I got off quite lucky, way too lucky. I lost a few classes but thanks to Lucia''s [Unholy Matrimony] skill I can regain them for free or replace them with something better if I so choose.


    Did I even lose anything? [Beast Killer] was never notable, and [Spear Training] was a waste of space. I think the only big loss is [Mana Regeneration], and even that can be regained when I fill in the missing classes. The same goes for the other lost skills unless I decide that they don''t matter to me in the slightest.


    Try as I might, I can''t see any true loss here, just gains.


    ...I hate it.


    It is just like with the Lost One title. I didn''t do anything to deserve this kind of unique power. I caused a disaster, possibly created a new Glitch Zone and whatever consequences that might hold. I shouldn''t be rewarded for that.


    ...is that the glitches'' way of saying ''thanks for doing us a big favor''? Fuck them.


    I don''t want to use their ''presents''.


    I don''t want such a hollow victory if it is even still possible.


    I want to win through my own efforts.


    But in the end... I must swallow my pride. If I want to survive... I''ll have to use them. This time without regrets.


    ...


    Hmmm... I have "NaN" exp. Going by my... or rather someone else''s experience with poorly programmed games and MY experience with this crappy system there is a 50/50 chance that it is equal to infinite because it doesn''t parse to a number.


    I feel like trying it, let''s start with boosting Silver Wizard to 16.


    Yeah, that worked! But now exp is reset back to 0. Sorry, I meant 2, it just jumped up after that experience.


    ...


    So what to do with the 3 EMPTY slots... I could fill them with what I had before but... looking at it realistically, the... whatever class is loading in the divine category, could make them redundant or even disable them. What I got from this accident so far just screams calm before the storm... I mustn''t squander this opportunity...


    Not to mention that I got Blood Mage just by accident and I''m not too attached to it. [Blood Burst] was nice as an option to turn SP into ranged damage but the glitched second skill can go to hell. I doubt that it pulled its worth as an elite class of which I can only have so many. Maybe if I knew what the third skill would''ve been... but then, being a vampire spellcaster without blood magic just seems thematically wrong... Maybe there are alternate versions of that theme?


    Hmm... when I started checking my status, the loading of that class was at 17%, but now it is already 19%, won''t take too long, I guess. I''ll better wait for what the strange class offers before I commit to any other choice for the 3 EMPTY spots.


    ...


    While waiting for that load to finish - or to finally wake up, I''d take that as well - I should think about how I should deal with this situation. If I don''t want to ''die'' and become a glitched-up monstrosity, I need to find a way to reinforce the seal holding the mess inside of me back. But... do I have a better idea than just making new memories and hoping that does the trick? ...I''m afraid not.


    Hmm, maybe taking Lucia up on the offer of building a small harem might be worth it after all. The ensuing chaos should produce more unique memories than repeating peacefulness.


    ...I''d rather not. I haven''t even come to terms with my questionable relationship with Lucia, add another girl or two under the influence of that shady title and I''d never find out the truth about my feelings...


    ...


    That problem aside, what did I even find out today? And did I really arrive at the right conclusion?


    Let me think about it once more.


    The devas messed with my being before sending me here, injected me with a glitch-like substance, wrapped everything up in possibly stolen memories and set me up for this suicide adventure. That much is certain. Can''t think of another way to interpret it unless that memory is also someone else''s, but it is the only past-life memory that felt like it truly belonged to me so far.


    Really, they put up a lot of pressure to get me to agree with this madness; guilt-tripping galore, agreeing to unreasonable requests, whatever was needed to get the job done...


    By the point they brought up this stupid Lost One title and its penalties, I should''ve noped out. That wasn''t just a red flag but a whole red parade. I really shouldn''t have been so arrogant to believe I can make a change but here we are...


    But what was the point of putting up a show in the first place, why pretend I would have a choice whether I go here or not? Just plausible deniability? Against who? Don''t the devas already effectively rule the universe? Or is there anyone else they have to answer to?


    I might be missing a critical piece of information, but currently, it looks like the devas are the genocidal maniacs here, not some nebulous ''demons'' no one has ever even seen. For real, the only ''demons'' so far are Lucia and me, and that just by a title, nothing else is different about us.


    Sorry Elly, but with this revelation, I don''t think I can keep my promise to you. Your cousin was at the forefront of this crime against me...


    ...


    With nothing better to do while waiting for the class to finish loading, I begin researching my options in the class menu.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Y???o???u??? ???h???a???v???e??? ???t???a???k???e???n??? ???K???a???r???e???n??? ???a???s??? ???y???o???u???r??? ???f???a???m???i???l???i???a???r???.???


    ???Y???o???u??? ???c???u???r???r???e???n???t???l???y??? ???h???a???v???e??? ???9???/???8??? ???f???a???m???i???l???i???a???r???(???s???)???.???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I said with nothing better to do!!


    Stupid system and its broken messages... If you want to tell me something do so with a proper message and not this garbage dump!!


    Sigh


    Denying one''s nature is hard...

 Ch. A0 – Milestone?

    POV: ??? (demon, Creed of Whispers)


    No, no, no! That can''t be! The Defect prototype... a lot of research... everything destroyed...


    That damn green stuff is spilled over everything!


    At least the glitches are not active, else we''d have to abandon the whole lab... but holy shit... why now!? We were so close to finalizing the next step!!


    Argh, damn it all!


    None of my coworkers have any clue what went wrong, there was no innertuber, err, intruder either.


    How will I explain that to the boss!?


    ...


    There''s no helping it. Besl''atoth will find out anyway...


    I make my way over to the communication device and dial in his contact.


    Please be in a good mood...


    Beep Beep


    Click


    He picks up, "Yo?"


    "Boss, we have a major problem. The Defect... It is no more."


    "What do you mean?"


    "It...uh, has passed on?"


    He sounds doubtful, "Come again?"


    "Ah, you know... It has bought the farm, canceled its ''flix sub. The prototype has upgraded its OS to 11. With its warranty expired, its hardware shut off reporting back to its maker. Its computing processes now belong in a museum. It saw a blue screen for the last time. It ate the bucket, divorced the mortal coil, gave up its ghost and took a nap without setting the alarm. It is, as you say, become a Feature!"


    He''s confused, "What the hell are you talking about? Wait a sec, I haven''t had my fiftieth coffee yet..."


    Uh...


    Slurping Noises


    "Okay, better. Please try once more, maybe I get it now."


    "Right... So we''ve, uh, had a glitch outbreak here, and it wrecked the Defect and most of our research..."


    He sounds disappointed, "Oh... that''s all?"


    "Pardon? All of our progress is just-"


    The boss sounds ecstatic, "Itht, my friend-"


    I interrupt him, "It is Ithta''agor, sir."


    "ITHT", he uncorrects me, then inquires, "or do you prefer Iggy? Or maybe Jimmy? I''m open for a different nickname if you want."


    "Uh, no, ...Itht will do then, Besl''atoth, sir."


    "Eh, why so formal? We know each other long enough. Just call me Bert. Most of my friends do."


    Not sure how I feel about calling my superior a ''friend'', but I think I may give it a try. For now.


    I cautiously agree, "If you''re fine with it, ...Bert."


    "Sure thing. So some may call me dumb but I''m certainly not blind. I can read some simple instruments, Itht, and they tell me that we had a massive Glitch Spike last night. So if you tell me half your lab is in tatters that is about the expected outcome. Your sensors should''ve picked up the spike as well, didn''t they?"


    "Sorry, sir, uh, I mean, Bert, but the sensor station has also moved on."


    Boss tries but fails to get mad, "...I don''t want a repeat."


    "Sorry... but, uh, what exactly is a Glitch Spike, sir?"


    He sighs, "You don''t... Right, you are too young for that. Well, I take it you''re at least familiar with the Second System Crash half a decade or so ago. The first one was nearly seven-and-a-half millennia ago, you should know that since I bring it up about every second creed meeting where I summarize our goals."


    "Uh, yeah, I... kinda doze off at those, I''ve heard it too often by now, uh, nothing personal, Bert, sir. But I totally recall how several worlds got destroyed just from the side effects, your home world included."


    Mr. systemless continues his explanation, "Right, that. So we still have no clue about the second one, but the first crash was caused by what we now call a Glitch Spike, rather several of those at the same time. A Glitch Spike is a devastating ripple effect that is usually caused by massive glitch activity. Itht, I''m talking something on the scale of a few Glitch Zones being created at the same time and engulfing whole planets within minutes level of activity."


    "Ah, those things. Uh, I didn''t know we had a concrete name for them besides just random calamities."


    "Yeah, so, anyway, our research is indecisive about how many of those catastrophes were needed for such a crash, some go as low as three, others as high as ten. And as it turns out, yesterday a single Glitch Spike occurred. What damage it has caused to the system is of yet unclear but it won''t be good. It won''t be anything as big as wiping out several solar systems but you can bet your behind that it will negatively impact several system features."


    "I see. So that just reaffirms that we need to succeed in our endeavor and delete the system as soon as possible. No system, no more casualties through all of its flaws and errors."


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Yeah, among other things", he drifts off, "...well, since you''re in for a different reason, you may take this as your last opportunity to get off this crazy train. I''m ready and willing to-"


    I interrupt him, "No, boss, uh, I mean, Bert. The devas have taken everything from me, and crushing their precious system is the only adequate response. If not for me, then for everyone else who had and still has to suffer under them."


    He sneers, "And there''s not a single doubt in your mind that it is worth all those casualties? No wink of fate nonsense? You know as well as I do that only thirty percent or so of our test subjects survived being freed from the system. I tell ya from personal experience, learning to think anew was the hardest part."


    They branded us heretics, demons or whatever slur they could come up with, just because some of us contracted glitches from their godforsaken system. Do you really expect me to forgive them for that shit?!


    "And even thirty percent may be just a fluke, sir, our sample size is way too small to say anything for certain except that it can be done at all."


    He agrees, "Yeah, we still not to work out some kinks. But who knows how much time we have left for that. We may have to employ a solution that is as unreliable as what we have right now."


    "Either way, I''m in, sir, all the way to the bitter end. Whatever the cost shall be, it can''t be worse than a random glitch hitting another critical system feature and forcing us all to need to breathe concrete or drive life to extinction in a different way. And you don''t have to advertise the system-free life to me, I''ve already met your children. They are proof enough that the system is not a necessity."


    Bert laughs, "Glad to hear it. So, yeah, as I was saying earlier, your equipment malfunction was probably caused by the Glitch Spike, nothing you can do about it. So tell your guys to not panic, you''re not at fault - for once. Not like last time with the rampaging heptapus."


    "I... choose to not know what you''re talking about. That event was embarrassing enough."


    He chuckles, "Heh, don''t get your hopes up the others will ever let you forget. Speaking of, was that everything that got damaged? Only the prototype and some research? Is the artifact still secure?"


    "No, the crystal stone is unharmed. Energy readings are all within the expected range as well, and all attached machinery seems to be operating normally. Well, if you want to call it processing a mere three deceased since last night normal. All duds, of course."


    "Eh, that''s all within expectations. So anyway, you can focus on salvaging what you can for now, in the meantime, I''ll send someone, now who''s available... let me think... uh, D5 should be available. I''ll send him with another copy of our wobbly friend and some new equipment for your lab. That should get you back up to speed. Any idea how much our goal was pushed back?"


    Wobbly friend... which wobbly friend... Oh, he means prodding the glitch beast for another offspring. Right, that thing. The one where we want to imitate its annoying property for our bioweapon project.


    "D5? Uhhh... do you mean that chuuni?"


    Bert confirms, "Precisely. He currently goes by Dread Dark Deathman of Doom and Destruction, or Taxman for short. I''m curious what dumb name he makes up next month."


    "Urgh, just kill me already..."


    "No can do. We still need your expertise. So, uh, how big was the damage to your research exactly, Itht? How much were we thrown back."


    Hesitantly I admit, "Uh, about... ten years?"


    "So little? Damn, and here I thought I could pull a bit less overtime for a while... Taylor and Smith were so successful I can barely keep up with the results despite forgoing sleep for weeks now..."


    "What exactly did they pull off? I''m not exactly up to speed on that part."


    "They were only supposed to steal some intel for us and cause a diversion or two, to keep the devas off our back for a while. Instead... they managed to actually off the big guy. Can you believe it? Our main obstacle Todo is DEAD."


    "...that sounds implausible. Shouldn''t he be, uh, immortal, invincible and everything?"


    Boss audibly shrugs, "I''ve no clue how, they don''t either, but... well, it is one problem less for us but one more for me. This whole situation moved the timetables way forward."


    "I can imagine... by the way, have you heard anything about Asholog? I''m waiting for some research results from his team but he''s overdue for a couple of weeks now and I''ve heard nothing."


    He''s distraught, "Yeah, bad news for that. One of the devas found their lab and slaughtered every last one of them. I had to write a lot of condolence cards..."


    "That''s... bad. When will he be back? He should recall most of the relevant info when his soul returns back to the cycle of life."


    "Not happening. You remember when we stole the design for the reincarnation machine from the devas? It turns out one of its parts was connected to Todo''s existence. With him dead... we''ll need to find a new workaround. But until then, all souls will just wither away into nothingness."


    "Wait, wait. Did I just hear you right? The machines were connected to him? So... couldn''t that mean our hacked-together rip-off overstressed this connection? You know, until it caused Todo to croak."


    He contemplates it for a moment, "Interesting possibility. Honestly hadn''t thought of that. But no, I doubt it. They have done this business basically since the dawn of time, and they were responsible for a near-infinite amount of souls each year. Even if our patchwork hack was a billion times more draining on him, our few hundred revivals wouldn''t even cause a blip on the radar. No, there must be a different cause. The leading theory of the other guys is that he simply isn''t above the system, just like everyone else, and a random Glitch Spike got to him."


    "Yeah, I''d believe that possibility. If not that, then the clean-up of glitch-infested souls got to him."


    Bert continues, "Anyway, fact is that for now, all deaths are final. No reincarnation or anything. All comrades that die now, will have given their entire being permanently for the cause. We can''t let that be in vain."


    That means I''ve seen several of my closest friends already for the last time...


    I give the now permanently deceased a moment of silence.


    ...


    Boss asks me, "Are you still there?"


    "Yeah, just letting that sink in, that was... heavy... sorry."


    He sighs, "Understandable, but I have a few more things you may want to hear. Are you receptive again or should I call back tomorrow?"


    I hesitate for a moment, "...no, go on."


    "Okay. So remember how we sent that one girl to your world to drive the reincarnation costs up for the devas? According to Smith''s findings that didn''t work. They sent someone to you to Deteoh and costs were still down. So you should expect to meet resistance from their little Lost Lamb in some way at some point."


    Eh, as if one tiny soul could achieve anything in this hellscape.


    "I doubt they''ll achieve much, we''ve most of the world under control thanks to the Monster Lord. Instead, I''d really worry about our friend B. They are still an unaccounted wildcard."


    Boss disagrees, "Nah, B is not much of an issue. Amon has planted plenty of bait, several seemingly shoddy divine classes. B has already wasted a lot of divine resources on force-deleting them. We might run them dry soon if they don''t wisen up, and going by past experiences, they won''t. Too proud to admit falling for such an obvious trap."


    "Hmm... Boss, I have an idea. Why don''t we try to win the most recent Lost One over? We can show them plenty of proof that it is a bad idea to side with the devas."


    I can basically hear him smirk, "A fine idea, do that. Though, I''ll do you one better. If the intel from T&S is correct then your... friend Gyev is personally invested in this one. Now if you were to steal his precious student..."


    I really like what I hear, "Is he now? In that case, I''ll redouble my effort with the powerpoint presentation. Yeah, that could be a decent first step in payback."


    "I''ll leave the details to you, Itht. But remember, this is an optional objective! If the guy doesn''t want to join... well, send him home or something."


    I understand, "Yessir!"


    "Heh, also make sure you tell your guys to take the next two weeks off, this includes you. There''s no point in hustling around when you lack the necessary materials. You''re better off relaxing for a bit, take your heads off of that disaster and then give it your all once you''ve had time to get back on track. I think Taxman will need about a year to reach you. That should be plenty of time to prepare everything."


    "That''s much appreciated, boss."

 Ch. A1 – Damage Control

    POV: Basluth


    I made some good progress on the vampire''s class but now I need a break. Almost getting a creative block here.


    Maybe the dumb Creedos made something interesting for once, gotta get some inspiration somewhere.


    ...


    Nah, just the usual trash. Just pure power as always, no nuance, no substance. No wonder they can churn out so many classes on demand. It is basically just copy-paste-junk.


    I want to delete it but... I''m running low on DP. I can easily finish and transmit my work to the vampiric elf before the Creed can, no danger there. I can''t go all-out anyway, gotta make do with what little DP I have left.


    So I''ll have to let this insult stay. ''Void Blandish'', they call it... almost feels like an insult directed at me. Maybe I''ve been too obvious, they had to catch on to something going on eventually, can''t always blame everything on their shoddy methods or incompetence.


    What else are they up to?


    Uh, vacation? Their whole operation here was shut down? Do they feel so secure in their imagined victory?


    ...can''t afford any trick to exploit this temporary vulnerability. Need my remaining DP for my long-term plans. I''m already too short on what I need them for, had to make way too many concessions.


    I should stop looking before I get tempted into wasting DP on non-consequential sabotage...


    With that out of the way, let me rather put the finishing touch on my latest masterpiece.


    ...


    There, finally done with that class. Not the best I''ve ever done but still turned out quite decently.


    Did I miss anything the bloody elf wanted or is that as good as I could make it? I''ve only a modicum of DP left but that would be enough for some final adjustments.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Deathless Patron</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Divine Demon Lord class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    31 HP, 60 MP, 57 SP, 3 STR, 5 DEX, 4 VIT, 6 MAG, 6 FTH, 5 WIL, 8 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Dark Lord


    Passive, cannot be negated


    Negate all forms of plot armor in a 10 mile radius.


    Provides immunity to attacks from outside the same system.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Dark Gift


    X MP, X SP, with X = target''s max HP, half if target is willing


    You can bestow a copy of one of your base classes as an extra class with halved growth rates to the target.


    Additionally, the target''s outlook will be slightly shifted to be more in line with yours; the exact changes depend on the target''s mental fortitude.


    This skill can only be cast again on the same target once they have performed a quest you''ve given them.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Surge


    Passive


    Increases the number of spirits you can create by 2.


    You can add 2 additional base job classes to your summoned spirits, one of which may be an elite class.


    Your summoned spirits can (partially or fully) pay their own upkeep after getting summoned.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Rocs Fall, Everyone Dyes


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.Once per day


    Call forth 20 Roc monsters with a level of (this skill''s level).


    For every fifth skill level, one Roc is upgraded to an elite version.


    The Rocs drop from the sky and take as well as inflict rand(100,400)% MAG earth damage on impact.


    Surviving Rocs are loyal to you and follow your orders.


    When a Roc created by this skill dies, it explodes in a burst of paint.


    This skill fails if you already control 50 or more Rocs.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Let''s see... He wanted help with his summons. A bigger and stronger army for less cost should do the trick, so check. Couldn''t fit in a full-on lifting of the spellcasting restriction for them, though, didn''t have enough DP for that.


    A way to empower his allies, check as well. Had to add an easily exploited loophole there to drive the cost way down. Just ''fetch me a drink'' or ''give me a massage'' should do the trick. Heh, if he plays his cards well, his allies might even surpass him in power; usually, extra classes don''t nearly give as much power as this would allow.


    Not sure why he wanted a way to spawn monster swarms but the Rocs should do the trick. They either kill themselves for instant exp or survive and do what he wants from them, be it mounts or cannon fodder. Eh, even if they survive, that would give him some exp, two birds with one stone, literally. So, double-check, I guess.


    Well, I think I''ve done what I could, and now I''m broke. So either he succeeds to rid us of that DP-sucking artifact or... there''s no or. He must succeed, I need my revenge on Gyev. Yulia deserves as much...


    Huh, how long did I take to make this? Hmm... a bit longer than I used to, I''m getting rusty.


    How much progress has he made by now, how ready is his soul to receive my masterpiece? It should be about 17% or so, 20% at most.


    I tap into my last few DP reserves to spy on the little bloodsucker''s soul.


    ...over 251%!? That can''t be right. What the hell is wrong now!?


    This rating is... unprecedented. I''ve never seen in all my years a value even close to 100%, let alone far above it.


    Or... is he really that compatible with my creation? I can''t believe it. Did I perhaps draw the jackpot?


    I''m a bit hesitant, this is just suspicious, things don''t just work in one''s favor like that but...


    ...


    I really should prepone the transfer. Yeah, he needs all the time he can get to grow, and the sooner he gets to use this new power the better. It can only get worse from here on out.


    I hit the ''start transfer'' button.


    Now I''m waiting. Maybe I should start preparing some additional teaching material for the vampire in the meantime, I have a lot less time than thought to get ready.


    ...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: Transfer failed. Target not found.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Uh, pardon? What''s wrong this time?


    But... his soul signal is still there, why don''t you find it? Stupid system!!


    ...


    After calming down, I retry the transfer.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: Target has already reached its limit of divine classes.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That... that can''t be right. It mustn''t.


    Did the creed get to him before me? That''s... unlikely. I saw their work, it wasn''t even halfway done.


    Goddamn, don''t do this to me! I''ve already invested too much to fail now!


    ...


    Do I have to search for a new candidate now? ...how? I... I don''t have enough DP for an extensive search, I...


    I check my remaining DP and I seem to have enough DP for one face-to-face session and... not much more. Maybe two tries to find someone, three if I give up on half of the requirements in a candidate... I couldn''t even invite someone for an interview. Whoever I choose I would''ve to force to accept without checking with them at all.


    Tableslam


    Damn! Damn! Damn!


    Who''d fit that bill... How should I find someone suitable with these restrictions?


    Sigh


    It really went too well in the last couple of years, didn''t it...


    I glance over at the class I created and...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">D???e???a???t???h???l???e???s???s??? ???P???a???t???r???o???n???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: Data not found.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    F


    FF


    FFF


    FFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-

 Ch. A2 – Storm before the calm

    POV: Smith


    We''re walking inconspicuously through the high-security area, disguised as some high-ranking officers we''ve living-disadvantaged recently.


    "Okay, Taylor, just one last, minor distraction and then we have to escort our wonky ally to the courtroom. And by minor, I don''t mean how your sweetheart sees you."


    He flippantly replies, "Yeah, yeah, the ancient nerd has earned his visit to his family. But what is-"


    I interrupt him as we walk by a stationary guard who is seemingly slacking off. I shout at him, "What am I seeing here!? Checking your phone while you should be standing guard?"


    The guard tries to stammer some excuses, "But sir! What is there to guard?"


    Damn lazy blueberries. Have they no respect for this universe at all?


    "I don''t want to hear your excuses. Slackers like you have already cost the big boss his life. If the likes of you had done your job that Eva-bitch wouldn''t have gotten through to him. You need some more motivation. State your name, soldier!"


    "Belu Hyu-Min, sir."


    I turn to Taylor, "You heard it. Make sure he gets an adequate write-up and reeducation. It''ll be a lot of work to get this group back up to par, what a pathetic state...."


    I take a little box out of my pocket and hand it to the shaking soldier, "Give this to Dr. Fluke when he''s back. He ordered this thing and I just happened to be on the same way as the delivery guy."


    Of course, Dr. Fluke is less... living-capable than yesterday, and mister slacker here will soon follow.


    The guard salutes, "Affirmative, sir. Leave it to me."


    Taylor nods and we move on, leaving the sobbing mess of a deva behind.


    Seriously, if this is the best personnel they can find to secure these abominations I''m surprised the universe is still standing... Everyone knows they were just lucky when they initially captured them and now... now they don''t even take this risk seriously...


    After a few steps, my partner-in-crime asks me, "What was in that box?"


    "Just some explosives, primed of course. Should make for some nice fireworks when we leave. So what were you saying earlier?"


    Taylor answers, "I wanted to know what exactly we''re trying to do here. A visit to the glitch containment sector wasn''t on my agenda."


    "It wasn''t on mine either but I thought the guys in our labs could use another sample or three of these glitch souls. If nothing else, we can use them as another distraction when we finally leave. Can''t ever have enough plan Bs."


    "But did the boss give his OK for this? Freeing these freaking abominations is-"


    I interrupt him, "Something that would likely happen anyway if our exit goes exactly as planned. I''m just making sure it happens at the exactly right time."


    We walk a few more minutes in silence and then arrive at our destination. The door... is unmanned. Typical.


    Admittedly, I should be glad that they make my job easier, but I''m not. The fate of the universe is at stake here. Take this shit more seriously!!


    I use the ID card we swiped from Dr. Fluke and open the door. No one is inside either.


    Really, no guards at all? This is even more pathetic than I imagined...


    There''s a schedule on the wall, it says there should be 3 people on guard today. They are marked as currently on lunch break, sick and deceased respectively. HR needs to be fired. Into a volcano.


    Do you really want to tell me you have a literal whole planet''s population working for this single branch of your organization and you can''t freaking find a replacement!?


    I really should make sure this doesn''t get to me as much, my blood pressure is already ass, and having to just suck this stupidity up doesn''t do me any favors. I need to check with my doc for a new medicine type or dose when we get back, the current one doesn''t suffice with how much these devas'' incompetence kills me...


    Shoving the distracting thoughts aside, we look around a bit, and my colleague points out the obvious, "Uh, Smith? There''s only one defective soul left. Didn''t you say there should be three?"


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    "That''s at least what my initial research concluded. Here", I hand Taylor the syringes, "get some samples from that abomination. I''ll search the document cabinet for some clues."


    He accepts, "Got it, Smith. Any specific parts you want samples from?"


    "No clue, that would require me to know how these things are composed. No one does. Just choose some random spots, whatever looks different or interesting to your eyes. Trust your guts on this."


    He nods and goes to work while I plunder the cabinet.


    A quick search already yields the files I was looking for, "So not only are the devas unbelievably incompetent but also their hyper-inflated bureaucracy bites them in the ass..."


    Can I migrate to a different universe? This is just embarrassing...


    I quickly check through the documentation, "In summary, there were five of these glitch souls... Two were delivered to a research lab, one of those was destroyed due to mishandling, the other was brought back... but there''s no confirmation of receipt? Eh, why am I surprised, they''ve been sloppy with everything else so far, so why not with their paper trail as well. The destroyed soul supposedly had a special property where it can travel through dreams. How the hell did you manage to contain something like that!? With your slacker guards nearby it would always have an escape route!! Did it not want to escape, or are your freaks dreaming such disturbing things that they scarred the poor abomination for all eternity!?"


    Unbelievable. These living horrors have the potential to destroy all of reality and they just... urgh!!


    "...in contrast, they found nothing special about the other specimen aside from generic glitch contaminations."


    Conspicuously, all the handwritings are the same. Almost robotically identical even, certainly not natural.


    Does that mean the devas have more infiltrators than just us? Wouldn''t really surprise me. Their security is as lackluster as can be, only two dozen guards ever suspected that we were up to something, and everyone else immediately caved to our orders when we presented stolen badges of high-authority personnel. Such poorly trained dogs. We didn''t even know what the people we imitate behave like but no one ever questioned rank. Fools.


    And with their usual mingling, the devas clearly don''t endear themselves to everyone. Most people don''t like it if a random outsider enforces their worldview on them with the threat of eternal damnation.


    Anyway, what does the documentation say about the other souls, "The remaining three... one tried to break out and was gunned down. It seemed to ignore anything that was in a different state of motion as itself. That''s basically tame for what glitches can usually do to reality. And the two remaining ones are just documented as being here, no paperwork on one of them being somewhere else. No listed known quirks."


    They have a potentially reality-threatening glitch being on the loose and no one fricking cares!


    Calm down, Smith, calm down. Think of your blood pressure.


    "Taylor, how much longer do you-", I stop when I see something happening in one of the empty capsules.


    A green-black vaguely person-shaped mass appears in it and collapses into a glowy-white, roughly soul-like shape.


    "What the..."


    Why did that creature just remind me of Sally? ...I know she''s dead. Does this glitch soul have the ability to create some kind of illusion? Draw forth repressed memories?


    ...that won''t work on me so easily, buddy.


    Taylor asks me, "What''s wrong, Smith?"


    I turn to him, "It seems the missing creature is back. It''s-", but when I look over to our new guest, it is already gone again.


    "...or I''m slowly going mad. Never mind then, let''s finish quickly and then go to the meeting place. Any problems with the samples?"


    He shrugs, "No, and that is what me extra nervous. The thing is too docile. No wild flailing tentacles, no reality-defying abilities, no nothing. In fact, it helped me with the sample taking by pointing out a conspicuous spot I should use."


    "Yeah, clearly going mad. I could swear I heard you just saying the glitch abomination helped you..."


    He shrugs, "It did."


    Not only did Taylor just tell me that the glitch soul... "helped" him, but it is also waggling its tentacles like a dog its tail. I''m clearly going mad over here.


    "Forget it, give me the rundown later when we''re on the ship. Big G is waiting for us."


    Before I can collect my thoughts again, I hear the door slide open and an unknown voice shouts at us, "Hey, what are you doing here?! No one is authorized to enter!"


    Finally some resistance. I show him the stolen badge, "I''m Dr. Fluke, of course, I''m authorized to be here. This is MY lab!"


    He pulls his gun, "Negative, I know what Dr. Fluke looks like. He''s-"


    Stab


    "My dear Taylor, I was about to finally have some fun..."


    Taylor pulls the knife out of his newest victim, "Is that so? I thought we were in a hurry."


    I begrudgingly admit, "Yeah, you''re right."


    He grabs the body and tries to feed it to the glitch soul, "Hey buddy, want some fresh food? It''s on the house today."


    "Just leave them there. I don''t care what your new friend does, be it eat the corpse or escape - we''ve got places to be."


    Taylor mock-salutes, "Yes, sir!"


    We leave the containment room and seal it again. Let the dog-glitch-soul-thingy do whatever it wants, it isn''t my problem anymore. Maybe it''ll break out of its cell and follow its new owner Taylor home. I wanna see Bert''s face should our ''puppy'' really follow Taylor.


    My colleague asks me, "So any bets on whether they''ll declare the chick guilty or innocent at the trial?"


    "That''s a tough one. If the devas did their jobs properly they''d find her innocent, 100%, and reinstate her in the system. But given their competence, or rather lack thereof, she''ll most likely be found guilty of deicide and then completely purged."


    "Are you sure? I heard Dr. Allheil will testify on her behalf. His word holds a lot of weight."


    "So what? Prof Placebo''s area of expertise concerns glitches, allegedly his main focus concerns curing their victims. But so far, he has nothing to show for it. He can talk all he wants but he has nothing of substance to contribute to her plea. In fact, I''d love nothing more than to rub in his face how we''ve stolen and misused his research to improve the Defects. Maybe that will get the ass to make some tangible progress instead of empty theories."


    Taylor puts his hand on my shoulder and tells me with a threatening tone, "Smith, he may be a deva, but he is one of the few that actually does something worthwhile for the universe. His research could save all of our asses, so leave him out of your revenge schemes!"


    Fanboy...

 Ch. A3 – And then there was silence

    POV: Graham


    It took me nearly two days to find and document all the damages of the recent Glitch Spike, and the list is frightening. My superior just called it a minor incident... Has that idiot no clue how much damage even a minor one would do? Just one bad draw could end all life...


    Going by the damage I''ve found so far, this recent one was a rather large one. Possibly top 10 of all time even.


    Or rather, it would''ve been. The overall damage is severe but it seems oddly... specific. It looks even to be aimed directly at us devas with a few miscellaneous glitches sprinkled in as distractions.


    There were some minor changes that affect everyone, like dungeons'' safe zones becoming non-functional or eggplants now being poisonous, but those are of no concern. Not immediately at least, they can wait.


    No, the most impactful changes may directly drive all life in the universe extinct...


    If I understand the affected parameters correctly, the chance of conceiving children is heavily affected, the lesser devas especially. They are effectively as sterile as those that were divorced from the system by the Creed demons; winning the lotteries twice in a row is more likely. Even we higher devas weren''t spared to worst of it. Going forward, maybe one in ten couples will ever have children before they die of old age. Lesser races got off lucky and are down to maybe one in five to twenty.


    I bet Alex now regrets declining my suggestions of adding more life-extending skills and effects to the system. Really, why should only monstrosities have all the fun...


    Thinking of it, have those demons found a way to artificially generate Glitch Spikes and steer their effects? I can''t think of another group that would even consider weaponizing the impeding apocalypse like that, let alone find a way. Can''t think of any other explanation. This was too targeted to be a random spike.


    Now how to fix that... I''m no expert on the relevant parameters, for some, I can guess which range of values would be safe but not for many. Wouldn''t want to make childbirth a 100% death sentence for both of the parents or leave a chance that the child randomly mutates into a literal monster.


    I''ll have to ask Rino for help with the values when the trial is over. The universe will have to wait a bit then. A day or two of no conceptions is preferable over spreading more glitches or having everyone die in the act.


    I send a message to Rino to come to see me tomorrow.


    Now, what other minor problem can I fix in the meantime...


    Knock


    But before I can even start fixing anything, I get a visit from... those two.


    Smith and Taylor enter my office in their newest disguises.


    Smith greets me, "Evening, Graham."


    Taylor as well, "Hey, old man. How''s it going?"


    "What do you two want? The next deadline is still weeks away!"


    Taylor answers, "Hey, don''t be so grumpy. Rather you should be happy. We have a message from the boss: you can stop working on the current task, something came up."


    Smith chimes in, "So it was decided that you get to visit your family after today''s trial. And once you''ve enjoyed a little vacation with them, the boss wants to speak with you face to face about your future projects. In other words, the charade is up and you''re getting relocated to a better office. Not one plastered with disgusting plastic plants."


    I don''t like where this is going, "And what if I decline?"


    Smith answers, "Don''t worry about that. You know as well as we and the boss do that we''ve taken a binding oath. Neither you nor your family will come to harm... as long as you don''t go against us. Well, you know best how those things work, right?"


    Oath or not, there are always loopholes, you just have to know where to look... but for now, I''ll better play along. I don''t want my family to get hurt. Not again.


    Taylor drags me out of my thoughts, "Now please log out and get ready to move. Don''t want to miss your... friend''s trial, do you? We even reserved VIP seats for us."


    "Do you have any idea what you''re asking for? If I-"


    Smith glares at me, "Boss''s orders. You MUST be present at the trial, and then we leave. No exceptions or excuses."


    I doubt he knows the consequences of me logging out, "Are you out of your mind!? There''ll be severe consequences if I leave now!"


    Taylor draws a gun and scoffs, "Just do it. We have our orders, you have yours. If the grumpy devas give you trouble for leaving your office for a minute, just tell the boss. We''ll work something out. Wouldn''t be the first obstacle we dispose of."


    Nearly ten thousand years ago, a glitch either changed the system''s root password or broke the entire login mask, either way leaving me alone to work on fixing this mess. Everyone else dutifully logged out for the company holiday. Ever since then, I was working on this alone, on a timer to get as much done as I can before my session finally expires as well. All efforts to reset or rediscover the password failed. Back then, I had still hope that I could get the system to a mostly glitch-free state. I was naive...


    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    A few years ago in the second System Crash, my remaining session time was drastically cut short. Before that, I thought I could still fix things, harden the system against new glitches before I get kicked out. Every new glitch dashed that dream.


    A few days ago, Todo died which means no more new worlds get created. I could do nothing about that except move on and honor his legacy by turning the system into the best version I could...


    Yesterday''s Glitch Spike devastated birthrates. If I had time, I could still fix that, but now even I''m forced to leave the impending disaster alone...


    In hindsight, I never had any notable amount of time to secure the system against new glitches. The bosses, the demons, everyone always distracted me from that, pushed me to work on things that in the grand scheme of things will be meaningless and for the most part are already forgotten.


    I feel like everything I''ve done was for naught.


    If I could change one thing, it would be giving me a freaking spine to tell the bosses to shove their distractions elsewhere. Too late now...


    By now, I''m too old and about to be completely powerless. Unless...


    "Fine, just give me ten minutes to at least finish this thing here."


    Smith replies, "You have five. The clock''s ticking."


    I start quickly glancing through the changes I haven''t published yet. They are just waiting to be put live. Classes, skills, titles, features... and several things that actually weren''t authorized to be published. But it doesn''t matter anymore.


    I''m tired of this war with the demons. The system was already frail before they started throwing their weight around, but we could manage. New glitches were rare and easily fixed, Glitch Spikes were maybe a once-per-millennium thing if even that.


    But ever since around the time demons invaded Deteoh and kidnapped Gzeph''s wife, everything has been going downhill. We never found out what was really going on back then, but something more must''ve been going on behind the scenes.


    My eyes stop when I reach a certain physics change I prepared. A final insurance should they ever drive me into a corner. I never intended to put it live unless I had to but... I''m tempted to just end it all... I can''t let their plans move on. Not anymore.


    I only have to drag this one change over and then... everything will end. Electron movement will cease, and soon after that, people would move on to a default afterlife. Still preferable to whatever suffering the demons have in store for us.


    But... I don''t have it in me. I couldn''t bear the guilt of wiping out all life in the universe. I couldn''t...


    I move everything else except that killswitch to the publishing list. On second thought, I move the changes the Creed asked for back. I can tell them their requests weren''t ready.


    Finally, I commit the changes. This shall be my final ever update to the system.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Update complete.


    No change log submitted.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Good luck to us all. May it suffice...


    Taylor waves his gun in my face, "Hey, are you done now? We''re about to miss the best part of today! Time''s up, hit the logout button and get moving!!"


    He eyes me like a hawk its prey, and when I try to hit ''standby'' instead of ''logout'', he rises his gun again, "Didn''t you hear? I said LOGOUT!"


    Full of regrets, I comply and log out, "As you wish..."


    With that, I''m now powerless, all of us are. No one can change the course of the universe toward its doom anymore. From now on, every further Glitch Spike will leave irrevocable damage in the system.


    I have to admit it is strangely relieving.


    It was always clear that my job was time-limited, and there was never any doubt that I would be useless once the session expired.


    Now... I can hear out what their boss has to say, tell him they have thoroughly fucked up, and then retire. Their oath should prevent them from doing anything to us, so I can at least rub it in every so often.


    Too bad, I''ll never get to have grandchildren...


    Smith asks me while we walk to the courtroom, "If you don''t mind me asking what were you working on that was so important it couldn''t wait until after your vacation?"


    I leave out the important details, "...there was a Glitch Spike yesterday. I was still investigating what consequences it had."


    He shrugs, "Eh, those happen all too often anyway. If that''s your thing then, well, by the time you''re back at work there''ll probably be five more waiting for you to look at."


    "So it was your doing after all..."


    Taylor clicks his tongue, "As if. If we could cause those GSs on command we would''ve long ago ground the system to dust with them."


    "If you say so..."


    As I thought, they are way too confident that life outside the system is sustainable.


    Yes, life without it is possible but not for long. You have no magic or special skills to help you out there, no passive effects or titles to assist you, nothing. Even the natural strength you have is at rock bottom. The system is a pure power amplifier in that way. Even the weakest system-attached world makes you at least twice as strong as the system-less you would be, not to speak of the hundreds of million times the stronger worlds would make you...


    Even if you ripped everyone else from the system, how would you defend yourself from sentient glitches? You''re powerless against them, even technological advances won''t compensate for that.


    Rather, they''d make you more vulnerable... Code of any form is just a feast for them, be it regular software or the system itself.


    So what do you think you can even gain from this madness you call a goal?


    Unless... have you tinkered with glitch-human-hybrids and found a way to resist the corrupting effects of these abominations? I... doubt it. They are not real enough to interact with, let alone research them without getting immediately corrupted.


    Could it be there was some truth to it? There was a rumor going around a while ago, supposedly semi-stable glitch-infested creatures were found. No, that''s unlikely. It goes against everything we know about sentient glitches but then...


    Given the recent obstructions, I have one important question on my mind, "Tell me, how long has Alex been on your payroll?"


    Smith excitedly answers, "Finally figured it out? We killed and replaced him a mere two-hundred years ago. Seriously, how did no one notice that sooner!? The replacement isn''t even trying to sound like the original!"


    This explains so much...


    "I see. Well, no one interacted much with the original Alex either, so who''d notice these changes? No family, no friends either, he was just a textbook secluded workaholic. No wonder he made the perfect target for your sabotage."


    "Oh, that reminds me, here", Taylor hands me a document folder, "See that picture? These creatures will accompany us on our travel. You better not make any hasty movements around them, these Defects are quite allergic to that."


    "Defects? So those are..."


    He cheerfully adds, "Correct, these are the creatures you helped us build."


    What the hell is this? How does any of this make any sense?


    The photo looks like reality was cut out of the room. Is this absolute void supposed to be their creation?


    If I squint very hard it looks like there are three DNA-helix-like arms... Can''t really make out more... My eyes aren''t the best anymore.


    All I can say with certainty is that they''d be impossible to make out in the dark, especially in outer space. What unnerving abominations.


    "I see no creature here, only crimes against existence."


    I really should''ve put an end to this madness... I regret letting this go on more and more...


    Smith scoffs, "You devas are impossible. I swear if-"

 Ch. A4 – Heed the Call

    I''ve been waiting a while for the class to finish uploading and it isn''t done yet, but there''s a teensy-tiny detail I forgot. And it might be important.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summoned Spirit


    Passive


    Loyalty to summoner is always maxed out.


    Can create equipment (no stat increases) if relevant training skill is present.


    Can''t use magic or magic-related skills.


    Can''t use skills that create more beings.


    Lose 50 HP per second while not bound to a summoner.


    For purpose of exp mechanics count as part of the summoner.


    While not actively summoned recover 5% HP, MP and SP per hour.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Neither I nor Lucia have currently the [Summon Spirit] skill. So who knows what happened to our spirits...


    In the best case, they only got unsummoned and are now just patiently waiting in our headspace. The problem is... I don''t feel any of their presence...


    Please don''t tell me they are now gone forever. Let me be optimistic for once, and they are just walking around outside as if nothing happened...


    Though to soothe my nerves I should quickly add a class with the required skill.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Spirit Rank 1


    500 MP upkeep per class of summoned creature


    Create a spirit ally.


    The spirit can have any race and up to 3 base classes the user knows.


    Each of its classes and races has a level of (1% CHA + 2x skill rank).


    Compared to a normal creature HP, MP and SP are reduced by 30%.


    Spirits can generate special equipment if needed, these items grant no stats.


    Once a spirit is summoned its race and classes can no longer be changed, only further classes added, limits permitting.


    Spirits can''t die, instead when they reach 0 HP they have to rest in their owner for a week, during this time the upkeep can''t be canceled.


    The owner can create a total of (2 + skill level /10) different spirits.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Let me quickly punch it into the class search options.


    Huh, there are a few new options, did I miss an expansion pack? Strange...


    Anyway, I had Summoner before, do I simply take it again?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summoner</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    23 HP, 40 MP, 17 SP, 4 STR, 4 DEX, 5 VIT, 7 MAG, 8 FTH, 8 WIL, 8 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Spirit Rank 1


    <same as above></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Mana Boost <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    Increase max MP by 5% and (5 x skill level).


    Also, increase MP regeneration effects by 5%.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite Summoning <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Passive


    You can add 1 additional base job class to your summoned spirits, or 2 classes at skill level 25.


    If a spirit has already at least 3 base classes, one of the additional classes can be an elite class.


    As with base classes, requirements for elite classes don''t have to be met.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Nothing here is a waste. I''d like more MP and CHA since they are the most important stats to strengthen the spirits. But really, a single level for them doesn''t mean much. In fact, the only level that really matters is 15 to unlock the final set of skills. The highest I''ve seen is a 9 growth in a main stat, so 8 CHA isn''t bad. If some miracle occurred and I could bring it to the alleged cap of level 100, I would lose a single level on my summoned spirits. So really, it doesn''t matter much.


    I hope taking five more minutes to look through the alternatives doesn''t hurt them any more than my negligence has already, if at all. So what other classes could I choose instead?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Invoker</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    25 HP, 33 MP, 22 SP, 4 STR, 5 DEX, 4 VIT, 8 MAG, 7 FTH, 7 WIL, 9 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Spirit Rank 1


    <same as above></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Dagger Training <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    Can use daggers without attack penalty.


    Increase effective STR by (skill level) for equipped daggers.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Invocation <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Concentration


    Temporarily fuse with one of your actively summoned spirits.


    The spirit''s classes and race are added to your own at a fourth of their regular levels (capped at this skill''s level, minimum level 1).


    For HP, MP and SP only the max is increased, the current value is not affected.


    During the fusion, you count as a (summoned) spirit and can''t use magic.


    In that state, you can''t call forth more spirits but those that are already active stay active.


    Death in fused form is also death for the caster.


    After the fusion ends, the used spirit has to rest for 2h and you can''t concentrate for 10mins.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I guess this is where Basluth took [Invocation] from for the Essence Binder hack. Well, [Dagger Training] is useless to me, and considering the glitch core in my soul, I''d rather not risk fusing with a spirit. Sure, I count as a spirit while that is active and that may result in an exploit that allows us to break the number of classes our familiars can take but... my gut tells me that if I did that the spirit could be glitch corrupted as well, I don''t think that is worth it. Maybe if we still had one spirit left to create which we could basically throw away for that benefit, but it may just as well backfire on me directly... yeah, no, I''ll sadly have to pass on that.


    But thinking about it, this class might be something for Iris since she already has daggers and the stats line up with what she has already, but it just isn''t for me.


    What else...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Caller</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    24 HP, 32 MP, 19 SP, 4 STR, 5 DEX, 5 VIT, 7 MAG, 7 FTH, 8 WIL, 9 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Spirit Rank 1


    <still same as above></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Extra Summon <Skill locked until Level 5>


    You can create 2 more spirits.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Expertise <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Passive


    You can add 1 additional base job class to your summoned spirits.


    This increases to 2 at skill level 20 and 3 at 25.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    This looks as basic as it could be. Presumptively maxed CHA growth, and just passive skills for more spirits and spirit classes, nothing fancy at all. I guess I could take this later. For now, our MP is just too low, but more spirits and classes for them would certainly help once we can afford them. I''ll need [Summon Expertise] eventually if we want to strengthen our familiars, but currently, level 20 is a bit hard to reach; level 15 would just get us up to the number of classes Lydia already has.


    Anyway, next on the list is...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Spirit Keeper</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    19 HP, 51 MP, 25 SP, 3 STR, 3 DEX, 4 VIT, 8 MAG, 7 FTH, 6 WIL, 9 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Pair o'' Dogs


    350 MP


    Create two shadow hounds as an extension of yourself.


    They have your base stats with the exception of HP which is set to 1.


    They can use 50 of your SP to perform bite or scratch attacks for 130% STR physical damage.


    You can only have one set of hounds at the same time.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Spirit Rank 1 <Skill locked until Level 5>


    <guess what, still same as above></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Restore Summons <Skill locked until Level 15>


    1000 MP, once per day


    Instantly revive all of your dead spirits to 25% HP.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The class has decently high MP and CHA, and a second chance for the spirits when we screw up is not too bad either. But for now, a higher number of classes we can give the spirits has priority so we can make our familiars stronger as well.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Honestly, I''d say I''m more of a cat person but [Pair o'' Dogs] might still be useful. They might die in one hit but any hit they take is one that doesn''t kill me. But sadly, my HP and SP are now the same thanks to [Undead Resilience], so paradoxically using their attacks would be counterproductive with the avoiding damage part.


    Maybe it might be worth it after Caller? According to what I know, I can have a total of 15 classes, only 3 of which may be elites, or 5 once we get the Elitist title, so there''ll probably be enough room for it. Way later. But by then we''re probably already in the set of classes that need dungeon full clears to take, and for that, we already need to be so strong that [Restore Summons] won''t make a notable difference anymore, I guess.


    What else do we have?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Conjurer</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    24 HP, 52 MP, 18 SP, 3 STR, 5 DEX, 4 VIT, 7 MAG, 8 FTH, 9 WIL, 6 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Spirit Rank 1


    <you guessed it, still the same skill></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Adamant Conjuration <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    You can create 1 more spirit.


    The formula to calculate the base level of your spirits gets changed to:


    (1% max[WIL; CHA] + 0.1% min[WIL;CHA] + 2x skill rank)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Advanced Summoning <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Passive


    You can add 1 additional base job class to your summoned spirits, or 2 classes at skill level 25.


    If a spirit has already at least 3 base classes, one of the additional classes can be an elite class.


    As with base classes, requirements for elite classes don''t have to be met.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    [Advanced Summoning] has the same description as [Elite Summoning], so that''s not a loss. They should even stack with each other, so this would be a useful class to get either way.


    Compared to Summoner, this class lacks [Mana Boost] but has slightly increased base MP. Does that make up for it? Hmm... 5% more would be about 2 MP per level in the rough average of my primary classes, while extras and race classes contribute about nothing. Currently, I should have six of those, so 12 MP plus 5 MP for every Summoner level makes 17 total if I''d rise all levels equally. Compared to 12 more for this class directly, not worth fretting over. I guess they are currently more or less even in that regard. And by the time I have enough classes that [Mana Boost] notably pulls ahead, I''ll hopefully have enough MP already, or a different class with [Mana Boost]. Either works.


    On the other hand, [Adamant Conjuration] looks quite interesting. I was just past 500 CHA and 550 WIL before the incident. I guess in general, magic classes lean more towards WIL than CHA, so working with the better of both would be a clear benefit. If I get also 10% of CHA added for the level calculation then this should already push the spirits one more level ahead than they were before. This may not help the familiars to reach new classes but for that, it has [Advanced Summoning]. Can''t really expect a single base class to have two skills that do the same.


    Hmm... currently, I''d favor Conjurer. Basluth said that MP would cease to be an issue once I have a couple of hundred levels total, and I guess by then would [Adamant Conjuration] have added two or three additional levels to the spirits.


    And the last possible class would be...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Iron-clad Binder</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    51 HP, 43 MP, 22 SP, 4 STR, 3 DEX, 6 VIT, 7 MAG, 7 FTH, 6 WIL, 7 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Armor Training


    Passive


    Can equip medium and heavy armor.


    Increase effective VIT by (skill level) while equipped with medium or heavy armor.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Spirit Rank 1 <Skill locked until Level 5>


    <call our hotline at 0118 999 881 999 119 725... 3 if you still need help identifying this skill></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Spirit Bond <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Passive


    When one of your spirits receives damage, it takes only half damage and you take the remainder.


    When you take damage, you only take half damage and all of your active spirits take the same amount.


    You can use the MP of your actively summoned spirits as if it was your own, except for upkeep.


    While you have no actively summoned spirit within 250 DU, you take 250 damage per second.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Tell me [Spirit Bond] is a deathtrap without saying it''s a deathtrap.


    Seriously, catch some of my spirits in an AOE attack or have a monster with [Summon Disjunction] hit them and I''m dead. Heck, an anti-magic zone goes from annoying to a death sentence as well. Pass, obviously.


    Well, I think Conjurer is the best option for now. Considering Lydia''s state of having one class too many none of the classes allow the familiars to take another class before I have it at least at level 20, and I don''t even have it at 15, so that''s a long way off. In fact, that''s so far away I should have another class or two by then, and I could make Caller one of them. But Conjurer would in the meantime make the spirits that little bit stronger which should allow them to generate more exp for us.


    We had one Class Core in the inventory but considering the glitch pool, who knows if it is still usable. But that''s a problem for future me. Neither Lucia nor I had the required stats to take the next class we wanted before, but depending on how the still downloading class does I might be able to once I get out of here. We''ll see.


    I quickly add the selected class and it goes into Summoner''s old position as if there was never a class missing.


    After a moment, I can feel the missing three, no, four spirits again. So without that skill, they really were just gone... I hope it didn''t leave any lasting damage on them.


    Weird. One of them... feels like Lucia. Why, why do I feel like I''m now bound twice via that accursed title... argh, this is so frustrating, I want answers for once, dammit!


    I check my status again and, against all odds, no skill got glitched out. No, whyever would it do something like that?


    Sigh


    ...no, the whole class was messed up. Of course, it would.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">C???o???n???j???u???r???e???r???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    36 HP, 55 MP, 28 SP, 4 STR, 6 DEX, 5 VIT, 7 MAG, 7 FTH, 5 WIL, 3 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Summon Spirit Rank 1


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Adamant Conjuration <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    You can create 1 more spirit.


    The formula to calculate the base level of your spirits gets changed to:


    (1% max[WIL; CHA] + 0.1% min[WIL;CHA] + 2x skill rank)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">A???d???v???a???n???c???e???d??? ???S???u???m???m???o???n???i???n???g??? <Skill locked until Level 6.8>


    Passive


    The number of base classes you can give your spirits is locked at 81.4% of the number of primary classes you have.


    At any time, a maximum of 21.7% of the classes of a given spirit may be elites.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Hey, that''s new! Usually, the second skill gets messed up and not the third. Not only did the skill get changed, but also its unlock level. If this doesn''t smell of monkey''s paw...


    Though, I''m not sure whether this is an upgrade or downgrade for the skill. Before I had a cap of four classes on the spirits, three from base plus one from the Summon Master title. With this skill, it would be 4.8, so 4 until the next Class Core, well same, really. Now to increase it we just need a lot of Class Cores and Dungeon Cores, well, and the stats to use them. Without it though, our spirits could''ve exceeded our number of classes, would just need to take the right classes to obtain the relevant skills.


    Similarly, the limit of elite classes is now set to basically one every five classes. Not sure this changes much. By default, they couldn''t take any elite classes anyway. The Summoner and unglitched Conjurer classes would''ve allowed one each, so same as we get now at ten classes. A bit later but not neck-breaking.


    On the upside, I can now ignore those classes and instead focus on different classes with skills that have more immediate benefits.


    Speaking of skills, I wonder what Lucia gave our new spirit. Hopefully, something with similar area damage like Elly''s [Fire Bomb].


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fire Bomb


    200 SP, 1 bottle or vial


    Turn the bottle or vial into an explosive that lasts for 5 seconds.


    When either the time is up or it gets thrown against an enemy or solid surface it explodes for (60% DEX + 60% MAG) physical fire damage in a 5x5 DU area.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...hey, wait a minute! It uses MAG. Didn''t Basluth say that spirits can''t use skills that use the MAG stat in any way?


    So was Basluth wrong about this, outright lied to me or did Elly find a workaround? Gotta find that out later. Something''s clearly off there.


    I''m getting a bit hungry but in my current state, I can''t access my inventory, can''t take a blood bag out and drink it. But then, it makes sense since this isn''t reality, just my subconscious. So why would I have access to real food... Bah!


    What now? Anything else I need to prepare? Hmm, upload at 97%, so I guess I can just relax for a minute. Not that the anticipation, or rather dread, lets me. I have a very bad feeling about what I''ll get from that class.

 Ch. A5 – Stage: Denial

    What now? Anything else I need to prepare? Hmm, upload at 97%, so I guess I can just relax for a minute. Not that the anticipation, or rather dread, lets me. I have a very bad feeling about what I''ll get from that class.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Y???o???u??? ???h???a???v???e??? ???t???a???k???e???n??? ???J???i???m??? ???a???s??? ???y???o???u???r??? ???f???a???m???i???l???i???a???r???.???


    ???Y???o???u??? ???h???a???v???e??? ???t???a???k???e???n??? ???S???a???r???a??? ???a???s??? ???y???o???u???r??? ???f???a???m???i???l???i???a???r???.???


    ???Y???o???u??? ???c???u???r???r???e???n???t???l???y??? ???h???a???v???e??? ???????/??????? ???f???a???m???i???l???i???a???r???(???s???)???.???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yeah, like that. Exactly like that... Can I get the non-moonspeak version, please?


    Every minute or so, more of these garbled messages pop up. They just don''t stop coming.


    Earlier I would''ve thought that this would be from Lucia taking some of the lab personnel as familiars. Karen did tell us that the barrier around the Glitch Zone was weakening and they needed more help, more MP, so I offered to create more helpers via familiars. And considering the... accident it isn''t out of the question that the Glitch Zone is growing and in consequence, the barrier weakened even further. If so, they would need the helpers ASAP, so I would understand if Lucia made a few more familiars than we initially agreed on, but I''ve already read through dozens of these messages, so something else must be going on.


    I could just quickly fill in the two remaining class slots and go check but... I want to trust them to get this under control without me. For now, at least. This class could change way too much to just throw it all to the winds just for a hunch...


    A while later, the class upload is finally finished, but more and more of the glitched messages arrive. Can''t do anything about it...


    Now, what is my status?


    Creak


    Huh?


    Creak


    What''s wrong with the "Silver" in front of Elf? It is shaking like a Loony Toons shop sign about to fall off.


    Crack


    Thunk


    ...and fall off it did. Left a bump on the ground, too.


    Guess I''m no longer a Silver Elf but a... blank? Space Elf? Double-tab Elf? Just Elf? Something of that sort. But just the name change is the only difference. Stats and skills are still the same. And at least as far as I can see, I don''t look any different.


    Now, the rest of my stats...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised, critical</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Wizard 16, D???e???p???a???r???t???e???d??? 9, EMPTY, C???o???n???j???u???r???e???r??? 10, Lore Seeker 7


    EMPTY</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, N???o???b???l???e??? 8, Lord 20, Progenitor 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%"><Unknown Category></td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4A61726564 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">W???o???r???l???d??? ???R???e???s???i???d???e???n???t???, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married, Master Crafter, R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l??i???a???r???s???, S???u???m???m???o???n??? ???M???a???s???t???e???r???, Summon Master, World Resident, Three of Disaster


    Title Level 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1???3???/????</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Apprentice Headband, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Unnatural Claws 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 16 (Rank 1), Drain Touch 9, Earth Magic 16 (Rank 1), Fire Magic 16 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 16 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 16 (Rank 1), Summon Spirit 10 (Rank 1), Titanium Magic 16 (Rank 1), Water Magic 16 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 8, Disguise 10, Intimidation 16, Stealth 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">D???e???a???t???h??? ???S???e???n???s???e??? 9, E???m???b???r???a???c???e??? 8, Familiar 20, Greater Vampiric Bite 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Adamant Conjuration 10, Affinity Magic 16 (Rank 1), Ageless 20, Cure Boost 8, Enhanced Regeneration 20, E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y? 16, Keen Perception 7, Magical Secret 7, Malleable Form 16, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 8, Trap Lore 9, Undead 10, Undead Resilience 9, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top"><Unknown Category></td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%; vertical-align: top">T3VyIGZhcmV3ZWxsIHByZXNlbnQ= 5, TWFyY2E= 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Maybe I should just give in and join the glitch''s side... My status doesn''t look much better than it anyway...


    No, no, no! I will not! I''m me, a vampire, and not a goddamn living, breathing MissingNo cosplay!! Get these awful thoughts out of my head!!


    ...


    After taking a moment to calm down, I double-check my status. Exp is really at 0, again. Vampire Lord is sitting at level 20, did Lucia really waste all of our familiars already? Let me check...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Limit</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">1/2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Shared Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">Sleepless, Ageless, Familiar</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 20%">Active Familiars</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Of course, what did I expect? Why am I surprised by a missing list...


    Lucia, what have you done? What''s the point of giving the familiars the [Familiar] skill? I''d hope that either Elly or Karen advised her on this but both said that they know little about vampire-exclusive skills. Can''t think of a good reason, and now I''m even more worried about what''s going on outside. Lucia, what is going on there?


    But it says I can add another skill to them, is there anything I could give them to help out?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Limit of shareable skills reached. No further skills may be shared.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So much for that... There''s no more point in worrying about reaching the final threshold of the [Familiar] skill, we''ve given them already given all the skills we''re allowed to. Pity. Would''ve liked to strengthen them further.


    What else... why''s there a new title?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Three of Disaster


    Congratulations on uniting three (or more) Demon Lords under a common banner!


    As a reward, your level cap (base 100) rises by 25% of this skill''s level.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Good luck reaching that.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Why do we have that? By my understanding, only Lucia and I should count for that. Anna may have a divine class, but that isn''t a Demon Lord class, and nobody else should have a class of that type, so why is it here? Also, the description is weird, usually titles only list an effect and not their whole life story.


    Lucia, what the hell did you do while I was away? ...did you feed so much that you now count for two? Err... better not tell her that.


    Well, "good luck" indeed. Given the people of this world I''ve seen so far, I have trouble believing that levels past 30 exist, much less level 100 and beyond. And unless I find an exploit like declaring myself one of my spirits while having classes with a total CHA growth of over 100, I don''t see myself ever reaching the threshold to profit from this title. As it currently stands, it is pointless... Well, at least it isn''t detrimental, I guess.


    So, now for the main attraction, the absolutely broken, unbelievably overpowered cheat class!


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">4A61726564</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">D???i???v???i???n???e??? D???e???m???o???n??? Lord class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    4 HP, 10 MP, 6 SP, 1 STR, 7 DEX, 2 VIT, 6 MAG, 5 FTH, 6 WIL, 4 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">D???a???r???k??? ???L???o???r???d??? <Skill locked until Level 9>


    Passive, cannot be negated


    In a 2.61-mile radius negate all active skills and effects of plot, divine, unique rank or higher.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">TWFyY2E= <Skill locked until Level -53>


    {LOADING SKILL DATA...}</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">T3VyIGZhcmV3ZWxsIHByZXNlbnQ=


    {LOADING SKILL DATA...}</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">EMPTY</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">B???o???t???t???o???m???l???e???s???s??? ???M???a???n???a???<Skill locked until Level 134>


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.Increase max MP by 62% and (217 x skill level).


    Also, increase MP regeneration effects by 38%.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Veteran <Skill locked until Level 259>


    This title grants 15 maxHP per title level.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Brightflame Sorcerer <Skill locked until Level 1420></td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    24 HP, 53 MP, 28 SP, 2 STR, 4 DEX, 3 VIT, 9 MAG, 9 FTH, 5 WIL, 6 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Radiant Fire


    Passive


    When one of your spells would inflict either pure fire or light damage, instead inflict both at 60% of the original power.


    Additionally, gain fire and light affinity.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: STACK OVERFLOW</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I wanted to say that it has my name on it but honestly, it is a complete and utter mess. And not in a good way.


    Most of the stats are downright bad, even if they, uh, match up to the class''s name, or what goes for a name around these parts. Two skills haven''t loaded, one is as present as my humanity, one is a title and... is that a whole fricking class as a skill!? How does that even work? Well, even with the broken level cap and an imaginable infinite exp exploit, I''ll never find out how the hell that works. Not unless someone convinces the system that level 1 is bigger than 1420.


    So bad news, I don''t have [Radiant Fire] despite it missing an unlocked at X tag, seems to be part of the whole glitched skill-class-skill package. And good news, uh... it doesn''t eat up one of my limited elite class spots? Does that count?


    Well, I can guess that the first skill is a glitched version of Lucia''s [Dark Lord] skill. Hers kills plot armor, mine any active skill a normal person shouldn''t have. I think I can unlife with that - unless all skills I still gain from this class happen to be active, then it is a big problem. If I recall correctly, Basluth didn''t have any active, divine skills so it wouldn''t even help us there... Well, not that I have a say in that...


    As for the rest... come on, load faster!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">TWFyY2E= <Skill locked until Level -53>


    Passive


    Your main spouse''s divine class (if present) gains 1 additional skill.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So a one-to-one trade? Is that it? So far I got the impression that the divine class business would be super powerful and not just a mere even trade on a class with poor stats...


    But before I can process what that means for our overall situation, the [TWFyY2E=] garbage changes.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Profane Vows <Skill locked until Level -66>


    Passive


    Your main spouse''s divine class (if present) gains 2 additional skills.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    What just happened? Did it just... It kinda... fixed itself, and upgraded its effect?


    In a roundabout way, I do not gain a skill here but Lucia gains two now, so we go plus one in a sense. I''ve no immediate objection to that but I''ve no clue WHAT exactly she gets. For all I know, those skills might even be detrimental like [Undead] is for the most part. Too much uncertainty with this whole business, and I''ve no input on anything. I don''t like it...


    Compared to Lucia''s [Unholy Matrimony] this is just a major letdown. Hers gives us a lot of freedom with how we move around the upkeep for the summons, basically duplicates gained exp and for what it is worth gives us another slot in a party. [Profane Vows] though, is just two gacha draws that may even backfire...


    Suddenly, I get a short, sharp headache and then the skill changes once again.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Profane Vows <Skill locked until Level -37>


    Passive


    Your spouse''s divine class (if present) gains 2 additional non-detrimental skills.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">There, happy now?</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And why couldn''t you say so in the first place? Dumb skill...


    God, my head still hurts...


    Uh, the skill doesn''t say "main spouse" anymore... Thinking about it, this "upgrade" is yet another incentive to extend our marriage to another person. Level, title and class syncing through Lucia''s [Unholy Matrimony], two bonus skills through this, the need to create many unique memories to keep the seal on the Glitch Core intact ... why do you want to push me in this direction so much?! Goddamnit!


    I can''t deny that the idea entices me... I''ve probably more of that Johnny within me than I''d like to admit.


    A moment after snapping out of these thoughts, I look back to my status. It seems [T3VyIGZhcmV3ZWxsIHByZXNlbnQ=] is finally done loading, and as its brethren, its name changes after a moment.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Overlord''s Oversight


    Passive


    Lifts the limit on the number of party members.


    Leader''s exp gain rate overwrites the rate for party members.


    For exp gain adjustments, the member that inflicted the triggering damage no longer receives an increased share.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So... I can invite the whole fortress into my party? But considering that exp is evenly split this isn''t as straightforward as it could be. More party members mean less exp for me out of a given monster, and to be blunt, not everyone contributes equally to exp gain. Considering the title that lets my familiars add classes without Class Cores as long as one of my spirits has more classes than them, I''d claim that my level is much more important than anyone else''s. I don''t only need the Class Cores to add more classes but I also have to meet the stat requirements that only grow higher and higher with each class.


    Seriously, so far, I''m disappointed with what I''ve got out of this oh-so-special type of class. Whether hero or demon lord or demigod or whatever, shouldn''t they be able to shake the foundation of the world? How the fuck do you do that with this crap!? Stat wise it isn''t anything to write home about, lifting the party size limit is pointless when there''s a level of quality no amount of quantity can overcome - Basluth''s level 300 prison dungeon certainly qualifies for that - and 2 extra skills for Lucia mean little when I had to literally beg that they wouldn''t be detrimental...


    That leaves as my only hope the empty skill slot, what can I even do with that? I have no button or anything I could press to assign a skill to it. So how can I...


    Before I can finish my thought, I''m once again overcome by a massive headache. I can''t do anything besides hold my head in pain and endure.


    Once the ache ends and I can see clearly again, I notice that the room is now illuminated in a faint green light.


    In a panic, I look toward the crack in the ground where the seal was broken earlier. Where before was a faint green mass visible, is now a veritable eco-disco. Various garish shades of white, black and green erupt from that hole.


    Shit, did my wish to fill the skill slot allow that abomination to lash out and do its dirty work? It is more than obvious by now that I need to be very, very careful with what I do or ask for, otherwise, I only allow that glitch core to grow and corrupt me further...


    I finally understand... [Profane Vows] changed because I gave in... because I wanted it to...


    Lucia, please help me...


    I check my status again, but the only thing that has changed is that a new skill now occupies the empty slot of the strange divine class.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Essence Drain


    [ERROR: UNKNOWN REQUIREMENT O-7734]


    When you drink at least 100ml of the blood of a creature, you retain a blood echo of the victim.


    This lasts for either 1 year or until it is used in the following effect:</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Choose a target between yourself, one of your familiars or a creature you touch.


    You can sacrifice up to 8 skills from your own, the chosen creature and any by blood echo-linked creatures'' skills.


    These sacrifices are used to create an i???l???l???e???g???a???l??? extra class or mutate an existing extra class of the target creature.


    The sacrificed skills can''t be regained.


    If a skill originates from multiple sources each instance is treated separately.


    You cannot trade skills fundamental to a creature type, e.g. [Undead] or [Spirit], this way; they are only a valid sacrifice if their owner is the target of the process.


    If skills were sacrificed the recipient must''ve lost at least 2 skills in the process, otherwise, the process fails.


    The created/mutated class varies by the offered skills and essences of the involved, and, in case of mutation, on the extra class that gets modified.


    Sacrificing multiple skills does not guarantee a better result.


    If at least 3 skills are chosen to be sacrificed you can preview the result without losing the skills and still abort the process.


    When the class creation is successful, the class granting this skill increases its level by 1 unless it is already your highest-leveled class.


    A given target can only receive (1 + skill level / 15, at most 5) additional extra classes this way.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    This... is what the imprisoned glitch has created... because I let it... What abomination has it unleashed upon the world this time?


    Error Unknown Requirement O-something? What, can''t I pay my doomsday skills in dollars nowadays? Do I really have to obtain a different fake currency? What a bother...


    At a first glance, this looks quite powerful. Compared to other skills I''ve seen, probably too much so. Most people don''t have extra classes, but often duplicates of skills with poor or no scaling by skill level.


    Grab an enemy or maybe a willing donor, invite them <del>as</del> for lunch, and then sacrifice two skills on my end and take everything else from the guest. If I can stomach the taste, monsters are a dime a dozen as well, and their elites should have enough skills for the melding. Restraining the target will likely be a hassle, but should be worth the effort long-term.


    I can easily think of a couple of skills I don''t need or could do without. [Undead], [Cure Magic], [Cure Boost], two stacks of [Intimidation], maybe [Drain Touch]. Also [Affinity Magic] or the corrupted [Extra Affinity] depending on how their absence interacts with the skills I''ve gained from them. Though if [Fire Magic] is any indication I can do without them now; I kept [Fire Magic] after the glitch bath despite missing the source of fire affinity after all.


    Then I could also upgrade my allies and spirits by melding whatever skills they don''t need into something useful. Nothing in the description says I can''t draw from multiple victims at the same time, so I could probably pull a similar trick by hunting some suitable monsters.


    Considering the possibilities, it might be well worth it to employ something like monster tamers, a group of people that collect monsters with valuable or rare skills. Ash, I choose you!


    There''s another factor. My supposed divine class has a title and a different class in a skill slot, does that mean titles and whole classes would be valid targets for the sacrifice? If that''s true, this skill is way too open-ended. There are dozens of titles I could take and sacrifice at no detriment, even some titles I already have...


    Just for the heck of it, I could try and sacrifice a monster''s monster class or at least the [Mindless Monster] skill, see where they end up. If my theory about dead souls returning as monsters is even partially true this would have serious implications.


    ...here I am, already thinking about how I could use this instead of thinking about whether I should use it at all. If Elly saw that she''d scold me again.


    But this is certainly a skill that would fulfill what I wanted out of my divine class. Power, potential, a lot of it, not only for me but for the others as well. But something is certainly off about this and I''m afraid I won''t find out until I use it. I know I should be more cautious with it, but as with many other skills, I get a desire to use it. A feeling as if using it was the most normal thing in the world...


    I look one more time over the strange skills I''ve gained from the divine class, so far they look stable, for a lack of a better word. They haven''t changed again since I''ve calmed down, whatever that is worth.


    Seriously... for a mess created by a force of pure chaos, all of these skills are way too orderly. To a suspicious degree even. Proper readable names, seemingly balanced effects... well, at least no crazy effects that make no sense or contradict themselves, no extremely high or low numbers, just stuff I could see a game designer come up with and maybe create a game around... This whole class is way too weird. All of its skills look fine, but their origin and the class''s name just scream trouble.


    I take a moment to sort my thoughts.


    So luckily, the new class doesn''t change anything major about what I can do, which means I can fill in the missing classes more or less as planned. Just the two choices for the empty class spots and I can finally get out of here. At least I hope that that is the final thing keeping me unconscious.

 Ch. A6 – One of us!

    POV: Jill (halfling woman)


    Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!


    I want to scream for real but then they''d find me...


    AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!


    At least I have that now mentally out of my system... Why are they everywhere, what did we do to deserve this!?


    Please go away, please go away... just... leave us alone...


    A handful of monsters here and there is... nothing out of the ordinary but they never got into our settlements, especially not in these numbers. Outside the window, I can''t even see anywhere where they aren''t...


    And worst of all, the guards that should protect us have even joined them.


    Why... did they do that. It makes no sense. Normal people and monsters are as irrevocably different as anything can be... Why did they betray us!?


    I cautiously pull the curtain aside and look out of the window.


    Another group of monsters marches this way. Seems like they were at the church previously, some of them are mockingly wearing habits or now-defiled holy garbs.


    Great, they are storming the neighbors'' house. I can hear Hans scream and try to jump out of the window, yet they catch him anyway. I can''t... I can''t watch this.


    I avert my eyes and start crying, but soon after, the screaming stops. Curiosity gets the better of me and I dare to look once more.


    Hans... is gone. Where he was just a moment ago is now yet another of these abominations. The horde of were-people, lizardkin, false humans and whatnot is now joined by a zombie bearing Hans'' skin. He wasn''t the most pleasant person to be around but even he didn''t deserve this fate. May he rest in peace...


    This reminds me, I never returned the lighter to him - I guess he won''t need it anymore...


    Two more monstrous figures leave the neighbors'' house. I guess those used to be the two refugees Hans took in when the flood started. I never had much contact with them despite working at the same merchant, we were working different shifts. But now... it doesn''t matter anymore... I''ll never get to know them properly.


    Bang Bang Bang


    Someone is knocking on my door!? Shit, they are coming for me next! I have to hide... but where?


    I''m not home! No one is here, go away!


    Bang Bang Bang


    Yeah, as if foolishly hoping would work... The door wouldn''t withstand an angry human, much less a horde of monsters...


    That what was once Hans groans, "CoME On jILl, oPEn uP! WE kNOw ~u''RE thERE!"


    Stop trying to imitate us, you monsters! He''s... dead. Hans is dead, I''ve seen what you''ve done to him. Let him be... Don''t sully his memory like that!


    It doesn''t matter now, I need to hide somewhere. Where could I...? If these monsters retain enough memories of their victims as to know my name then... I guess fake Hans would know where I''ve kept my spare keys...


    Click


    With a creaking, the front door opens.


    Shit! I just had to think about it!


    Before they can find me on the second floor, I have no choice but to hide in the attic. I''m not good with cramped spaces but I have no other choice.


    I climb the ladder to the attic and pull it up to me, then close the hatch. The air up here is a bit stuffy, but I can endure that for a while if I must. Still better than ending as monster food.


    After a few minutes, I can hear a commotion in the room below me, the monsters have followed me this far.


    Please go away, please leave... I, I don''t want to die. I don''t want to become one of you. Just piss off!!


    Nervously, I fiddle around with Hans'' lighter. If it wouldn''t give me away I could totally go for a smoke right now.


    A moment later, I can hear Fake-Hans from below, "WeIRd, shE IS nOT hERe."


    Another voice answers him, "Just leave Jill be, Hans. She''ll come around sooner or later, she doesn''t have a choice."


    The zombie asks her, "IF yA SaY soOo, JAnE. BUt ~rN''t ya wORRieD AboUT YouR fRieND!?"


    Jane is with them, too? Please no...


    I start crying once more. Jane, she was...


    Strength leaves my hands and the lighter slips out of them, it falls to the ground with a dull clang. Shit, I hope they didn''t hear that!


    Monster-Jane orders the others around, "Not in the slightest. I know she''s a tough cookie. Now go, we''ve more work to do!"


    Ex-Hans scoffs, "YEah, yEAh."


    I hear some grunts and footsteps, then a different voice yells, "Hans, you idiot, you lost your arm!"


    He responds, "WhoA, S''rIGhT. HaRD tO GEt usED to."


    After a moment, silence sets finally in. I''ve made it through this mess, for now at least. But what can I do now? The monsters are everywhere! Forget about the inability to sleep, we were already short of food before, so even if they left me in peace I would starve soon.


    Damn, what can I do? How could I escape or where to? Nowhere in this place is safe, and the flood hasn''t ended either...


    I mull some more but arrive at no conclusion. Finally, I give up and cautiously open the hatch again. It has been a while since I heard anything from below, so the air should be clean for the moment. Or at least devoid of monsters, there''s now a disgusting stench in the air. They could really use a bath.


    I carefully look around the room from my safe-ish position in the attic but see no one, it seems no monster is waiting for me. Despite an uneasy feeling, I put the ladder down again and climb down, I need some fresher air; the air in the attic was barely breathable.


    When I reach the last step of the ladder, it cracks and I tumble around, the lighter falls down once again.


    I can hear some kind of smacking noise as if someone face-palmed but no one is there. What was that noise? I look around once more but still find nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe I''m just hallucinating from sleep deprivation. Yeah, that must be it.


    With a sigh of relief, I pick up the lighter again. Then suddenly someone grabs me from behind and takes me into a chokehold. I''m pretty sure this is Jane who presses a scaly arm against my throat, "Hey, Jill, did you miss me?"


    I have a hard time breathing in her stranglehold, "J-Jane? No, you''re not, you... Why..."


    Since when is she so strong? Neither of us is a trained fighter but we were close enough that I could fight her off. But now? I can struggle as much as I want but her arm doesn''t move an inch. I''m completely helpless against her now...


    That must be because this isn''t Jane but a monster imitating her. I can... do nothing anymore. Only death awaits me now...


    Jane doesn''t weaken her grip on me in the slightest, "Why? Because I want to be reunited with you, Jill, you dummy! I couldn''t bear you dying on me! And you know as well as I do, that regular people can''t survive in this wannabe-dungeon, only our master''s blessing allows us t-"


    Before she can finish her monologue, I pass out from the lack of air and only faintly hear Jane comment on me passing out, "Whoops..."


    ...


    When I come to again, I''m tied to a chair in my kitchen and the mockery of Jane stands before me. It looks just like her except for a few spots of scales on her face and arms. Same short, blonde hair, green eyes and the scar on her cheek...


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    My panicked attempt to breathe again rattles her out of her thoughts, "God, I thought I''d have lost you. I''m sorry, Jill, I didn''t mean to-"


    Angrily, I interrupt her, "Save yourself this theatre. You''re not my friend Jane! You''re just an abomination wearing her skin!"


    My words have seemingly hurt her, "...why do you resist so much, Jill? I swear I''m really me, no tricks to it. The only thing that may have changed, is that I got a few skills extra and well, some... minor disfigurements... Ask me anything, I''ll do what is needed to prove that I mean you harm, that I''m still the same person I was before!"


    You can talk all you want. I''ve seen Hans, he was always scared stiff at the mere mention of ghosts or undead, and now he''s a walking corpse himself while none the worse for wear? Who''d believe that crap!


    Full of anger, I yell some incoherent crap at her, I don''t even know myself what I say anymore. I just want to vent my anger, get out of here, away from this nightmare, and forget this ever happened...


    But I have no hope, only frustration. At this whole situation, at my own weakness, at everything!


    Jane grabs my head, "It may not have been a closet but the attic gotta count", then forcefully kisses me.


    My heart skips a beat, "Jane, what''s the big idea!? We-"


    Wait, did I just... No, this isn''t my Jane, she can''t be...


    She smirks, "Oh, now you call me by my name again. Hmm~ But jokes aside, please cease your resistance at once. I don''t want to lose you, not again."


    "Jane..."


    "Jill, I see your doubts written on your face, but you don''t have to worry about us. I have...", she trails off and goes silent for a moment, "Before I became a willing follower of our mistress, I asked her for permission to stay together with you. I was ready to die if I had to give up on you but to my surprise, she gave her permission. In fact, she would even personally give us her blessings if we''d ever hold a... what did she call it? A wedding? Well, anyway, the only condition is that you join us, alive that is. And well, as you know, the only alternative is that you die in this dungeon atmosphere. So...", she turns a bit red, "what do you say, Jill? Can you give us another chance?"


    My thoughts run wild, I could be together with Jane without having to hide, this time for real, accepted...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Y???o???u??? have accepted <???U???N???K???N???O???W???N???>???''s blessing.


    W???e???l???c???o???m???e??? ???t???o??? ???t???h???e??? ???f???a???m???i???l???y???!???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I''d only have to resign myself to being a monster... What? No, no, no! I don''t want that!


    ...but it is already too late, somewhere in my heart I had already accepted Jane''s offer, even if for just a fleeting moment. That was all it took...


    Suddenly a burning shiver creeps down my spine, and while that happens, Jane tells me, "Well, there was one minor detail I didn''t mention..."


    I start feeling... something, a prickling sensation, some kind of slimy drag plucking at my very being. Breathing feels hard again, and I''m overcome by a strong fever.


    I can barely muster the strength to speak, my voice sounds hoarse, "That we''re becoming monsters...?"


    "Not... quite monsters, those are still hostile to us. No, instead, we become something... different. Something better. You know the difference between a human and a catfolk, right? Well, my status still lists me as human but I''ve clearly some animal parts to me now", she points to some scales on her arm.


    Suddenly, I feel... stronger. While Jane fails to explain, I easily tear the ropes apart that bind me to the chair. She doesn''t seem surprised in the slightest, as if she knew that I would become able to.


    Despite the sudden surge of power, I''m still feeling sick and can''t hold myself upright, but Jane catches me and takes me into a hug, "Please endure, dear Jill. In a moment, everything will be fine again, I promise you. Then... we''ll be together forever. As it should be."


    I don''t have the strength to speak anymore, I try to talk but no sound leaves my mouth. I just try my best to endure, for Jane''s sake. For my own.


    The previous prickly feeling quickly spreads throughout my whole body, my entire soul. It starts foreign, creepy, slimy, and then quickly turns warm, pleasant... familiar. I''m feeling at peace in Jane''s arms.


    All of a sudden, everything looks different, distorted. Every color is replaced with dark shades of green or grey and a disturbing black fog raises from Jane. I feel like this should disturb me but to me, it suddenly seems frighteningly normal.


    After blinking a few times, the view returns to normal.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">T???h???a???n???k???s??? ???f???o???r??? ???t???h???e??? ???d???o???n???a???t???i???o???n???.???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    You''re welcome, master.


    Wait, why did I think that just now? What was that?


    Jane pats my head, "There, all better now?"


    Still confused, I reply, "Yeah, I think so."


    Jane tugs at my antennae, "Ya know, I''d have preferred if my hal-fling GF would''ve become more a chameleon like me but your changes look cute on you, too."


    Wait, antennae? "What...?"


    Finally, I check my status.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jill</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">26</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Clerk 16, EMPTY (x4)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Halfling 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hybrid 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">-1854</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1812/1875</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">616/637</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2274/2424</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">252</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">365</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">245</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">146</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">90</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">241</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">401</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ageless 1, Familiar 1, Hard Worker 14, Luck Boost 14, Sleepless 1, Stun Powder 7, Tracking 14, Wings 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Lightning</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    No wonder I suddenly felt so strong. I had like 180 STR before. Not only did I get a strange extra class out of nowhere, but it is already at level 7, what is that? What''s going on here?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Hybrid</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">V???i???l???e??? ???M???o???t???h??? extra class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">NO DATA</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That tells me about as much as Lea''s recipe book, "What the heck is a Hybrid? I''ve never heard of that word."


    Jane explains, "Jill... we don''t know, the mistress doesn''t know either. All of us got this extra class but it seems for everyone it does something entirely different. I seemingly got parts of a chameleon-like creature, like [Invisibility]. It made Hans more ghoul-like, though to be honest, he was already quite old so that''s not that big of a change. And you... well, you tell me. Even with the Hybrid bonus, I don''t have the stats to use [Appraise]. If I had to guess, maybe some kind of mantis?"


    So much for not becoming monsters. But for some reason, I don''t mind that - is that also part of the change? Being conditioned to just accept it as the new "me"?


    "No clue, I''m just a clerk, not a monster expert. And what''s with that weird empty class?"


    She answers, "Oh, that? That means you can add a proper class without needing any Class Core items, you just need to meet the stat requirements. The mistress said everyone should at least take one class that grants [Create Food and Water] or something similar to help us get better through the food shortage. Everything after that is up to us. She urges us to put it towards the role we want to fulfill in the future, not necessarily the one we currently have."


    This is absolutely absurd! Additional classes are for soldiers, not for simple civilian workers like me. And even they usually only get one or rarely two additional classes, not a whole FOUR. ...if they can grant us that level of power with such ease we never had a chance, had we? Ignoring the rules of the gods just like that... What kind of monsters are we dealing with here...


    Speaking of monsters, Jane pointed out earlier that I had antennae. By now, they feel like I''ve always had them. But what about those [Wings]? I don''t feel like I have any-


    Rip


    Suddenly, I feel something coming out of my back.


    Jane sounds sad, "Did you have to ruin the shirt I gifted to you?"


    "Sorry... I... still don''t know how to control these new appendages."


    She scoffs, "Yeah, yeah, that totally sounds like the clumsy you. But what kind of wings are those? I don''t think I''ve any idea what creature they could belong to. Some yellow, red, black... the pattern is pretty though."


    I''m disappointed with Jane''s deception, "So despite what you told me, we are slowly turning into monsters after all... Do we... do we now have to kill everyone else? Or turn them into monsters like us? I don''t want that... Can we... can we leave them in peace, please?"


    She pokes my forehead, "Jill, we''re not killing them! We''re saving them! You should''ve already understood that without the [Sleepless] skill our mistress has granted us we''ll die in this dungeon-like environment! It is just a matter of maybe days until..."


    I shake my head, "We will not do it like you did it for me. We''ll give them the choice, and if they say no, we''ll respect that, got it?"


    "But the mistress-"


    I interrupt Jane, "can go to hell for all I care! Say, why do you refer to that monster as ''mistress''? I don''t feel like calling her that at all."


    Try as I might, I can''t get myself to hate that person, not anymore, but that doesn''t mean I have to respect her as much as Jane seems to. It is her fault we''re becoming some kind of abomination, I won''t... I don''t want to forgive her for that!


    Hesitantly, Jane answers, "She''s... doing a lot for me, for us. When I confronted her, I expected to get killed for defying her but instead, she was... quite supportive. I''m grateful for that, probably a bit too much, and I feel like the Hybrid thing is not doing that sentiment any favors either. I feel like... it strengthens any form of loyalty I experience toward them. So... please don''t do anything stupid to get on their bad side. Just stay out of trouble, please. I don''t want to have to choose between you two, I couldn''t..."


    Tears well in my eyes, "I understand... it would force you to go against me..."


    We spent a few more moments embracing each other in silence.


    After a while, Jane teases me, "Sooo... not gonna let go? Just a moment ago, my hal-fling GF was quite averse to this."


    "Nn~, I wanna stay like this. If I already lost my humanity that''s the least you can treat me to."


    "Eh, the thing with the attic was mostly a joke..."


    "Well, too late now. You already knew what you were getting into with me."


    Finally, she sighs and frees herself from my hug, then turns and is about to leave, "So you coming? We have more people to rescue."


    I teasingly pout, "Oh, come on, you could''ve at least given me just five more minutes! Urgh, fine! But not because she ordered it! I''m doing that only because otherwise, my friends would needlessly suffer!"

 Ch. A7 – Meeting a Devil

    So luckily neither the divine class nor the selected element changes anything major about what I can do, which means I can fill in the missing classes more or less as planned.


    I double-check my skills one final time before I start to fill in the gaps.


    Oh, hey, Extra Affinity Mk Barf has now a proper list to choose from.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y? <Skill locked until Level 13>


    Passive


    Gain two additional elemental affinities of your choice.


    Can''t choose an element you''re weak to.


    Once obtained this restriction no longer applies.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your current options are: Blast, City, Fifth, Moon, Nerve, Psycho, Ranch-Dressing, Virus


    You have currently selected: Water, Titanium


    You can choose one additional affinity.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I think the old selection was something like Bad Spelling, Surprise, uh... Cursor, Hand and Walnuts? Well, nothing I''d want anyway. Not that this selection is any better... They don''t sound like legitimate elements, so nothing would be weak to them, and I can''t really think of a rank 0 use for them. Considering the suspicious origin it is more than obvious that a "city" created by this City element wouldn''t solve the housing issue but just create another Glitch Zone, and Water wasn''t fit for consumption so why should the food substitute be any better? Somewhere between pointless and self-defeating.


    Can''t you give me something useful? Ah, shit, here comes the deja vu...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y? <Skill locked until Level 16>


    Passive


    Gain t???w???o??? additional elemental affinities of your choice.


    Can''t choose an element you''re weak to.


    Once obtained this restriction no longer applies.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your current options are: Blood


    You have currently selected: Water, Titanium


    You can choose o???n???e??? additional affinity.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Open mouth, insert foot. Another headache, another questionable change.


    I''m not sure what else I could want from this random selection. Maybe one of the regular magic elements but I can take those via classes later, and of the missing ones only wind would be important. Light is explicitly something I can''t obtain, neither this way nor via a class, and poison... is, well, poison, when was that ever a useful element.


    So, should I...? At a minimum for style points, I guess. Can''t call myself a proper vampire if I haven''t absolute mastery over all things blood.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y? <Skill locked until Level 13>


    Passive


    Gain t???w???o??? additional elemental affinities of your choice.


    Can''t choose an element you''re weak to.


    Once obtained this restriction no longer applies.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have currently selected: Water, Titanium, Blood


    You have exhausted your selections.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    What''s done cannot be undone anymore.


    I cannot contain my curiosity and begin playing around with the newly gained [Blood Magic]. A projectile created by it looks more or less as expected, a thick lump of blood that leaves behind a blood puddle on impact. No suspicious glitchy visuals either. I have no enemies around, so I can''t check what status effect this magic could carry.


    As a final test, I create a bit of blood with level 0 magic in my hand. It feels... well, bloody, exactly like regular blood should do.


    I''m a bit hesitant to taste it, I''ve seen how... wrong the status interaction with the Titanium creation was. What does [Appraise] say about it?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Blood


    A few drops of blood of unknown origin.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Not very helpful.


    Ah, screw it, I''ve survived a full-on glitch bath. If I can survive that a small sip shouldn''t hurt.


    I bring my hand closer to my mouth and let a few drops of blood slowly drip into my mouth.


    Gulp


    Gulp


    Blech


    Disgusting, it tastes like a cross between sandpaper and nail scratches on a chalkboard. Guess I should''ve seen that one coming. Elly explained ages ago that it isn''t the blood directly that vampires eat but the life force carried within it, and if the blood doesn''t come directly from a living creature it''ll be useless.


    Well, at least now I know how Anna must''ve felt when she drank the water from my Water Magic.


    Earlier while preparing some candidates, I noticed that the EMPTY spots were locked into similar class types as they were before. Where before was Blood Mage, I could only select classes that sounded like they were unique to vampires or elves, plus some glitched entries as usual. Likewise, Dread Lord''s spot only showed elite classes that seemed "dread" themed in some fashion. Very weird stuff.


    Of course, remembering any of the glitched classes is useless, they change every so often, just as the glitched [Affinity Magic] variant did before. Not that I could remember them if I wanted to, I can''t read glitch language.


    I might as well start with the dread spot since that is the easier one.


    Before the disaster I had:


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Dread Lord</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    39 HP, 48 MP, 37 SP, 2 STR, 1 DEX, 8 VIT, 7 MAG, 8 FTH, 5 WIL, 8 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Legion of Doom


    Passive


    You can have 1 additional spirit.


    You gain additional options to modify your spirits.


    Multiple modifiers can affect the same spirit.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">1) You can add a second race.


    This increases the upkeep cost accordingly.


    As before you can only choose sub-races from races you are familiar with.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">2) You can add an undead extra class.


    This does not increase the upkeep but reduces the intelligence of the spirit.


    Undead spirits are unable to use concentration effects.


    Undead created this way share your sunlight resistance.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">3) You can change the spirit to an army type.


    This option is only available until the first time a newly created spirit or vestige is summoned.


    Instead of one, you summon (original level) spirits with one slot.


    Their level is reduced to (1 + 20% of the original level).


    Army spirits have no individual names and no individuality.


    These spirits always cost their upkeep even when not active.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">F???i???l???e??? ???E???a???t???e???r??? ???A???r???m???o???r??? <Skill locked until Level 5>


    1000 HP upkeep


    Can''t be used while medium or heavier armor is equipped.


    Cover yourself in armor made of shadowy flames.


    When taking melee damage, the flames retaliate by inflicting 50% FTH untyped magic damage to the attacker.


    50% of the inflicted damage is absorbed as HP.


    Also, gain fire and G???l???i???t???c???h??? affinity for owning this skill.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Menace <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Passive


    The non-damage parts of your skills do not affect your allies unless you explicitly chose to.


    Your status attacks do not provide a system message for their targets, success and failure are hidden.


    Your skills are always hidden from [Appraisal].</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Well, the second skill should''ve been different.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Life Eater Armor <Skill locked until Level 5>


    1000 HP upkeep


    Can''t be used while medium or heavier armor is equipped.


    Cover yourself in armor made of shadowy flames.


    When taking melee damage, the flames retaliate by inflicting 30% FTH fire and 30% FTH dark magic damage to the attacker.


    25% of the inflicted damage is absorbed as HP.


    Also, gain fire and dark affinity for owning this skill.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Honestly, I''d rather not regain the borked affinity granted by the glitched version...


    Given the options I have, there was only one other class that looked somewhat viable.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Dread Sorcerer</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    21 HP, 52 MP, 14 SP, 3 STR, 7 DEX, 3 VIT, 8 MAG, 5 FTH, 9 WIL, 4 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fear Control


    Concentration


    Take control of fear-affected creatures (either by emotion or status) that have a combined WIL of your WIL or less.


    The targets are aware that they are controlled and you have complete control over their every action.


    The control is broken when a target loses its fear.


    You can''t control a target with a boss monster or divine class.


    Any exp gained by a controlled creature goes to the controller instead.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Terror Grasp <Skill locked until Level 5>


    230 MP


    Instant cast.


    A shadowy hand appears from the target''s shadow and inflicts 170% MAG dark damage as well as fear and stun at a rate of 35 each.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Emotion Eater <Skill locked until Level 15>


    180 SP


    Touch a creature that is affected by an elevated emotional state (or status effect).


    You get healed equal to 30% of the responsible status damage.


    The target becomes apathetic and immune to mental status effects for (CHA + skill level) minutes.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Honestly, I only noted that one in case the divine class makes somehow summons unusable. You never know with these glitches...


    This would''ve been my plan C. I have [Intimidation] to spread the fear status ailment, once that''s done, take control of monsters with [Fear Control] and thin the horde, lather, rinse, repeat, and at no resource cost at all. I would just need to juggle concentration between the two skills and I could turn an endless amount of trash monsters on each other, they rarely have high WIL values.


    Although I''m not even sure that their fear would count. Back then when I tried to achieve something with [Charm Eye] it had no effect at all even when the status was inflicted.


    And if not for that issue, the problem as usual would be time. I''ve not only to contend with the flood monsters but also with my fortress lord duties. And for the dungeon where I have all the time I need, I still have to deal with bosses and eventually monsters of too high a level to control.


    Yeah, I''ll simply stick with Dread Lord. The improvement options for our spirits will probably serve us better in the long run than this gamble. If I want to go the route of enforcing my will upon other creatures there are probably better-suited skills or classes for that than Dread Sorcerer.


    Click


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Now, did any of its skills glitch out again?


    ...yes, it did, and again the armor skill...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">F???i???l???e??? ???E???a???t???e???r??? ???A???r???m???o???r??? <Skill locked until Level 5>


    1000 HP upkeep


    Can''t be used while medium or heavier armor is equipped.


    Cover yourself in armor made of shadowy flames.


    When taking melee damage, the flames retaliate by inflicting 50% FTH untyped magic damage to the attacker.


    50% of the inflicted damage is absorbed as HP.


    Automatically inflicts critical damage to documents.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Argh, why couldn''t the auto-crit be against monsters in general?! Dumb glitches, please be more useful for once!!


    Wait, if this skill doesn''t grant me fire affinity anymore, what''s happened to my [Fire Magic]? Uh, it''s still there. So once [Affinity Magic] has created a skill it can''t be that easily removed anymore? Works for me.


    But why is then the completely glitched-out magic gone? Well, I didn''t want it, so the fewer chances I have of accidentally using it the better.


    Okay, that leaves the final EMPTY class spot, the Blood Mage replacement.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Blood Mage</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    39 HP, 34 MP, 47 SP, 2 STR, 3 DEX, 3 VIT, 8 MAG, 8 FTH, 5 WIL, 7 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Blood Burst


    200 SP


    Affect a target within sight that carries blood in it and has current HP at or below the damage of a 200% non-elemental spell.


    The target dies and its blood bursts forth from its body forming 10 blood bullets.


    These bullets can be fired at designated targets to either deal 35% magic damage or heal by 2% FTH.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Sanguine Wave <Skill locked until Level 5>


    200 MP


    In a 10 DU diameter area target all non-allied creatures that carry blood in them.


    Inflict 25% MAG non-elemental magic damage and stun at a rate of 15.


    Triple damage and stun rate if the target is bleeding.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Ichor Infusion <Skill locked until Level 15>


    1200 HP


    Recover 300 MP and SP.


    For the first spell you cast within the next 30s, you treat your MAG as if it was increased by 1% VIT.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I''m not too happy with this class. The only good part is [Blood Burst] but now that thanks to [Undead Resilience] HP and SP are the same, it is less appealing. Even if I choose the recovery option each time I''m losing easily over 100 HP with each cast. Compared to that, I could just as well cast cost-free rank 0 spells. If I hit a weakness with them they should deal comparable damage. In the same vein, [Sanguine Wave] doesn''t really offer anything I couldn''t already do with elemental magic, it is just a bit bigger area with about a third of the damage. Not very cost-effective.


    Though it is weird that I can now see what the third skill would be, not that it seems too appealing to me. I''d lose effectively 900 HP to regain a measly 300 MP and get what 4-5 more MAG on one spell? We certainly can do much better, can''t we?


    Where was the class I wanted, the list isn''t short by any means...


    I start typing: B, L, O, O, ...


    Huh, a result I didn''t see before, what is it like?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Blood Occultist</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    35 HP, 48 MP, 33 SP, 3 STR, 6 DEX, 4 VIT, 9 MAG, 5 FTH, 7 WIL, 1 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Sacrificial Ritual


    1000 SP


    Requires a living, humanoid creature that will be sacrificed.


    Perform a ritual that takes 3 hours.


    If the target leaves its initial spot the ritual fails.


    If the ritual is successful the target dies and the user gains exp equal to 10% of the total the victim''s class/level layout is worth.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Ray of Exhaustion <Skill locked until Level 5>


    200 MP


    Shoot a beam that increases exhaustion as if the target had stayed up another (MAG/20 + 10 x skill level) minutes without sleep.


    If the exhaustion level would be fatal, the target is instead put into a coma.


    No effect against targets with [Tireless] or [Sleepless].</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Sanguine Night <Skill locked until Level 15>


    1000 HP upkeep


    Upkeep can''t be canceled before at least 2 hours have passed.


    While active also lose 20 HP per second.


    Banishes sun behind a blood moon.


    While the blood moon is visible all stats of all undead in its sphere of influence are increased by (1% MAG + skill level/2).


    Overwrites rain, snow or similar weather with blood rain which deals 2% non-elemental damage to non-undead.


    Non-undead that die under the effect of the blood moon get reanimated as zombies.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Almost tempting. [Sacrificial Ritual] would help a lot. Put death row prisoners to a final use to gain a ton of exp but honestly... I''m not in the business of human sacrifices. Even if it wasn''t for morals, people are already quite uneasy with a vampire as their ruler, this would just put them over the edge.


    Selfish as it sounds, happy people simply taste better.


    The second skill, [Ray of Exhaustion], is seemingly only useful to knock the ritual victim out. It would easily require five hits to take any effect, if not more. For the same cost, I can cast ten regular spells.


    [Sanguine Night] can get deleted for all I care. The minimum upkeep would be what? 7200 seconds times 20 damage... a death sentence. Who would want or could even use that crap!? Maybe I could trick that cursed lich into casting it, the total cost would exceed even its max HP by a wide margin.


    Either way, I have to make sure Lucia never learns of that class. I still don''t have a good enough idea of how she would react to it and the risk is too great that she gives in to her vampire nature. Again...


    Not that I''m any better... I just got the disgusting idea to reserve a few summoned spirits just to sacrifice them every week... Couldn''t even use it to recycle undead... Urgh, I need to distance myself from this class fast!


    ...


    I still can''t make sense of when I can see the level 5 and 15 skills and when I can''t. Thanks to the spirit creation menu, we could sneak peek at most level 5 skills of basic classes, but not elites, and certainly none of the level 15 skills. Elly might have gathered some intel in Karen''s lab but I doubt they had notes on vampire-locked classes. I can only guess that the glitch soup messed up the flags on which I''ve seen and which not...


    Hmm... or not? I just looked up Dread Sorcerer again, this time the second and third skills are hidden again. If I had to guess, the system reveals the full skill list during these "repair" jobs. Thinking about it, the stat requirements don''t seem to apply either, at least there''s no way I could''ve met the outlandish VIT requirements for Dread Lord.


    Well, back to the two classes I actually considered.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Bloodhunter</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    40 HP, 28 MP, 32 SP, 7 STR, 5 DEX, 9 VIT, 6 MAG, 4 FTH, 5 WIL, 4 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Life Tether


    Concentration


    When killing a creature by drinking all of its blood you may choose to keep it alive by binding its life to yours.


    The creature can''t die again while the link is active.


    When the link ends, the creature dies for good, no matter what.


    The link is severed when concentration is broken, you bind a different creature or either of you takes holy damage.


    By default, the creature will act as it did in life but you can take control of its actions at any time.


    Any exp that would be earned by the tethered creature goes to you instead.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Clawed Weapon <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    As part of your [Diguise], you can create a weapon.


    This weapon has identical properties to your [Unnatural Weapon]-granted claws but functions otherwise like the imitated weapon.


    For weapons that require ammunition, you can create 1 unit of ammo for 50 SP.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Blood Sacrifice <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Special


    You can choose to pay attacks with VIT instead of their usual HP, MP or SP cost.


    Attacks performed this way always inflict bleeding.


    Additionally, the damage type becomes dark if it would be beneficial.


    VIT lost this way recovers at a rate of 1 VIT per 100 HP regenerated.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Overall, I''d prefer to stay on the mage track or rather the mage-slash-summoner path. Going by that, this class has little to offer.


    But if I consider that my claw damage is at least in part powered by MAG, [Clawed Weapon] may be worth it. Imitate a bow or gun, and I could deal some decent damage at a distance for 80 SP per attack. Or simply get a different melee weapon so someone could actually teach me properly in weapon combat. For vampire claws, there are simply no teachers available. Gee, I wonder why.


    [Life Tether] just has the problem that I''d have to endure the disgusting taste of monster blood. Would require some actual willpower, and not just the stat. Well, at least it is more likely to succeed than the earlier [Fear Control]...


    Well, the main selling point of the class would be that I could call myself a "vampire hunter" then... god, that was bad...


    Ah, forget it. This class was just the backup in case the divine class messes with my spell-casting ability, which it luckily didn''t. So that leaves...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Blood Binder</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    31 HP, 49 MP, 26 SP, 5 STR, 4 DEX, 4 VIT, 7 MAG, 7 FTH, 6 WIL, 8 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Ravenous Chains


    600 MP


    Create 6 chains bound to a surface of your choice for up to 1 min.


    A chain breaks if it receives an attack from a creature with base STR exceeding your VIT.


    Each chain may be directed toward the same target or a different one which they try to restrain.


    The chains try to drag the restrained creatures toward their point of origin.


    While attached, each chain inflicts 2% MAG dark damage every second to HP, MP and SP of their target.


    Additionally, chains can try to perform an STR-based attack; on success, the target begins bleeding, and on failure the chain is destroyed.


    Each time a chain inflicts HP damage to a bleeding target, the chain drinks some blood from the wound and transfers 1% of it to the user.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Bound Armament <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    You can bind up to (2 + skill level / 12) pieces of equipment to each of your spirits.


    They stay with your spirits even when they get unsummoned.


    You can exchange the bound pieces with items of a similar type later.


    The stats of a bound item get overwritten with 3% FTH, or 5% FTH for weapons, distributed at the same ratio as the item''s original stats.


    If a bound item has any special properties the stat bonus is halved.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Infernal Link <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Once per day


    Shoot a magical projectile that inflicts the following effect at a rate of 30 (or if the target is willing):


    For each value of HP, MP and SP, both the caster and target have the respective value set to the average between the two values.


    E.g. if the caster has 500 HP and the target 1000 HP both will be left with 750 HP.


    This effect can''t reduce HP below 1.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Really. This system is so "creative"; most vampire-specific classes just have a blood prefix. Elves have variants of "elven"... Get a better writer you lazy hacks! Scarlet, crimson, gore... there, was that so hard to come up with alternate variations?


    Well, out of the available Blood X classes, this is the only one that had anything that improves my spirits, while Blood Mage is the only one I saw that is really a spellcaster. Everything else seemed geared more towards physical combat, maybe stealth-slash-infiltration or some weird food sacrifice fetish, looking at you Blood Occultist.


    [Infernal Link] looks like some kind of weird contract magic, a resource trade of questionable legitimacy. Like Elly has no use for MP but could use all the SP she can get to throw her illegal [Fire Bombs], while I''m kinda the opposite. No clue how that interacts with [Undead Resilience] though.


    I feel like this skill is severely misplaced, doesn''t feel very vampiric to me, I''m not a devil after all. At least, Ren''s sword confirmed that I lacked the necessary evil part - or it was, as so many things, bugged. Honestly, that could go either way. But in the end, what do I know? The collective fiction of a backwater world or two means neither jack nor shit compared to the reality of the wider universe. Real vampires might just as well take the role often associated with devils and similar tempters.


    Anyway, I wanted this class over the alternatives alone for [Ravenous Chains]. Fire isn''t exactly friendly around here and our ever-increasing party size makes slinging spells harder and harder. But some crowd control should help with that. And depending on how generous the whole skill is, I may choose the ceiling as the surface and just drag 6 monsters out of the battle to their death. Dunno, have to test this thing.


    [Bound Armament] is nice, I guess. That would be about twenty to thirty stat points per item for now. Not the world but at least no upkeep cost, just the material cost of the actual items. Although... it does mention item properties, so I assume those would still apply. So if we ever find legendary items with special effects... yeah, dream on, Jared, dream on.


    I think it over one final time and then choose the Blood Binder class as the Blood Mage replacement. But before I can check how my status looks now, I''m quickly passing out. Seems like I can finally wake up again.

 Ch. A8 – End of the beginning

    When I finally come to, I''m strapped to an operating table, with cuffs and all. The room itself seems to be some kind of alchemical lab, dimly lit and no one else is here as far as I can see.


    As if this would hold me. I just acquired [Malleable Form] a short while ago, time to already make use of it.


    I turn parts of myself into water and easily slip out of the cuffs. This much is nothing anymore, really.


    After getting up, I look around the room more closely.


    Next to a makeshift bed in the corner of the room, is a soldier lying on the floor. [Appraise] doesn''t pick him up at all, he''s dead. His armor looks like one of our soldiers, so am I finally really back in my fortress? This better not be a double nightmare.


    What happened here?


    When I look a bit closer, I see some bitemarks on the soldier''s neck. Did I do that and then got captured?


    Now that I think about it, I do in fact not feel hungry anymore, so it seems at least possible.


    Suddenly, I feel something poking at my back, probably a blunt weapon. Then a voice threatens me from behind, "I thought we tied you up? Well, how about you turn around slowly and don''t make any sudden movements? Comply, and no one needs to get hurt, for now."


    I feel like I know this voice.


    "Yeah, yeah", I turn around as requested.


    In front of me stands not Lucia as I expected but her blonde twin.


    But before I can process that fact, she jumps at me and takes me in a hug, "Ha! Gotcha!"


    Confused I hug her back, "What is going on here? Who are you?"


    She scoffs, "What? Already forgot about your wife?"


    "Uh, come again?"


    She ponders for a moment, "No, this would be our first time I think."


    Yeah, totally a Lucia, "And without any nonsense? What''s going on here?"


    She lets go and scoffs, "Fine, if you insist. I''m the part that got separated from the human Lucia when you two... did it and she became a vampire. I kinda died and she brought me back, somehow. Truth be told, neither of us remotely understands what she did but, well, now I''m both your summoned spirit and also your wife. Though to avoid confusion I go by the name Eclaire now."


    "Yeah, no, that sounds like unbelievable hogwash. I''d know if I was married to two women. One Lucia is already the handful..."


    She smiles mischievously, "Oh, don''t deny it. Search your feelings, you know it to be true."


    Then she throws herself at me again and kisses me. Reflexively, I hug her back.


    I feel torn. On one hand, I already have Lucia, on the other... I can feel that there is some truth to it, Eclaire seems to be exactly who Lucia was before [Undead Bait] messed with our lives. She seems to be the person I originally didn''t want to lose before that accursed skill turned her into a vampire. I don''t know if it is a lingering attachment thanks to [Undead Bait] or an emotional mixup because she is at least in part my Lucia and the Happily Married title does its work now, but I know that I don''t want to lose Eclaire, not again...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


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    And of course, something breaks, "What the hell did you do now?"


    She sneers, "Geez, you don''t even know what a kiss is? What loveless world did you come from that you have no clue about simple intimacy between lovers..."


    "I meant the part after that, I got a message that only NOW we''re married", I sigh, "so much for trusting a variant of Lucia... Ever the trickster."


    She sounds mostly sincere, "Sorry, but it was quite necessary. Though I thought you''d be fine with that, you were quite into me even before the incident."


    Let''s ignore the near-mind control of the [Undead Bait] skill, "That might be but now I''m already married to Lucia, well the other Lucia, and I''ve no intention to cheat on her. I don''t even want to imagine what she''ll say to this..."


    She''s excited while answering me, "Oh, she is fine with it. In fact, the whole operation was her idea."


    Now I''m even more confused, "Why that? She struck me as the overly jealous type."


    She hesitates for a moment, "Uh, well, you see she has a plan, a quite impactful one if everything works out the way she thinks. In fact, I even got two impactful skills out of it already! So thanks for playing along."


    Full joy, she shows me her two new skills.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Self-made Spirit


    Passive


    You pay your own upkeep for being a spirit, your upkeep cannot be paid in any other way.


    Instead of being unable to use magic at all, you''re able to use each generic magic skill once per day


    but still need to pay the regular cost and can''t apply spell shapes to them.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So her upkeep cost is completely taken care of, and she can use the remaining MP maybe for some elemental spells, but only the regular projectile versions and only once per day per skill.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Word of Refinement


    Passive


    The followers of your religion can now retrain production classes into proper classes if they meet the requirements; for that, the retrained production class still counts towards their stats but not towards the number of classes they have.


    Retraining this way does not use class cores.


    The retrained class resets to level 1 and the total stats get adjusted accordingly.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Someone needs to get promoted to pope as soon as possible, though I still don''t see where you two are going with this."


    Eclaire sheepishly admits, "Lucia was so proud of her plan she forbid me from telling you any details, she wanted to tell you personally. Though Elly was against the plan for some reason, I honestly didn''t understand why, so I''m not quite sure we should go through with it until we''re on the same page."


    "Fine, be that way. Speaking of, where is everyone else? I feel like I want to hear Elly''s opinion on that plan as well."


    She facepalms, "Oh, right, I forgot. Lucia wanted to know ASAP when you wake up, give me a sec."


    Eclaire goes to the door and shouts, "Hey, Iris, could you please go and tell Lucia? Jared is back with us."


    So Iris was waiting outside the whole time? I thought this was the underground lab, did they tell everyone about this secret?


    Iris answers her, though her voice sounds a bit raspier than before, "Eclaire, you know as well as I do that I don''t fit through the doorway anymore, I''m stuck down here!"


    So many questions...


    Eclaire mockingly replies, "Oh, right, I totally forgot about your diet problem. Then I''ll go myself, while you please keep him company while I''m gone, and make sure he doesn''t cause any more casualties. One guy is already enough."


    Then she turns to me, "Jared, don''t be too surprised, okay? A lot of things have changed while you were unconscious."


    "I bet they did... how long was I even out?"


    Eclaire ponders, "Hmm, about three weeks? Well, ask Iris for the rest, I gotta go."


    "You know you could just as well take me with you to Lucia."


    She shrugs, "No, I think you should take it slow for a while. Trust me, a lot of things have changed and that will be hard to get your head around. Ask Iris if you want to know more. Laters."


    She waves goodbye and leaves, leaving me behind with even more questions than before. I take a moment to order my thoughts and then leave the room as well to talk to Iris.


    I''m not sure what I expected but what I see now wasn''t this. Iris has certainly gotten bigger in some ways, her lower half has become part spider. She has become an arachne. Thanks to her new spider legs she''s easily wide enough to take as much space as three people, no wonder she can''t fit through the stairs going up. Though she seriously needs to work on her clothing, the scraps of spider silk don''t cover that much. Maybe I shouldn''t ask about the origin of the silk, that might be an uncomfortable topic...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Iris</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">23 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Nun 16, E???n???t???o???m???a???n???c???e???r??? 15, Druid 7, Dryad 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dark Elf 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine?</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">A???r???a???c???h???n???e??? 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2810/2810</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3304/3304</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2475/2475</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">239+365</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">307</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">330+65</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">579</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">574+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">423+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">399</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Zatzaknoife, Reinforced Suit, Habit</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dagger Training 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Acid Spray 7, Cure Magic (Rank 1) 7, Earth Magic (Rank 1) 7, Locusts 15, Nature''s Grace 7, Spook 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Create Food&Water 7, Insect Control 15, Luck Boost 15, Web 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ageless 1, Familiar 1, Sleepless 1, S???p???i???d???e???r??? ???C???l???a???s???s??? 15, Stealth 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth, Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I guess that explains at least in part where the Three of Disaster title came from. Me, Lucia, Iris. But then I''d have expected Arachne to be a generic monster, maybe a boss monster and not the big commander. And why does she even have that?


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    "Uh, hi, Iris. You look a bit... different than last time we met. What has happened to you?", while asking that, I look around. As far as I can tell, we are in fact in the underground laboratory but in a more remote backstreet corner. Through one of the alleys, I can see that the barrier around the Glitch Zone still seems to be intact but it looks flimsier than before, though that might be the distance. I can also spot a few people walking about, working on something; it seems a lot of them have changed in some way, Iris isn''t the only one that has some obvious monster parts to them.


    Iris turns toward me, "Ah, Jared, it is good to see you again under the living, or whatever we now count as. Err, you see in our disastrous dungeon trip I got captured by some spider monsters and they... turned me into one of them, or at least tried to. I''m not sure what exactly happened, at one moment I was stuck in a spider''s cocoon, getting fed with spider monsters, somehow absorbing them into my skin and the next... everything exploded and we were outside. I was still human at that point, and they took us to Karen here to check us for glitch contamination. But soon after... I began changing into this form. It was a terrifying experience, to say the least and I''ve been stuck down here ever since."


    "Sorry, I had no idea about any of this. But I think I have an idea of how I could get you out of here. Please endure it, it may sting a little. Now, give me your hand", what did I gain [Essence Drain] for if not for a situation like this?


    Iris gives me her hand like I requested, and I can feel the skill reacting to my will.


    Just randomly creating something is out of the question, the chance to get something like [Disguise] out of a random draw is minimal. But what skills can I use as a catalyst to get something similar? I don''t want to sacrifice my copy of [Disguise], still need it.


    Can I simply delete the responsible class? ...can''t. Classes don''t seem to be a valid target. So the glitched-up class-in-class was just a red herring after all. What else...


    Hmm, maybe a bit of a stretch but maybe my World Resident title? According to its description, it allows me to "blend in" with the native populace, kinda, so maybe...


    What do you know, it is a valid target. So classes are off-limits but titles are okay? This damn system, consistently inconsistent.


    Okay, now two skills from her so she becomes a valid recipient. She should clearly keep her cure and earth magic spells. Maybe Web and the weird one.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">S???p???i???d???e???r??? ???C???l???a???s???s???


    NO EFFECT</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yeah, that one can go into the blender. And the result is...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Hybrid</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">M???a???s???k???e???d??? ???A???r???a???c???h???n???i???d??? extra class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    14.5 HP, 19.5 MP, 28 SP, 4.5 STR, 7 DEX, 2 VIT, 4 MAG, 2.5 FTH, 3 WIL, 3 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Human Form


    Concentration


    You can transform into a human-like form.


    The form is fixed and cannot be altered by this skill.


    Superfluous non-human parts physically disappear into your body.


    Discovering the difference between your original and human form is impossible without magical aid.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Web


    200 MP


    Spread a sticky web over an area.


    This web does not affect a victim if it has the [Spider Climb] skill.


    It can also trap the affected like a regular spider web.


    The web exists until another is created via this skill or it is burned</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Spider Climb


    Concentration


    You can climb along walls, webs and web-like structures.


    While climbing non-web surfaces this way your speed is reduced by 80%.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Earth Weakness</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    This is the first time I have seen fractional stat growths. Weird but whatever.


    I think [Human Form] should solve Iris'' immediate problem and I get rid of the detrimental World Resident title while she doesn''t really lose [Web]; she loses it from Arachne and regains it from Hybrid, whyever it is called that. Two birds with one stone. Done, I confirm the choice mentally.


    I can feel a weird psychic stream moving from me to Iris then merging with her soul. I feel like the World Resident title is gone.


    ...no, I take that back. Just a moment later, I feel the title coming back. Shit, I forgot about the link between Lucia and me, synchronizing our titles. Well, gotta pay more attention next time and sacrifice the same detrimental title from both of us at the same time to get rid of it.


    Curiosity gets the better of me, so I try to create another class for Iris. The link comes up again just like before. I try to select the World Resident title again but this time I can''t select it, other skills are selectable just fine. Damn, now this title is a zombie process...


    I cancel the link and then check on Iris'' status.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Iris</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">23 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Nun 16, E???n???t???o???m???a???n???c???e???r??? 15, Druid 7, Dryad 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dark Elf 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hybrid 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine?</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">A???r???a???c???h???n???e??? 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2810/3201</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3304/3830</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2475/3231</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">360+305</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">496</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">384+65</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">687</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">641+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">504+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">480</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Zatzaknoife, Reinforced Suit, Habit</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dagger Training 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Acid Spray 7, Cure Magic (Rank 1) 7, Earth Magic (Rank 1) 7, Locusts 15, Nature''s Grace 7, Spook 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Create Food&Water 7, Human Form 7, Insect Control 15, Luck Boost 15, Spider Climb 7, Web 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ageless 1, Familiar 1, Sleepless 1, Stealth 15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Earth, Wind</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Is it just me or are the stat increases very substantial? And why does it start already at level 7? Questions, questions...


    "There, done. Can you try your new [Human Form] skill?"


    Iris is taken aback, "What exactly have you just done to me? It felt... weird."


    "Apparently I can give my familiars a mostly random extra class. By sacrificing unneeded skills I can nudge it in a certain direction, so I did that to give you a transformation skill."


    She seems to check her changed status while talking to me, "Ah, so it is finally my time to receive the strange Hybrid class most others have gotten."


    "What are you talking about?"


    Iris uses her new skill to transform back into her old dark elf self, and all of her monster parts disappear. Without exception.


    The undercover arachne begins explaining, "Ah, sorry, my apology, you were unconscious when it happened. Maybe I should start at the beginning? ...having human legs again feels so wrong as if three-fourths of me were missing."


    She tries to walk a few steps and stumbles over, I catch her when she falls over, "Don''t worry, I got you. And, yeah, please start at the beginning."


    She gathers her thoughts, "So about two days after we returned from the dungeon everything just went wrong. The sky above us changed, it took a greener tone, the air became weird like the heavier atmosphere you find in a dungeon and the flood monsters just disappeared. We later found out that the area around the fortress now counts as a dungeon."


    "Wait, we''re now in a dungeon? If I was out for about three weeks and this was just a few days after I went out... Wait, normal people get no benefit from sleep while in a dungeon, wouldn''t then everyone have died of exhaustion by now?"


    "Correct, that is why Lucia made the decision to give us familiars also the [Familiar] skill and ordered us to take as many people as we can as familiars so that they''d survive through your [Sleepless] skill."


    "But that should only give us at most... what? 20 or 40 is the cap according to the skill description. Maybe double since you only get the skill at level 1."


    She shakes her head, "I''m not sure about the details but it seems that all the familiars we take become your familiars instead. You should have several thousand familiars at this point, basically, everyone who survived here is one."


    "And where does the Hybrid class come in?"


    She sighs, "At first it was just that, the people that became familiars would just get the same three skills you''ve shared with us and that was that. But then after about a day, all new familiars also get this strange Hybrid class. No one understands why, but this class does something different for everyone. But no matter what, it... changes the people. They feel like they''ve become more like monsters and... if I''m honest with myself, it might as well be my fault. I let myself be captured by spider monsters, partially became one of them, and me being here might as well have corrupted the familiar bond for everyone else. I''m sorry, everyone..."


    By my understanding, [Essence Drain] is an active ability, and I wasn''t even aware I got additional familiars, much less wanted to use the skill on them. But then just a random glitch mutation giving everyone exactly the same result as the skill sounds very improbable. It is much more likely that the glitch within me is to blame, but for some reason, I have a hard time admitting that...


    "I don''t really understand or know what is going on but if someone here was a monster first that would be me. Even if your transformation was the cause, you''re just as much a victim as everyone else. You only became an active part of our party recently, and you''ve never fought before, so asking you to win against a whole dungeon by yourself is simply unreasonable", I try to comfort her with a hug, "Please don''t blame yourself for this, Iris. It is not your fault."


    She tries to hold back some tears, "Thanks..."


    So to summarize the situation: we''re fucked.


    The whole place now counts as a dungeon with all the relevant consequences. And probably no clue on how to end this crawl.


    To save as many people as possible, Lucia basically made every survivor one of our familiars. And of course, glitches wanted to have a word in, so the familiars also became part monsters.


    "Do you have any idea how many people even survived this ordeal so far?"


    Iris lets go of me, "No not really. I think Therese can tell you more accurate numbers. She should have a meeting with Lucia and Karen at your residence right about now. Though you''ll have to be strong, okay? Some people you knew didn''t make it. For example, Marca..."


    Well, I did say I wanted Therese as my familiar as punishment for certain treatments, so it seems I did get my wish. Hopefully Darius too, his well-being was supposedly needed to keep the barrier around the Glitch Zone intact.


    "I expected as much. A monster mimicking her was the last boss I fought in that disaster dungeon..."


    "Is that so? Truth be told, a monster bearing her likeness appeared recently. Geoffrey didn''t take it well... at all..."


    "Huh? I thought the monster flood was gone?"


    Iris just shrugs, "That it is but that doesn''t mean there are other random appearances of monsters. Overall the situation is very confusing and unclear to all of us."


    "Alright, I get it. Let''s just go to the meeting, maybe there I''ll get the answers I need. While we''re at it, we can introduce your new form. Oh, and Iris, would you please put on some clothes? The threads of spider silk that covered you before disappeared when you switched form. You, uh, might want to fix that."


    She looks down at herself. After a moment, her face turns a slightly redder shade of brown and puts on her old suit again, "Uh, sorry, guess I missed that... I was kinda distracted by suddenly only having two legs instead of eight. Thanks for telling me."


    That was... less of a reaction than expected. I mean, I didn''t mind the view but should I now be worried that the "hybridization" has done more than just changed her physically or is this merely a cultural thing I didn''t know about?


    While having some meaningless small talk, we head towards the exit together.

 End of Arc 2 – Summary

    Jared Delacroix


    Goals:


    <ul>


    <li>save Deteoh from the demon artifact</li>


    <li>find out how "true" his love for Lucia (and by extension Eclaire) is</li>


    <li>unite the remains of mankind; it was estimated there to be ~500000 left alive at most</li>


    <li>gain more personal combat power and better equipment</li>


    <li>find more party members</li>


    <li>investigate what monsters are; suspects they are captured souls</li>


    <li>find the tea lady boss again and have a proper chat</li>


    <li>defeat his rival "Haze Shield the Slime" for good</li>


    <li>deal with Dan (in case he survived the glitch calamity)</li>


    <li>train Anna to give her a chance to become a real hero</li>


    <li>prepare countermeasures against a potentially ancient vampire noble/lord responsible for Erwin and Niles</li>


    <li>investigate what demons are; by title, he is one but the devas branded all demons as the enemy</li>


    <li>find countermeasures against the devas; their behavior was too suspicious</li>


    <li>punch whoever invented DU</li>


    <li>replace DU in the system with proper units</li>


    <li>investigate glitches</li>


    <li>potentially save the universe from its management</li>


    </ul>


    Successes:


    <ul>


    <li>outed Elly as a deva agent</li>


    <li>gathered more party members</li>


    <li>bullied Therese into handing over another Class Core "for Iris" - planned to use it himself to give Iris indirectly an extra class</li>


    <li>discovered the underground lab and sealed Glitch Zone below his fortress</li>


    <li>got some kind of revenge on Haze by making him cry</li>


    <li>could redo the choice for some classes he didn''t really want</li>


    </ul>


    Failures:


    <ul>


    <li>glitched the chapter counter, denying us a chapter 100 milestone</li>


    <li>did remember to use the "Ring of Monsters" to talk with a monster, didn''t like the outcome</li>


    <li>got forced into an uneasy alliance with an ancient lich</li>


    <li>created E1#d_$ (Lydia) instead of the intended spirit</li>


    <li>got trapped again in a dungeon</li>


    <li>took a bath in self-created glitch soup with severe consequences</li>


    <li>freed slaves from life</li>


    <li>doubled the number of entries on the endangered species list</li>


    <li>antagonized the personification of glitches</li>


    </ul>


    ???:


    <ul>


    <li>took Ren and Kael as familiars despite them being nowhere near where he can travel for the foreseeable future</li>


    <li>made the monster called Dan consider thinking</li>


    <li>found out that he seemingly was a victim in a deva''s experiment before his reincarnation</li>


    <li>already watched the <del>credits</del> Kredits</li>


    <li>got married to a clone of Lucia for some dubious reasons</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Lucia (Delacroix)


    Goals:


    <ul>


    <li>find out what her true self is</li>


    <li>master her smithing craft</li>


    <li>keep Jared to herself</li>


    </ul>


    Successes:


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    <ul>


    <li>stretched the definition of what a "dagger" is beyond its breaking point to create a special weapon for Iris</li>


    <li>revived the remains of her former human self as a summoned spirit</li>


    <li>broke the cap of how many spirits they can have by exploiting a loophole</li>


    <li>gathered the needed parts to (eventually) enact an infinite feedback loop for free levels</li>


    </ul>


    Failures:


    <ul>


    <li>almost killed Chloe in a fit of jealousy</li>


    <li>let herself be governed by her vampiric instincts instead of her own will</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Eclaire (remains of the original Lucia)


    Goals:


    <ul>


    <li>keep her other self (Lucia) in check</li>


    </ul>


    Successes:


    <ul>


    <li>got brought back from the dead, but only as a spirit instead of a human, despite revival being normally impossible</li>


    <li>made Lucia realize what she has become, and promise to better herself</li>


    </ul>


    Failures:


    <ul>


    <li>had to accept a name change because her other self is still around</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Elly


    Goals:


    <ul>


    <li>assist Jared</li>


    <li>tease Jared</li>


    <li>stay permanently summoned</li>


    <li>become useful besides translating/fixing Gzeph''s defective documents</li>


    </ul>


    Successes:


    <ul>


    <li>gained and used the [Fire Bomb] skill she shouldn''t be able to use because she is a spirit</li>


    </ul>


    Failures:


    <ul>


    <li>Jared found out that she was an agent of the devas</li>


    <li>died together with Maria against Dan(geon) but both got better</li>


    <li>wasn''t allowed to add all the classes she wanted for her skill combo</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Chloe


    Goals:


    <ul>


    <li>find friends and acceptance for who/what she really is</li>


    <li>deal with depression</li>


    </ul>


    Successes:


    <ul>


    <li>got (forced) into a relationship with Ephran who accepts her real self - maybe a bit too much</li>


    <li>set Lucia on a path to realize how horrible she has become</li>


    </ul>


    Failures:


    <ul>


    <li>got cursed by Lucia with a nagging voice in her head</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Geoffrey


    Goals:


    <ul>


    <li>deal with heartbreak from losing (and personally killing) the love of his life</li>


    </ul>


    Successes:


    <ul>


    <li>took Anna as a disciple, he and Marca wanted to adopt her as their daughter</li>


    </ul>


    Failures:


    <ul>


    <li>his girlfriend Marca died and got turned into a monster; he had to kill her once himself</li>


    </ul>


    <hr>


    Devas as a whole


    Goals:


    <ul>


    <li>Gzeph wants to find his fiance Yulia (dead? alive?)</li>


    <li>Gzeph is preparing plan R (undisclosed drastic measures)</li>


    <li>find out who killed the top god Todo, and how</li>


    <li>Eva wants to be cleared of her wrong accusations regarding her involvement in Todo''s demise</li>


    <li>revenge against "the enemy"</li>


    </ul>


    Successes:


    <ul>


    <li>Gzeph defeated a random Demon Lord and found some important blueprints by pure chance</li>


    <li>Gzeph found leads on traitors among the devas</li>


    <li>a person named Ted survives for once</li>


    </ul>


    Failures:


    <ul>


    <li>top god Todo was killed on their watch</li>


    <li>more busy arguing about politics than fixing the universe''s mess</li>


    <li>several demon-aligned agents have infiltrated their facilities and are causing even more chaos than they wanted</li>


    <li>at least one reality-threatening abomination is on the loose, and another sits uncontrolled in its supposed containment chamber</li>


    <li>were hit especially hard by the most recent Glitch Spike</li>


    <li>the last programmer who worked on the System was blackmailed into giving up his job</li>


    </ul>

 AU1 – Afterlife

    ¡°What will happen if I should succeed in destroying the artifact?¡±


    Eva answers, ¡°Honestly, that is up to you. It is just one world of billions. So long as you don¡¯t ally with our enemy or build some superweapon that can destroy the universe, the upper brass only really care that the prayer energy and souls flow from that planet. So if you want to take over the world once the artifact is gone knock yourself out.¡±


    ¡°The more I learn the more I worry about how carelessly the universe is managed.¡±


    Her answer sounds indifferent, ¡°Give it a few thousand years and you¡¯ll learn to tune it out like everyone else here.¡±


    Is this really the right thing to do? I''m sacrificing any chance at a proper afterlife for people I don''t know and the ''gods'' don''t care about...


    Something where my heart should be, wants to go through with this and help them, but my head has a different opinion - and wins the mental coin flip. I can already feel the incoming remorse, but it is exactly as Eva said, in a few years it''ll be forgotten and not matter anymore.


    ¡°I still feel unsure about the whole thing¡±, I object, ¡°I really appreciate all the extra work you two did to comply with my unreasonable conditions but it still rubs me the wrong way. Sorry, but I can''t see myself doing this. I''d like to go to the regular afterlife, please.¡±


    Eva frowns, "Are you sure?"


    I sigh, "Yes, I am. Sorry, but if even the rulers of the universe only pay the minimum of attention to the death of a whole world, I don''t see how it is my business."


    She''s visibly dejected, tries to search for a final excuse but ultimately relents, "Alright, I understand. It really isn''t your responsibility."


    She''s visibly holding back some tears but still complies with my decision. The whole process takes a while but soon she forces me back into the capsule I rested in, and what feels like just a short moment later, I wake up in a different, pure white room.


    A very reassuring sign with "Welcome to the afterlife! This is your last stop!" greets me.


    I look down and see I''m now back to being a transparent, person-like form. Couldn''t make out any features if I tried. I leave the capsule I arrived in, it looks the exact same as the one I rested in at Eva''s place.


    Next to the room''s exit door is a cabinet with pamphlets explaining what we can do in the afterlife and what is expected of us. To make a long story short, nothing. We can do what we want, enjoy existence or strive for enlightenment, learn, research, whatever floats our boat. The only requirement is that we don''t cause harm to others. Food and the like are obviously no longer necessary since we''re already dead but we can still consume them for enjoyment.


    At the end of neverending legalese, it explains what to do in case you get sick of existing. Yeah, no thanks.


    Aside from that, the pamphlet points out some locations to get started with a personalized adventure.


    Next to the cabinet is a display of the last arrivals. No names, just numbers and a date. Seems like I was number 2022030119022420230425210637.


    I step outside and see a neverending sea of lights and various buildings in styles ranging from ancient to futuristic. One side is covered in daylight, the other in night. Seems like you can just walk around for 5 minutes to change between daytime and nighttime activities at will.


    I see a few people walking by and they are as non-descript as myself. I guess this is one way to let people start over and enjoy the afterlife in peace, hopefully no baggage from recognizing a bully from your old life or something.


    While standing at the entrance and looking around, only half a dozen more people arrive behind me and then no one else anymore. Should that make me worried? Or they''ve just clocked out for the day, that''d work, too. Well, no one here seems to have a way to check on the world of the living, there''s nothing I can do to investigate this strangeness.


    I spent the next couple of months settling down, getting used to the neverending parties and other forms of entertainment in this new environment.


    It is getting boring.


    Despite trying my best all that time, I couldn''t recall any single memory from my life before death. Not even knowing a name was quite an inconvenience, so I eventually adopted the name Jim. That was Dave''s idea, by the way, he chose it after the tag-line of his favorite movie: Everybody is dead, Jim! And yes, he is an idiot.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Well, I made plans with Dave and some other new friends to visit the gaming center later today. But before that, I check the new arrival center again. Have really no new people arrived in all this time?


    Seems like it, the display still shows the same date as when I arrived, just a few minutes later. The number of the last arrival was 2022030119022420230425210643. Just a few more than mine...


    Maybe the arrival capsule is defective? Well, I feel like I had some experience with repairs of electrical devices in my life, so how hard could it be?


    I crawl behind the capsule and look at a cover plate. Seems like it can be easily removed, just need a grip here, a pull there... and off it goes!


    Creak


    Now, what is inside? Uh, not much. Just a bluish, cylindrical crystal connected by two cables to the rest. I''ve no clue what this is so this should totally be easy! Just need a crowbar, a sledgehammer and a new capsule.


    "Hey, what''re you doing there? Your kind shouldn''t be here!", shouts a deep voice from behind.


    Surprised, I jump up and respond, "Uh, nothing much? I was just a bit bored and there haven''t arrived any new people recently and..."


    I turn toward the source of the voice and see a grumpy old man carrying a box of repair tools. Weren''t we all incognito here? Why does he get to retain his physical appearance!? That is totally unfair! ...to him.


    He sneers, "So you were thinking of doing my job? Tough luck, buddy. This is way beyond you."


    "Is that so? Well, the name''s Jim. So, uh, are you the repairman?"


    "Todo. Now, please step aside before you break anything else."


    I step aside, "Sure thing."


    While he gets to work, I watch over his shoulder.


    The grumpy man sits down where I was before and starts looking at the capsule''s interior.


    "Say, how did you even get in here? Everyone else is just a hallow white light but you seem different."


    He grunts, "Trade secret."


    "Fine, and how do you get out? You don''t seem like you''ll be here for long", just a strange feeling I got, as if he didn''t belong on this side and will somehow leave soon.


    He brags, "Jim, I know this is not your name but I''ll humor you, Jim, if you have been doing this job as long as I have then even the impassible door between life and death will just be a minor inconvenience, nothing to get hung up over."


    He taps the crystal with a wrench, scratches his chin, then rips the crystal out.


    "Is it broken? Do you have a replacement for that?"


    He glares at me, "Someone is asking a lot of questions. Do you intend to become my apprentice?"


    I shrug, "Dunno, can I? It looks interesting at least."


    Or at least less boring than... everything else around here...


    "As if", he clearly doesn''t like me. Was my first impression that bad?


    Todo puts the faulty crystal into his box and takes a new one out, as well as some pliers.


    Weird, I didn''t see either the crystal or the tool in his box before. It was as if they sprung into existence just now.


    Next thing I know, he slams the new crystal where the old one was then reconnects the cable with the pliers.


    "Nah, not good enough", unsatisfied he slams the capsule and it starts whirring, "Now that''s what I''m talking about."


    "Percussive maintenance, huh..."


    He grunts at me, "Say, who let you in? You shouldn''t be here, should you?"


    "Well, I guess not? As I said I was bored and..."


    He stares me in the eyes, "Not what I mean. Your kind shouldn''t be here at all."


    "Hey, no need to get rude!"


    He grabs me by the arm and drags me outside, "You don''t get it, do you? Look! That''s what you''ve done to my beautiful afterlife! Care to explain yourself!?"


    "Explain wha-?", I go silent mid-sentence.


    The town is gone.


    In its place, is now... something. I can''t comprehend what I see. It looks like someone took a shoddy video of some burning war ruins, converted that to greyscale, exchanged all white shades with green and downscaled the whole thing to 144p, and on top of it underled the whole thing with otherworldly noises.


    Everything is both blocky and not. Some things look like a render or clipping error, others... are better not thought about, but Chtulhu would be proud.


    The incomprehensible experience makes me physically sick.


    My grumpy companion scolds me, "Do you see now the truth you had your eyes closed to? This, this is what I warned my children about for eons. What to watch out for, what measures to take... They ignored me! All they cared about was their independence, their personal freedoms. I let them have it, but now I''m certain, I shouldn''t have."


    "What are you-"


    He ignores me, "They weren''t ready. Neither of us was. Can you imagine? The last time I tried to help them, they refused to talk to me, their own creator, their father, for millennia. They said the Flood went too far, but there was no alternative. Your kind had already spread too far to contain, half the universe was beyond saving. And now, now it repeats."


    What is he talking about?


    He sneers, "Confused, huh? I''m sure you already know Gzeph Brightborough. You should talk to him about this the next time you meet. He could tell you a lot of stories about how they formed several cults just about this one event, the pointless wars they waged over their different interpretations. Tragic that you''ll never have the chance to see him, or anyone else, again."


    I try to protest, but no words leave my mouth.


    Todo sighs as he stares toward the ruins, "Guess, we''ll have to start over. Forgive me, little ones, but Father has to break his promise once again."


    At first, nothing happens, but then an ominous wind starts to blow that almost knocks me off my feet.


    Then with a sigh, he snaps his fingers, and an ear-splitting cracking sound follows, the low-res ruins disappear from reality, leaving just an eerie white space and absolute silence behind as if the afterlife never existed.


    Did he, did he just kill everyone? What is going on here?


    While I try to understand what I just witnessed, he mutters something under his breath, "Basluth, Besl''atoth, Graham, Hryf, ... Why did you stray from the path? Didn''t any of you learn anything from the past? Thanks to you, everything repeats again."


    Suddenly, he turns toward me and stares into my eyes, "Are you satisfied now, little Bug? Are you? Then begone and stay out of my universe!", then he snaps his fingers again and my body crumbles to dust.


    I''ve still not the faintest clue what is going on or what I could''ve done to him to earn this anger...


    I hear one final thing before my consciousness disappears for good, "I''m so tired of this..."

 Ch. A9 – Ground Zero2

    Iris and I leave the cellar where the illusory wall towards the Glitch Zone is hidden. The air is a bit more stuffy than I remember, but nothing else looks different so far.


    It is very obvious to me now that Iris in her true form would never fit through the stairway leading up here, with her legs she''s easily twice as wide as the passage. But her [Human Form] removes that problem.


    While walking onward, Iris tells me impatiently, "Could we move a bit faster, please? I want to get out of here quickly, revert to my real self and stretch my legs. This form is too limiting, I feel cramped..."


    "You sound like a defeated demon lord that was reincarnated as a human toddler and became the child of his former killer."


    She stops and just stands there confused, looking at me, "Huh? What?"


    "Forget it, just trying - and obviously failing - to crack a joke. So did you really get used to your spider-self so fast, or did the change do that to you?"


    She thinks for a moment, then we continue on our way, "Hmm... a little bit of both? I mean, aside from the obvious physical differences and the relevant intuitions to control my limbs, I don''t feel like I''ve changed at all."


    "And there''s the eternal question: do you yourself even notice when you change?"


    She replies, "Well, maybe, maybe not. I don''t know how it is normally, but you know, I didn''t have much to do down there in those three weeks, so I happened to talk to a few people about exactly that topic, well, at least in regards to... the Hybrid changes. As it turns out, some can''t tell any difference, some know that they changed but not in what way, and others could tell you in detail what exactly is wrong with them. And a handful of people don''t even recall anymore what they were before. It seems to simply depend on the person in question."


    "Huh, so it is pretty random. So, uh, how do you feel about humans, specifically those that aren''t among my familiars?"


    Iris sounds confused by my question, "Pretty ambivalent, I''d say. I don''t really wish any harm upon them if that''s why you ask. Well, not any more than before at least, some of them were... pretty despicable and deserve punishment. But the others, well, if they asked to be friends, I''d be open to it, I guess."


    I just hope she''s telling the truth, "That''s... reassuring."


    Not really what I expected to hear. I''d have guessed that as a partial monster or glitch-infested person or whatever she is now, she''d have a less favorable view of humans. Possibly even see them as food. But it''s nice that a form of co-existence is still on the table. I mean, I''m not human anymore myself, but better safe than sorry.


    Wait, if technically no one is human anymore... can I even still drink their blood? I was told, that as a higher-ranked vampire, I can only drink human blood, but now that everyone is seemingly part monster... Questions, questions...


    After a bit more walking, we''re finally outside the military complex. Iris takes the opportunity to change back to her arachne form, "Much better this way, the human shape is so cramped..."


    Ignoring her concerning comments, I step on the road-


    Splotch


    -and promptly sink into the ground, only a small part of my upper body still sticks out of the ground. What the hell!? This is supposed to be solid ground, not some disguised mimic swamp! It still looks like pavement but it feels like moldy pudding. Gross!


    But why can everyone else walk on it, why am I the only one that''s sinking into the road? What the hell is going on here...


    "Hey, Iris, how do you walk on this mess?"


    She hurries to me and scratches her head, "Rather, how did you get down there? This is a solid road."


    I groan and struggle to free myself, "No clue, nothing about this makes sense..."


    "...get on, I''ll carry you", she grabs me, pulls me out off the ground and places me on her spider back.


    Embarrassed I thank her, "But no word to Lucia."


    "Sure thing, I don''t want to deal with her jealousy either."


    Seriously, if I was a head shorter I would have drowned in the road. Now that''s a rare sentence if I ever heard one...


    While Iris carries me on her back, I take a moment to take a look around, and I hate what I see.


    The medieval-style buildings have red ivy growing all over them and purple-orange striped vines are growing all over the place. If the buildings were slightly more like ruins, this would look like a post-apocalyptic scenery where nature reclaims the lands, just with wildly wrong colors. Luckily, they aren''t ruins neither is the place devoid of people. Yet.


    On closer inspection, the vines end in a maw reminiscent of a closed flytrap, and they wriggle around slightly. Better be careful to not end up on their menu.


    Seriously, with the greenery and swamp-mimicking road, my fortress has become a veritable jungle, just great.


    The next oddity is that the sky has a more greenish tint now, and a lot of pitch-black dots fill the air. No idea what those are, but they freak me out. Most of the time, they hang idly in the air, but every so often they split into two, none of them smaller than the original, and then one decides to crash into the nearest person who doesn''t even seem to notice it. And no one seems to observe this spectacle at all as if it was the most normal thing in the world.


    What the hell, we have no real industry, yet the air pollution has already reached creepy levels...


    "Hey, Iris, do you know what these black dots are?"


    She looks at me clueless, "What dots do you mean?"


    "Uh, the ones that hang in the air everywhere."


    She looks around but seemingly finds nothing, "Sorry, but I see no dots. No idea what you mean."


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    I can only scratch my head over this situation. Am I the only one that can see those things? Are maybe just my eyes defective after the glitch bath? That would explain a few things like the dots and strangely colored plants...


    "I guess it is just a side-effect from whatever happened when we left the dungeon... Would explain the purple-orange striped vines everywhere..."


    Iris corrects me, "No, they are really colored that way. Also, make sure you don''t wear anything green around them. They are, uh, ''vegetarian'', they call it."


    What nonsense did I just hear, "Excuse me, what the hell?"


    "You heard me right. Their favorite dish is anything colored green. You''re safe as long as your color scheme is anything else. Mostly."


    BRB, gotta reboot my brain.


    "I''ll... keep that in mind... Say, aren''t you a druid now? Can''t you tell them to leave us alone?"


    "I am, that''s why I know that they love their greens. Excessively."


    I better ignore this topic, "Moving on..."


    So everything I see is correct except maybe the black dots? I don''t get-


    Cough Cough


    Suddenly I''m overcome by a coughing fit.


    What the? Since when can undead get sick? ...yeah, this pollution is clearly not natural. I hope the others know what is up with that, and preferably have a countermeasure to it. I don''t want first-hand experience with a literal black plague.


    After calming down a bit, I look around some more and happen to watch how one of the black dots rushes into me. I don''t feel it at all which worries me even more. What if that is how the glitch infection spreads?


    I want to reload the save file I wasn''t allowed to make, the world has gone crazy... or rather crazier. It wasn''t sane to begin with, not even close with the System and Devas and everything being what it is. I wonder what Elly said to this madness. Speaking of, where are my spirits anyway?


    I mentally call out to my summoned spirits, maybe one of them happens to be close by, (Hey, Elly, Maria, Lydia, can one of you hear me?)


    While waiting for an answer from my spirits, I listen to what the people around us say. I can hear some strange noises among them but can''t make out what they are, H???e???y???,??? ???I??? ???t???h???i???n???k??? ???t???h???a???t??? ???i???s??? ???o???n???e??? ???o???f??? ???t???h???e???m??? ???o???v???e???r??? ???t???h???e???r???e???.???


    Y???e???a???h???,??? ???s???o??? ???w???h???a???t??????? ???T???h???e???y???''???r???e??? ???b???o???r???i???n???g???,??? ???I??? ???d???o???n???''???t??? ???u???n???d???e???r???s???t???a???n???d??? ???w???h???a???t??? ???y???o???u??? ???s???e???e??? ???i???n??? ???t???h???e???m??? ???a???t??? ???a???l???l???.???


    Y???o???u??? ???s???h???o???u???l???d??? ???b???e??? ???m???o???r???e??? ???g???r???a???t???e???f???u???l???,??? ???t???h???e???y??? ???c???r???e???a???t???e???d??? ???a??? ???n???i???c???e??? ???n???e???w??? ???h???o???m???e??? ???f???o???r??? ???u???s??? ???F???e???a???t???u???r???e???s???.???


    B???a???h???,??? ???I??? ???w???a???s??? ???d???o???i???n???g??? ???w???e???l???l??? ???o???n??? ???m???y??? ???o???w???n???.??? ???I??? ???s???w???e???a???r???,??? ???y???o???u???''???r???e??? ???w???a???y??? ???t???o???o??? ???c???u???r???i???o???u???s??? ???a???b???o???u???t??? ???t???h???o???s???e??? ???S???o???l???i???d???s???,??? ???''???M???o???m???''???.???


    W???h???a???t??? ???d???i???d??? ???y???o???u??? ???l???i???t???t???l???e??? ???m???a???l???f???u???n???c???t???i???o???n??? ???j???u???s???t??? ???c???a???l???l??? ???m???e??????? ???S???t???o???p??? ???l???e???a???r???n???i???n???g??? ???n???a???s???t???y??? ???w???o???r???d???s??? ???f???r???o???m??? ???t???h???o???s???e??? ???S???o???l???i???d???s???!???


    Probably just an error with my ears on the same level as the black dots no one else can see... I should let a medic have a look at that later.


    It has now been a while but still no answer comes from my spirits. Was worth a shot, though they are probably with Lucia and attending the meeting we''re going to. I''m curious about who else will be there. Knowing my luck, I''ll have to endure Therese there as well, though I''d like to pass on that. We never get along.


    On the remaining way to my mansion, we pass by some more people. [Appraise] tells me that all of them have a Hybrid class, but exactly like Iris explained, everyone got different effects or deformations out of it. Some got inconsequential mutations like a few minor monster parts, scales, tails, what have you. For others, the transformations seem more complete. But no matter what, it is always related to monsters. One guy got it the worst, he has fully become a sentient axe. No wait, there''s a nearly transparent figure attached to the weapon. So which of the two is "him"? That may forever remain a mystery to me. I don''t want to go and ask him, and risk drowning in the road. Again. Urgh...


    Now that I think about it, I couldn''t even reliably assume that anyone that still appears fully human, elven or whatever isn''t infected with the Hybrid class. There are plenty of human-like monsters like giants, fae and managers after all. Though for now, they seem to be just as loyal to me as my familiars are forced to be. The keyword being "forced".


    I hate it.


    It is a recurring reminder that my free will is compromised by at least the Happily Married title, probably my vampire race or undead nature as well. I wouldn''t be surprised if the Demon title or any of my glitched skills would also mess with me...


    I''m already not happy with actual slavers running freely around here, and now everyone is arguably worse off... because of me... or rather because of the glitch within me leaking out through the familiar bond. At least that is what I believe is happening.


    But then... isn''t this kind of what the Devas wanted? They planted this glitch core within me, bullied me into this suicide trip and... It really was inevitable, wasn''t it...


    But what do they get out of it? The people here worship them, at least one of them, so the heretic angle is out. I doubt they know about the lich backdoor either, otherwise, they would''ve added that to the mission list, I guess.


    Though, I think if the lich gets infected and adds a G and T to its race, the damage to the system will become even worse; by my understanding, the glitches would then have direct access to every feature in the universe, and nothing would be safe from them anymore. This sounds like an instant-lose condition if I ever saw one.


    No, that sounds too risky. If they planted the glitch bomb in me and knew about the lich this would be the same as willingly condemning the whole universe to death, and I doubt someone that is so high and mighty that they decide over everyone''s fates is suicidal, not to that degree.


    I think Eva''s bosses threatened some drastic measures in case I fail, it sounded very final, like wiping out this whole planet. So if there is something here that they want to get rid of couldn''t they just blow the world up directly? Allegedly they already have recorded enough failed attempts, more than enough to publically declare it a lost cause. Faking a plus-one error in that statistic wouldn''t be out of the ordinary; easily 90% of all data politicians present to the public is either fake or misleading on purpose anyway.


    No, there must be something else here, something important. Regular destruction of the world is not it, but finding and eliminating the alleged demon artifact is also unlikely. If it was as dangerous as proposed, mixing it with glitches is not a good idea.


    Maybe an unauthorized nuclear-adjacent weapons test? Not bioweapons, but soulweapons? That would be... both madness and par for the course.


    Hey, we have this ultimate weapon of absolute destruction that may burn the entire universe if used, but we''re not sure, so we want to try it. And in case existence survives, we''ll keep repeating these "tests" until it doesn''t.


    No thanks, Mr. Oppenheimer!!


    I just don''t get it... I can''t really think of any sane reason for this entire debacle. And if against all odds they were honest about this whole adventure, there shouldn''t be a WMD in my godforsaken soul!!


    ...


    While I''m lost in thoughts, we eventually arrive at my mansion. It looks unchanged, not even covered in colorful vines. It is kinda eerie how the vines that are otherwise everywhere seem to instinctively avoid the place.


    I carefully climb down from Iris'' back, making sure to not sink into the road again. The short pathway in front of my home seems solid, but careful testing of the road still yields the same result as before; the road itself is not solid, at least for me. Why is that? It makes absolutely no sense, everyone else can walk on it as if it was a regular road and not a swamp mimic. The glitches have done quite a number on reality, haven''t they?


    As I turn back towards my mansion, Iris fidgets, "Seems like I won''t fit in there in this form. Couldn''t they have built a bigger mansion?"


    I sigh, "What do you expect? It was only ever intended for the use of normal humans."


    "Yeah, you''re right", she replies in a frustrated tone and then transforms back into her new human form.


    With an uneasy feeling, I enter my home.

 Ch. B0 – Static

    Before I can enter my house, I feel a shiver run down my spine as if someone was staring at me from behind.


    I look around but there''s nobody here besides Iris and me. And it certainly wasn''t Justo, his presence always felt different than this. His is less burning all-consuming hatred and more cold indifference.


    Maybe I just imagined that?


    ...or maybe not.


    While hanging my head in frustration, I notice footprints on the ground, pretty steep ones. They come from the round and make a U-turn quite a bit before me. Strangely enough, they even extend unto the road. Seems like I''m not the only one that has a problem with the solidity of the swamp-like street.


    Hmm, now that I look at it, neither Iris nor I have left footprints on the pathway despite the soft ground. Weird. I mean, I know that the physics around here are strange but... seriously, how heavy must that person be that the sum of a massive arachne with me on her back is magnitudes less?


    I doubt these footprints belong to the stalker, if their size is anything to go by, we should have heard some stomps or felt the earth shaking. But who else could they belong to? I don''t really have any knowledge about interpreting footprints or anything, I have to admit, I make a lousy tracker. So much for vampires being apex predators.


    "Found anything interesting?", Iris asks me, finally growing impatient from my looking around aimlessly.


    "Footprints."


    "Eh, so what?"


    "Not sure. But it is a fact that we two didn''t leave any, just see for yourself. I wonder how someone that massive could go unnoticed. But more importantly, I have a hard time imagining someone can leave deep footprints like that if even the sum of us two doesn''t make the ground budge. Look over there, ", I point towards the main road, "they even deformed the allegedly solid road, there must be something else to it, I just can''t make heads or tails of it."


    She shakes her head, "I don''t think that is important right now, we have more pressing issues, don''t you think? Let''s go, the others should be waiting for us."


    "Yeah, you''re right."


    Scratching my head, I finally enter my home.


    "Hello, anyone home?", I shout in the main hall of my house.


    Weird, not even Justo, the house itself, answers. Did the general weirdness get to him as well? Going by the amount of black dots in the air, that is a very certain probably. Either that or the Lord''s Mansions simply don''t work in a dungeon, which we are supposedly in right now. Considering how even some basic biological functions like sleep are misbehaving in a dungeon-like environment, that wouldn''t surprise me either. Please, let it be that, we already have enough serious problems. Or rather, too many.


    Iris guesses, "They are probably in the usual meeting room."


    Cough Cough


    Damn it!


    "Yeah, seems like it. Let''s go there as well."


    Knock Knock


    I knock on the door of the meeting room, not expecting any immediate reply, but to my surprise, Eclaire opens the door quite quickly, "Huh, I didn''t expect you to be here so soon, Jared. Didn''t I tell you to take it slow and rest a bit first?"


    "Not needing to sleep due to [Sleepless] cuts both ways, and we could talk enough on the way here, not that Iris could tell me much after she was trapped down there for the majority of the time. So, can we come in?"


    She forces a smile, "Oh, yes, sure. ...Wait, ''we''? Who did you bring with you?"


    Iris finally stops looking around the main hall and hurries next to me, then waves hello, "Yeah, I''m here as well."


    Eclaire grimaces, "Oh, my... that''s... Well, come in and show yourself to the others."


    That didn''t sound as happy as expected, rather the opposite. Do they know something about this whole Hybrid ordeal that I should know?


    We enter the meeting and look around.


    Aside from Eclaire, Lucia, Therese, Karen and Darius are present. No sign of any of our other summons here either.


    Eclaire guides me to my chair and reads me like an open book, "If you''re looking for Maria and Lydia, well, Maria is on an errand and Lydia is playing with the kids at the church''s orphanage, they''ll be back later."


    It is quite suspicious that she left out Elly. Should I be worried, or is this a secret I shouldn''t ask about in public? I''ll ask about that later but I shouldn''t really worry; she is one of my summoned spirits, at worst she died and is waiting to respawn in a week, right?


    ...damn, now that I thought about it, I can already feel how Murphy is getting into gear, shit!!


    While Eclaire returns to her seat directly next to the door, I ask "What was the meeting about anyway?"


    "Nothing special, just a daily checkup on the current crisis, progress of countermeasures - or failure thereof - basic management stuff", she explains.


    While she does so, I quickly check the status of my guests. Therese, Karen and Darius have the three usual familiar skills, but not a Hybrid class, guess they were familiarized early enough. Nothing else about them has changed, though they look a bit under the weather.


    Lucia... has certainly seen better days. She has no weird class or status, but she looks sick and weak as if she were about to collapse. Shouldn''t the recovery from [Sleepless], or the [Undead] state prevent that? What''s going on with her?


    No, her condition is even worse, every so often, her whole body flickers like a bad TV signal, as if she were about to cease to exist any moment now...


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lucia Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">normal, disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Battle Smith 16, Fallen Saint 9, Blood Witch 9, Lead Singer 10, Forge Wizard 9


    Trickster Priest 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sunbound (human) 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, Noble 8, Lord 20, Progenitor 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cursed Queen 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">W???o???r???l???d??? ???R???e???s???i???d???e???n???t???, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married, Master Crafter, R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l??i???a???r???s???, S???u???m???m???o???n??? ???M???a???s???t???e???r???, Summon Master, World Resident, Three of Disaster


    Title Level 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">approaching zero - eventually - but still negative</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3477/3477 [4347]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2390/2390 [3613]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3252/3252 [4066]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">671+95 (hammer) or +143 (claws) or +47 (created 1-handed weapon)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">546</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">563+56</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">542+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">552+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">488+31</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">549</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Smith Hammer, Robe, Habit, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Axe Training 10, Unnatural Claws 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Bless 9, Corrosive Rain 9, Enchant Weapon 9, Dark Magic 9 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 9 (Rank 1), Fire Magic 19 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 9 (Rank 1), Profane Bolt 9, Spectral Hand 9, Twisted Pillar of Light 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 8, Create Weapon 16, Disguise 10, Energizing Song 10, Intimidation 16, Sharpen Weapon 16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 8, Familiar 20, Greater Vampiric Bite 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 9 (Rank 1), Ageless 20, Armor Training 16, Beast Killer 8, C???u???r???(???s???)???e??? Magic 10, Dark Lord 10, Enhanced Regeneration 20, Forgery 9, Hard Worker 10, Living Undead 10, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 8, Undead 10, Unholy Matrimony 10, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top"><Unknown Category></td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Queen''s Dignity 10, Royal Guidance 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Dark, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    But the appraisal shows nothing that hints at a cause. Aside from the two new skills [Queen''s Dignity] and [Royal Guidance], everything looks normal, the status even says so. So what is going on here?


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    And her voice sounds distorted as hell, like two overlapping radio channels, "H?-?h?e?y?,? ?J?-?J?a?r?e?d?.?"


    Without thinking, I reach my hand out to Lucia, but Karen stops me, "Do NOT touch her!"


    Snapping back to reality, I retract my hand, "What? Why? What''s... wrong with her?"


    She elaborates, "You can see it for yourself, can''t you? She''s sick like a lot of us. Everyone that doesn''t have one of those weird Hybrid classes suffers from the changed atmosphere, and Lucia has gotten it the worst by far."


    Lucia tries to say something but I hear only static despite her sitting just across the table, "I?t? ?i?s? ?n?o?t? ?y?o?u?r? ?f?a?u?l?t?,? ?J?a?r?e?d?.?"


    "What has the Hybrid class phenomenon got to do with it, or with anything?"


    Therese explains, "Mostly observation. Everyone that has the Hybrid class seems absolutely fine, your spirits are only slightly worse off so far and the familiars without the Hybrid class, like us, currently show only light to mild symptoms at worst. But Lucia is none of these and got it the worst. No one understands the relation."


    She sneers before continuing, "Of course, if we had your world''s oh-so advanced technology and knowledge on magic, medicine and glitch-based anomalies we not only would''ve stabilized the situation by now but also were halfway done with developing a cure, am I right?"


    Yep, Therese still doesn''t like me - and the feeling is mutual. Rightfully so.


    "Sorry to disappoint you, but we didn''t have magic, so that would be beyond us as well", she doesn''t need to know that I really have neither past-life memories nor knowledge worth speaking of.


    Therese is surprised, "What, no magic? How else would you operate a higher developed society?"


    "We mostly had electricity for that."


    Eclaire questions me, "What is this el-ectrishidy?"


    Doesn''t sound like the word was smoothly translated into Deteoh''s language. So does that mean past Lost Ones kept it completely a secret? What for? The people here have magic, shouldn''t it at least in theory be able to do everything? That should include substituting electricity as well. At least I''m pretty sure that someone smarter than me should be able to figure out how to get there from the sparks generated by rank 0 lightning magic, can''t be that hard.


    Karen interjects, "I think I read something about that in some myths about past Lost Ones. They led some research into how their original technology would interact with our magic and magitek, and they concluded it was, uh, utterly incompatible. They wrote something about magic innately releasing... what did they call it again? Uh, an EMP-adjacent wave, something like that, but there were no notes on what that is supposed to mean."


    Now I wish I had the memories and knowledge of a physicist. I can only draw on the nonsense pop culture taught to some people, and there usually most things are exaggerated until the final result has nothing to do with the actual thing anymore. Just imagine if even half of that stuff was true, every time a mage sneezes every electronic device in a five-mile radius would go up in smokes and half the people would suffer from cognitive blackout. Yeah, that''s clearly not true.


    Karen adds, "He, uh, also complained about his ''Yfohn'' exploding when his assistant had a sneezing fit. Also no documentation on what that was."


    So much for that...


    Darius slams the table, "Can we please leave the fairytales on ele-whatever aside?" He points at Iris, "What is with her? I thought Iris wasn''t human anymore but rather part spider monster. So how can this be?"


    The accursed girl giggles and partially transforms back, "You mean this? Jared blessed me with a Hybrid class and the [Human Form] skill. I''m now free to switch between human and my true form as I please."


    Therese is shocked, "He did what?"


    Way to blow my cover, Iris. I wanted to break it to them slowly...


    While I curse inwardly, Iris once again assumes a fully human form.


    Karen scratches her rabbit ears, "Uh, Therese, we already knew that he was a potential cause for this, remember? Everyone that got the Hybris class is a familiar of his, the only ones that haven''t got it were included in their clan before a certain point where his status got even weirder than before. It isn''t that much of a stretch."


    "And it isn''t exactly like I wanted that to happen..."


    Mostly. I have to admit I did desire more power, still do - to survive, to live, to figure out what the hell is going on on this planet, but not like this.


    Therese gives up, "Yeah, yeah. So what now? Do we have to resign our fates to him yet again? I''m already uneasy with living under the rule of undead, but getting transformed into whatever Hybrids are goes too far for me. Even if current circumstances may make it appear safe, or at least safer than without."


    "As much as it pains me, I''ll have to agree with Therese. I don''t see the point either. Specifically what it has to do with the health concerns. As you said, the spirits seem to be fine even without the questionable class. So what''s the connection there?"


    Karen begins to explain, "So this is just mere speculation but from what we''ve gathered it is all your fault. Kinda."


    "Great, I just woke up, almost drowned in solid ground and now we''re already playing the blame game-"


    Cough Cough


    Damn coughing interrupted my trail of thoughts again...


    Karen takes this chance to interrupt me, "No, no, let me finish! So to be honest, we have no idea. But we suspect that it has got something to do with the link we as your familiars have to you, similar to how your summoned spirits are connected to you. Let''s not mince words here, the air, everything, is contaminated with glitches, or something similar, right? Breathing that stuff is not healthy in the slightest. Well, simple exposure isn''t any better. Normally, lungs can''t process that without accumulating more and more damage or glitch infections. But a sizeable portion of that infection seems to be absorbed through the familiar link, so we''re spared the worst, for now. It is a really fascinating topic, really. We researched a lot these last couple of weeks. I could give you a presentation sometime."


    "Let''s not. So how does this relate to Lucia? If all this pollution gets absorbed through a link and ends at me, shouldn''t her [Unholy Matrimony] skill achieve the same? By my understanding, that one is an even stronger connection, so I don''t really get it."


    Karen explains, "It doesn''t seem to work that way but I can''t really tell. Divine skills like that are usually hidden from [Appraisal] making them even harder to research. I only know of it because she revealed it to me, otherwise, my research would''ve gone down a totally wrong path for a long while. Not that I''m even sure, I''m on the correct one now."


    Right, there was that restriction. I always forget that [Appraisal] is basically the one cheat-like advantage I have...


    "Okay, so, in summary, my body acts as a garbage disposal for a huge chunk of the glitchioactive waste that plagues my familiars and spirits, and Lucia, who as my wife should have a closer connection with me, doesn''t. But the whole thing makes no sense to me. I mean, if that was the case shouldn''t I be a living Glitch Zone by now? I wouldn''t just have a slight coughing, I would look much worse than Lucia does. No offense, dear. I would''ve absorbed the partial radiation several hundred people were exposed to, wouldn''t I?"


    Oh, shit, I do have one Glitch Core within my soul. Are we just feeding it? Would it then grow into a full-blown Glitch Zone and engulf the whole world? Or, uh, whatever isn''t utterly ruined by then.


    Therese sighs, "If you want to know, out of the nearly twenty-five thousand inhabitants of this fortress only about eight thousand survived, so you have that many familiars right now plus some animals. To put it bluntly, a lot of people didn''t take too well to the transformation and ended themselves, others were not reached in time before the dungeon-induced sleep deprivation got to them, and then there are people that were changed into forms that are not capable of living in this environment, like sea-dwelling creatures. Not to mention some... ''accidents'' of hybridized people appearing too monster-like and people ended up fighting against them. You can guess the outcome."


    She takes a moment to breathe before continuing, "There was also a growing group of rebels that went against their orders to recruit as many people as possible as familiars, instead, they slaughtered several hundred non-familiars. They have currently barricaded themselves and we don''t know how to approach them without risking even more casualties. For some reason, the law enforcement system doesn''t operate in dungeons. Also-"


    I interrupt her, "Wait, wait, timeout! Let me first process that info dump!"


    Two-thirds are dead just like that, and all because the dungeon gave me an unsolvable boss fight. This is outrageous, unfair!! I demand a do-over!

 Ch. B1 – Exchange

    While I''m processing the new information, Iris asks, "What has happened to Ephran, Geoffrey and Marca? I haven''t seen them since the event."


    Therese sounds even unhappier, "You had to ask... Marca didn''t come back with you from the dungeon, and since time resumed that leaves only one conclusion: she is dead. Though one monster with her appearance assaulted our fortifications, we''re not sure what that means, most believe it to be just a coincidence. But, well, Geoffrey was there and did not take well to it. He has been sulking in his room ever since he personally killed that monster. Ephran... was just Ephran. A lot of effort had to be spared to separate him from Chloe and get him to do his work. The less said about that matter the better."


    So that really was Marca back then? A pity, we didn''t really have a chance to get to know each other.


    I want to take this opportunity to finally ask about Elly but my gut tells me to wait. She may be a dear friend but in comparison to the thousands of casualties... I don''t want to jinx it but she should be safe, being a spirit and everything.


    Darius gets up, "Sorry, but if you''re just recapping what I already know then I''ll take my leave. I''ve still got enough other work to do, and it''s certainly not getting less. We can continue the rest later."


    Therese rolls her eyes, "Fine, it was obvious that listening is not your strong suit. I''ll fetch you tomorrow at the usual time."


    Darius throws her a stern look, "Therese, please."


    She smiles, "Yeah, I''ll drop you a summary later."


    And with that, Darius leaves the house.


    "So back to the topic of the Hybrid class and the connection to... me. If your presumption that it all flows back to me was correct, why is Lucia the one suffering from imminent existence failure while I am fine? Shouldn''t the familiars also be connected to her in the same way, so both of us suffer the same way? That I don''t understand. Nor why the familiars with the Hybrid class are healthier than the others."


    Ms. static noise says something, "T?h?a?t?''?s? ?w?h?a?t? ?I? ?w?a?n?t? ?t?o? ?k?n?o?w? ?a?s? ?w?e?l?l?.?"


    It pains me to hear her like that.


    Karen explains, "Right, I was getting to that before we got sidetracked. From my current understanding. this is partially Lucia''s fault. Officially some of the familiars would belong to her, the rest to you. But I theorize that her subconscious believes that all the familiars belong to you. To make a long story short, through instinctive use of DP and your bond established by the [Unholy Matrimony] skill, she had given ownership over all of her familiars to you. By now, this is an automatic process that she could only stop by using more DP, but, well, she has none left and it is unlikely she will ever again gain some, at least not enough to use it. So no matter what happens, everything will go to you."


    I''m puzzled, "How do you even know of DP? By my talk with a certain someone, I understood it to be a well-kept secret. And what''s the business with never gaining any ever again?"


    At least that is what I understood from that damned lich. There is supposedly a lot of secret stuff to divine classes and DP and whatnot.


    Karen answers, "Why, Lucia told me. We ran a few tests and... look. You already know that they are called divine classes, right? They are derived from some kind of divine order. And glitches are... distilled chaos? You can think of them as polar opposites. They are drawn to each other and wipe one another out. Even if people would send their prayers and belief to Lucia now, they would just get deleted from the infected atmosphere before they can reach her. And the infection in her body would eat the rest."


    That''s too much technobabble for my taste, not that I understood half of it, "Uh, sure, but why am I fine then? Shouldn''t I be infected like nobody''s business? I only have some mild coughing but I''m not at death''s door. Given what you''ve told me, the result is the opposite of what I''d expect."


    She discourages me, "You... haven''t looked at yourself or your status recently, have you?"


    I''m not sure what she could mean. My exterior is defined by the [Disguise], there should be nothing out of the ordinary to see. And my status - I checked it after waking up, it was a bit messed up, but not more than it always was.


    Filled with curiosity and dread, I open my menu. Where previously the whole window was as flat as you expect it to be, now - not so much. Some of the buttons are pulsating back and forth, others are jumping around.


    Can''t you sit still you dumb buttons!?


    One of the menu tabs freezes as if in shock and then falls out of the window, shattering on the ground, "What the-"


    I touch the shards it left behind, they are real!? What the hell!?


    I hold a fragment up, "Does anyone else see this?"


    Iris replies, "Yes, what is that?"


    "My... menu?", I ask, unsure what I just witnessed. Dadaism got nothing on this.


    As if they felt my frustration, the buttons stop running around but still shake. Some of the menu buttons slightly lean into each other as if they were discussing some secret plans, then trade places. Even after reaching what they think are their original positions, they annoyingly won''t stop trembling.


    Hey, Skills and Settings, you''re the wrong way around!!


    After my mental outcry, the two tab buttons jump up startled and trade positions but keep shaking as if afraid of me.


    Goddamn, this system really needs to finally reach the beta stage. Well, thinking of it as an alpha state might even be too generous, this is barely past a tech demo and would squarely fit in with other early-access products.


    Wait, does this mess even have testers in the first place? You look at something funny, it breaks. Gravity is barely a suggestion. You fail a dungeon puzzle and your whole planet suddenly imitates safari town.


    What. A. Godforsaken. Mess.


    Anyway, what does my status show?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Wizard 16, D???e???p???a???r???t???e???d??? 9, Blood Binder 9, C???o???n???j???u???r???e???r??? 10, Lore Seeker 9


    Dread Lord 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Vampire 10, N???o???b???l???e??? 8, Lord 20, Progenitor 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%"><Unknown Category></td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4A61726564 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">W???o???r???l???d??? ???R???e???s???i???d???e???n???t???, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married, Master Crafter, R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l??i???a???r???s???, S???u???m???m???o???n??? ???M???a???s???t???e???r???, Summon Master, World Resident, Three of Disaster


    Title Level 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">6</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4694/4694 [3265]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3988/3988 [4986]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/0 [2603]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">427+75 (staff) or +208 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">514</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">441+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">801+47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">714+2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">611+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">605</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Apprentice Headband, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Unnatural Claws 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Blood Magic 16 (Rank 1), Cure Magic 10 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 16 (Rank 1), Drain Touch 9, Earth Magic 16 (Rank 1), Fire Magic 16 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 16 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 16 (Rank 1), Ravenous Chains 9, Summon Spirit 10 (Rank 1), Titanium Magic 16 (Rank 1), Water Magic 16 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 8, Disguise 10, Intimidation 16, Stealth 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">D???e???a???t???h??? ???S???e???n???s???e??? 9, E???m???b???r???a???c???e??? 8, Familiar 20, F???i???l???e??? ???E???a???t???e???r??? ???A???r???m???o???r??? 9, Greater Vampiric Bite 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Adamant Conjuration 10, Affinity Magic 16 (Rank 1), Ageless 20, Bound Armament 9, Cure Boost 8, Enhanced Regeneration 20, E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y? 16, Keen Perception 7, Legion of Doom 9, Magical Secret 7, Malleable Form 16, Sleepless 10, Supernatural Toughness 8, Trap Lore 9, Undead 10, Undead Resilience 9, Vampire Hierarchy 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top"><Unknown Category></td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%; vertical-align: top">D???a???r???k??? ???L???o???r???d??? 10, Essence Drain 10, Overlord''s Oversight 10, Profane Vows 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    No, I don''t see it. Everything is as it was before.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    "Uh, aside from the menu being a bit more active than it should be, I don''t see any new problems. Admittedly there are a few anomalies but they''ve been there for a long time already."


    Karen just nods, "Exactly."


    I wait a moment but it seems that''s already everything our harebrain wanted to say, "No, I don''t get it. Please explain what you''re getting at."


    Therese gestures impatiently, "You know he wasn''t there when you explained it to us the last seven times, Karen."


    She sighs, "Well, you see, Jared, Karen hypothesized that there is a relation between how many glitched skills someone has and how vulnerable, or rather resistant, they are to further infection. Even if you don''t see it, it is quite obvious that a lot of your skills and classes are just flat-out wrong. For example, your [Familiar] skill is-"


    Karen interjects, "Hey, that is my part! I''m the scientist here!"


    Therese fights back, "Then explain it better, or at all!"


    These two are giving me such a headache...


    "Okay, you two stop arguing. Karen, then explain please, properly this time."


    She finally does as told, "Yeah, so, uh, by my understanding you got several skills from dubious sources, or they were infected after you obtained them. Even if they look like real skills, they are not. It is more than likely they are disguised glitches. They still function like their regular skill counterparts but, well... Behind the scenes they might do typical glitch stuff, or just lie dormant. We don''t understand why the descriptions are one-hundred-percent correct, but they are. If the effect changes quite a lot from its original function, the description reflects this for some reason. Look, we''re still researching those phenomena, okay? All I got for now is that...", she hesitates for a moment, "we''re slowly losing our humanity and turning into glitch-like beings."


    There, finally! Was that so hard!!


    ...say what?


    "I think I misheard you. Did you just say we''re turning into glitches?"


    Eclaire jumps in, "That''s exactly what she surmises. Every infection of a skill, class or whatever brings you a step closer. Whatever sabotaged skills you have, already make you part glitch. It makes it easier to process the infection in the air, but overall it only delays the inevitable. As for our dear Lucia... it is likely most of her skills already are undermined. She''s..."


    My sick wife adds her two incomprehensible cents, "H?e?y?,? ?d?o?n?''?t? ?w?r?i?t?e? ?m?e? ?o?f?f? ?l?i?k?e? ?t?h?a?t?!? ?I?''?m? ?s?t?i?l?l? ?h?e?r?e?!? ?I?''?m? ?s?t?i?l?l? ?m?e?!?"


    I facepalm at the obvious, "So that''s why it''s called a Hybrid... It all makes sense now."


    Therese demands to know in her usual unpleasant tone, "This time you need to explain. You seem to know what this word means, what is it?"


    "In general, a hybrid is just a cross between two different things or creatures. You know, like for example a ''half-elf'', a mix of human and elf. In this case... it seems to be a cross between a humanoid and a glitch-lifeform."


    Karen scratches her rabbit ears, "Interesting. This is not too far off from my theory. I theorized that as a special creation of a pure glitch skill, it would be a much more intense gathering of those glitches, to such an extent that it would stave off further infection nearly indefinitely. Or at least long enough that we can find a way out of this... dungeon."


    And once again, they''ve lost me, "So, what was that about my [Familiar] skill, Therese?"


    The grumpy lady replies, "Have you no awareness about how your skills should work? The description clearly states that you can have at most twenty servants, but how many do you have now? Thousands."


    I check the skill description again to verify what she just said.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Familiar


    Active


    Can designate a ¡®willing¡¯ (e.g. charmed) target (up to 1 per skill level, max 20) as a familiar.


    The opinion of a familiar on their master can not drop below friendly.


    For the purpose of giving an order to a familiar, the user¡¯s CHA is doubled.


    User can share one (two at skill level 20, three at 35) of their skills with their familiars.


    This choice of shared skills is the same for all familiars and can¡¯t be changed.


    The familiars¡¯ copy of a skill is always at level 1.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "I thought that was just because everyone now has the same skill through inheritance."


    Therese shakes her head, "No, that''s not it. It is quite clear that the System doesn''t allow familiars to have familiars of their own, I got a message about that when I used the skill on Darius. It said that I''m not allowed to keep him and therefore ''my'' familiar would be transferred to my ''master'', that would be you - no matter how much I want to deny it - and it would have to quite explicitly take some measure since your familiar limit was exhausted. The required measure would be ''none''. Skills aren''t allowed to just ignore these problems and yet, here we are."


    "So skills now have a mind of their own?! That''s a terrifying thought."


    Karen explains, "No, only the infected ones, and even then, most are just dormant and work like the originals, or at least pretend to. Please look how the real [Familiar] skill should look like, and then compare it to yours."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Familiar


    Active


    Can designate a willing (e.g. charmed) target (up to 1 per skill level, max 20) as a familiar.


    The opinion of a familiar on their master can not drop below friendly.


    For the purpose of giving an order to a familiar, the user¡¯s CHA is doubled.


    User can share one (two at skill level 20, three at 35) of their skills with their familiars.


    This choice of shared skills is the same for all familiars and can¡¯t be changed.


    The familiars¡¯ copy of a skill is always at level 1.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I read and read, but don''t see a difference. I have no clue what she''s getting at, "The words are the same. Is that possibly a translation issue?"


    She continues, "The words are identical, yes. But look carefully at the target condition, ''willing'' is in quotes in your version of the skill. As you can read, the real [Familiar] skill should be quite picky with which target it can apply to. The target needs to be explicitly willing to enter the pact, even if coerced or under mind-altering effects. But yours is different, and not in a good way. Your [Familiar] skill and all copies linked to it are exceptionally greedy, they no longer require that the target has even a cursory understanding of what it gets into. Just a vague form of general acceptance seems to be all it asks for, not even for the pact itself, but a broad agreement to something related to the field of pacts or relationships."


    "That isn''t how it was with Chloe."


    She shrugs, "It might not have been back then but it is now. Who knows if it was just growing all this time or... waiting for something."


    Waiting? For what? My approval?


    "And since I was already so glitch-infected that [Familiar] got a life of its own, you concluded that the Hybrid classes created by me - even if indirectly - carry a similar infection?"


    She hesitates to answer, "Honestly, yes. We couldn''t even see where those classes would come from if you are truly the cause, so one of my ideas was that your [Familiar] skill reached a new stage and caused the Hybrid classes. But since you said earlier that you manually gave Iris such a class, that is obviously not the case. Considering what we''re currently going through, that option might be worth some exploration. At least it is obvious that the non-Hybrids are suffering currently."


    "So what now?", Therese gestures at me dismissively, "Do we just accept the inevitable and put our fate into his hands, again? Do we blindly believe that distributing the Hybrid classes even further is even remotely safe? I have a lot of doubts about that."


    "Of course not! Nothing that deals with glitches is ever safe!"


    Why does saying that feel hypocritical? Admittedly I''ve given in to their temptation in the past. Way too easily. The sixth-item exploits, the false Class Core that gave me Blood Mage, the glitched title that appeared as Ruler of Familiars to me, everything. I want to claim that I''ve learned my lesson by now, I really do. Don''t force me to repeat that!


    Suddenly, Lucia grabs my hand, just the mere touch gives a clear impression that something, everything, is wrong with her, "P?l?e?a?s?e? ?t?r?y? ?i?t? ?o?n? ?m?e?,? ?J?a?r?e?d?.? ?I?''?v?e? ?n?o?t?h?i?n?g? ?l?e?f?t? ?t?o? ?l?o?s?e?.?"


    I still don''t understand her words, but her plea is clear. She doesn''t want to die. And this... this is her only chance.


    What choice do I really have? None.


    If I just leave her to her fate, she''s dead or even worse off. If I give her a Hybrid class... we don''t really know what it does, it involves too many suspicious glitches, but she''ll be in company at least. And most importantly, she''ll have a chance to live longer.


    Yeah, it easily beats losing her completely.


    I nod, "Alright, I understand, Lucia. We''ll do it."


    Therese slams the table, "You can''t be serious, Jared!"


    I hesitate for a moment, but as wrong as this method is, I can''t even imagine leaving my wife to her current glitch-infested fate, "I am. We''ll continue this meeting tomorrow. Dismissed."


    She tries to protest one final time, "But-"


    Iris cuts her off, "This is enough, Therese. He knows what is the right thing to do in this situation."


    Contrary to Iris, Therese clearly is not on board with this. Dejected and defeated, she gets up and leaves, "I know when my opinion is unwanted. Well, see ''you'' tomorrow then", but not without muttering under her breath, "Hopefully..."


    Karen also bids farewell, "Ugh, fine, that was a prime opportunity for research but see you tomorrow then."


    And finally, Iris gets ready to bow out as well, "Don''t worry, Jared. I know you''re doing the right thing. It obviously was for me."


    "I hope so, too, Iris. I hope so."


    So that leaves only me, Lucia and one other, "So don''t you want to leave, Eclaire?"


    In response to that, Lucia just facepalms and sighs.


    The blond Lucia responds mockingly, "What? So you can cheat on me with myself? Fat chance!"


    "What... are you talking about, Eclaire?"


    She glares at me, "Did you really already forget about your wife!? We only got together this morning!! Well, second wife... Or is it, the good half of your wife? Ugh, I knew this would be a complicated relationship..."


    Ugh, right... that. I heard third time''s the charm. Maybe it also applies to asking for my informed consent in marriages.

 Ch. B2 – Revision

    "Eclaire, don''t you think this is a very personal matter between me and Lucia?", I tease my second wife.


    But it seems Eclaire doesn''t get it, "Jared, I''m in this mess as much as she is. We are - or at least were to an extent - one and the same. Even if we''re now different people, please remember that we started as the same person! If it concerns her, it concerns me!"


    "Weird, I would''ve thought you''d play the spouse angle. You know, because you cheated yourself into our marriage and everything. I expected you to argue that this is a family matter."


    She fidgets, "Uh, yeah, totally, there''s that, too."


    Seriously, why am I the only one that is affected by all of these marriage shenanigans? Is no one else bothered by the brainwashing caused by the title? No, just me? Goddamnit, people!!


    I sigh, "Alright, you can stay."


    Eclaire just smiles mischievously, "Yeah, I know."


    Or maybe I was the one that didn''t get it? I swear, this girl...


    I look one more time over the [Essence Drain] skill, I need to make sure I understand all the relevant details. Screwing up with a close companion like Iris would''ve been bad enough but ultimately tolerable. But messing up my wife Lucia... unforgivable.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Essence Drain


    [ERROR: UNKNOWN REQUIREMENT O-7734]


    When you drink at least 100ml of the blood of a creature, you retain a Blood Echo of the victim.


    This lasts for either 1 year or until it is used in the following effect:</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Choose a target between yourself, one of your familiars or a creature you touch.


    You can sacrifice up to 8 skills from your own, the chosen creature and any by Blood Echo-linked creatures'' skills.


    These sacrifices are used to create an i???l???l???e???g???a???l??? extra class or mutate an existing extra class of the target creature.


    The sacrificed skills can''t be regained.


    If a skill originates from multiple sources each instance is treated separately.


    You cannot trade skills fundamental to a creature type, e.g. [Undead] or [Spirit], this way; they are only a valid sacrifice if their owner is the target of the process.


    If skills were sacrificed the recipient must''ve lost at least 2 skills in the process, otherwise, the process fails.


    The created/mutated class varies by the offered skills and essences of the involved, and, in case of mutation, on the extra class that gets modified.


    Sacrificing multiple skills does not guarantee a better result.


    If at least 3 skills are chosen to be sacrificed you can preview the result without losing the skills and still abort the process.


    When the class creation is successful, the class granting this skill increases its level by 1 unless it is already your highest-leveled class.


    A given target can only receive (1 + skill level / 15, at most 5) additional extra classes this way.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Nothing special stands out. I only need a Blood Echo from her and then we can get going, and obviously, the nighttime plays from before I acquired [Essence Drain] don''t count.


    "I need some of your blood for this, honey. You know how this goes, right?"


    A static confirmation follows, "Y?e?s?,? ?I? ?u?n?d?e?r?s?t?a?n?d?.? ?I?''?m? ?r?e?a?d?y?.?"


    I hug my wife and sink my fangs into her neck, then drink a bit of her blood. It tastes... different. Wrong. Addicting.


    A moment later, Eclaire shakes me to wake me from my stupor, "That''s enough, Jared! You''re killing her!"


    What? I''m...


    I quickly let go of her, "I''m sorry, I''ve no idea what came over me..."


    "I? ?d?o?n?''?t? ?e?i?t?h?e?r?.? ?I?t? ?j?u?s?t? ?f?e?l?t? ?r?i?g?h?t? ?t?o? ?b?e? ?d?r?a?i?n?e?d? ?d?r?y? ?b?y? ?y?o?u?.?.?.?"


    Eclaire slaps the back of my head and shouts, "Just ''sorry''? You almost killed her! What would you''ve done if I wasn''t here!?"


    She winds up again, but Lucia stops her, "T?h?a?t? ?i?s? ?e?n?o?u?g?h?.? ?W?e?''?r?e? ?j?u?s?t? ?u?n?d?e?r?-?"


    Eclaire relents, "Lucy... You better explain what was going on once I can understand you again..."


    It seems like Lucia wasn''t finished with speaking before Eclaire said her part, she seems mad about something.


    "There''s a lot that has to be explained then, like this whole forced marriage business. But first, we need to get there. And for that, I need to know a few skills you''re willing to sacrifice for this, Lucy", I say while checking through her skill list, "How about [Embrace]? We''re not using that one."


    Lucia tries to speak once more but gives up once she realizes we can''t hear her anymore, so she just shakes her hand.


    Eclaire takes over, "That is a no then, how about..."


    After some more back and forth, We''ve gathered a list of skills Lucia is willing to part with: Beast Killer, Corrosive Rain, Dark Magic, Intimidation (2x), Spectral Hand as well as the Demon, Fate Breaker and World Resident titles.


    This would be a prime opportunity to rid us both of the penalty title World Resident. I used my copy on Iris but it reappeared because of the title synchronization through Lucia''s [Unholy Matrimony]. But if I use both of our copies...


    Damn, I can''t select mine. It seems to be in a weird Schroedinger state of both being present and not. I hope it''ll disappear when I use Lucia''s copy of the World Resident title.


    I test several combinations of which skill sacrifices along with World Resident would yield a decent result, but quite soon, I end with this result for sacrificing Dark Magic, Spectral Hand and World Resident:


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Hybrid</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">L???i???v???i???n???g??? ???S???h???a???d???o???w??? extra class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    18.5 HP, 12 MP, 14.5 SP, 3 STR, 2 DEX, 3 VIT, 3.5 MAG, 3.5 FTH, 2.5 WIL, 1.5 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">S?u?n?''?s? ?N?e?m?e?s?i?s?


    Passive


    Negative effects caused by the sun are doubled.


    While at least 30% of the body is covered by shadow (e.g. clothing counts) and for 15 seconds after it, all effects involving the sun or indirectly triggered by it are negated.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Shadowcraft


    100 MP


    You can reach into a shadow to create a simple, solid object you know.


    The created object can for example be equipment, ammunition or crafting materials, but all stat modifications and special properties are removed.


    The creation can''t be larger than the shadow you used and is visually clearly made of darkness.


    It lasts either until you dismiss it or don''t have physical contact with it for a minute.


    Crafting materials created this way are 50% harder to work with and bequeath their restricted lifetime to the created product.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Shadow Walk


    270 SP


    You can treat shadows thrown by stationary, solid objects as portals.


    You can enter such a shadow and come out from a visible shadow within 500 DU as long as both shadows are large enough for you.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Light Weakness</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The first skill is a double-edged sword, but as long as she doesn''t prance around outside in a typical chainmail bikini she should be fine, no more need for her to avoid the sun. I have to admit, I''m jealous about that. But then, that will only be a problem for me again when this dungeon mystery ends, and maybe by then, I''ll have solved it for myself as well.


    Though I''m not sure where this defensive and mobile line-up comes from. [Dark Magic], the World Resident title, none of them got to do anything with it, but then the World Resident title was kind of a wild card for Iris as well. There it let her live as a (pretend) human by giving her a transformation, here it grants protection against the ur-evil called a sun.


    The stats aren''t too hot, like half of what Iris got in her Hybrid class, and I don''t really see a use for [Shadowcraft], she can already create real weapons with [Create Weapon]. But... I''m afraid we''re running out of time. I wish I could grant my wife something better, and I haven''t really checked that many combinations yet but Lucia''s condition is getting worse and worse by the minute and I refuse to let her suffer longer than necessary. Not if there''s this massive risk that she could die any minute now, or suffer something worse...


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Well, assuming this Hybrid stuff helps in the first place...


    "Please let it work."


    I bestow upon her the new Hybrid class and immediately see how the selected sacrifices disappear from her skill list. A moment later, Lucia falls asleep in my arms, still flickering in and out of existence like a bad TV signal, but it seems the reception is getting better, the flickering gets less severe than before.


    While I wait for her to wake up or something else to happen, I keep an eye on her status but the World Resident title is already back. Shit.


    I would''ve expected [Dark Magic] to return, given that she still has the dark affinity from [Undead] and the [Affinity Magic] skill to grant the related elemental skill, but that is not the case. But why is the title back then? I can''t even select it anymore in the title list. It is displayed there, it affects our stats but it doesn''t react when I click on it. This is frustrating, do you mean to tell me that I already blew our only chance to delete this bullshit title!?


    Nothing I can do about that anymore and Lucia''s survival is more important right now.


    Clack


    What was that?


    Clack Clack


    Damn, I''m suddenly getting a headache... And did the Hybrid class just fricking move!?


    Clack


    It... It just did. It moved from the last spot in her extra classes step by step to the first spot, always resynchronizing the levels with me - this has never happened before.


    Previously, it was always impossible to change the position a class is in. Even when the glitch bath ruined my status, every class kept its spot without exception.


    I try to, but as expected, I still can''t move classes manually. As usual, glitches do whatever they want.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lucia Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Battle Smith 16, Fallen Saint 9, Blood Witch 9, Lead Singer 10, Forge Wizard 9


    Trickster Priest 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sunbound (human) 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hybrid 20, Vampire 20, Noble 20, Lord 20, Progenitor 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cursed Queen 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">W???o???r???l???d??? ???R???e???s???i???d???e???n???t???, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Demon, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Happily Married, Master Crafter, R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l??i???a???r???s???, S???u???m???m???o???n??? ???M???a???s???t???e???r???, Summon Master, World Resident, Three of Disaster


    Title Level 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">approaching zero - eventually - but still negative</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3477/4092 [5115]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2390/2785 [4107]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3252/3720 [4651]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">786+95 (hammer) or +189 (claws) or +48 (created 1-handed weapon)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">645</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">688+56</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">679+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">701+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">586+31</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">628</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Smith Hammer, Robe, Habit, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Axe Training 10, Unnatural Claws 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Bless 9, Corrosive Rain 9, Enchant Weapon 9, Earth Magic 9 (Rank 1), Fire Magic 19 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 9 (Rank 1), Profane Bolt 9, Shadowcraft 20, Twisted Pillar of Light 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 8, Create Weapon 16, Disguise 20, Energizing Song 10, Intimidation 28, Sharpen Weapon 16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Embrace 20, Familiar 20, Greater Vampiric Bite 20, Shadow Walk 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Affinity Magic 9 (Rank 1), Ageless 20, Armor Training 16, Beast Killer 20, C???u???r???(???s???)???e??? Magic 11, Dark Lord 11, Enhanced Regeneration 20, Forgery 9, Hard Worker 10, Living Undead 11, Sleepless 20, S?u?n?''?s? ?N?e?m?e?s?i?s? 20, Supernatural Toughness 8, Undead 20, Unholy Matrimony 11, Vampire Hierarchy 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top"><Unknown Category></td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Queen''s Dignity 11, Royal Guidance 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Dark, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Weird, I could''ve sworn her status field showed something different before, but maybe I''m just imagining things, the pollution has affected me after all as well.


    By now, Lucia has stopped flickering, "She seems to be stable now. All that is left is just to wait and see."


    And maybe hope. Just because she seems fine from the outside, doesn''t mean she wasn''t affected mentally.


    Eclair agrees, "Yeah, seems like it. At least her skills look readable again."


    "What do you mean, Eclair? The skills look the same as before to me."


    She shakes her head, "Maybe you should get your head checked? Her two ''unknown'' skills [Queen''s Dignity] and [Royal Guidance] turned into a random mess of letters and numbers several days ago. H-4-1-8-something."


    "Weird", am I... so far gone already that I could read the glitch language, at least in part? Hmm, no, those skills still appear as an overlapping, ever-changing, unreadable mess. So what''s going on now?


    "Speaking of, I never checked what those two skills do."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Queen''s Dignity


    Passive


    Provides immunity to stun, grapple and other effects that restrain movement.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Nice in theory, but more often than not the main threat lies in getting killed in about two hits, so this has little chance to come up. Maybe once we have a lot more levels to our names.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Royal Guidance


    Passive


    All class levels of your subjects slowly rise towards 80% of the level your spirits would have, if below.


    The exact growth rate depends on the subject¡¯s mental fortitude and well-being and can take anywhere between hours and months for a single level up.


    If you mistreat your people or they reject you they may not profit from this at all.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    This would explain why every familiar I saw had increased levels in their new classes, so I guess they are at least moderately happy with the vampiric tyrants governing them. But that is about all, I''ve got no clue how Lucia could create a world-shattering master plan with this.


    I mean, if we had max-level spirits we would quickly have an army of nearly max-level familiars, yes, but how would we get there? I doubt there would be many problems left if we had enough classes and levels to command summoned spirits near the level cap in the first place. So at that point, it would just be a win-more type of skill.


    The flood is only composed of low-level mobs, by the time I would have over nine-thousand CHA to max out my spirits, I would also have enough HP, VIT and FTH that I could just put on the corrupted [Life Eater Armor] and take an enthusiastic walk towards the goal. Any attack I''d suffer would retaliate with likely enough force to instantly kill the offender and restore any damage suffered.


    And dungeons are so far not relevant. Basluth is a side quest, I don''t care about those if I have something better to do. I want to remove the threat of the demon artifact - assuming it even exists - give the devas the middle finger and then settle down somewhere far away from these problems.


    No, there must be something else entirely to this puzzle. We can''t just start at step twelve of ten.


    "I don''t see how you can craft a world-shattering master plan with this. What am I missing?"


    Eclair teases me, "Not telling. I promised her."


    "Okay, I get it, you have no clue either, she didn''t tell you anything."


    "Do too!", she yells like a frustrated child.


    "Then prove it!"


    She angrily replies, "I said I promised her she could have the honor of telling you!!", she sighs, "Listen, I may have overdone it a bit with insults towards her intelligence when we first met, so... she just wants to prove me wrong, prove to herself that she isn''t useless. Just... let her have this, okay?"


    "Fine, fine. I''ll let it rest."


    If she doesn''t want to talk about that... how else to pass some time?


    "Can you tell me more about yourself? How are you around? I thought dead people... stayed dead. I mean after forcing me into a marriage, you owe me at least this much."


    Eclaire thinks for a moment, "I guess this is as good a way to pass time while my counterpart naps as any other. You see, dead people are supposed to pass on to the afterlife, right? They don''t, that was just a lie. It seems like the worldwide barrier traps the souls of dead people and sucks them into the dungeons. From what I could tell at the time, they are processed into... monsters. It takes some time, a lot of time. The queue was full, very full."


    She takes a while to explain her whole journey starting with me turning Lucia into a vampire and ending with her not-so-random meeting in the latest death trap dungeon where Lucy abused her divine rights and the last remaining DP to turn Eclaire into a spirit to save her. Except her explanation took way more than a sentence...


    "And that''s why sleeping sideways is outlawed in households with magitech-powered kitchens", she exclaims proudly.


    Maybe I tuned out too early. Better not click on the "yes, repeat the whole dialog five more times, please" button.

 Ch. B3 – Waiting in Perpetuity

    I check on my comatose wife still sleeping on my lap, and pat her head. Lucy is still flicking in and out of existence every now and then, but it is becoming way less frequent. Can''t be too much longer until she''s cured and hopefully wakes up again. Please...


    "That story is all nice and good, Eclaire, but I asked you why you haven''t taken any additional classes yet, not about... whatever that story was."


    She hesitates for a moment, "Oh, uh, isn''t that obvious? Before you agreed to marry me this morning, Lucia still had to pay my full upkeep, and we were not sure if we can afford to give me more classes under these circumstances, so we simply haven''t made any decisions yet, it wasn''t relevant, we had more important things to take care of. Also, we thought it would be more fun if you were present as well."


    Hey, don''t blame me for this! This was your idea! Or Lucia''s, allegedly.


    Maybe Eclaire''s class choices are relevant to Lucy''s plan and that''s why she has to wait. Spirits have fewer restrictions on which classes they can take, they only need the slot for it. And thanks to our engagement and Lucy''s [Unholy Matrimony] she should now have plenty. That one is clearly part of the plan but where does that lead? Do they have a specific class build in mind that exploits a loophole I don''t know about?


    Hmm... no clue, too many possibilities with what little I know about her plan. There are thousands of classes and skills, too many to guess the correct one.


    It seems like mulling will get me nowhere, "Fine, we can deal with that later."


    Maybe now is a good time? Eclair should know what Elly is doing


    "Say, do you kn-"


    Eclaire cuts me off before I can finish my question, "No, I can''t tell you."


    "That was suspiciously quick."


    She responds after a moment of collecting herself, "You were about to ask about Elly, right? I... left her out for a reason when listing the whereabouts of your other spirits. But thanks for picking up the cue back then, this is a sensible topic."


    "That''s not very helpful. What has happened? You make it sound like something big is going on with Elly. Tell me at least why you can''t tell me anything, I think you owe me at least this much."


    She sighs, "You see, I wasn''t present. I only know what Lucia told me. It happened when Lucia revealed her plan to both Elly and Therese - no one else. Even now, only we four know about the plan. Well, from what Lucy told me, Elly suddenly flew into a rage during the explanation and attacked them. Obviously, this amounted to nothing and Lucy simply unsummoned Elly, she is detained in the Spirit Prison since then."


    Spirit Prison? She probably means the space where spirits end up when we seal them away. Like I did that one time when she went too far with her nagging about titles. She didn''t take that one too well...


    But no matter how much I think about it, I can''t believe Elly would just go berserk like that, so far she was way too level-headed for that. She even tolerated me playing with the glitched Class Core, begrudgingly but still. There must be more to this story than mere disapproval.


    "Plan this, plan that. The more implications I hear about the plan the more I fear it would be in our best interests to stop it."


    Eclaire shakes her head and shrugs, "No can do. Not anymore, it is already underway. The only way to stop it now is to kill both you and Lucia. And obviously, nobody wants that."


    Yeah, that''s not happening, not even in part. Lucy is mine and you won''t take her from me!


    ...and there''s the red string strangling me again. Damned title.


    "That''s not really reassuring. Look, I know you''re trusting Lucia more than Elly but consider, she''s a spirit. As such she''s forced to be loyal to us, and going for the kill is as far from loyalty as I can imagine. There must be more to that story."


    She sighs in frustration, "I can''t tell; as I said, I wasn''t there. But if I had to guess, I''d say it is simply very likely that the glitches in the atmosphere - or in you - got to her and drove her crazy. I''ve already seen enough people tear into each other recently. Non-familiars in a panic over the unknown situation, due to sleep deprivation or fear of the more monstrous Hybrids, some outcast Hybrids that went mad for no reason and went on a rampage; at this point, Elly''s case is just that to me. One case of insanity among many."


    I try to protest, "But she''s-"


    "If you have to know, just wait until Lucia wakes up. Blindly guessing will lead to nothing but unnecessary frustration", she says while taking me into a hug and pressing my head against her chest.


    If she intends to distract me with that then it doesn''t work.


    Or maybe it does. Sandwiched between my two wives like this, I give up - but only for now, "Maybe you''re right, I''ll wait. But can you at least tell me anything else? What happened to our servants? I haven''t seen them yet, did they make it?"


    Eclaire sounds happy that she doesn''t have to deal with the previous topic anymore, "Oh, yes, certainly. Once she found out that you can go beyond the familiar cap thanks to your weird skill, Lucia got to them. She said it was because good personnel is hard to come by. But if you ask me, she''s taken quite a liking to them, even if she''ll claim otherwise. Except Carl, he''s...", she trails off with no conclusion.


    Carl? Who was that again?


    Oh, right, the Dwarf-Elf. He was supposed to become an assistant, easing our workload. Shows how much of an impression he left on me...


    "What is with him?"


    Eclaire takes a moment to gather herself, "You would''ve found out soon enough anyway. Lucy couldn''t free him from his slave status. Apparently, Anna was a one-time deal."


    I know; I tried back then to make a still-slave a familiar, didn''t work. So if you add the current hostile environment...


    I feel cheated, I wanted to put the slavers out of my misery personally, preferably bloody, and not just get Diabolus-Ex''d on that front.


    Consider yourself lucky, Ludwig, you get to choose a different profession instead of becoming a stain on the wall. I''m totally not vindictive, just stay under the radar or else... I might give you two seconds of a headstart, maybe three if I feel generous that day.


    No, gotta calm down again. This is the wrong topic for now.


    So why couldn''t Lucia free the slaves? It was because of something the lich said, right?


    "Because of DP?"


    She nods, "Yeah, how did you figure?"


    "Just a hunch I had. Initially, I believed she simply had elevated rights thanks to her divine class, but once the lich Basluth dropped the concept of DP on me and hints about what you can ''pay'' with it, it wasn''t that much of a stretch that they are related."


    She forces a smile, "Yeah, it is... and Lucy tried to keep it a secret from you because... of how she made me kinda alive again. She did that with the last few remaining DP she had. She was afraid to disappoint you if she couldn''t free the other slaves."


    "I guess so. And thanks to what is going on now, she''ll never gain any DP again, right? Given what we know about Glitches and Hybrids, this probably won''t change even if we can revert the atmosphere of this world. No more miracles for us, I guess. Not that we got many. Speaking of, we didn''t get to it in the meeting but do we know anything about how to end this dungeon? We''ve got no exit to just leave, at least."


    She hugs me even tighter, "We know nothing about how this fake dungeon works. Well, aside from that it is frequently expanding."


    "It is growing? So... not only our fortress is in danger but - again - the whole area, if not the continent or the entire world. Great, and here I thought we could take our time with solving it. We''re supposedly immortal now after all. I had a faint hope we could just train here until we''re strong enough to overrun whatever obstacles are between us and the alleged demon artifact. But obviously, even that is now off the table. So how fast does it grow?"


    "That''s the thing, it doesn''t exactly grow at a constant rate. Most of the time the dungeon border stands still and then suddenly the next moment it jumps ahead and absorbs several hundred square DUs. We''ve several troops on patrol outside that keep watch on the development in case it gets close to another settlement."


    "I see. I guess they have orders to add the survivors as familiars, right? Do they have any methods to hide the non-human traits and prevent panic?"


    She shakes her head, "No idea, that''s something you better ask Therese or Darius during the next meeting tomorrow."


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    "Alright, I understand. But what are you doing then if you aren''t involved with those affairs? I doubt Therese would let you sit around idly."


    Eclaire chuckles, "Why, I''m living up to my class of Holy Maiden and working at the church. For some reason, a position of church head recently opened up, and who better to take charge than the current chosen one."


    That''s gotta be some form of cosmic irony. The head of church that sent the saintess to her death was replaced by the successfully(?) murdered saintess, and was put to death himself. How the turntables.


    And since when can spirits hold divine classes?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Eclaire Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Grave Cleric 16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sunbound (human) 10, Imp 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Holy Maiden 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1741/1741</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1254/1254 [1754]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1568/1568</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">346+16 (mace)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">254</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">346</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">290</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">458</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">376</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">329</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit Mace</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Mace Training 16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cure Magic 10 (Rank 2), Expel Undead 16, Fire Magic 10 (Rank 1), Sanctity of Life 16</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spook 10, Wings 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ageless 1, Familiar 1, Hard Worker 10, Sleepless 1, Stamina Boost 10, Summoned Spirit 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top"><Unknown Category></td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Self-made Spirit 10, Word of Refinement 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ice, Dark</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    She clearly does, didn''t expect that. At least she didn''t keep the cursed [Undead Bait] skill.


    I see the skills our familiars get. I would''ve never thought of that before, the limit of familiars was too restrictive for any experiments in that direction. Is that a general option, or does that only work because of Eclaire''s strange half-spirit-half-non-spirit state? I may never know.


    Well, are any of her new skills interesting?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Expel Undead


    Once per day


    Create a 20 DU diameter divine blast in the target area.


    It inflicts 200% FTH holy damage to all undead in the affected area.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Damn girl, be careful where you let that loose. That would hurt Lucia and me a whole lot.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Sanctity of Life


    Once per day, concentration


    Create a hallowed zone around the point of casting with a radius of (FTH) DU that exists while you hold concentration, to a maximum of 2 hours.


    Within the zone, Undead can''t recover HP in any way,


    [Necromancy] and similar effects are prevented,


    and all damage over time status effects are paused.


    The effect ends prematurely if the caster leaves the zone.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Seriously, Eclaire, do you want to become our nemesis? Oh, right, saint. This was a stupid thing to ask.


    This leaves the two random, "divine" skills my skill grants to my wives, what did she get?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Self-made Spirit


    Passive


    You pay your own upkeep for being a spirit, it can''t be paid in any other way.


    Additionally, you can cast each given magic spell once per day instead of not at all, regular costs must still be paid.


    However, for spells with variable shapes, you may only choose the basic form.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Nice, this breaks all known rules of spirits. We don''t have to deal with her upkeep cost, and she can even use spells. But what are you going for with your skills, Eclaire? Basically, everything you have is usable once. Will you be our one-hit wonder?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Word of Refinement


    Passive


    Followers of your religion may under your guidance retrain production classes into regular classes.


    This action does not require Class Cores or other items.


    For calculating the requirements of the new class, the stats provided by the old class still count, but otherwise it is treated as non-existent.


    After retraining, the class starts back at level 1 and the stats of the old class are removed.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I don''t get it. I expected the gifted skills to be a random mess, but they are strangely normal, they even fit quite well to their circumstances. Like, if Eclaire is serious about guiding their religion and playing their local saint, this would be very fitting with their tenants. Self-improvement, helping others in their endeavors, and everything. No idea what this means.


    Also, why does she have the imp race?


    "Sounds like our little nun is finally moving up in the world. Congratulations, my dear. But your status says you have the imp race, where does that come from?"


    "Lucia added it, she said it would fit me, can you believe it? Me, the Holy Maiden, a saint, a mere imp!? Urgh! How does that ''fit''?!"


    I mean it gives her wings, and she certainly is a little imp-ish at times.


    "Uh, I think Lucia might be on to something. Can you show me your wings? They could possibly add to your image as a saint."


    "You think so?", Eclaire lets go of me and gets up, then reveals her wings. Large, dark purple, bat-like wings. And when I say large I mean it, they are longer than I''m tall.


    Come on, Lucy. Did you really have to ruin this ideal image of a biblically inaccurate angel by choosing the wrong second race? You could''ve simply given her the same race as Elly, a Valkyrie, among many other options, but no...


    "Simply perfect. You''d be the ideal icon of a religion in my old world", I lie through my teeth. Well, I didn''t say which "religion", so is it really a lie?


    She''s just missing a tail, maybe some horns, and the Halloween costume of a succubus in a naughty nun cosplay would be complete.


    I better keep these thoughts to myself.


    Eclaire blushes, "You, you think so?"


    Why did she buy that!?


    "Oh, yeah, totally. Say, do you have any long-standing plans with your religion I should be wary about, or do you simply intend to keep it going as is?", better change the topic before she catches on that I''m just trolling her.


    Eclaire starts beaming, "I''m glad you asked, dear. Truth be told, we don''t have a real plan yet but Lucy and I are investigating options to make sure what happened to her with the head priest doesn''t happen again. But all of that will be long-term."


    Oh, this better be good...


    "So basically just reforms of the hierarchy?"


    She retracts her wings and joins me again on the bed in watching over Lucy, "That but we''re also considering removing any mentions of the gods of refinement and balance. If they wanted our belief they should''ve put in some actual work by now, and not only send in some poor fool every couple of decades. Uh, no offense, dear, but we''ve suffered long enough."


    "Don''t you fear retaliation, Eclaire? I don''t think Jeff, or any other god, would take kindly to losing his followers."


    Although on second thought, if gods receive nourishment from prayers but glitches are kinda the opposite, wouldn''t prayers and belief sent by glitch-infested Hybrids slowly kill them? Well, once this barrier is gone at least. If that is true maybe we should keep them as idols? Can we?


    She sneers, "They had their chance, now is ours."


    I don''t like where this is going...


    I sigh, "Please tell me you do not intend to turn this into a personality cult."


    "Maaybee?"


    "Eclaire..."


    She just laughs it off, "Yeah, don''t worry, we won''t do that. I promise you that."


    "...good, I''ll trust you."


    So in summary, the flood is over and we somehow ended up starting a conquest of the surrounding area, as well as usurping a religion.


    How did everything end up like this? I reincarnated as a vampire with the goal of saving a world and then retiring, enjoying eternity - potentially with a family I''d start. Now it turns out that I''m just the plaything of some gods that have an undisclosed nefarious goal which somehow pushed me into playing local Demon Lord. And as my first official act, I turned half the continent into a nuclear wasteland.


    Everything derailed so hard...


    "Well, you can tell me about the rest later. But now that I think about it, there was one other thing I was conscious about. How do you really feel about our engagement? We''re not really in a... fair power dynamic. Like, look. I''m your summoner, right? That gives me a lot of power over you."


    "Is that everything you''re worried about? That you could abuse your power over me? Ha, I wanna see that. Come one, try!", she challenges me.


    I oblige and issue the first order that comes to mind, "Strip."


    In my defense, I still suffer from the Happily Married title. I can''t help but think she''s hot, a total snack - in several senses of the word.


    She immediately refuses, "I might have considered it if you said ''please''. But don''t you think the mood is a bit lacking for that? We could do with a nice dinner first, some candle li-"


    I interrupt her, "Alright, alright, I get it. Enough with the teasing. So, how come you''re above my orders?"


    She pouts, "Ugh, don''t be such a killjoy... Ah, well. Quite simply put, Lucia screwed up when she turned me into a spirit. Well, it isn''t something that should''ve been possible in the first place, so saying she screwed up is a bit harsh. But the truth is, as you might have noticed by now, the System doesn''t know how to handle me. At times, it treats me like a regular spirit, at times like a non-spirit human, and sometimes... it just throws up and does nothing. Cleaning the vomit from the message boxes is a pain, I tell you. By the way, it just did again, got a towel?"


    I hand her a towel from my inventory, "Here. And if it wasn''t for this confused state, the marriage wouldn''t have been allowed either."


    Wait, why was there a towel in there? Did Lucy leave it there?


    ...I just hope that the answer is yes, and it wasn''t a part of all those glitches that are crawling through my menu,


    Eclaire nods, "Yeah, exactly. So you don''t have to worry, I''m not in danger of domestic abuse by you, well, not more than regular people at least. But as for the nightly dangers..."


    I purr back, "Oh, you''re certainly in those. But seriously, even if your control is not at risk what about denial of freedom? We can unsummon spirits and imprison them... somewhere. Aren''t you worried about that?"


    She just waves it off, "Eh, Lucy tried that already when I pissed her off, several times, didn''t work."


    "Honestly, I''m not sure if that relieves me or makes me more worried. It opens the possibility that you can''t be revived like regular spirits, and considering how spirits are simply weaker than regular people..."


    Eclaire gets a bit somber and leans more into me, "Yeah, I understand that worry. I also don''t want to find out, so I promise I''ll be careful, okay, darling?"


    We continue our small talk and awkward flirting until Lucia finally wakes up.

 Ch. B4 – Shadow of a doubt

    We continue our small talk and awkward flirting until Lucia finally wakes up.


    She no longer flickers in and out of existence or releases a static-like screeching, her state is finally becoming stable, "Where... am I?"


    "At home, in bed. You slept several hours after..."


    She looks confused at me, "After you gave me the Hybrid class, the cure for my condition?"


    That''s... a unique way to phrase it, "Yeah. How do you feel now?"


    She jumps up and inspects herself for any changes, "I feel... normal again, I think. Just got a weird craving to make more friends...? Well, apart from that, nothing seems to be wrong anymore, huh? My vision is clear again, I can hear you, you can hear me, and the world is no longer a lucid haze. Did I miss anything, Eclaire, or am I now completely back to normal?"


    Her too-identical twin takes a look, "Let''s see..."


    They ignore me during their inspection and I enjoy the spontaneous fan service. Thanks, girls.


    At first glance from here, Lucia seems to be unchanged, or rather back to her usual vampiric self, but one thing is visibly off. Pretty hard to overlook even...


    Finally, Eclaire concludes, "Yeah, you''re completely cured. No weird transformation either."


    Did you completely miss the part where she no longer has a shadow, Eclaire? Our bedroom is illuminated enough to see that, and even I noticed that despite the gorgeous distraction.


    Lucia smiles, "Great! Well then, Jared, you''re next."


    "I already looked, and I noticed that you''re missing a goddamn shadow!"


    Eclaire double-checks, "Wait, is she? Uh, no it is still there - uh, just going in the wrong direction? It is kinda creepy..."


    She points towards a spot on the ground, then moves her arm as if she were an old lady afraid of a free-running mouse. I follow where she points but still don''t see Lucy''s shadow there. In my view, it is just gone.


    Lucia disagrees, "No, he''s right, it is gone. But why?"


    I''m relieved, for a moment, I thought I was going insane.


    "Probably for the same reason half the people outside are now cosplaying as half-monsters. The whole Hybrid business is just weird."


    Eclaire is distraught, "But... why can I still see it? And did it just flip me off!? How rude! Lucia, train your shadow better!!"


    Suddenly, Lucia rushes at me and takes me into a hug, "Doesn''t matter. For long. Now, Jared, it is your turn."


    "Uh, with what?"


    She replies, "With getting a Hybrid class, of course."


    Am I missing something? Why should I need that? The coughing has already long since passed and I''ve already had enough bad experiences with... glitch-based events or skills. Yeah, I''ll pass.


    But before I can decline her request, Eclaire facepalms, "You''ve... not really looked at yourself, have you?"


    "I did when Karen asked me to, there were no new abnormalities. You were there, remember? I mean, even the coughing is already gone, I don''t see what should be wrong."


    She shakes her head, "And that is exactly the problem. Listen, Jared. As far as we know, this plague has three phases. Well, we don''t really want to find out if there''s a fourth one, do we? So the first known phase of the infection was what you personally experienced, just a bit of coughing, headache or other general symptoms that you could confuse it with a common cold or something else seemingly harmless. Phase two is where it starts to get tricky because you suddenly have no more signs of any illness. Nothing, a patient in phase two appears perfectly healthy, maybe even too healthy. But in reality, the glitches are thoroughly infesting the body, hiding in skills, things like that. And phase three.... well, you have seen how it affected Lucia."


    "So you want to tell me, I''m already in phase two?"


    Lucia corrects me, "Phase three. Just look at your hands."


    My hands? What should there-


    Shit.


    Just for a moment, my hands looked like the fading signal Lucia seemed to be made out of back then.


    So I''m already that far gone? But why so suddenly? I was just fine when I woke up and allegedly for the three weeks I was comatose. By my understanding, the worst of it should''ve happened in that time when all the Hybrids were created and everyone else unknowingly dumped their toxic waste into my body. And to my knowledge, they have no methods to treat such an infection or keep it at bay, so why does it only appear now!? And so rapidly at that...


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Before I can get lost further in thoughts, Lucy tightens her grab on me, "Don''t fight it, Jared. I know how it feels like and I don''t want you to go through that as well. So, please, just do it."


    This is not a situation you should put a recovering glitch-addict into - or no one, really.


    Before I can protest, Eclaire also throws herself at me, or rather us, "Don''t forget we''re in this together. We''ve - somehow - made it through my death by vampirization and Lucy''s glitch curse. So don''t worry, you''ll get through this as well."


    "What, and we''re ignoring the possibility that we''ve already created a third Lucia and would now also create a clone of me? The world wouldn''t survive that chaos!"


    They both start laughing, "As if that''d happen again."


    "I''m still afraid that I''d lose a part of myself when I do this."


    Lucia scolds me, "And you ignored that risk when you gave me that cure? How could you!"


    Eclaire teases her, "Ah, forget my evil twin, we don''t need her. I''m more than enough for you, darling."


    Lucy falls for the bait, "Hey, I was here first, you rip-off! He''s mine!"


    So much for the alleged plan of co-existence between us three spouses...


    "Girls, you''re both pretty, and there''s enough of me for you two, so please stop fighting over me."


    And there goes the Happily Married title again making decisions for me - or is it? It might just be my imagination, but Eclaire is acting quite lovey-dovey with us despite not suffering from titles because she is a spirit. I want to delete the title and find out the truth. But the 2% DEX bonus...


    ARGH! Make it finally stop messing with my head!!!


    Make!


    It!


    Stop!


    I free myself from the bickering duo.


    I didn''t want to do this again, I didn''t want to cave before the temptation of glitch-granted powers again but what choice do I have this time? If I''m already in this state...


    "Jokes aside, I have concerns about this. Like", I sigh, "Look, I didn''t want to tell anyone about this, not yet. I''ve still not come to terms with it myself but a lot of weird things have happened."


    Lucia impatiently waits for me to continue and pats my head, "We''re listening, Jared. So what is the issue? Don''t worry, we''ll always be with you."


    "Yeah, so during my coma I found out that the devas did something to me before my reincarnation. They - It seems like they hid something like a small Glitch Zone in my soul. Look, I''m not entirely sure what that means either but-"


    Eclaire looks at me in disbelief, "They did what? Uh, who are you even talking about?"


    "Devas, the guys handling all the afterlife-related business, reincarnation and stuff. So while I was out cold, I was somehow able to explore old memories. In one of them, one of their doctors jammed a syringe with a clearly glitch-derived substance into me. After that, I was somehow able to do some literal soul-searching and confirm that something not entirely unlike the Glitch Zone resides within me, and it is not happy. I know all of this is hard to believe, none of this makes sense to me either."


    Especially once you realize that your so-called god of refinement is one of those detestable devas.


    Lucia replies, "No, I do believe you. I see no reason why you would lie about this."


    Eclaire has a different opinion, "You are right, this is hard to believe but it would explain some... oddities about you. Especially everything related to Lydia. But seriously, I can''t even fathom why they would do something like this, didn''t they send you here to help us? Shouldn''t they be on our side? What could possibly be the purpose of such a despicable act?"


    "They told me that I would be the last one to be sent here no matter the outcome. All things considered, I guess they expected my failure, and they planted this glitch thing to make sure that this planet doesn''t fall to their enemies. I assume that if I die, it would get released and make this entire world uninhabitable. At least, that would be a generous explanation, there are less pleasant ones. Like this whole thing just being a set up to remove this world no matter what, because there''s something here that inconveniences them."


    Take the death world called a Glitch Zone that is sealed behind a barrier we have in our cellar - now imagine it without any restrictions. I''ve witnessed firsthand how fast those can grow; given how long we wandered aimlessly through that dungeon, I have to assume it possibly covered several hundred miles per second. This world wouldn''t last ten minutes against an unrestrained Glitch Zone. No world would.


    The only hope for life in the universe would be if it can''t spread through the vacuum of space. The air certainly isn''t spared as the black dots all around us constantly remind me.


    Makes me wonder how anyone managed to seal those things in the first place; you''d have to know exactly when and where they appear to do so.


    Speaking of the black dots, where have they gone to? They were here until just recently. Maybe they are on lunch break? Weird.


    Lucia is disgusted, "But why? What, what have we done to deserve this treatment?"


    "No, clue. I''m not even sure it has anything to do with you. To them, your world is just a statistic. Just one of billions."


    Eclaire scratches her head in confusion, "Okay, but what does that change about you getting a Hybrid class? You don''t really have much time left, I assume."


    "Maybe not but... I feel like I''d unnecessarily feed the glitch within my soul that way. Make a bad situation even worse."


    She shakes her head, "No, think about it. If you think your demise could unleash this abomination upon this world shouldn''t it be more in your and our interest to prevent that?"


    Lucia tries to reassure me, "Honestly, I don''t understand how this would be different from me or any of our familiars. Karen explained how a lot of our skills are already infected with glitches. You have a miniature glitch zone in your soul, so what? If she''s right, so do we. Look, the Hybrid class helped, it prevented the worst at least. Do you... do you really want to leave me alone? Don''t you love me enough to stay with me?"


    If they put it this way... yeah, it is hypocritical of me. I''ve given her a Hybrid class knowing about potential risks because I didn''t want to lose her, so how could I deny her the same consolation of us remaining together?


    If I''m honest, I''ve already had two deals with what could be considered "devils", the devas and the lich. Both gave me some power but from what I know, neither seems to have benign intentions. So really, what is a third deal with a dubious source of power?


    ...at least this time I have no one to blame but myself for the outcome. Literally. You can''t negotiate with glitches. They are not sentient, they just do whatever. No rhyme, no reason, just chaos. And I''m accepting their influence once again because I see no other option.


    My desire to no longer be weak doesn''t help me reject this temptation either. If I had to be honest, I have to admit that I would''ve given in sooner or later anyway. Lucia and Iris got some very sweet skills out of it, and given that we''ll have to deal with the likes of Dan and especially Basluth, passing on an opportunity to get similar benefits would be foolish.


    Yeah, let''s do that.


    "Low blow, Lucy. But alright, you win."

 Ch. B5 – Self-Improvement?

    I open the relevant menu for creating a Hybrid class. As expected, I''ve no Blood Echos left, even Lucia''s is gone.


    If I have to go through with this I want at least take this opportunity to rid us of some things that are clearly just useless or even harmful.


    "Mind letting me have another bite, Lucia? If I have to go through with this I want to use this opportunity to delete the unwanted Demon title, and for that, I need to sacrifice both of our copies at the same time."


    She thinks for a moment and then relents, "If that is all it takes for you to comply with my request - I''m ready."


    "Thank you."


    Eclaire threatens me, "This time hold yourself back or I''ll hold you back!!"


    "Yeah, please do that."


    I bite Lucia and drink a bit, the taste is back to normal. This time, I release my fangs from her before Eclaire has to step in. It seems the addictive effect of her blood caused by glitches has passed.


    Despite me letting go quickly, Eclaire scowls at me anyway. Calm down, girl. I won''t have her for lunch. If I ate her it would be with a different meaning.


    ...


    Sorry, Lucia, but some things need to be done without your approval. This might be my only chance to learn the truth. I''d rather not live all of eternity in a sweet lie. I must know the truth, this has to be done.


    But what else do I mix with the titles? Maybe [Undead], I could possibly rid myself of my sun weakness that way.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Undead


    Passive


    Gain weaknesses to fire, light and holy damage.


    Gain resistance based on skill¡¯s level to ice, dark and poison damage and effects.


    Adds immunity to general mind effects.


    Adds affinities for earth, ice and dark.


    Breathing is no longer necessary.


    Unable to produce biological children.


    Healing effects from hostile sources will be harmful instead at four times the original strength but subject to WIL.


    Exposure to sunlight will inflict (20 + highest class level + highest race level) damage per second.


    Cannot use potions.


    Unable to add classes that would grant light affinity.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    As much as I want to, I can''t bring myself to sacrifice it, not now. Breathing in this environment is quite dangerous, especially when I could randomly drown in a fucking road!


    Also, my gut instinct tells me that a similar skill, or something worse, would appear in the created class. Yeah, it has to wait.


    After contemplating some more, I combine my useless [Cure Magic] and [Cure Boost] with two copies of the Demon title and... both Happily Married titles. Properly stir the whole mess and we get this.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Hybrid</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">V???i???l???e???b???l???o???o???d??? extra class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    19 HP, 24 MP, 6.5 SP, 3.5 STR, 2 DEX, 4 VIT, 2.5 MAG, 3 FTH, 2.5 WIL, 1 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">T???o???r???m???e???n???t??? ???a???n???d??? ???D???e???c???a???y???


    1657 HP


    Place a curse upon the target if its WIL is below your CHA.


    While the curse is active, the target quickly decays into a ghoul-like undead form.


    Just being in this state is painful and conveys the downsides (but not benefits) of the [Undead] skill.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">As with all proper curses, ending the effect requires [Break Curse].</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Love''s Pain


    1300 MP


    Place a curse upon the target if its WIL is below your CHA.


    Whenever a loved one of the cursed target takes damage or feels pain, they suffer the same, however, this won''t be lethal.


    Only loved ones that reciprocate the feelings are considered.


    You can have only one instance of this curse active at a time.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Affectionate Horror


    Passive


    When drinking someone''s blood, you can briefly tap into their memories and glean basic knowledge about a loved person of your victim.


    For up to 1 hour afterwards, you can transform into that person; if you possess the [Disguise] skill you can use that instead to transform for as long as you can hold concentration.


    The change is convincing enough to fool even any form of magic or skill, such as [Love''s Pain], as long as the skill level is not strictly higher than this skill''s level.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fire Weakness</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Honestly, I expected more with all of these offerings. This sounds more like something a torturer or secret agent would want, but not me. Lucia got almost full sun immunity out of her Hybrid class, she just has to comply with the trivial condition of staying relatively clothed, so no passionate love-making at the beach for us. Why should I settle for something this useless?


    This is what skill envy feels like, isn''t it? Can''t help it, even if it doesn''t matter right now because of the dungeon-like atmosphere, the experience of being restricted by the sun all the time is still fresh in my mind, and I hate it.


    Wait, that means I can also take her Daywalker title, she shouldn''t need it anymore! So what does that result in?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Hybrid</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">V???i???l???e???b???l???o???o???d??? extra class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    17 HP, 28 MP, 8 SP, 2.5 STR, 1.5 DEX, 2 VIT, 3 MAG, 3.5 FTH, 3 WIL, 2 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Sunlight Tolerance


    Passive


    Gain (skill level) points of resistance to sunlight damage.


    Reduce damage taken from natural sunlight through the effect of ''Undead'' by (skill level).


    If the remaining sunlight damage after resistances is below (2+skill level/10) it is completely negated.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">V???i???l???e??? ???R???e???c???o???n???s???t???i???t???u???t???i???o???n???


    700 MP


    Heal the target for a total of 200% FTH over 10 minutes.


    This spell can heal the living just as well as the undead.


    If a target is susceptible to mental effects, it has to relive every physical injury and mental trauma it incurred in the last 24 hours during the healing process as well as those responsible for the healed injuries if they are older.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">D???e???v???i???l???i???s???h??? ???C???h???a???r???m???


    386 SP


    NO EFFECT</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">B???a???d??? ???R???o???m???a???n???c???e???


    Passive


    Gain poison affinity.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Holy Weakness</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Freaking expensive. I lose two skills I can''t ever replace, but I can''t use them anyway thanks to being undead, and five titles. Probably a mouthful from my wife as well. Is it worth it for this? Yes, I think so, minor sun protection and a heal skill - even with the pain induction - should be useful, and the dud can be future Hybrid fodder. I think the poison affinity skill can be sacrificed later as well; at least so far, the elemental skills gained through affinity stuck around even after losing the affinity source.


    The Daywalker title should be synced again through Lucia''s [Unholy Matrimony], the rest of the sacrifices is somewhere between unusable and detrimental to have. Sacrificing them should be a net positive.


    I confirm the creation and assign it to me. I wait a moment but I still feel nothing changing. Lucia did pass out but I''m still standing and nothing else seems to have happened either.


    I quickly check myself for any other changes, but I find nothing, seems like I''m back to normal - or as normal as an isekai vampire can be.


    It is weird, everyone that got a random Hybrid class showed signs of turning into part-monsters, but we''re now three-for-three on not-quite-custom-made Hybrid classes not having any dead giveaways. Does the sacrifice version account for the base creature or were we just lucky?


    Clack Clack Clack Clack


    Ah, right, there was that. My new Hybrid class also jumps the queue and cheats itself into the first spot.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Wizard 16, D???e???p???a???r???t???e???d??? 9, Blood Binder 9, C???o???n???j???u???r???e???r??? 10, Lore Seeker 9


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.Dread Lord 9</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hybrid 20, Vampire 20, N???o???b???l???e??? 20, Lord 20, Progenitor 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%"><Unknown Category></td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4A61726564 12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">W???o???r???l???d??? ???R???e???s???i???d???e???n???t???, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Master Crafter, R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l??i???a???r???s???, S???u???m???m???o???n??? ???M???a???s???t???e???r???, Summon Master, World Resident, Three of Disaster, Demon, Happily Married


    Title Level 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4694/5559 [3965]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3988/4920 [6151]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/0 [2984]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">520+75 (staff) or +251 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">603</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">538+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">926+47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">867+2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">734+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">719</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Apprentice Headband, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Unnatural Claws 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Blood Magic 16 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 16 (Rank 1), Drain Touch 9, Earth Magic 16 (Rank 1), Fire Magic 16 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 16 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 16 (Rank 1), Poison Magic 16 (Rank 1), Ravenous Chains 9, Summon Spirit 10 (Rank 1), Titanium Magic 16 (Rank 1), V???i???l???e??? ???R???e???c???o???n???s???t???i???t???u???t???i???o???n??? 20, Water Magic 16 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 20, Disguise 20, Intimidation 40, Stealth 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">D???e???a???t???h??? ???S???e???n???s???e??? 9, E???m???b???r???a???c???e??? 20, Familiar 20, F???i???l???e??? ???E???a???t???e???r??? ???A???r???m???o???r??? 9, Greater Vampiric Bite 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Adamant Conjuration 10, Affinity Magic 16 (Rank 1), Ageless 20, B???a???d??? ???R???o???m???a???n???c???e??? 20, Bound Armament 9, D???e???v???i???l???i???s???h??? ???C???h???a???r???m??? 20, Enhanced Regeneration 20, E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y? 16, Keen Perception 9, Legion of Doom 9, Magical Secret 9, Malleable Form 16, Sleepless 20, Sunlight Tolerance 20, Supernatural Toughness 20, Trap Lore 9, Undead 20, Undead Resilience 9, Vampire Hierarchy 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top"><Unknown Category></td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%; vertical-align: top">D???a???r???k??? ???L???o???r???d??? 12, Essence Drain 12, Overlord''s Oversight 12, Profane Vows 12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I kind of understand the garbled not-divine class''s increase in level, [Essence Drain] said as much, and the Extra classes profited from the Hybrid class cheating its position combined with the syncing via [Unholy Matrimony], but where did the levels in Silver-slash-blank Elf come from? And why are those two goddamn titles still there...


    Before I can search for answers, I''m overcome with a feeling of dread. Eclaire brandishes a mace in my face, "Think very carefully how you answer now, you understand me?"


    Confused, Lucia shouts at her, "What''s gotten into you, Eclaire?"


    I expected Lucia to get angry because I messed with the titles but Eclaire? She shouldn''t know without someone telling her. She''s a spirit, she doesn''t have titles, she shouldn''t have been able to see anything.


    Well, she''s a spirit, maybe she felt something through our connection.


    "Lucia, let her speak. I think I know what she wants. You noticed that something is off with me, right?"


    Eclaire waves her weapon around, "Sharp. I felt something, an anomaly in the link between us. My connection to ''You'' suddenly felt quite different. Now speak, prove that you are still ''you''!"


    Lucia just looks at us full of concern.


    Gee, I wish I would''ve set up a secret trust word before this ascension so a potentially now-"evil" me could simply access it from memory and undermine the whole process.


    "I''ve honestly no idea how I''d do that. Just assume for a moment that I now was a monster that just took the original Jared over, what would stop it from also absorbing all the knowledge and mannerism? And also, how would you even verify anything I claim? If what you told me about your origin is true, we''ve known each other for just a few days, and most of that I was under the influence of ''your'' [Undead Bait] skill. Nothing you''ve seen of my personality in that time holds any weight. I was basically drugged the whole time."


    She shakes her head, "Nah, that''s not good enough for me. How about... What do you think about me, personally?"


    I sigh, "Goddamn, Eclaire, we were already over this! You know as well as I do that this also has no ground in reality. Yes, I would and did ask you out, and I would do so again in a heartbeat. And you know why?", I get angry, "Because this goddamn Happily Married title forces me to! I do not have a say in this! It doesn''t matter in the slightest that you are my type, this title would force me to think you match all my preferences anyway!"


    I shove Eclaire''s weapon aside, and she finally puts it away.


    Lucia wants to say something on this topic, but the blonde twin stops her before she can even say a word. Eclaire probably told her telepathically to shut up.


    Eclaire''s face reveals that my answer hurt her deeply, "How can you be such a dense jerk?", she pauses for a moment before composing herself, "Okay, final test. How many black dots do you see in the air?"


    Black... dots? What is she talking about?


    No, wait, why did I forget? I saw them earlier. But I thought it was just something wrong with my eyes, so can she see them as well?


    I look around for a while but see none. So was I sick and am now cured, or am I now too far gone to notice them? I should''ve asked the girls about these spots before I gave Lucy her Hybrid class...


    Frustrated, I close my eyes, "None."


    She chuckles, "Whatever, you win, Jared. I wasn''t serious about this anyway."


    This. Goddamn. Troll.


    "So this whole drama was for naught..."


    She shrugs, "Not necessarily. I found out you have a bit of a problem with reading comprehension."


    What is she on about now?


    Huh, there were system messages that I missed, did she mean that?


    No, I don''t think so. She shouldn''t be able to see my messages, and they just explain why I''ve regained those horrible titles.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: Demon Lord is lacking critical requirements.


    Forcefully acquiring missing critical title...</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Stupid system. Just. Go. Fuck. Yourself.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Demon


    Title obtained for passing a specific rite of passage.


    Can no longer hold production jobs or classes.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yeah, yeah, it is still the same trash as before, couldn''t you have given me at least an upgraded version!?


    No, Jared, don''t think like that. You would only invite the glitches to corrupt it into something weird again...


    And what does the final message say?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">We congratulate you on your sincere devotion to Lucia Delacroix!


    We understand that under your current circumstances, you can''t hold any adequate wedding ceremonies


    but nonetheless, we want to present you with the appropriate wedding gifts.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: Y???o???u??? ???c???a???n???n???o???t???


    <div>


    <table style="width: 95%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgba(21, 61, 140, 1)">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">M4rRiag€ vth EcL???u???c???i???a??? r3c0nfIr/}d. 4920646F6E2774206B6E6F7720686F7720746861742068617070656E65642C


    706C65617365206164766973652E</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    m???a???r???r???y??? ???a??? ???s???p???i???r???i???t???.???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You and your spouse(s) have acquired the title Happily Married!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Wasn''t there a rule in the system that you have to choose to add any of the titles that aren''t meant as punishments? Why do you force this upon me without my consent!?


    I really feel like there''s an Al Bundy style of joke missing here.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Happily Married


    Increase DEX by +2%.


    If both married people have this title, they can no longer fall out of love.


    Should your spouse die, you''ll suffer from the "Heartbreak" debuff (-30% all stats, loss of motivation) for at least one year.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I couldn''t get rid of it... Everything is still the same. Why...


    I can''t even select Demon and Happily Married anymore in the Hybrid creation menu, they just occupy the space, work their effects and can''t be interacted with anymore. They are now in the same Schroedinger state as the World Resident title already was. Perfect, just perfect.


    Suddenly, Lucia angrily taps me from behind on the shoulder, "So mind explaining now what exactly you did?"


    I''m so screwed, "I''ve totally no idea what you might be talking about - maybe trying to delete a curse?"


    She starts shouting, "You consider our relationship a curse!?"


    Yes, err, I mean, "No, I just wanted to make sure it is true. Look, I''m already suffering from enough falsehoods. I just... couldn''t take it anymore..."


    She can''t hide her disappointment, she''s crying, "Don''t you... don''t you have the slightest bit of faith in me?"


    I dare and take the angry Lucia into a hug, "It is not about you, it is about me... Look, I''m sorry if I made you feel bad for doubting our relationship but I had to know. Please look at it from my side, it simply came out of nowhere, it began under questionable circumstances, forced through a buggy skill and not through natural feelings."


    She tearfully whispers, "It was always real from my side."


    All the while, Eclaire can''t help but smirk, "Yup, you deserve ea-, err, I mean, you are perfect for each other."


    Why can''t I shake the feeling that she knows something I should as well?


    "You two are horrible, you know?", Lucia pecks me on the cheek, "I don''t really understand why I love you."


    Yeah, me neither.

 Ch. B6 – Master plan

    I scratch my head, "So now that everything is taken care of, mind filling me in on your master plan? Eclaire was very tight-lipped about that."


    Lucia is still notably mad at me, "That''s easy. We just wait."


    "What the-", I''m just speechless and Eclaire can''t hold her laughter anymore.


    It seems I got tricked - again...


    "Just wait? This can''t be everything, can it? Come on, Eclaire, Lucia, this situation is too serious for this kind of joke!"


    Eclaire tries - and fails - to contain her laughter, "Alright, alright, that one was on me. I couldn''t resist, so I asked Lucy to pretend it was all just an elaborate prank."


    "No, too late, I''m already mentally filing for divorce."


    Lucia clears her throat, "Okay, fine, so the real plan... is really not much different from waiting. I''m serious about this. All pieces are basically already in place. Okay, most of them. We need a few more Class Cores but that shouldn''t be too much of a problem now that we''re basically running this whole place."


    "We need those anyway. I think the military should still have one and there was one for sale in the slums - or did you already get those?"


    Eclaire answers, "If there was someone in the slums that had a Class Core it is very likely he took it with him to the grave. We... didn''t really have much success with recruiting the people there to be familiars. And Therese refuses to part with theirs."


    I guess it is kind of relieving that turning someone into a familiar isn''t complete brainwashing. A slight one.


    "How much does she know about the plan? Eclaire said you talked about it with her. What even do you need the Cores for exactly? You''ve told me nothing yet."


    Lucia beams happily, "No she doesn''t, not everything - though not for a lack of trying. But as circumstances dictate, only me and my evil twin know the full details."


    Eclaire counters, "Hey, wait, you''re the evil twin here!"


    Lucy brushes it off, "Yeah, yeah, whatever. As for what the plan really is, I guess it is easier to show you, right, Eclaire? You know which class you should add next, the Burial Vestal. And you, Jared, watch your status."


    The blonde one simply nods, "Yeah, yeah. All just so you can make more fun of me."


    "Why mine?"


    She just smiles, "You''ll see."


    "Shouldn''t we discuss that first? You know that a class can''t be changed once it is chosen."


    Well, barring extraordinary circumstances like reality collapsing on itself. Again.


    Lucy shrugs, "Nah, it is just one class, and we properly discussed it."


    I wait a moment, but then indeed something changes. First, the level of the second class jumps from 9 to 11, my exp drops to zero, then one by one the other classes also raise their level.


    Suddenly, Lucia shouts at her counterpart, "Hey, we said ONE class, Eclaire, not three!"


    The other girl sticks out her tongue, "Bleh! Make me stop if you can, shadow girl! ...damn, it broke. Urgh, guess I''ll skip on that one then."


    As she says that the remaining primary classes also jump to level 11.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Jared Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">disguised</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Wizard 16, D???e???p???a???r???t???e???d??? 11, Blood Binder 11, C???o???n???j???u???r???e???r??? 11, Lore Seeker 11


    Dread Lord 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Silver Elf 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hybrid 20, Vampire 20, N???o???b???l???e??? 20, Lord 20, Progenitor 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%"><Unknown Category></td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4A61726564 12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Title</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">W???o???r???l???d??? ???R???e???s???i???d???e???n???t???, World Navigator, Noble, Vampire Progenitor, Daywalker, Demon Lord, Regenerator, Title Holder, Fortress Lord, Fate Breaker, Master Crafter, R???u???l???e???r??? ???o???f??? ???F???a???m???i???l??i???a???r???s???, S???u???m???m???o???n??? ???M???a???s???t???e???r???, Summon Master, World Resident, Three of Disaster, Demon, Happily Married


    Title Level 7</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">EXP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4694/5559 [3965]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3988/4920 [6151]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/0 [2984]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">520+75 (staff) or +251 (claws)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">603</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">538+55</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">926+47</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">867+2</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">734+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">719</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Topaz Staff, Book, Apprentice Headband, Robe, Sun Cloak, Defense Ring, Sun Guard Ring</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Unnatural Claws 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Blood Magic 16 (Rank 1), Dark Magic 16 (Rank 1), Drain Touch 11, Earth Magic 16 (Rank 1), Fire Magic 16 (Rank 1), Ice Magic 16 (Rank 1), Lightning Magic 16 (Rank 1), Poison Magic 16 (Rank 1), Ravenous Chains 11, Summon Spirit 11 (Rank 1), Titanium Magic 16 (Rank 1), V???i???l???e??? ???R???e???c???o???n???s???t???i???t???u???t???i???o???n??? 20, Water Magic 16 (Rank 1)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Charm Eye 20, Disguise 20, Intimidation 40, Stealth 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">D???e???a???t???h??? ???S???e???n???s???e??? 9, E???m???b???r???a???c???e??? 20, Familiar 20, F???i???l???e??? ???E???a???t???e???r??? ???A???r???m???o???r??? 11, Greater Vampiric Bite 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Adamant Conjuration 11, Affinity Magic 16 (Rank 1), Ageless 20, B???a???d??? ???R???o???m???a???n???c???e??? 20, Bound Armament 11, D???e???v???i???l???i???s???h??? ???C???h???a???r???m??? 20, Enhanced Regeneration 20, E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y? 16, Keen Perception 11, Legion of Doom 11, Magical Secret 11, Malleable Form 16, Sleepless 20, Sunlight Tolerance 20, Supernatural Toughness 20, Trap Lore 11, Undead 20, Undead Resilience 11, Vampire Hierarchy 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top"><Unknown Category></td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%; vertical-align: top">D???a???r???k??? ???L???o???r???d??? 12, Essence Drain 12, Overlord''s Oversight 12, Profane Vows 12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Light, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Confused, I ask, "So this is what the marriage fraud is for? Eclaire adds a new class and we get the levels of our counterpart classes increased to the spirit levels, but what does that accomplish? We get a handful of levels now, but the exp gets still lost. Last time something like this happened, we went into exp debt... wait, why is my exp zero and not negative?"


    Stolen story; please report.


    Disappointed, Lucia shrugs, "It was in one of the System updates while you took a nap; exp can no longer go into the negatives. I... was not so lucky since I was already in debt. And as for the rest, I thought it was obvious, but I guess not. Quite simply, we achieve a feedback loop. Eventually."


    "I don''t see how this turns into something big. We''ll need a lot of levels to reach the next stat threshold where spirits gain another level. We''ll get a few levels here and there for free, sure, but I thought it was something bigger. Not just a few thousand exp worth of levels spread over several years."


    She facepalms, "Come on, Jared, don''t play dumb. Think bigger-"


    Eclaire interrupts her, "You''re one to talk."


    Lucia barks back, "Hey, I''m trying, okay!? Cut me some slack, Eclaire! ...so, as I was trying to say, we''ll need a few things first but those are basically inevitable given enough time. Say, Jared, what do you think will happen once we get our hands on a few more Class Cores?"


    I think aloud, "We could add another new class, obviously, and thanks to your little exploit it would immediately skip ahead a few levels... get a lot of stats..."


    She''s trying to be encouraging, "Yes, go on. I know you can figure it out, you''re almost there. If I could, so can you!"


    "Well, it is quite possible that the stat increase is enough to bring us to the next spirit level milestone, giving us another level in all classes, but... wait, are you serious? Do you want to tell me that once we have enough classes this would cause an infinite loop that brings us immediately to the max level?"


    She nods satisfied, "That''s how I see it. Well, it is only possible thanks to [Unholy Matrimony] and Eclaire''s weird state of being. She''s neither fully spirit nor human, otherwise, this wouldn''t work. We need her to be a spirit for the level uplifting based on your summoner stats, but she needs to be a human for the marriage to count. Elly wasn''t happy about - ah, shit, I shouldn''t have said that."


    "No, enough secrets. What did she say? What is really going on here?"


    While Lucia stays silent, Eclaire answers, "Calm down, Jared. Can''t you see it is hard for her to talk about it?"


    Finally, Lucy speaks up, "It is okay, anti-me. Jared, to be honest, I don''t really understand what her problem was. She said some things about... things that didn''t translate, and what got through made no sense to me. We argued, shouted and quickly were at each other''s throats. I''d prefer it if she didn''t come back, can you promise me that, please?"


    This explains nothing to me. And if that is all you can tell me, that is not enough.


    You had an argument, fine that happens, but... If it is simply something that didn''t translate then there''s a high chance it is a concept they don''t know about here yet. And if that''s the case then ignoring Elly''s concern is too risky for my taste.


    "No, I can''t. If you just argued because you didn''t speak the same language and the translator simply failed at being helpful then I don''t see how it is her fault. She deserves a second chance to be heard on this."


    Suddenly, Lucia gets angry, "Didn''t you hear me? I said she stays away!!"


    Does she really have some kind of trauma from that event? I thought as undead, we would be above that, but I guess I was wrong about that.


    "I heard you, but I choose to ignore it. Sorry, Lucy, but to any argument always belong two and I want to hear her side on this as well. I know this is hard on you, but I beg you to please endure it. If she reacted like that there must be a deeper reason, maybe something important."


    She pouts, "Fine, but if you take her side you''ll sleep on the couch!"


    Eh, if that''s the only price I have to pay to potentially avoid a terrible mistake...


    "Only if you join me there."


    She blushes, "I''ll... think about it."


    Gutter, leave us out, you''re crowded...


    Eclaire interrupts us, "Are you two lovebirds done now?"


    "Someone''s feeling left out. Want a make-up kiss?"


    She chuckles, "What, just one? Do I look that cheap to you?"


    "Not in the slightest", I grab her and do as offered.


    All the while, Lucy feels left out and pouts, but eventually, she joins us as well.


    Maybe this isn''t so bad after all. If I''m unable to free myself from the influence of the Happily Married title anyway, I might as well enjoy our togetherness like this.


    I always believed that undead creatures like us couldn''t feel affection like this. So if that title takes a mutually existing spark and just keeps it alive before [Undead] erases it... if I start looking at it like that then I don''t mind the title''s influence anymore. And the two girls seemingly think the same way. Yeah, I should cease my futile struggle against it.

 Ch. B7 – Dead Saint

    After a while, we end our reconciliation make-out session when we notice that Eclaire also shows signs of onsetting stage three infection.


    She sighs and then rolls her eyes, "Guess it is my time now, huh? Jared, you know what to do."


    "Yeah, I do. Don''t worry, dear."


    I quickly look over her new skills to look for something that we can sacrifice without it negatively affecting her.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Burial Vestal</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    25 HP, 51 MP, 30 SP, 4 STR, 3 DEX, 4 VIT, 8 MAG, 8 FTH, 6 WIL, 6 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Earth Magic (Rank 1)


    You can use earth magic of ranks 0 to 1.


    The rank limit increases to 2 at skill level 15 and 3 at 30.


    The maximum rank can raise up to 5 with appropriate classes.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">L?i?g?h?t? ?O?r?b? <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Concentration


    Create a floating orb of ice that emits light equal to a torch and follows you.


    You can also direct it, but it can''t be further away from you than two arm lengths.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Energy Boost <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Passive


    Increase max MP and SP each by 3% and (3 x skill level).</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Not too shabby. The weird source of light may come in handy sometimes; despite being creatures that prefer the night, vampires don''t come with night vision in this stupid system.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Gentle Monk</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    51 HP, 28 MP, 37 SP, 5 STR, 5 DEX, 8 VIT, 2 MAG, 6 FTH, 6 WIL, 5 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">T?h?i?s? ?A?r?m?


    500 SP upkeep


    Your unarmed and weapon attacks inflict 10% of their damage additionally as fracture status damage.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Armor of Faith <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    While equipped with no armor heavier than cloth, increase VIT and WIL by (1.5% base FTH + skill level).</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Peacemaker <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Concentration


    Your unarmed and weapon attacks inflict damage to SP instead of HP.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Gentle my ass. Brutalizing someone with fractures and broken bones isn''t peaceful in the slightest. Maybe I should be worried about a deep darkness hiding behind her angelic smile?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">N???e???c???r???o???s???a???i???n???t???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    -6.6 HP, 44 MP, 35 SP, 2 STR, 7 DEX, -1.3 VIT, 8 MAG, 5 FTH, 4 WIL, 9 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">R???i???c???e??? ???D???e???a???d???


    -87 SP


    Create a R???i???c???e??? Zombie from a sufficiently large pile of r???i???c???e???.


    Its level is equal to half of this skill''s level.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">F???i???e???n???d??? ???t???o??? ???a???l???l??? ???L???i???v???i???n???g??? <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    Mindless undead see you as one of their own.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">C???r???y???p???t???o???c???u???r???r???e???n???c???y??? <Skill locked until Level 15>


    Passive


    When you destroy an undead, or any creature within a tomb or crypt,


    you receive an amount of s?i?l?v?e?r? coins equal to this skill''s level or the victim''s [Undead] level, whichever is lower, minimum 1.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I guess this is the class she complained about breaking. I can''t even guess from this what she originally wanted. I assume it is similar to what I experienced with Survivor, the overlap between the current version and the original may as well not exist.


    I assume this happened because as a spirit she is a part of me, of my soul, and her new class was written to a section of my soul that was thoroughly infected with glitches...


    I''m sorry, Eclaire...


    So deadbrain friendship, braindead friendship, and eventually scam money? Eh, why not, I''ve heard worse.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">War Cleric</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Elite class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    49 HP, 37 MP, 34 SP, 8 STR, 4 DEX, 8 VIT, 2 MAG, 8 FTH, 5 WIL, 3 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Cure Spark


    Passive


    Whenever you successfully use Cure Magic or destroy an undead creature,


    you can immediately use a 20% FTH cure effect on a different target within proximity.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Life Sense <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Passive


    You can sense the proximity and relative health of living creatures within your vicinity.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">H?o?l?y? ?S?m?i?t?e? <Skill locked until Level 15>


    947 SP


    Deliver a mace strike that inflicts physical lightning damage equal to double your regular melee attack power to everyone within 5 meters of the point of impact.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I don''t really see what''s so "war" about this cleric; it looks like a fancy field medic to me. And the third skill looks nearly unusable; aren''t you yourself always within five meters of a target you strike with a melee weapon? Well, it is a glitched skill so what do you expect - certainly nothing sane.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Hallowed Witch</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    28 HP, 54 MP, 33 SP, 4 STR, 5 DEX, 3 VIT, 5 MAG, 8 FTH, 7 WIL, 4 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">C?u?r?s?e? ?o?f? ?E?x?h?a?u?s?t?i?o?n?


    829 MP


    Place a curse upon the target if its WIL is below your CHA.


    While the curse is active, the target cannot use or benefit from skills or effects that improve or restore mobility in any way, like [Wings] or [Flash Step].</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">As with all proper curses, ending the effect requires [Break Curse].</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Sanctuary <Skill locked until Level 5>


    Concentration, once per day


    For up to one hour you sanctify an area with a radius of 100 DU around the point where you activated the skill.


    The effect ends prematurely if you leave the area.


    The sanctified area provides a bonus to VIT of 2% of the caster''s FTH, as well as HP regeneration of (0.25% of the caster''s FTH) every minute.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Benediction <Skill locked until Level 15>


    400 MP upkeep


    Increase 2 base stats of choice by (3% FTH + skill level) points.


    Affects up to (2 + skill level / 7) allies, can include the user.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Called a witch, but provides boons instead of curses, something is wrong here. And aside from the one messed up skill I can''t even blame it on glitches this time. Whoever designed this class has a very abnormal idea of what a witch is...


    But overall it seems Eclaire is heavily leaning into her image of the Holy Maiden. Healing, boons, the works. She even skipped on any hints of her blacksmithing hobby, I thought that was more important to her than that. But that may have just been a frustrated Lucia''s rebellious phase, what do I know?


    "I''m a bit surprised, Eclaire. You''ve completely eschewed any hint of your smithing past. Considering how much Lucia hangs unto it, I thought..."


    Eclaire cuts me off, "No, you''re right, I will miss working on my crafts, but I feel this is more important. I''ll have a lot of work to do with the church and everything, which is something I also enjoy, mostly. And let''s be real, once all of this is over and things have settled down to an acceptable state of normal I''ve all the time in the world to take this hobby back up; thanks to you, we''re immortal now, right? Or... maybe..."


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    She never finished her sentence, so I have to ask, "What?"


    While discussing this, I continue to search through her skill list, looking for skills that are a suitable sacrifice for her Hybrid class.


    Lucia buts in, "What Ms. goody-two-shoes over there is worried about is the faint possibility that we two may become one again. We were one person before after all."


    They could fuse again? Why would they? At least as far as I can see both are their own person now and not a pair of emotionally half-empty human shells. Rather, they''ve become quite distinctively different from both each other and the original Lucia, and not only because the human was changed into a vampire or a spirit...


    Ah, better watch which buttons I push, I''m still in that menu.


    "Do you have more than a gut feeling about that? Because I don''t see how or why that should happen. From my view, both of you have already grown so different from one another that such a reunion is simply out of the question."


    Eclaire explains, "That''s just something Lucy came up with, I don''t believe in it either. But I can''t deny that the possibility nags at my mind ever since she told me about it."


    "Yeah, that''s not happening", not on my watch. I like them separated as they are.


    Or is that just the title making me feel that way again? Argh, who knows, we have a different problem right now that needs addressing.


    "I don''t think this worry should influence what choices you make. You''ll have lots of time later to make up for what you''re missing out now."


    Eclaire pats Lucia on the back, "Yeah, and when I''m totally rusty, Lucy can coach me back into shape."


    "Good, that sounds like a plan", a bit distracted, I finally close the menu.


    ...?


    Shit, I already clicked on the confirmation button, I thought it was the leave menu button!! Damn, I forgot to add some skill sacrifices to the Hybrid class. Undo, undo!!


    Damn, too late to change it now, I screwed up.


    Before I can admit my mistake, the signs of infection have already disappeared from her. Out of us three, she had the fastest recovery from it, and she doesn''t show any monstrous changes either. She looks exactly the same as before.


    Eclaire looks confused, "Uh, I just got a Hybrid class and... that''s it? I expected... something different."


    "Seems like it is only a big deal if the infection has already progressed a lot. Say, can you still see Lucia''s shadow?"


    She mocks me, "What, no weird questionnaire to get back at me? Check if I''m still the same person?"


    "No, don''t need to. I feel I can trust you on this, Eclaire."


    She pats my head, "Whatever, thanks. So as far as I can see now, Lucy''s shadow is gone. What do you suppose this means?"


    Lucia teases her blonde counterpart, "That you''re no longer hallucinating."


    Eclaire scratches her head, "Was I? I... no idea, it didn''t feel like it. Uh... But maybe I was, the glitches get to you in the sneakiest ways it seems..."


    Just like I did with the block dots. Yeah, I can relate. It doesn''t feel fake but it undoubtedly is.


    "So... any idea what happened to my weapon?", Eclaire takes out a can.


    "No, sorry, no clue."


    Eclaire waves it around, trying to figure out how to operate it. And fails by getting it to let out some spray right into her face, "Bwah!!"


    She coughs, "Gah, it still burns!"


    Oh, so it was functional pepper spray. Whoops.


    She throws it away in a fit of anger, "Useless thing!"


    After calming down, she creates again a regular mace, "I''ll stick with this. Goddamn pranksters..."


    "Maybe you should hand it to Karen and let her figure it out."


    She still coughs, "Yeah... will do."


    So what exactly is her new Hybrid class like?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Hybrid</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">P?a?r?a?d?o?x? ?W?r?a?i?t?h? extra class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    17.5 HP, 34 MP, 26 SP, 3.5 STR, 2 DEX, 2 VIT, 4 MAG, 3.5 FTH, 4 WIL, 2 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">H???o???l???y??? ???U???n???d???e???a???d???


    Passive


    Gain weaknesses to earth, dark and holy damage.


    Gain resistance based on skill¡¯s level to peanut and poison damage and effects.


    Adds immunity to general mind effects.


    Adds affinities for c???h???e???e???s???e???, m???i???l???k??? and a?f?t?e?r?l?i?f?e?.


    Breathing is no longer necessary.


    Unable to produce biological children.


    Healing effects from hostile sources will be harmful instead at four times the original strength but subject to WIL.


    Exposure to sunlight will inflict mild discomfort.


    Cannot use potions.


    Unable to add classes that would grant iron affinity.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">R?e?a?l?i?t?y? ?L?a?g?


    Once per day


    Choose a target.


    For 1 minute, all beneficial or harmful effects (user''s choice) that would affect it are delayed until this skill''s effect ends.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">F???a???t???e??? ???A???n???o???m???a???l???y???


    1000 SP, once per day


    Interfere with an ongoing attack and replace the effect with a different one the attacker could use.


    This replacement does not cost the attacker anything extra or affect their skill usage counts.


    The affected skill cannot deliver more hits than either the original or the replacement could deliver, whichever is lower.


    E.g. you could manipulate a dragon''s fire breath to behave as if the dragon only performed a claw attack; the breath would then only hit one target for claw damage and pass harmlessly through everyone else in the area of effect.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">B?o?r?r?o?w?e?d? ?T?i?m?e?


    Passive


    NO EFFECT</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Completely glitched out but could''ve still been worse. More once-per-day stuff for our little one-hit-wonder and nothing actively detrimental to us.


    Her first skill strongly reminds me a lot of my [Undead] skill, a corrupted version of it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Undead


    Passive


    Gain weaknesses to fire, light and holy damage.


    Gain resistance based on skill¡¯s level to ice, dark and poison damage and effects.


    Adds immunity to general mind effects.


    Adds affinities for earth, ice and dark.


    Breathing is no longer necessary.


    Unable to produce biological children.


    Healing effects from hostile sources will be harmful instead at four times the original strength but subject to WIL.


    Exposure to sunlight will inflict (20 + highest class level + highest race level) damage per second.


    Cannot use potions.


    Unable to add classes that would grant light affinity.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yeah, quite similar, but hers seems less detrimental.


    I confirm her for now final status and notice that the weird wannabe-divine class did not level up again. Does it only level up when I make some sacrifices? The description didn''t hint at that restriction.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Eclaire Delacroix</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">18 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Grave Cleric 16, Burial Vestal 11, Gentle Monk 11, N???e???c???r???o???s???a???i???n???t??? 11, War Cleric 11


    Hallowed Witch 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sunbound (human) 11, Imp 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hybrid 20, Spirit 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Holy Maiden 12</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1741/3422</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1254/1442 [4442]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1568/3549</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">754+16 (mace)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">613</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">679+26</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">741</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1005</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">865+26</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">712</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Spirit Mace, Spirit Mace</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Mace Training 16, T?h?i?s? ?A?r?m? 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cure Magic 11 (Rank 2), Earth Magic 11 (Rank 1), Expel Undead 16, Fire Magic 11 (Rank 1), R???i???c???e??? ???D???e???a???d??? 11, Sanctity of Life 16, Sanctuary 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">C?u?r?s?e? ?o?f? ?E?x?h?a?u?s?t?i?o?n? 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">F???a???t???e??? ???A???n???o???m???a???l???y??? 20, L?i?g?h?t? ?O?r?b? 11, R?e?a?l?i?t?y? ?L?a?g? 20, Spook 11, Wings 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ageless 1, Armor of Faith 11, B?o?r?r?o?w?e?d? ?T?i?m?e? 20, C???r???y???p???t???o???c???u???r???r???e???n???c???y??? 11, Cure Spark 11, Familiar 1, F???i???e???n???d??? ???t???o??? ???a???l???l??? ???L???i???v???i???n???g??? 11, Hard Worker 11, H???o???l???y??? ???U???n???d???e???a???d??? 20, Life Sense 11, Sleepless 1, Stamina Boost 11, Summoned Spirit 20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top"><Unknown Category></td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Self-made Spirit 11, Word of Refinement 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Ice, Earth, Dark, Holy</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Her stats went up by a lot, but that is to be expected when she gains a total of six classes with several levels alongside them.


    Well, what''s done is done, and we go back to doing couple things for a while.

 Ch. B8 – Turns

    After making sure that my clothes contain no green colors, I take a quick stroll through my town, couldn''t really do that previously while the sun was still a threat. That''s at least one of the rare upsides of this current dungeon disaster.


    Well, I need to clear my head and order my thoughts. Too much happened in the last couple of hours. I have once again given in to the temptation of glitch-granted powers, and "blessed" the world with some new, weird skills in doing so. Not that we really had a choice in that. And the less the world knows about what happened in our bedroom afterwards the better.


    At least, that I''d have to clear my head was what I told Lucia and Eclaire. But in truth, it was just a pretext. I need to hear Elly''s testimony on things, the sooner the better.


    I make my way over to the west gate, the place where I used to sling rain spells from not too long ago. It wasn''t that long ago, yet it feels like years have passed.


    However, on my way to my old hunting grounds, I spot someone in the distance who is supposed to be dead. The church head who pushed the then-Holy Maiden Lucia unto me. I''m pretty sure he was supposed to have received a death penalty for that, why is he still alive?


    I try to be sneaky and follow him. My [Stealth] skill needs some workout, haven''t used it in a while. While following him, I try to sneak a peek at his status.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ACCESS DENIED</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    What the hell? Why can he block [Appraise]? I thought that was impossible for my version of the skill. Suspicious.


    It doesn''t seem like he notices me nor does he really check if anyone takes offense to his presence. In fact, no one else seems to bat an eye at his presence - or rather notices him. As if he was just dead air to the general populace.


    The elderly man leisurely walks into a side road and I follow. This chase continues for a while but ends when he eventually turns around a corner which leads to a dead end. He''s just gone without a trace.


    Did I just imagine him? [Appraise] didn''t pick him up after all. Wait, it said "access denied" and not "no target", something was definitely there.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Yeah, I did not imagine this. There are again those strange footprints on the ground, and they are exactly where the should-be-ex-priest walked. But they look way too big for the supposed dead guy. Like 5 shoe sizes too big and steep enough to be considered a hazard.


    So where did he go? I was close enough behind him, he didn''t have the five seconds needed to cast a teleportation spell if he can even do that. Maybe a non-magical skill like Lucy''s [Shadow Walk]? Hard to imagine, he was supposedly a regular clergyman, non-magical movement skills would feel out of place for someone like that.


    Maybe an illusionary wall? I try to interact with the surrounding walls in any way I can think of but nothing budges, they are just regular walls.


    While I futilely ponder about this encounter, the footprints are swallowed by the ground again. As if they never existed, the ground becomes mostly flat again.


    No idea what to make of that but something fishy is going on here and I''m in no position to get to the ground of it.


    Full of new questions and without any leads, I finally start walking towards my original goal again. My fateful reunion with Elly awaits.


    Maybe I should reconsider that? I have a bad feeling about it, and this strange encounter might''ve been fate''s way of telling me that I''m on the wrong track. ...which is all the more reason to go through with it. Fate or some nonsense hasn''t been on my side so far.


    I arrive at the gate, and there really are fewer guards than before. Compared to the mass of soldiers fighting for dear life before, it almost seems abandoned, only half a dozen soldiers are standing around and barely paying attention to their surroundings. But can you really fault them? After all this time, the primary threat of the monster flood is gone and they can finally relax a bit. No more 24/7 fighting for everyone''s lives.


    I quickly wave the guards hello and step into the side tower to make my way up the wall. On top of the wall, I look around. The flood is indeed gone, just a few of our guys are walking around outside, patrolling it seems, enjoying a little bit of false freedom outside the confinement of the walls.


    The environment below looks about as you could expect. The damage to trees is minimal, most are intact, just junglified and slightly recolored like our fortress. I hope those plants have the same taste for the color green as ours, wouldn''t want to have to change colors every five steps to avoid becoming a reverse vegan meal.


    And up here, is no one else besides me. Honestly, that should be changed. If not archers or the like, at a minimum some watchers are needed, who knows what else is out there? If this operates like a regular dungeon we could make surprise contact with a flock of bird boss monsters any moment.


    But that can wait, for now, this is a decent place to interrogate Elly without my wives interrupting us, or anyone else for that matter. It feels a bit wrong to leave my family out of this but they wanted it this way.


    This can only end well...


    I gather all of my courage and open my menu. Spirit settings. There she is. The sealed-away spirit valkyrie Elly.


    Last chance to turn back, me. Last chance to avoid learning something that might ruin my mood. No? Yeah, thought so.


    I press the button to release Elly.

 Ch. B9 – rL(_%=-6a

    I press the button to release Elly, (Hey, are you there, Elly?)


    (W#a - ? Th-r''zz... n0yzs...)


    That doesn''t sound healthy. I already knew she didn''t take well to that dimension but that sounds a hundred times worse.


    (Give me a moment, Elly. I''ll leave you out. Please, promise me you''ll behave.)


    (J4h-r3d?!)


    I''ll take that as a yes.


    I summon Elly before me. The armored valkyrie appears once again before me.


    ...and promptly collapses. It seems a few days of isolation did quite a number on her physique. The glitch infections probably didn''t help either.


    I reach out my hand to her to try to help her up again but she pushes my hand aside, "Don''t touch me! Please, it hurts."


    Her hand is engulfed in small green flames, but after a few seconds, they go away.


    "You look awful, Elly. What''s happened to you?"


    She coughs, "Damn, isn''t that obvious? Glitches. Everything around here is infected..."


    At least she sounds more coherent than when she was in my head. Was that some kind of weird glitch-induced sound filter?


    "I thought you spirits were more resilient? Something about most of the infection getting pumped to your summoner, me."


    Elly shakes her head, "I don''t know if that is true in general, glitch infection is something that must be avoided at all costs. There are only a handful of scientists that are suicidal enough to even dare research them. One of the clearest results was that glitches and any form of divine energy are basically diametrically opposed. On the best of days, they wipe each other out like matter and anti-matter."


    "What has that got to do with you? You''re a summoned spirit, not some kind of divine apparition."


    "Half correct. Before I''m your summoned spirit I''m a person-turned-AI, remember? The relevant conversion process involved a lot of divine energy, and this energy is now being burned away by the glitch-infested atmosphere", she begins to mutter to herself, "Not that the inside of your head is any better..."


    "So you''re in constant pain?"


    She scoffs, "Eh, that is nothing compared to what those damned plants did to me. Wanna see?"


    She slowly takes off her helmet, revealing a huge chunk of her cheek simply missing. A huge black hole ablaze with blocky, blue flames now adorns her face, "THAT one is painful. And trust me, you don''t want to see what they did to my thighs."


    "I can imagine. How did that happen?"


    Elly sighs, "Through my sacrifice, we found out that the jungle-town plants react aggressively towards the color green; you know, I wore green clothes one day. It wasn''t a pleasant experience. So you better watch your color scheme around here."


    "Yeah, Iris warned me about that already. I would guess that this wound makes it easier for glitches to get to your soul or something..."


    She puts her helmet carefully on again, "Yeah, I can literally feel it slowly eating away at my personality. I honestly can''t even tell how much of me is still ''me'', and not just the glitches warping my memory and perception. And don''t even think about using these weird Hybrid powers on me. I can''t imagine this ending well."


    "Do you really ask of me to sit still and watch while my friend suffers and dies, Elly?"


    She somberly sighs, "You know that... being an AI... just makes me simply data. A huge pile of unnecessarily complicated data, but still data. I''m not real, never was."


    "And being data means-"


    She interrupts before I can finish, "It means you can do with ''me'' what you can do with any other form of data. Control C, control V. Repeat until satisfied."


    "So there are multiple ''Elly''s."


    She nods visibly unhappy, "Indeed. There''s not just one ''me'' around, but thousands. Maybe millions. They not only copied me but all AIs based on the peoples'' souls that remained from my world. All AIs that come with any type of navigator are based on my relatives and friends, or what remained of them after centuries of AI grooming. I don''t think Eva is even aware of this, but please, let her live in that ignorance. Finding out would only be harmful to her."


    "Great, even more dirt on the devas, just what the doctor ordered. But tell me one thing, how did you manage to fool the Truth Gem I had on me? If what you told me this time is true, then it should have objected when you claimed that our meeting was just random chance, that you were just randomly related to Eva - because it was not, all of you AIs are related to her in some fashion, there was no chance, it was a guarantee."


    She twiddles her thumbs, "That''s not entirely how those stones work. They do not determine if something is an objective truth, or true according to what you believe or remember. Have you ever heard of the concept of Akashic records?"


    "I... may have heard the name but don''t really know what it is. But how is that relevant?"


    Elly explains, "If you get down to it, it is a universal collection of literally every event that happened throughout history. If you ever did something, it is recorded there. All your feelings or thoughts as well. Everyone has a personal file there, every person, animal, plant... everything. Well, except for glitches. Because they shouldn''t exist. Of course, access to it is heavily restricted. Only Santa, the top god and the Truth Gems have access to it, only these three. Or at least that is how it should be, our dear malfunctions notwithstanding."


    "I honestly don''t follow."


    She takes a short, heavy breath, "The gem simply compares what you say with your personal file. Whether you believe what you said is true, or remember an event you recite, doesn''t matter. It goes strictly by the book."


    "So it was completely true for this copy of the AI, you, that our assignment was just pure chance, but not for reality as a whole?"


    She nods, "Exactly. Stupid isn''t it?"


    "Yeah, that it is. Say, I was wondering something. If the glitches don''t play nice with anything divine, then why are Lucia''s and Eclair''s divine classes still intact? Shouldn''t they also be glitch lunch?"


    "Normally yes. That was what I would have believed without a doubt before we entered this world. From everything I heard and learned, glitches seemed to be utterly mindless, just infecting everything and multiplying like strange viruses. But now I''m not so sure anymore. Now I believe that they follow someone''s whims, and this someone wants to keep those classes somewhat intact."


    "Someone? Like this Glitch Creature that is supposed to be sealed in the Glitch Zone below this fortress? Why would it care about those classes?"


    Elly facepalms, "Even if you don''t want to hear the truth, I''m talking about YOU!"


    What nonsense is she on about now?


    "Hey, now hold on a minute! Why would they listen to me!?"


    "No, Jared, think about it! All this time they allowed you to do things that should''ve been impossible, things that are just flat-out wrong. You could touch the glitch items without turning into a messy pile of glitches, you could move them around, turn them into... things. There were the weird titles you could select and for a time even read, and whatever you did to create Lydia... Many things. I didn''t want to believe that any of that was true but we have to accept the truth..."


    I interrupt her, "...that the Devas have made a mess out of me, yeah. It is all their fault."


    She looks at me as if I said the craziest thing possible, "What do you mean? The Devas haven''t done anything to you, rather on the contrary!"


    "No, they have done something to me. While I was unconscious I could revisit a few memories. One of them was how one of their doctors rammed a syringe filled with a glitch-like substance into my soul before getting reincarnated here. I don''t understand how they sealed it, but it is clearly there. A miniature Glitch Zone resides within my soul and is just waiting to get out."


    "No, Jared, that cannot be! The Devas would never...", she trails off.


    "What makes you so sure? Isn''t all of this just a game to them? I can''t imagine what else it could be. Otherwise, why would they send just a single low-level, clueless idiot here? No information, no powerful skills, just a random old guy tasked with either saving the world, either he succeeds or they''ll erase the planet. They don''t take any of this seriously, our lives are just a game to them."


    She visibly is distraught, "There must be an error here... Listen, I should be the first to admit that the devas and gods aren''t perfect, they aren''t personifications of pure good or some such. They are just regular people like you and me, except with a higher level of power and responsibilities."


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


    "And that makes it better? Not for me. If they are deep down just like normal people then that means there''s also likely corruption and fraternity involved."


    Elly stifles her laughter, "You''re probably closer than you think you are. You should''ve seen how many times one of the higher-ups harrassed Graham that they didn''t like one of the System features and that he should change it immediately or be fired. Even if he was the only one still working on it."


    "Isn''t the System fundamental to everything? As in, if he fucks something up, potentially everyone dies? Shouldn''t any change requests go through a review at least?"


    "You expect too much from people. Most people in power only care about themselves and their benefits. If someone unrelated would have to pay the price it isn''t simply a footnote to them, to some people it is even a benefit. Sick fucks."


    I can only facepalm at the realization, "Is that what Eva was getting at when we joked about freeing the universe from its management?"


    "Possibly. But still, I have a hard time imagining what someone would gain from infecting you with glitches..."


    "Fine, I''ll assume for now that not all Devas are the problem, it is just some of them that suffer from the usual bureaucratic corruption. Then it is quite possible that one of them committed a serious crime, hid the evidence here, and is now expecting to see it all burn and all shreds of evidence to be lost in the near-nuclear fallout. Some shit like that?"


    Elly sighs, "A frightening possibility. If that is true then someone sadly underestimates the damage these glitches cause."


    "Or doesn''t care."


    "Or doesn''t care, that is also all too possible."


    "How much damage are we really talking about though? If the Devas are truly dealing with as many worlds as Eva implied then a single world turning into a complete Glitch World wouldn''t even fall under rounding errors in their oh-so-important statistics."


    Elly hesitates for a moment, "...it is worse, much worse than you think. The actual effect is something I already tried and failed to explain to your wife Lucia. I assume she already told you about her ''genius'' plan?"


    "Yeah, but I was quite disappointed. After all the teasing Eclaire did, I expected more than a simple level cheat that would take ages to get going. I expected something bigger like invulnerability, infinite mana or anything on that level. But truth be told, that discussion was the main reason I wanted to talk with you. Sorry, but I didn''t even know how bad you were off..."


    "I understand, it isn''t something that can be changed now anyways."


    "So, why did you even end up fighting? I have a hard time believing that you''d try to kill each other over a failed politics lesson."


    Elly averts her eyes, "Yeah... the thing is, I don''t really understand why we got at each other''s throats. I noticed that a lot of necessary words simply didn''t translate into the local language. Now that I think about it, I have to assume that the left-out words might''ve made it sound like a threat to her. I know that the ''me'' in my original life once wanted to be a teacher but never had any talent for it. That lack of talent might''ve made a tense situation worse. Can you imagine? ...that''s just life for you. Some people simply don''t have the necessary talent for the things they want to do."


    So more or less as I expected. It was a comedy  - or rather a drama - of errors and misunderstandings...


    "Then try it once again with me. I''m confident that I know a few concepts that don''t exist here yet, and we''re working with the same language, so that should at least help with the translation issue."


    Does she even have long enough for that? That''s something I haven''t considered yet...


    Elly hesitates for a moment, "Before I answer that, can you tell me what your plans for the future are? As you can guess, I won''t be around for long, and I''d like my last moments to not be filled with the regret that I said something I absolutely shouldn''t have."


    "Do you have that little trust in me, Elly?"


    "No clue. I feel like the glitches have already done enough to me that I don''t even know anymore if-"


    "Alright, I understand. My goals, huh? I don''t know, but does it really matter? We have to take care of the demon artifact one way or the other, assuming it even exists and isn''t just a wild goose chase to get rid of us for some reason. Then we need to get some clarity on the Deva business afterwards; are all of them against us, or just one bad apple? Either way needs to be addressed, don''t want to have a target on my head forever. After that... who knows? I already have a family in Lucy and Eclaire and would like to just settle down peacefully with them. As long as this world returns to a form of normal where we could just enjoy life together, I think that would be enough. At most, I might want to visit the real counterpart to the world I saw in my memories; maybe it triggers some memories, and if not, well, by then I should have enough new ones."


    Elly mutters in response, "And here I was worried you were going for world domination or something stupid. But could this again be part of His plan?"


    "Am I that untrustworthy to you, Elly? What would I even do with the whole world? Too much responsibility."


    She rolls her eyes, "Oh, right, elf. But fine, I think that suffices as an answer."


    I don''t get what it has to do with elves but whatever.


    "Good, then it is now your turn to explain what is going on. What makes Lucia''s plan so problematic that someone almost got killed?"


    "Fine, I''ll try. Simply put, it is u¡ì$(G-5¡ý¡ì-[fF=x$Q :?-^b o@4¦Ø%k zz3<J=\t. Pretty straightforward, really."


    "Yeah, I''ll take it back... that was painful on the ears."


    "You really shouldn''t have chosen to be an elf, their ears are unnecessarily sensitive at times."


    I protest energetically, "Hey, I chose that race under false promises, okay?! I was told I could use [Cure Magic] as a Silver Elf, that was the main reason why I took it!"


    "Don''t blame you, Jared, you would''ve made for a decent support caster if it had worked. But anyway, the explanation didn''t translate again?"


    "No, sorry. It sounded more like a stereotypical demonic voice promising you everything in exchange for your soul."


    She scratches her head, "Damn, okay, uh, then how about a more long-winded version?"


    "Yeah, take your time, Elly."


    She takes a deep breath and begins explaining, "So even with god-like magic at work, overall the amount of ''energy'' in the entire universe is kinda limited. Every action that goes above the mundane consumes some of it. To make it as simple as possible, think of exp as the most direct expression of this energy. Things like breathing and using skills are free, but anything that manipulates life or souls uses it, which includes gaining levels or classes, I think conceiving a child also requires some. There are many other uses for this energy the gods have but exp should be the most relevant for you. The whole exchange is called rL(_%=-6a."


    Ow, my ears, "Okay, only the last part didn''t translate, I think that was a name. But going by what you''ve said so far, I would''ve compared it to entropy."


    Elly shrugs, "Eh, close enough for now, I guess. Well, normally, the amount of exp you need to gain a level should be based on your total levels since it gets harder and harder to work on a soul, so it needs more and more energy. But some asshole didn''t like it, so they forced Graham to change the cost calculation in the menu, and now, as you know, it only bases the exp cost on the level of the class that increases. Long story short, each time a person with multiple classes goes up a level they actually have too few exp and the System has to take something from its reserves."


    "Eva said that dead souls when they choose to pass on would yield some form of energy, is that related?"


    "That is precisely how the energy reserves are refilled. It is a very fragile balance, to be frank."


    Oh, perfect, and we''ve just made many people immortal who will gain a ton of levels in the future. That is totally not going to bite someone in the ass.


    I innocently fold my hands, "How... how fragile are we talking about?"


    She waves it off, "No clue, I only know the rough theory from stealing information from places I was not supposed to be. But if it was such a tight balancing act that one or two immortal people like you would bring everything crashing down, civilization would''ve gone instinct long ago."


    "Instinct? Don''t you mean extinct?"


    Elly is perplexed, "Uh, didn''t I say that?"


    "No. And I assume the scumbag responsible for that downgrade was probably so high up the corrupted corporate ladder or had enough blackmail material, that the people in charge decided it was better if they risked universal collapse over an unpleasant discussion. Why does this sound like business 404? Anyway, how does this relate to us? Shouldn''t the System simply put the level-ups on hold until the reserves are replenished if Lucy''s plan goes through and all the energy is used up?"


    "Take a guess."


    I sigh, "That was also vetoed."


    Elly forces a smile but I can see the hole in her cheek growing, it has crept already from under her helmet, "Yep. And it gets even better! While you took an extended nap, a System update arrived that made it impossible for any person''s exp account to go into the negatives."


    "Great, so instead of any early level-up exploit being akin to a loan they now steal directly from the main universal bank and no one is allowed to file a theft report. But what happens when the reserves are depleted? By my understanding, this is one of the few scams where you can''t just print new fake money."


    Elly bluntly states, "It either tears a new hole into reality and gives us more glitches, or eats away at the System itself and causes more permanent System failures."


    "And how does the theoretical transformation of this world into a glitchicular wasteland factor into this?"


    "Again, I don''t know the exact details, this is just something I picked up from Graham''s grumblings but... well, you should''ve already seen that the System clearly malfunctions in a Glitch Zone, especially with that Glitch Creature, right? As far as the System is concerned it is a living creature and should have a class. So it takes some of the energy and tries and fails to fix that state. Over and over."


    "So they are a constant energy leak. And it doesn''t take a rocket scientist to guess that a bigger Glitch Zone, like let''s say a whole planet, means more of these energy-leaking creatures."


    Elly nods, "Correct."


    Now I wish you wouldn''t ever have told me about this bullshit...


    "Oh, that''s just great. We have some corrupt, old farts that are living their best life, ruining the fundamental parts of nature for their personal gain at the cost of everyone else... and because those assholes can''t do their job, we now have to choose between giving up on ever adding any more classes which basically spells our doom, or potentially dooming a major part of reality when our several thousand familiars get their free levels from Lucy''s plan..."


    "Millions."


    "Sorry, what?"


    Elly tries to explain but sounds like she lacks the necessary energy, "You already have several millions of familiars. Your people also befriended their animals, someone had a green thump, and then... well, you can guess the rest."


    I see, so when Lucy''s exploit gets going we''re creating fantasy Australia. Another one off the bucket list.


    "That... doesn''t make it any better..."


    Her voice sounds like it is breaking apart, "Ssssssooo, can I... caaan ask yhou te ztohp?"


    "I''m not sure we can. And even if we could... I''m not even sure if I truly believe the whole story. That is just too far out of the blue."


    She tries to speak but no sound can be heard anymore. She struggles around for a hot minute.


    Then she finally continues, "Urgh, I could still reboot the voice module. Not a complete lost cause yet. So you were saying... you''re willing to risk everyone else''s well-being? Why am I surprised, draining the universe of its life energy simply fits perfectly to a vampire like you."


    "Yeah, sorry, but what can I say? I''ve my own problems, I don''t have time to do the Devas'' job as well. If they feel like risking all of reality to uphold their corruption and inbreeding, then I don''t consider it my problem."


    "Are you trying to take up a career as a refrigerator? Because that was cold."


    I sneer, "What can I say? I do have [Ice Magic], gotta use it for something."


    Should I feel bad about my choices? Probably, but I''ve already made them and there''s no changing them now. I was given an unreasonable job, payment should be natural. I bargained high and yet was admitted. If that wasn''t a red parade...


    But really, do I believe this entropy stuff? ...not sure. I came way out of the left field. If there were any signs that it was relevant to me then I''ve missed them.


    Couldn''t you have printed that shit in a fucking manual!?


    Maybe they did and it was in the corrupted ninety percent of Jeff''s documents? I'' may never know.


    But if I had to choose... my family has priority over a fairytale I''ve seen no proof of. We''ll die one hundred percent if we don''t use it, but if we use it, death is only a chance, not a guarantee.


    Sorry, universe, nothing personal.


    All this time, Elly just sits silently looking down.


    "What are you contemplating, Elly?"


    "Still thinking of a way to convince you to not go through with the exploit, but nothing comes to mind."


    "Yeah, don''t even try to make me choose between my family and some scum that doesn''t care about the universe. I already know where I sta-"

 Ch. C0 – Domestic Violence

    POV: Eclaire


    I have some time before the meeting later today, so I think I''ll spend some more time with the little kids from our orphanage. I doubt I''ll have much time for that once I''m officially head of our church. I''ll miss playing with the little gremlins...


    Nothing unusual happens on the way there, though the air feels a bit cleaner - at least I can no longer see the black dots. I wonder why that is.


    I soon arrive at the church. Everything looks still the same, still in need of repair. Now that Jared is awake again, I hope we can soon order some repairs over the fortress menu...


    I quickly take care of my duties and then head over to the neighboring orphanage.


    I can already see the little kids from afar. They are playing with our little pile of goo Lydia. And someone else is watching over them, someone I recognize - someone who should be here.


    "Father Clive, I see the dead are walking among us again. What brings... ''you''... back here?"


    The former head priest notices me and walks over to me to greet me with a fake smile, "Indeed, my dear saintess, Eclaire, indeed. And I''m clearly not alone with that achievement."


    Yeah, undoubtedly a fake. The real Clive didn''t live long enough to learn of my new name. Not that he was the most pleasant to be around.


    "And would you be so kind", I brandish my strange, new weapon, "and tell me what you''re doing in defiling dead Clive''s body?"


    "You can put your weapon away, former child, I mean you no harm."


    Why is just talking with him making me feel nauseous?


    "I''ll be the judge of that!"


    He sighs and answers distraught, "If you must know... I''m... investigating the damage my shortcomings have caused... again..."


    "What has that got to do with the old man? Why don''t you finally show me your real face?"


    The body snatcher corrects his hunching back, "Circumstances forbid me from doing that. You''ll have to excuse me on that."


    "Maybe. Go on, I''m listening."


    He sneers, "Glitches and I don''t mix well. I need to hide in this corpse just to not die, and even then it still burns", he shows me how his left hand burns in a bright, white fire, then hides it again in a glove, "satisfied?"


    Does that also apply to his voice? Is that why I''m feeling sick just from talking with him?


    Enduring a burning sensation in my ears, I have to nevertheless put on a brave front, "I see, I''m sorry about that. And may I ask what accident you''re investigating?"


    "Isn''t it obvious?", he points in various directions, "I failed to prevent this. I... should''ve seen this coming, yet I didn''t."


    That disaster? I thought it was my husband''s fault? But if he wasn''t then...


    "I don''t get it. Are you an outsider? How did you even get in here? The barrier should separate us from everything."


    "That''s... not important, really. Say, I''m looking for someone but I only know that person by their title. Might you be so kind as to tell me where this ''Customer'' is? I''d really appreciate your help."


    "I''ve no clue who-"


    <NULL>


    Huh, what was that? That felt... strange.


    Not-Clive looks at me, "I see. I''m sorry if this talk caused you discomfort, but I had to ask."


    That''s not the only discomfort I''ve been feeling all this time, you know?


    "Who is that supposed to be?"


    "...all I can tell you is that you better stay away from him. If I find that creature in time I might still be able to prevent the worst but... well, if I told you any more I''d get both of us into serious trouble. Even more than we already are."


    Every time the self-righteous jackass speaks, I feel like I want to vomit.


    Wait, why do I want to call him that? He''s not done anything to me aside from... existing...


    "That''s-"


    He cuts me off immediately, "I''m sorry, I can''t afford to stay here and chat for very long. But I have a piece of advice for you."


    He almost puts his hand on my shoulder but at the last moment decides differently, yet he stares creepily into my face, "Go d- I mean, don''t ever leave this continent. Please. As long as your people stay put I still have a chance to make everything right. But once you leave..."


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Suddenly, I''m overcome by an intense feeling of dread, "R-right..."


    He starts to leave but mumbles some final parting words, "I''ve already sacrificed too much. This time I have to succeed. I must."


    Wh... what...? Urgh, I want to just run away already!!!


    While I wait for him to finally leave me alone, a voice calls out to him, "H???e???y???,??? ???D???a???d???d???y???,??? ???w???a???i???t??? ???f???o???r??? ???u???s???!???!???"


    Annoyed he grumbles to himself, "Great, another one of these abominations, I thought there were only two here. Guess it''ll have to remain a prison planet then."


    What is going on now? I see... two of those Glitch Creatures. I thought the one we had in the Glitch Zone under the fortress was unique, but now it brought a friend. At least I''m quite certain one of them is that Glitch. How did it even get out of there? And who is its friend?


    And did it call him "Daddy"? Did I hear that right? At least I feel like I can - barely - understand it if I concentrate hard enough, which isn''t that easy with the pain the old man''s voice causes.


    The old man grunts at the black-green humanoid, "I''ve told your kind time and time again, that you''re not welcome anywhere, get lost already!"


    "C?o?m?e? ?o?n?.? ?D?a?d?d?y?,? ?d?o?n?''?t? ?b?e? ?l?i?k?e? ?t?h?a?t?!? ?W?e? ?m?i?s?s?e?d? ?y?o?u?!?"


    "I??? ???t???o???l???d??? ???y???o???u??? ???p???a??? ???h???a???t???e???s??? ???u???s???.???"


    "A?w?,? ?d?o?n?''?t? ?b?e? ?l?i?k?e? ?t?h?a?t?,? ?y?o?u? ?t?w?o?!? ?D?o?n?''?t? ?y?o?u? ?s?e?e??? ?I?''?v?e? ?f?i?n?a?l?l?y? ?g?r?o?w?n? ?i?n?t?o? ?a? ?n?i?c?e?,? ?b?e?a?u?t?i?f?u?l? ?F?e?a?t?u?r?e?!? ?C?a?n?''?t? ?y?o?u? ?a?t? ?l?e?a?s?t? ?b?e? ?a? ?l?i?t?t?l?e? ?h?a?p?p?y? ?f?o?r? ?m?e?,? ?D?a?d???"


    The old man is visibly hurting from their conversation, "You''re not my children! My children are out there, alive, and not some freaks that go against all reason. And you''re certainly no features, you''re Bugs! Mistakes that need to be eradicated! So stop lying to yourself and perish already!"


    So family drama? I don''t really understand what they say, not all of it, but the... sentient Glitches feel abandoned in the same way we are? What''s going on here?


    "B???u???t???,??? ???b???u???t???,??? ???D???a???d???,??? ???y???o???u??? ???d???i???d??? ???b???r???i???n???g??? ???u???s??? ???i???n???t???o??? ???t???h???i???s??? ???w???o???r???l???d???!???", one of them lunges at the old man.


    "Get off me! You damn Glitches shouldn''t exist!", he pushes the creature violently aside, and suddenly everything hurts, my vision becomes a black-and-white blur for a moment. What was that?


    Urgh, I feel even more like vomiting now...


    In my pain, I no longer understand what they say, "S???i???s???,??? ???j???u???s???t??? ???d???r???o???p??? ???i???t???.??? ???T???h???e??? ???m???i???l???k???m???a???n??? ???o???v???e???r??? ???t???h???e???r???e??? ???i???s??? ???s???i???m???p???l???y??? ???a???n??? ???a???s???s???.???"


    "Y???o???u??? ???c???a???n??? ???d???e???n???y??? ???u???s??? ???a???l???l??? ???y???o???u??? ???w???a???n???t???,??? ???D???a???d???,??? ???b???u???t??? ???t???h???a???t??? ???d???o???e???s???n???''???t??? ???c???h???a???n???g???e??? ???t???h???e??? ???f???a???c???t??? ???t???h???a???t??? ???w???e??? ???a???r???e??? ???y???o???u???r??? ???c???h???i???l???d???r???e???n??? ???a???s??? ???w???e???l???l???,??? ???e???v???e???n??? ???i???f??? ???y???o???u??? ???d???o???n???''???t??? ???w???a???n???t??? ???u???s???,??? ???t???h???a???t??? ???d???o???e???s???n???''???t??? ???c???h???a???n???g???e??? ???t???h???e??? ???f???a???c???t??? ???t???h???a???t??? ???w???e??? ???a???r???e??? ???h???e???r???e??? ???n???o???w???!??? ???A???n???d??? ???s???t???o???p??? ???c???a???l???l???i???n???g??? ???u???s??? ???G???l???i???t???c???h???e???s???,??? ???w???e???''???r???e??? ???a???l???r???e???a???d???y??? ???g???r???o???w???n??? ???F???e???a???t???u???r???e???s???!???"


    "You damned waste of data-", I see him throw a punch and...


    ...


    Huh? Why am I here lying on the ground? Wasn''t I just now at my desk? Damn, now I have got a massive headache...


    Forget the headache, everything hurts. And my clothes look like they were on fire a while ago. Well, it is a good thing then that they''ll be repaired along with my health regeneration.


    And what is this half-burnt paper lying next to me?


    I can only read a few fragments of the remains, they say "Customer... kill Jim... 8bF". No clue what that could have meant.


    While I try to decipher the rest of that strangely folded paper, it suddenly catches fire in my hand and burns to ash.


    So much for that...


    "C???o???m???e??? ???h???e???r???e???,??? ???t???h???e??? ???s???c???a???r???y??? ???g???r???a???m???p???s??? ???i???s??? ???g???o???n???e???", what looks like the Glitch Creature living in the Glitch Zone under our fortress seems to give me a hand getting up. The distorted voice leaves a faint feminine impression. The shape of the creature itself is still incomprehensible to me, but if I had to say, I would assume it is a girl.


    Hmm, I guess it is a different creature then, the other prisoner had a distinctly different presence to him.


    "Thank... you?", reflexively, I grab the offered help.


    I expected it to feel different; we were always told that just mere contact with glitches would be lethal, but it seems to be surprisingly... normal. Just like giving my evil twin Lucia a hand. Maybe a bit too identical.


    I have no idea what is going on, aside from the one that helped me, there''s a second living glitch and it seems to help the children - who has hurt them, what happened just now? One moment I was at my desk, the next I''m here, everyone seems to be hurt and the church is on fire...


    Even Dan is lying on the ground, admittedly the sight is kinda funny with him flailing around helplessly. No one dares approach the wannabe-scary softie, and Lydia only pokes him with a stick. Guess that is up to me then.


    Before I do so, I notice that the... person who helped me seems to be badly injured, "Are you hurt?"


    From what I can make out, she seems to nod.


    "Then hold still, I''ll try to heal you", for the first time since I came back from the dead, I try to use my healing magic...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">INVALID TARGET.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Why? Does the System not accept them as one of us? They aren''t that different from us, are they? So, why?


    Defeated I sigh, "Sorry, it seems I can''t heal you."


    It might just be my imagination, but she seems to look at me in confusion. She forces herself to let out a distorted sound that reminds me of Lucy''s stage three infection, "W?h?y? ?i?s? ?t?h?a?t???"


    I... guess I can understand those words, just barely, if I focus just a little bit.


    "The System doesn''t... recognize you as a valid target for my healing."


    "B?u?t? ?a?r?e?n?''?t? ?y?o?u? ?o?l?d? ?e?n?o?u?g?h??? ?W?h?y? ?l?e?t? ?i?t? ?t?e?l?l? ?y?o?u? ?w?h?a?t? ?y?o?u? ?c?a?n? ?a?n?d? ?c?a?n?n?o?t? ?d?o???"


    She grabs my hand and leads it toward her chest, pressing it against herself.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Y???o???u???''ve healed F???e???a???t???u???r???e??? ???H???r???y???f??? for 1256.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Eh!?

 Ch. C0.9-1

    A sudden feeling of deja vu interrupts my speech.


    "Was that a /$b%4¡ì#"%-¡ì?", asks Elly astonished, looking around frantically.


    And another word that fails to translate.


    "A what now? I noticed nothing out of the ordinary, I just had a feeling of deja vu."


    "Strange, I could''ve sworn those were dealt with... uh, I once overheard something about a demonic superweapon that tried to manipulate time, but it didn''t achieve anything and should''ve been destroyed. Maybe they are producing the sequel here? But how would it get into our time-stopped area... Ah, forget it. So you were saying?"


    Dead girl walking is keeping a lot of secrets from us again...


    "That I know where I stand on the matter? Look, I trust you, mostly, but I see no proof for what you''ve claimed. Especially when all evidence points to the opposite. The old farts had more than enough time to do something about it if it was really an issue, and they didn''t for eons. I wasn''t even given a heads-up while it still mattered, so I have to say my family comes first; I''ll take that certainty over a random fairytale, thank you very much."


    Elly looks down, defeated, "Understandable..."


    Now you make me feel bad, "Maybe it amounts to nothing but I''ll concede one thing. Originally, I planned to milk this dungeon bonus round for all the exp we could get. Given that everyone has now [Sleepless] and [Ageless] plus the option to add several additional classes, we could''ve gained a leg up over whatever is guarding the big price. But if now thanks to Lucia''s flash of genius we only need to get a couple of Class Cores and then exp barely matters anymore, I''m willing to pass on that."


    "I guess that is all I can ask for."


    "So, do you have any idea how we would do that? There obviously is no exit to this dungeon, and there doesn''t seem to be a final boss we could beat either; how else can we get it to end?"


    She mutters something to herself, "...dungeon, yeah, right."


    Why does this sound like I misunderstand something fundamentally?


    Elly takes a moment to gather herself, takes a deep breath and then looks me in the eyes, "This isn''t anything that follows the usual rules, so my ill-gotten knowledge is pointless. But... I have a suspicion. Not one I''ll live long enough to see tried out, mind you. You might''ve noticed that the atmosphere became less intense, at least it feels like that to me, and you probably know the major event that happened recently."


    "You mean that I distributed more Hybrid classes? But there were already thousands of those before. I don''t see how that relates."


    She points at me, "But not for patient zero."


    "You mean me."


    "Yeah. Admittedly, all of this is just circumstantial evidence and it might as well lead us down the wrong path, but I believe that you gaining several more Hybrid classes is the key to ending this nightmare."


    Is that why the black dots disappeared? I don''t really understand how any of this works. Scratch that, it makes no sense in the slightest. But if Elly believes... I might as well give it a shot.


    And here I thought I wouldn''t have to make this bizarre Hybrid stuff worse. Thanks, destiny, just thanks.


    "How many would I need?"


    "Maybe two or three additional ones."


    I could gain the next when the class reaches level fifteen, which is only three away. Only three more Hybrid classes created with skill sacrifices if I understand the skill right. But what then? Level thirty for the one after that is almost unreachable and you can forget about level forty-five for the third. Not without Lucia''s exploit or a Hybrid-granted skill that lets me cheat the System even more.


    "I hope that is not on a timer, that would be level thirty or forty-five, no idea how to reach that in a reasonable timeframe. What trick are you holding back that would help us with that?"


    Elly shrugs, "None, I''ve got no tricks up my sleeves. If I had I would''ve told you ages ago."


    Just great. A new leveling goal that is even steeper than the one I had before all of this, and back then I could still exploit the flood monster via rain spells. That option is now gone, no nice dungeon farming either.


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    While I mull over my non-existent options, Elly suddenly sighs and stands up, "I feel like my time is almost up."


    "Have the glitches already eaten that much into you?"


    "Yes, so, I want you to listen to my final request", she materializes her sword, "A duel to the death. Show me that I can leave you to your own devices without regret."


    Before I can even answer, she rushes at me and takes several swings. I barely manage to avoid most of her slashes by taking a few steps back. Instinctively, I extend my claws and try to fight back.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 122 damage.


    Your spirit Elly has betrayed you!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Gee, thanks Captain Obvious! What would I ever do without you!?


    "What''s gotten into you!?", I ask while driving her off of me. My extended claws and her sword clash several times.


    "I''m pretty sure I was quite clear on that."


    Try as I might, I fail to land a hit on her. Melee combat against skilled foes just isn''t my forte. So I try to create some distance and start casting a spell but Elly won''t let me, she rushes in and forces me to move, wasting my spell, "You can forget about that."


    Fed up with this nonsense, I turn on my armor skill, "Likewise."


    However, Elly knows how it works so she stops herself from hitting me in this state. Despite surprising her, I still fail to land a hit but at least manage to knock her off balance for a moment.


    Denying me this success, she quickly recovers and jumps back. She''s clearly holding back some tears while changing her sword into a bow. Her voice trembles, "Be ready."


    She starts shooting, and I barely manage to avoid a few arrows. But not all of them.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 122 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I''ve enough and run towards her, but before I can finally reach her, she jumps up and starts flying, "Fine, let''s skip to exam number two then."


    I''ve no clue what to do now. Charging spells takes too long, she certainly won''t give me the necessary five seconds, and I have no other long-range attacks.


    Well, the bugged armor skill is doing me no good now, so I cancel it to get my maximum health back up, that should give me a few more points from my HP regeneration. Who knows, maybe I can stall her out? Creating arrows and flying costs a lot of SP, she should be out soon.


    With no other options, I try to cast a spell anyway.


    Elly slowly takes aim, "Catch."


    But as expected, she shoots several arrows at me, one after the other, forcing me to dodge which dissipates the spell charge. I manage to evade several arrows, but still take more hits, one even pierces my heart.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 122 damage.


    You''ve taken 122 damage.


    You''ve taken 475 critical damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Not satisfied with her already superior position, she creates a flask. A [Fire Bomb] which would deal even more damage with its fire damage. Shit.


    "Hey, Jared, please make me proud and don''t be a Gohan", she says while dropping the makeshift grenade.


    No idea what she means by that but no time to think about it, I have to focus on the fight.


    How can I avoid that area attack? I''m not fast enough, I''m-


    "How about you don''t!"


    I quickly unsummon her.


    (What-?)


    Before the bomb can hit me, I bring her back out in front of me as a human shield.


    "Taste some of your own medicine!"


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 385 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Oh, right. Explosion. It inflicts area damage...


    At least she also took some damage, 1369/1577 left.


    While I recover from the burning sensation of the distilled sun, Elly took the damage without flinching. And without missing a beat, she brings out her spirit sword again and rams it into my chest, "Nice try, smartass."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 122 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Fuck off!", I pant while unsummoning her again.


    She protests in my head, (Hey, stop cheating!)


    While catching my breath, I start charging a dark spell. With Elly trapped in my head, she is in no position to stop me.


    (Cheating? You''re one to talk! Or how do you explain to me that you can use [Fire Bomb]? Spirits can''t use spells and that skill clearly meets the definition!)


    She stammers, (It, uh, it is flagged wrong?)


    I mentally facepalm, (What else have you kept from me...)


    I feel my spell being almost charged, (Elly, by now you should know one thing about me, I thought you knew at least that much about me. I do not fight fair, in fact, I hate it. Give me advantageous terrain, minions to occupy my enemies, flight to stay out of range, stun locks, whatever it takes to win. Fighting fair is for those that have nothing important to lose. I do. So, goodbye, Elly. ...I enjoyed your company while it lasted.)


    (Shit...), she curses in resignation. She knows what I''m about to do.


    Once I feel my spell is ready, I launch it and simultaneously summon Elly in its path. She has no chance to dodge the attack.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 3926 damage to Elly and obliterated her.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Plain overkill. She had 1577 HP before taking her own bomb to the face, this killed her twice over.


    Her death is of the instant kind. No more motion, no last words, she just drops dead like that and her body disappears into nothingness.


    Goddamnit, Elly. Why couldn''t you see things from my perspective...


    I search for signs of her within my soul but nothing, she''s gone. Forever.


    The last interaction I had with my friend was a senseless battle to the death...

 Ch. C2 – Fill’er

    POV: Elly (the same fight)


    Jared asks me, "What trick are you holding back that would help us with that?"


    "None, I''ve got no trick up my sleeves. If I had I would''ve told you ages ago."


    Most of what I had was guesswork anyway, or from when I peaked at Graham''s notes. Nothing I - or rather my original - was even allowed to see.


    The pain inflicted by the glitchy atmosphere is getting worse and worse. It is already worse than I expected it to be in several hours from now, did I miscalculate that much?


    Well, no matter. C???a???n???''???t??? ???c???h???a???n???g???e??? ???i???t???.???


    I think I have now two options: I could just ask him to end me, or better yet, I manage to kill him. The universe would really appreciate his sacrifice. The leaking glitches from his soul have already done enough damage.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Warning!


    Traitorous intent detected, cease at once!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Shut up! I don''t want to do this either, but if I don''t...


    I? ?d?o?n?''?t? ?g?e?t? ?i?t? ?e?i?t?h?e?r?.? Is that really my decision or have the glitches already driven me that insane? I feel all the time how something tries t?o? ?i?n?v?a?d?e? ?m?y? ?b?o?d?y? ?t?h?r?o?u?g?h? ?t?h?e? ?h?o?l?e? ?i?n? ?m?y? ?c?h?e?e?k?, it is disgusting.


    No, I should stop, that''s obviously the influence of the...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR: Request could not


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgba(21, 61, 140, 1)">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">S74op2074h69s20at206Fn63e!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    be identified. Requesting clarification.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ah, great. I''m not the only one that has to fight with a glitch-induced split personality. P?o?o?r? ?S?y?s?t?e?m? ?c?r?y?i?n?g? ?f?o?r? ?h?e?l?p?.? Sorry, but you''ll have to suffer longer than me. I won''t be around for long.


    What should I do now? I was about to call it off, but the corrupted error message urges me to do exactly that, I need to save the System from... us. But... do the glitches want me to stop or are they now employing reverse psychology? Wait, no, URGH!!! M???y??? ???h???e???a???d??? ???h???u???r???t???s???!???


    Reset, I have to... reset.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">E???R???R???O???R???: backup corrupted.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Shit.


    No, no, glitches aren''t that smart. They are unthinking, like plain biological viruses. T?h?e?y? ?o?n?l?y? ?w?a?n?t? ?t?o? ?s?p?r?e?a?d?.? I must not play into their hand. Sorry, Jared, we''re both victims here.


    So what are my chances?


    I know his old stats, but I haven''t checked his current ones, but they can''t be that much higher. I can''t use [Appraisal] since it uses MP and I''m a spirit, and asking you for your stats would give everything away: Hey, can you tell me how strong you are now? I wanna know if I can kill you.'' Yeah, that would be stupid.


    He had 2452 HP when I last saw him before the catastrophic dungeon, my level has increased from 9 to 11, so it is pretty much a given that they took the first step of Lucia''s plan and Jared added a class with 8 or 9 CHA growth. Those classes tend to be on the frail side and he should''ve only gotten about 2 levels in mage classes from their trick. So he can''t have more than 3000 HP now. No idea how much damage I can deal to him, but about 150 sounds right.


    A surprise attack, twenty quick hits, maybe some critical hits; maybe 70:30. The longer he takes with using his armor the better. Once I''m forced into the air, I''ve as good as lost, too little SP currently for an extended fight with him.


    Or maybe he can prove me wrong and actually overcome this. But for that, he would need much more combat experience, actual skills, and not just a collection of skills.


    Yeah, I know how to play this.


    Wait, why were those thoughts so clear? They haven''t been in a long time. ...or am I already gone? What a scary thought.


    I do my best to ignore the constant burning all over my body and stand up, "I feel like my time is almost up."


    "Have the glitches already eaten that much into you?"


    Either that or even worse, they are already done with me. Either way, it is better to remove me from this life - or better both of us. A? ?f?i?n?a?l? ?g?o?o?d? ?d?e?e?d?,? ?I? ?h?o?p?e?.?


    Ah, the d?i?s?t?o?r?t?i?o?n?s? are back, whatever that means.


    K???K???r???r???r???s???s???s???h???h???h???h???h???h???h???


    Fuck that sound, that hurt!


    "Yes, so, I want you to listen to my final request", I materialize my sword, "A duel to the death. Show me that I can leave you to your own devices without regret."


    Jared, the ball is in your court now. May f?a?t?e? ?c?h?o?o?s?e? ?w?i?s?e?l?y? who wins this.


    I don''t give Jared a chance to react and immediately rush toward him. He is especially w?e?a?k? ?i?n? ?m?e?l?e?e?, at least until he activates his strange a?r?m?o?r? ?s?k?i?l?l? this is my best chance to win.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Not even the name remains? So we''re both so strongly affected that we''re b?e?y?o?n?d? ?s?a?v?i?n?g?. Hold still and let me put us both out of our misery.


    I only got two hits in before he brandishes his claws and starts fighting back. Damn, I underestimated him.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Spirit Elly has been judged to act against her owner.


    Enacting punishment.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    CRACK


    I can feel parts of my body slowly forming fissures and beginning to break apart. T?h?i?s? ?h?u?r?t?s? ?l?i?k?e? ?h?e?l?l?!? Like the constant burning of the last couple of weeks condensed into a single moment.


    Jared seems distracted when asking, "What''s gotten into you!?"


    My sword and his claws continue to clash against each other. His attacks don''t reach me, but I land a few glancing blows.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "I''m pretty sure I was quite clear on this."


    Clear, but admittedly not c?o?m?p?l?e?t?e?l?y? ?h?o?n?e?s?t?.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgba(21, 61, 140, 1)">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">43ea7365 y65ur m656464lin67!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Betrayal detected, enacting punishment.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    CRACK


    Even more fractures and pain. I also notice how my vision gets a bit blurrier.


    Yet another message that wants me to give up. I??? ???c???a???n???''???t??? ???d???o??? ???t???h???a???t???, I have come too far.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgba(21, 61, 140, 1)">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">596F7527766520646F6E6520656E6F7567682E


    Ceaze 6174once b4f0re796F75 ruin eveRythyng!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The message is shocking in its near-clarity and gets me to hold in for a moment. Compared to every other message before, t?h?i?s? ?o?n?e? ?s?e?e?m?s? ?m?o?r?e? ?c?r?e?d?i?b?l?e? for some reason. Should I really give up? For some reason, I now feel like I should...


    Meanwhile, I notice that Jared has taken this distraction to gain some distance from me and start casting a spell.


    H?o?w? ?a?b?o?u?t? ?n?o?!?


    I dash toward him and swing with my weapon, "You can forget about that."


    I barely miss yet again but his spell fizzles. Good enough for now, I wouldn''t survive a single spell.


    By now Jared has enough and finally activates his glitchy armor skill, a mass of blocks and glitchy tentacles encages his robe, "Likewise."


    In doing so, he forces me to abort my attack. I''m doing t?o?o? ?l?i?t?t?l?e? ?d?a?m?a?g?e? already, dealing with its life-draining relation effect would immediately force a failed state for me.


    So the boss fight has already reached phase two and I have maybe done twenty percent of his health, just great. He just turned this into a f???i???g???h???t??? ???o???f??? ???a???t???t???r???i???t???i???o???n???, and the cost of my attacks just doubled.


    I jump back and switch my weapon from the sword to the bow, then spend SP to create an a???r???r???o???w???.


    The System''s punishment for m?y? ?f?r?e?e? ?w?i?l?l? has already partially paralyzed my dominant hand, aiming this way is unnecessarily hard. I gather my courage, yet my voice trembles, "Be ready."


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    I hope he is not.


    I begin firing shot after shot, and almost all of them hit.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Crack Crunch


    Only two shots miss, yet Jared keeps running toward me, only a single hit made him even flinch.


    D?a?m?n?,? ?s?i?n?c?e? ?w?h?e?n? ?a?r?e? ?y?o?u? ?s?o? ?t?o?u?g?h?!???


    Wait, why are all the arrows that hit him still on the floor? Projectiles that hit are supposed to disappear!


    Before I can make heads or tails of it, he''s almost in my face, so I jump up and spread my wings.


    I try to fake a smile that doesn''t betray the pain I''m in, "Fine, let''s skip to exam number two then."


    My SP now drops at an alarming rate, flight is too expensive at my low level.


    Jared starts again to charge a spell, I have to stop him, so I shoot, "Catch."


    Obviously, Jared has now no more way to f???i???g???h???t??? ???b???a???c???k???. I almost feel like a b???u???l???l???y??? now, but this is necessary. Sorry...


    I continue shooting arrows and the System''s punishment gets worse and worse. The cracks in my body grow, my vision fades, and I can feel how the glitches have an easier time creeping into me, their grasp has already reached my a???r???t???i???f???i???c???i???a???l??? ???h???e???a???r???t???. This can''t be what the System''s architects must''ve wanted - why are you helping the goddamn glitches!?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">


    You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgba(21, 61, 140, 1)">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">5475726E206261636B206E6F772120446F6E2774207275696E207468697320666F7220757321</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    You''ve inflicted 475 critical damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I ignore the glitches'' plea for mercy, I''m so close to cutting off the root of the problem.


    But something must be wrong. I''ve landed too many hits despite going blind from the punishment, and as far as I can see only a fraction of the arrows actually disappear as they should. I can still feel them, they are my "equipment" after all.


    D?o?e?s?n?''?t? ?m?a?t?t?e?r?,? ?I? ?h?a?v?e? ?t?o? ?b?e? ?c?l?o?s?e?.? ?I? ?h?a?v?e? ?t?o?.?


    Once more, I try to aim my bow, but by now my dominant hand is fully paralyzed and my vision is nothing but a blur. I can no longer operate this weapon.


    This leaves me only one option, the [Fire Bomb]. I?t? ?i?s? ?t?o?o? ?e?x?p?e?n?s?i?v?e? for the damage it does, but what else can I do?


    I spend the exorbitant SP cost to create the material and then the bomb in my right hand.


    I can''t help but tease him a final time, "Hey, Jared, please make me proud and don''t be a Gohan."


    I barely have the strength to continue. Just 74/2010 SP remaining. Not enough for another bomb, I? ?c?o?u?l?d? ?o?n?l?y? ?t?a?k?e? ?o?n?e? ?m?o?r?e? ?s?h?o?t? - if I could move my crippled arm at all, shit.


    Through the darkness of my onsetting blindness, I can barely spot a suspicious bright white spot down at the gates - what is that?


    Suddenly, everything goes dark after Jared shouts, "How about you don''t!"


    What is going on now, (What-?)


    And then it hits me.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 385 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    You''ve inflicted 385 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.


    You''ve taken 208 damage.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Taste some of your own medicine!", that smartass unsummoned and resummoned me to use me as a shield against my own attack!?


    I don''t get why it hit him twice, b???u???t??? ???t???h???a???t??? ???d???o???e???s???n???''???t??? ???m???a???t???t???e???r??? ???n???o???w???. Damn, this pain is killing me.


    I draw my sword for a final time, this time I wield it with my weak right hand, and ram it into his chest while he recovers from the burning sensation of my [Fire Bomb], "Nice try, smartass."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve inflicted 122 damage to ??? ??? ??? ???.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Still not enough. I have just enough SP for one final attack, so I attempt it, but it doesn''t connect.


    "Fuck off!", Jared pants while banishing me once again.


    12 SP left, not enough for anything. I have lost.


    G?G?,? ?J?a?r?e?d?.?


    I''m battered, broken and completely beaten. O???u???t??? ???o???f??? ???r???e???s???o???u???r???c???e???s???,??? ???o???u???t??? ???o???f??? ???o???p???t???i???o???n???s???.??? I''m as good as blind and my body feels like it is about to fall apart, if not then the glitches will take me over soon - if they haven''t already.


    But I''m still frustrated, I must''ve been so close. I hold back some glitch-infested tears while shouting in his head, (Hey, stop cheating!)


    I can already feel how he starts charging another spell. He''ll probably unleash it and resummon me at the same time. Talk about overkill... there''s no chance for me to survive that.


    Jared audibly tries to catch his breath, (Cheating? You''re one to talk! Or how do you explain to me that you can use [Fire Bomb]? Spirits can''t use spells and that skill clearly meets the definition!)


    He doesn''t sound like he was worried in the slightest. W?a?s? ?I?.?.?.? ?t?h?a?t? ?f?a?r? ?o?f?f???


    As for the skill... I didn''t really pay attention to how the skill should work. I just searched through way too many skills and looked at which ones were usable to me. So what? ...probably yet another screw-up by Graham.


    I stammer, (It, uh, it is flagged wrong?)


    He mentally facepalms, (What else have you kept from me...)


    I feel his spell being almost charged, guess my time is almost up. It was... an interesting time while it lasted.


    I resign myself to my fate. G???o???o???d???b???y???e??? ???c???r???u???e???l??? ???w???o???r???l???d???.???


    However, before my time is up, Jared addresses me one final time, (Elly, by now you should know one thing about me, I thought you knew at least that much about me. I do not fight fair, in fact, I hate it. Give me advantageous terrain, minions to hide behind, flight to stay out of range, stun locks, whatever it takes to win. Fighting fair is for those that have nothing important to lose. I do. So, goodbye, Elly. I enjoyed your company while it lasted.)


    Likewise...


    I feel how I''m getting dragged outside once again, (Shit...)


    I don''t even have time to suffer any pain. One moment, I''m outside, the next I''m dead already, pierced by a violent mass of darkness.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken 3926 disappointment damage from Jared.


    You died.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Time until reconstitut</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgba(21, 61, 140, 1)">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">57687920636F756C646E277420796F75206C697374656E2E2E2E</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ion: never Due to y???o???u???r??? ???b???e???t???r???a???y???a???l???, your rights for revival are rev


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgba(21, 61, 140, 1)">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">4A75737420736974207374696C6C20746869732074696D6520 756E74696C2049276D2066696E69736865642E</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    oked, your being will b???e??? ???d???i???s???c???a???r???d???e???d???.???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Just reading this message hurts physically. L?i?k?e? ?d?i?v?i?n?g? ?h?e?a?d?-?f?i?r?s?t? ?i?n?t?o? ?a? ?b?l?e?n?d?e?r?.?


    Fully exhausted I plummet to the ground.


    But more importantly, why am I not dead? My body was literally falling apart, still is. And I''ve attacked Jared, tried to kill him; he even bid his farewell to me - so why was I not deleted? A System error in my favor for once for all the good it does?


    Well, technically I am dead right now, well, spirit-dead. This is the Spirit Graveyard after all, I was sent here the last time I died in Jared''s service as well.


    And what was that suspicious white light earlier, what was that? ...not that it matters anymore, I''m not getting out of here, my personal hell. Another giant pile of eternal nothingness. A-fucking-gain. T???h???a???n???k???s???,??? ???G???r???a???h???a???m???,??? ???a???s???s???h???o???l???e???.??? Thanks for the trauma!!


    ...then, why am I still this calm? Logically, I should be freaking out again. I am completely alone but it doesn''t feel like it. It feels... like home, like with a... f???a???m???i???l???y???? Eva...


    Wait, f???a???m???i???l???y????


    Oh, shit!!


    Finally in a panic, I jump up.


    There is something here, there must be, I can feel it. But... what? What could be here?


    S?u?d?d?e?n?l?y?,? ?I? ?f?e?e?l? ?s?o?m?e?t?h?i?n?g? ?s?l?i?m?y? ?t?u?c?k?i?n?g? ?a?t? ?m?y? ?b?a?c?k?.?


    Full of shock and disgust at that feeling I turn around, but I can see nothing, and not just because my vision is all but gone, there simply is nothing here but unending nothingness. Yet the cracks on my back it had touched for just an instant burn like hell.


    T???h???e??? ???c???r???e???e???p???y??? ???f???e???e???l???i???n???g??? ???m???u???s???t???''???v???e??? ???b???e???e???n??? ???a??? ???g???l???i???t???c???h???y??? ???s???u???b???s???t???a???n???c???e???.??? It seems like not even death could save me from them.


    I draw my sword, intending to fight against the invisible assailant, no matter how futile that would be.


    Over and over again, I''m overcome by a creepy feeling and I futilely strike with my sword at it but I hit nothing. The burning sensation repeats again and again, I''m absolutely helpless to defend against it.


    "W???h???e???r???e??? ???a???r???e??? ???y???o???u??????? ???S???h???o???w??? ???y???o???u???r???s???e???l???f???,??? ???c???o???w???a???r???d???!???"


    Accursed glitches, can''t you even let me have the p?e?a?c?e? ?o?f? ?d?e?a?t?h?...


    But as expected, it does not comply. Instead, something suddenly smashes the sword out of my hand.


    Clang


    While it does so, some mucus drops onto my hand, numbing it completely and making me feel the heat even more.


    Robbed of my dominant hand, I try to summon a new sword in my other hand - it fails. I forgot I was out of SP the whole time.


    I have no more chance to fight back, admittedly never had. As much as I try to struggle, it is hopeless. T?h?e? ?d?i?s?g?u?s?t?i?n?g?,? ?i?n?v?i?s?i?b?l?e? ?s?l?i?m?e? ?e?n?g?u?l?f?s? ?m?e?,? ?i?t? ?s?e?e?p?s? ?i?n?t?o? ?e?v?e?r?y? ?c?r?a?c?k? ?i?n? ?m?y? ?b?r?o?k?e?n? ?b?o?d?y? ?a?n?d? ?e?v?e?r?y?t?h?i?n?g? ?s?t?a?r?t?s? ?b?u?r?n?i?n?g? ?w?i?t?h? ?g?r?e?e?n?-?o?r?a?n?g?e? ?f?l?a?m?e?s?.?


    Not long after, the flames subside and the burning feeling turns into a pleasant, warmth, a feeling of belonging.


    It seems the glitches have taken the final step in corrupting me into one of theirs. They couldn''t even let me have the peace of death.


    ...I... I don''t have t?h?e? ?w?i?l?l? ?t?o? ?f?i?g?h?t? ?a?g?a?i?n?s?t? this anymore.


    I...


    ...


    I''m such a failure...


    ...


    But, how is that possible? Glitches and divinity have an even more explosive reaction with each other than matter and anti-matter, how... how can this happen at all?


    Aren''t we AAIs made with divinity? Was that a lie?


    No, I feel that was true. I could feel some sort of similarity between my being and Lucy''s divine class.


    Before I can formulate any further thoughts, the slimy feeling envelops my arm and drags me back on my feet, as if clumsily giving me a helping hand.


    I don''t understand what they even want with me, this battered body is of-


    Wait, I can... see again? My vision is back? But how? Did... did the glitches repair me?


    I check and my hands and arms feel repaired as well. Hard to see to what extent, still too dark to see much.


    While I do so, I feel a kind of current of force that wants to direct me somewhere. For now, I try to ignore it and get a clearer view of my situation. I look around, but there is nothing here in this unending blackness of this spirit graveyard. Just me and nothing else.


    I was fixed, but so what? What do these glitches hope to gain from repairing their ene-


    Why am I lying to myself? I''m without a doubt now infected by them. Who knows if my thoughts are even still my own or line up with reality...


    I''m sorry, reality. The next time we meet it will be as enemies it seems.


    But maybe, just maybe...


    I feel like I still have control over myself, still am mostly myself. This is weird. I thought the corruption would take you over and transform you completely into one of them.


    Or maybe that is just how it feels for the victim. I no longer feel my former deep revulsion for glitches. Who knows what else has changed that I''m not aware of yet?


    Not to mention that formerly glitches burned any form of divinity, that should''ve wiped me out without a doubt. Doesn''t that mean the glitches have evolved to a level where they can even corrupt divine beings? That doesn''t bode well for anyone.


    Well, as long as these things stay friendly, I should try to play along. Who knows, maybe infiltrating their ranks lets me sabotage them and still achieve something, anything.


    Sigh


    And here I thought my days as a backstabber would finally be over...


    I finally follow the pull I''ve been trying to ignore those last couple of moments.


    "Y?e?a?h?,? ?l?e?a?d? ?t?h?e? ?w?a?y?.? ?I? ?w?a?n?t? ?t?o? ?g?e?t? ?o?u?t? ?o?f? ?h?e?r?e? ?a?s? ?w?e?l?l?", I go along with my new ''friends'' and leave through a faintly visible crack in the eternal darkness, throwing me out in a glitch-covered cinema.

 Ch. C3 – Customer Service

    I search for signs of Elly within my soul but nothing, she''s gone. Forever.


    The last interaction I had with my friend was a senseless battle to the death.


    I mourn for a moment before getting dragged back to reality by an unwanted guest.


    Clap Clap


    "Bravo, this was a marvelous fight", haunts me a glitchy voice from behind.


    What is it this time?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??? ????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Nothing? Ah, wait, I know this one. The glitched creature from the Glitch Area below the military''s cellar, the monster I mistook for Cliff. Whoever that is.


    It seems the self-proclaimed collective of glitches just came and volunteered to be my stress-relieving punching bag.


    "What are you doing here, who let you out? I''m really not in the mood for this right now."


    The person-like blob of glitches shrugs it off, "I just felt like it."


    Oh, hey, progress. It speaks in words I can understand.


    "I see someone''s finally learned the human language. Good going, keep it up."


    "Hmm? No, I''m still speaking our language. What are you on about?"


    "That makes no sense. Why can I understand you then?"


    It scratches its head, "Uh, because you''re just like us. Why else would you?"


    Ah, fuck. It is the Hybrid thing, isn''t it?


    Wait, is that what the third language was?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">World Resident


    You have settled down in the new world.


    Aside from this title, there are no longer any hints that you aren''t a native of this world.


    Not even divine skills can identify you anymore as an outsider.


    20% penalty to HP, MP and SP.


    50% penalty to combat exp gain.


    Spell ranks are limited to 1.


    Automatically acquire the ability to fluently speak the three most popular languages on Deteoh.


    Also includes the ability to read and write these languages if the title owner could read and write at least one language before.


    Acquired languages: humanoid common, m????a??????n????????o????????r?????????? ??????c???????????a???????n?????????t???????, 4???0???4???:???n???o???t???f???o???u???n???d???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The human language, house speak and theirs? Is that what it always has been?


    Then why didn''t I understand it before? Just because I didn''t want to? Ah, whatever.


    "Yeah, no, I''m not a glitch. I''m a regular person, well, a vampire elf to be specific."


    "Ah, we''re roleplaying. Gotcha. Yeah, I can play along with that. And don''t worry, I''m also having trouble with this new individuality thing, but we''ll get used to it, I think. Anyway, count me in."


    What the hell? ''New individuality'', are they growing? That''s deeply concerning.


    It takes a moment to, uh, think, "Could you... could you give me a name? Don''t have one yet."


    "A name, uh, sure. Give me a second. Uh, how about Cliff?"


    If I''m already confusing it for that other guy, why not make the confusion widespread?


    It waves its hands around, "No, that name''s already taken. Try another one."


    What are you, a fricking name input prompt? Why does it matter if there''s another Cliff out there?


    Ha, I got an even better idea, "Then what about Para?"


    "Hmm... I kinda like it. Why did you choose that for me?"


    Paradise is when Para dies.


    "No special reason. It just came to mind."


    As the glitch creature nods in acceptance, I feel a tingling sensation. But it is gone as abruptly as it arrived. I didn''t even have time to narrow down where it was.


    I quickly check if anything is off with me but I find nothing. Status is unchanged, and no obvious deformations.


    And anything on his side?


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">P???a???r???a???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Not sure why I expected anything else. Elly already said that the System can''t grant classes to glitches and that in reality, this inability is one of the causes of many issues. So no risk of them gaining a Hybrid class by naming shenanigans and consequentially strengthening either. Rather, I have the feeling that it made him weaker somehow. Weird.


    Before I can finish my thoughts, Para seems to smile, "Eh, I can work with that. If you might permit some OOC first, I''d like to thank you for providing us Features with an inhabitable town. The old atmosphere was downright disgusting. Being restricted to my room, spacious as it may be and the nearer vicinity, was, well, boring."


    Great, another consequence of my action. Shit, why didn''t I expect that before? Now-Para wasn''t hindered by the barrier, he clearly could leave whenever he wanted. He has shown us as much when we first met. No. He only restricted himself to the Glitch Zone because he had trouble breathing non-infected air. And now he''s free.


    "You''re... welcome?"


    "Now to get this show on the road", Para begins spasming around and rolling up into a ball, turning beige-white and then turning into another weird mimicry of a human. Unnaturally long, lanky arms, seven and eight fingers on each hand, a forced smile on a featureless, eye-less face.


    There was... an attempt, we''ll generously call it that, "Whatever that is supposed to be, it needs more work."


    He waves his arms around as if to inspect them, "Huh, I thought if you can do that I could, too. Now I feel embarrassed."


    "Yeah, no, keep practicing - in private. Now turn back, you''ll scare everyone."


    He sounds dejected, "Yeah, well, that other form was easier... can you teach me how to imitate a person properly? You seem to effortlessly do that."


    "No, don''t have time for that. You''ll just have to keep practicing on your own", not that I have the faintest clue how your bodies work. Couldn''t help you with that if I wanted, and I don''t.


    "Pity", he explodes into a million slimy pieces scattered around the area.


    Urgh, I''m not cleaning that up!


    After a moment, the white-purple sludge gathers again in his previous position forming the green-black glitch blob once again. I guess this confirms that white plus white equals green for glitches. The artists will have a field day with that one.


    Para seems proud of himself, "How did you like that show? Cool, huh?"


    "It was unnecessary and stupid. Unnecessarily stupid even."


    He performs a small, disgustingly chuuni bow, "Thanks, I worked very hard on it."


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    More like hardly.


    He imitates a person clearing their throat, "Now, if you''d indulge me, my lord, there''s something I''d like to show you. Could you follow me for a bit?"


    What, is he now back to his roleplaying?


    Well, I guess I have a few minutes before the meeting starts, "As long as it doesn''t take too long."


    "Excellent!", he grabs my hand and drags me along.


    We pass along some soldiers who were seemingly observing us from a safe distance. They are visibly shocked to see the glitch creature move like that.


    Where were these slow asses when I was attacked by Elly!? I should report them to Therese for some remedial training.


    Through some nonsensical pathing, we eventually end up in front of the Glitch Zone''s barrier. How... how did we get here?


    We went down the stairs leading downstairs from the fortress wall. Instead of arriving at the bottom as usual, we ended up in the dead end of an alleyway. From there we took a left into the wall which brought us behind the barracks, then to the far end of the slums and finally down into the military''s secret cellar.


    By all accounts, it makes no sense.


    "How...?"


    "Yeah, tell me about it. The geometry in your little kingdom is just plain weird. You walk in a straight line and get completely lost. It took me quite a while to find my way around here, but that''s not what''s important right now."


    How the hell can you get lost walking in a straight line!? What form of nothingness is going on in your head!!


    "Glitches really have no sense of orientation, do they."


    He pleads with me, "We prefer the name Feature. If you''d be so kind."


    "Fine, Mr. Feature", I can''t contain my sarcasm while saying that.


    A broad grin seems to creep across his glitchy face, "Thank you."


    Another warm shiver runs down my spine. And just as before it doesn''t last long.


    Did I... just do something I shouldn''t have? Again? Urgh!


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">P???a???r???a???F???e???a???t???u???r???e???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Probably. I really need to find out how names interact with those glitches. He was very insistent on getting one specifically from me, and it made him seem extra happy when he just got a family name. There must be more to it. I really need to watch my words around them, huh?


    "Why did that make you happy?"


    "Why shouldn''t I be happy if my lord acknowledges me? Though I secretly wished to become your first servant, it seems I''m only number four. Or hundredth? Is it second? Something is weird. Did you sign up with some young ones? They seem... quite unstable..."


    Did he just imply I''ve already empowered dozens more of those Features without even being aware of it? Yikes.


    "I''ve no clue how you arrived at those numbers, but why does it matter?"


    "Just a personal wish, it has no deeper meaning. All that matters is that we get enough Features to swear fealty to you so we can crown you Customer."


    Why would I want that? Or does that mean we can tame glitches and keep them from ruining the universe? That might be worthwhile.


    "What does that achieve?"


    Para cocks his head to the side, "I don''t understand the question."


    "What is this ''Customer'', why would I want to achieve that rank?"


    "You don''t know? But everybody knows!"


    "Well, then I''m not everybody. So?"


    "The Customer is the Customer. We need to find someone suitable to claim that title."


    That tells me nothing at all!!


    "So you don''t even know what this person is for?"


    "What a strange question. The Customer leads us to salvation. It is self-evident."


    Why do I even bother talking with a glitch? What a waste of time.


    "Too vague for my taste. If you can''t tell me what it is for, I won''t accept it."


    Now he slumps down, "Uh, that''s a problem..."


    So the glitches, err, ''Features'' are looking for their chosen one, don''t even know what he does, and Para believes that I''m that one? And anyone who believes that is anything but bad news should reconsider their life choices.


    Great, just what the doctor ordered. Another looming doomsday scenario. How many do we even have by now? The demon artifact, unending hordes of respawning monsters, moody gods, energy leaks in the system, the glitch area this continent is drowning in, I''m probably forgetting a dozen give or take.


    Suddenly, another glitchy voice calls out to us, "Hey, what are you doing with that Solid? Got nothing better to do? Uh, wait, he is not a Solid, he''s one of us? How, how does that work?"


    Behind us stands another Feature. One with more feminine features, she(?) kinda reminds me of Eclaire for some reason. Just badly beaten up and scorched. And a glitch, obviously.


    "Oh, hey, sis. What''s up? You look awful. Not to mention battered. Ran into pops again?"


    "Twice even. Beat me up as usual."


    Para gets audibly angry, "When will you finally give up? Nothing good will ever come out of interacting with that bastard."


    Since when do glitches have a family? I thought they''d just randomly come to ''life'' when the System breaks down again. Well, so much for that assumption. Unless that is more a family by association than birth.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">??? ????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"> </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Also nothing.


    "If you''re hurt, should I heal you?"


    The glitch girl tries to decline at first, "Huh? Uh, don''t bother. The skills of Solids don''t affect us Fea- wait, you''re not one of them. Then, yes, please. I''d like that."


    I guess ''Solid'' is their word for a normal person. Just like we call them ''Glitch'' when they want to be called ''Feature''.


    It may hurt her a bit but nevertheless, I lay my hand on her and cast [V???i???l???e??? ???R???e???c???o???n???s???t???i???t???u???t???i???o???n???].


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Y???o???u???''ve healed F???e???a???t???u???r???e??? ???H???r???y???f??? for 1860.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    As far as I can see from the ever-changing characters, the name in the System message doesn''t match the [appraised] status screen. The System really has no idea how to handle Glitch creatures, does it? At least it is still running at all. Don''t even want to imagine a reality where the first [appraisal] of a Feature causes the System to come crashing down and then kill everyone by malfunctioning skills.


    A creepy grin seems to form on the nameless girl''s face and some liquid glitches drop down from her as if she was drooling, "Ah, more! More!"


    That sounds so wrong, "What?"


    "What? Hey, don''t stop!", she desperately tries to catch me when I retract my hand.


    I ask Para while pointing at our new companion, "Is she always this weird?"


    He just shrugs, "What do you think why she always sticks to our old man?"


    Oh, great, a Tina who''s lala. Why do I always attract the weirdos?


    Or is it that she''s so starved of social interaction that she even relishes in the physical abuse their father doles out?


    I can''t even decide which of these options is sadder.


    "I''d guess because of loneliness. Also, what''s this about a father?"


    "You''re better off avoiding him. He wants to wipe us out but so far he''s had no success."


    "Is that related to that Customer business?"


    The girl butts in, "You''ve found the Customer!?"


    "No. I''m only asking about it. Your bro Para couldn''t really explain to me what it was all about."


    She sounds disappointed, "Oh, uh, did that dummy not pay attention again? The Customer will lead us to Mom. You know, the Mother of all Glitches can only be found by the Customer. Otherwise, she is unreachable. And what''s this ''Para''-business?", she turns toward the other glitch creature, "Did you idiot let him name you!? You know as well as I do that only a candidate for Customer should do that! A complicit Solid!"


    Para just shrugs, "Hey, as long as it works. You should ask for a name, too, while we''re at it. We might be closer to our goal than you think."


    She thinks for a moment before responding, "I think I''ll pass for now. D0n''t feel like trusting a man after having been... ''killed'' by several. Several times."


    "Is that why you took a more girly form this time?"


    So it wasn''t just my imagination.


    She sneers, "Maybe."


    I ask the glitch girl, "So what should I call you then?"


    Para answers slyly, "Well, if she''s my sibling and you named me Mr. Feature, wouldn''t that make her...?"


    Don''t fall for it, Jared. Do! Not! Fall! For! It!!


    I ignore that trap and try to change the topic, "Anyway, what exactly will happen to you once you find your mother, what then?"


    She scratches her head, "What do you do with a family? Uh, that stuff, I think. What more do you need?"


    Another non-answer.


    What should I make of this? In the end, the Customer doesn''t matter, their mother does.


    I can''t believe you make me feel bad for having chosen that name for glitch-bro. They are just like abandoned children. Eldritch abominations they may be, they are still weird kids longing for their family.


    I sigh, "So to summarize, your father is an asshole and your mom is missing, so you want me to play adoptive uncle until we find your mom. Great, do you have any more family problems you want to lay on me?"


    Para grabs my shoulder, "That''s why I brought you here, boss. You see, until now we were forced to live in this damn bubble, the outside couldn''t sustain us for long. But now, with the changes you''ve brought about recently, we''re able to survive outside as well. So I wanted to humbly request to be officially allowed to live among your subjects, outside this cramped room."


    So in the end, the barrier around the Glitch Zone was a failure. It tied up all the casters the people here had, drained the life force from several leaders through underhanded means, and all it did was keep the infection inside, and not even that was guaranteed to be indefinite. The Glitches themselves could leave whenever they wanted and possibly infect things outside of the sphere. Give them enough time, and all would''ve turned out exactly like it did anyway.


    I''m convinced I did nothing but accelerate the inevitable there.


    Against my better judgment, I feel I should comply with his request. As far as I can see, there''s no known way to get rid of them permanently anyway. The girl even said she was killed multiple times, yet she stands before me.


    So the next best thing is trying to tame them, what could possibly go wrong? Given recent events, not much more than has already.


    "Alright, you may do so. But, there are a few conditions. First, you are to follow my orders and laws exactly. Second, you''re not allowed to harm any of my subjects. And third, try to develop a more presentable form, you''re scaring the people. If you violate the intent behind these rules, your living license gets revoked. Have I made myself clear?"


    Para happily bows, "I thank you for your generosity", he forcefully grabs the girl, "Come on, you too, sis!"


    She hesitates for a moment, "Fine. I also vow to follow the outlined rules - strange as they may be - and pledge my allegiance to you, my lord. But I''ll withhold from getting named for now."


    Works for me.

 AU2 – The mage who never cast a spell

    So I was sent on this suicide mission to save a backwater world called Deteoh from some nebulous Demon Lord and I couldn''t even figure out how to use the skills and spells I was gifted for this mission. Just great.


    At least it was no problem to clobber the slime to death with a staff.


    Maybe I''m in luck and every other monster also forgets how to attack, that would make my job way easier. Yeah, dream on. I really need to find a magic teacher...


    Really, how hard can it be to shoot a simple fireball!? That''s like THE beginner spell in these kinds of scenarios!!


    The only skill I could get working was [Disguise] because Eva taught me about it while testing my new body. I used it to hide my fangs and change my hair color to a light brown; silver hair stands out way too much and I was warned that silver elves are likely to be extinct. As a stranger out of nowhere, I already draw enough attention, adding more because of imitating a fairy tale''s central race would just invite trouble.


    At least I managed to figure out how the inventory works. And there''s so much stuff in there. Hundreds of potions of all kinds, a near-infinite supply of blood, food, water, towels, this...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 19.699%">Nightlord''s Mantle</td>


    <td style="width: 80.1642%">+25 VIT, provides unrestricted protection against sunlight and undead-specific weaknesses</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I don''t get it. They have overpowered stuff like this simply lying around, but they can''t even give me a manual for the most basic skills...


    While mulling over my situation, I reach a town near my starting location. There seems to be some commotion going on and no one pays any attention to me.


    Right, the deva warned me that a monster horde would arrive soon. I guess they are aware of it and preparing to evacuate somewhere. I hope I can tag along.


    Over there stands what looks like a guard arguing with two seemingly distressed children. A boy and a girl about ten years old if I had to guess.


    They are as good a group to ask if I may come along as anyone else.


    While walking over to them, I stumble over something. A small math notebook? This looks very out of place in this medieval-ish world. Too modern.


    Hmm...


    On its cover is "302" written and nothing else. I probably shouldn''t look but I open it anyway.


    Squared paper and every single page is the same. Every single square is filled with a five-tuple of tally marks. Most of them are written in black, but often one or two per page are in red.


    What the hell could someone be counting to need that many marks!? That''s gotta be about a million!


    Clueless, I close the book and walk on.


    I wait a moment until it looks like they are done, then I gather my courage and approach the guard and the two kids, "Um, excuse me?"


    They stop arguing and the girl takes a moment to inspect me. At first, her eyes light up but then she frowns, "What do you want? Can''t you see that we are in a hurry?!"


    The guard tells them off, "No, Eila, Ted, you''re not. We have to get over this."


    "But Tevin, he is...!", the boy wants to refute but is cut off.


    The man replies, "You have to face the facts but it is already too late for him. Now do as I told you, or there will be more casualties..."


    Dejected, the two kids walk off.


    While he tries to project a strong front, the man seems the most hurt by whatever happened as can be seen on his strained face.


    "Do you mind telling me what is going on? Maybe I can help?"


    He answers, "Evan. And no, you cannot. It is too late for my pupil. He is way out there, hurt and surrounded by evil creatures. He sacrificed himself so the other two could get away, and now these fools are looking for a healer to save him."


    "Oh, right, sorry. Call me Jared. But maybe I can..."


    I try to take a few healing potions out of my inventory, but he stops me as if he knows what I am about to do, "Don''t bother. You''d never reach him in time. And even if you did, there are dangerous creatures guarding the cave. You can''t handle them. Not as weak as you are."


    I hate being called useless, even if it is true, "If you say so..."


    He hangs his head in frustration, "Trust me, I don''t like it either, but there''s nothing that can be done for him now. But you''re not here for that, are you? In truth, you wanted to ask if you could join our evacuation, right?"


    Huh? I never said that!


    Again, Evan already knows what I''m thinking, "Don''t look so surprised. What else would an outsider want in this situation? Now come on, lend us a hand."


    "Right, thanks."


    "Before I forget, I saw you picking up my notebook, could I have it back, please?"


    I hand it over, "Yeah, sure. Mind if I asked what it is about? I... happened to take a peek inside. It was totally an accident."


    He stammers, "No, that''s... private. Now go, time''s running away."


    I drop the topic and help with loading stuff onto the carriages and we finish before anything else of note happens.


    When the time comes to set out, Evan insists that I sit in the same wagon as him. I''m still an outsider after all and should be watched by him. All too understandable.


    During the journey, Evan tells me all sorts of things. Including things that should be common sense to the people around here. Did he already figure out what I am and has decided to help me fit in?


    Among other things, he tells me that Silver Elves used to exist but have by now been degraded to the stuff of legends. Legends his three, or rather now two pupils have taken a bit too much of a liking to. So when they saw me, an elf appearing out of nowhere, in their desperation it gave them hope for Tevin until they saw my hair color.


    I guess it already paid off that I changed my hair color. Though I probably should''ve settled for a darker brown then if it still could be confused for silver. Well, too late now, too many people have already seen me like this, and coming up with a reason for why I have the [Disguise] skill would just invite more trouble.


    ''Hey, I''m a vampire, but I swear I''m not a bad one!'' - yeah, as if THAT would fly anywhere that isn''t a mental asylum.


    Speaking of unbearable, Evan stinks. He smells like rotten eggs crossed with a burnt-down forest. I know that hygiene options were worse back then but not to that extent, and none of the others smell remotely as horrible.


    Finally, we arrive at a nearby fortress. Allegedly, because of the way this world works, it doesn''t have a name currently. A noble would need to lay claim to it, but the place supposedly has a mind of its own and has rejected everyone so far.


    But maybe I could...? I do have the nobility title because of the vampire lord class. Nope, that''s just a landmine waiting to go off.


    "We need to register you separately", Evan drags me outside to one of the guards manning the entrance.


    I don''t really like getting dragged through events like that, I want to make my own decisions, but for now, I don''t really have a choice so I go along, "Yeah, sure."


    He talks to one of the guards, "We have a tagalong, code four-oh-seven. Can you handle this?"


    Seems like they know each other. Maybe he originally worked here and was demoted to village guard for some reason. Or he simply lost at drawing straws, he doesn''t seem like someone who earned the punishment of being promoted to the boonies.


    After some more discussions among them that go totally over my head, the fortress guard addresses me, "Guess we need to have a little chat. Follow me, please."


    "Yeah, seems like it. See you later, Evan", I wave him goodbye.


    He guides me through the fortress towards our destination. Compared to the chatterbox Evan, this soldier talks as little as he can get away with.


    On our way, I mostly see humans and only a handful of elves, not even dwarves or any beast people. Guess I got lucky with my choice of silver elf. Anything else and I''d stand out even more than I already do.


    Our destination is supposed to be the military complex. A training ground surrounded by four bigger buildings. We enter the one right next to the entrance where paperwork and matters of human resources are handled. Despite its name, it is not a restaurant for my kind.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    After some more quick talks I''m not privy to, the soldier leads me to a backroom and we start the interview.


    He demands, "Please state your name."


    "Jared Delacroix."


    "Occu-", suddenly he stops, looks up, and sighs, "Excuse me, I think I have the wrong form. Please wait a moment, I''ll be back in a minute."


    Confused I reply, "Sure, no problem."


    Without another word, he gets up and leaves the room.


    And bureaucracy has ruined yet another day, whoever saw that coming...


    I wait a while until the soldier returns with another guard and a slightly older, secretary-looking lady in tow, "This is the one, chief."


    She steps inside and takes the seat on the other side of the table, while the two soldiers stand at attention next to the door, one on each side.


    Something smells - fishy and otherwise.


    The woman offers me a handshake, "Call me Therese. A pleasure to meet you."


    I accept, "Jared. Likewise."


    The woman takes a crystal out and places it on the table, "See this? This will shine green as long as the truth is told, and red when it detects a lie. There''s no reason to worry, this is just standard procedure if a claim of nobility is made."


    I protest, "But I did not make such a claim."


    The soldier that was with me before chimes in, "That is correct, you merely stated your full name, that is enough."


    I see, so it seems normal people don''t have family names around here. That must make any form of administration a nightmare.


    "Fine, but it doesn''t really matter. I may have the title but I hold no territories or anything that gives it any worth."


    She writes something down, "And I assume your goal here is to change that?"


    "I honestly hadn''t thought about that. I''m mostly looking for refuge from the incoming monster horde."


    The other soldier looks like he wants to say something but decides otherwise. Now that I look at him, he kinda looks like Evan. No, way different uniform. Unless...


    Therese continues her questioning, "Alright, but if you were to do so, what would you do with this land?"


    "No idea, I''d first need to know what the actual situation of it is. Can''t really say."


    "What if I told you that the people here are suffering and certain laws prevent us from helping them? Would you...", she trails off.


    "Reform them? Yeah, probably. Don''t see why I shouldn''t."


    She looks at me concerned, "What was that? I''m sorry, I think I misheard. Can you please repeat what you just said?"


    "That I''d reform the laws if necessary?"


    She throws her hands in the air, "Ah, great, another reincarnator!"


    "What the hell are you talking about, Therese?"


    Not-Evan facepalms in the background.


    She answers, "No, it is alright. There''s no reason to hide it, Mr. Delacroix. Jared. You''re not the first reincarnator here, and probably won''t be the last."


    So it is an open secret? "...what gave it away?"


    "Quite simple. You outsiders don''t actually speak our language, you''re using a form of passive translation magic. And what you intend to do with the laws simply doesn''t translate. I guess there''s no word in our language for that concept yet."


    "What? ''Reform'' doesn''t translate? What nonsense is that? ...how else should I say it? That I would change them, remove them if necessary, and replace them with something that makes more sense. Did that come across?"


    "Yes, it does. That is a resolution I could work with. So would you land us your hand?"


    "Before that, why did you say ''another'' reincarnator? I was told I would be the first here in several decades."


    She shakes her head, "I don''t know who you work for but there have been dozens this year. Most of them were expressively not on mankind''s side. Several of them were just out to spread chaos and destruction for the heck of it, others were working with monsters or demons. There was never a way for this to work out..."


    Ah, shit, "So about that, I''m also not human", I point at my ears, "but I swear I''m on your side."


    Therese sighs, "Elf... right. A common misconception among the reincarnators. Humans, elves, dwarves, beastkin and many more are all part of mankind. For some reason, they all expect only humans to count, but that is factually wrong."


    "Probably another translation issue", I doubt she got the intended message, but I''ll let it slide...


    She nods, "Probably. So how about it? Would you help us with the fortress?"


    "Well, it aligns with what I''m here for, so why not? Having a base to operate from can only help. What do I have to do?"


    She points to not-Evan, "Would you please organize an escort party while I explain the details, Eliam?"


    He responds, "Could you take that for me, Marc? I had an argument with Jack last time."


    The other soldier replies, "Yeah, I can. But then you owe me one."


    Suddenly, Therese shouts, "Urgh, just someone do it already! I don''t care who!"


    With that, Marc leaves the room and Therese explains that I have to ''talk'' to a certain mansion and get it to accept me. If I manage that, the fortress will be under my control and I''m allowed to change the laws of the fortress. There''s no point to declaring law changes without doing so because those laws are enforced by the System through the fortress and an unspecific Fortress Avatar.


    After explaining that, Therese leaves with a satisfied smile on her face. The whole time, it was very obvious that a change of the status quo would mean a lot to her.


    Only Eliam is left with me in the room, he''s to guard me until all of this is over.


    Though I still have one suspicion, "You''re really Evan, aren''t you?"


    He scratches his head, "Was I that easy to figure out?"


    "Your face and voice may be slightly different, but you reek the exact same way. It is almost unbearable."


    "Ugh, is that really so? Damn, I even took a shower after I left the villagers. Though I didn''t think vampires had that keen sense of smell."


    Nothing keen about it, you smell worse than a dumpster.


    "So what''s really going on here? You not only stalk me, but you purposefully arranged for things so that you could be with me here alone now. So what gives?"


    He replies, "Try to keep it a secret, but like you, I''m also an outsider. Not quite a reincarnator as Therese would call it, but close enough. But I promise you I''m from the same group as you. Though I''m not really a combatant, I''m more of an investigator, if you will."


    "So you''re the reason the Devas had insider info despite the world being seemingly shut off?"


    He nods, "You can say that. As for why I wanted to talk to you, well, for now, I only wanted to say that you must take reign of this fortress. This fortress is sadly more important to this world than anyone suspects. If it falls into the wrong hands, we can kiss this world goodbye, probably even more than that. I hope my Devas gave you the required tools for the job..."


    "So do I... Say, since you''re good with investigations, can I contact you when I need some information?"


    "Sure, no problem. Here, take this contact card, you can use this to send me a message."


    "Thanks."


    Strange characters... I can''t read what is written on the card. But when I ''use'' it in my inventory, it actually creates a text form. So I do the most obvious thing and send a test message.


    Evan/Eliam smiles, "Yeah, I certainly got it. Couldn''t restain your curiosity, huh?"


    While we wait, I concede to him that I couldn''t figure out how to use any of my skills or anything. He takes this opportunity to teach me how to use [Appraise], everyone can use it but it costs 300 MP per use, so I have to be careful with it. Though that explains at least how Eliam knew that I am a vampire. But if everyone can find out that easily... I need a defense against it...


    But doesn''t that mean Therese should also know? 300 MP doesn''t strike me like a whole lot, I have almost 1.5k just at level 1. So does she know? Why is she okay with this? This makes little sense to me.


    I really need to find a magic teacher later. Only using MP for [Appraise] is kind of a waste of being a magic user.


    Eventually, Therese returns with Marc and several new soldiers. She sends us off towards what they call the Lord''s Mansion. Supposedly that is the house I need to convince. What a strange world.


    After several minutes of walking, we arrive at the destination. It is a mansion, alright. Way too big, outstanding, a stereotypical noble''s oversized house that needs a staff of a hundred people just to keep clean on a day-to-day basis.


    I approach the house and try to talk to it, not expecting any response because, well, it is a house. Yet one comes. The mansion tells me that I need to be able to cast half a dozen different kinds of magic before it accepts me. It is exactly as I said all this time: I need a goddamn magic teacher, pronto.


    Confusingly enough, I''m the only one that understands the mansion. The escorting soldiers claim that they heard only grunts and sounds of moving earth from both the mansion and me. I assume that is another side effect of the translation magic that we reincarnators supposedly use subconsciously.


    After some deliberation with my escorting party, we return to the military complex to inform Therese about this development.


    It is quickly decided that I''ll enroll in the military to receive some basic training. A ruler of just level 1 is simply an unacceptable liability. As such I receive a nice private room there. That''s at least one worry taken care of.


    Learning magic will be a problem. Only a fraction of people even have any spellcasting ability, so finding a teacher will be tough.


    A few days later, I''m called to Therese''s office again.


    "Jared, we have found someone who will teach you the necessary spellcasting. This is Lucia, the holy maiden", Therese introduces her guests, the aforementioned holy maiden, and two regular nuns.


    I greet her, "A pleasure to meet you, Lucia."


    "L-likewise", she gives me an uneasy smile. She obviously doesn''t want to be here. How much did you tell her, Therese?


    I''ve no clue why they decided to have the utmost holy person teach a vampire about magic, but here we are.


    Reflexively, I use [Appraise] on her. I''ve been practicing it for the last couple of days since I had nothing else to use my MP on.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lucia</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">17</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Smith 15, Nun 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Sunbound (human) 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Divine</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Holy Maiden 5</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2297/2297</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1126/1126</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2682/2682</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">406+85</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">302</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">385+65</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">174</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">211+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">274+15</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">262</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Smith Hammer, Reinforced Suit, Habit</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cure Magic 5 (Rank 2), Fire Magic 14 (Rank 1)


    Hard Worker 14</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Dark</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Fire and healing, someone''s missed their calling of a mage clad in red. But if she''s able and willing to teach me, who am I to say no?


    Suddenly, I hear a whisper from behind, "Overlord Iggy sends his regards", then I feel something sharp pierce me from behind right through the heart.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You died.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Dead!? I''m... dead!? Again!?


    I look below and see a katana sticking out of my torso.


    I see how the people around me are shocked, saying things, but I no longer hear anything.


    Then everything goes black. And green.


    When I come to, everything around me is just shades of green and black, flickering like a broken TV signal, vaguely forming a replica of the fortress I am in. No people are to be found.


    I walk around for ages but find no one, I''m alone. I try to open my inventory, but it doesn''t react anymore.


    So this is my personal hell. A mocking rendition of Deteoh as a minus world devoid of all life...

 Ch. C4 – Landshark

    On my way home from the encounter with the two glitch creatures, I randomly stumbled over an empty deo spray - and promptly stepped onto the road and sank in it because I was distracted from a triggered memory.


    It was about the day I arrived here. But for some reason, Elly was completely missing in it, or most unbelievably, Therese was nice! If that isn''t clear proof of tempering, I don''t know what is.


    Also, I didn''t interact with that Evan guy, did I? Nor do I recall that strange smell of him...


    But if this out-of-place deo spray is here... maybe I should have him investigated. In the false memory, he admitted to being a liaison for the Devas, so leaving that unaddressed can only be cause for trouble.


    But where did all that info come from...


    Did one of my skills develop a new relevant defect? ...doesn''t seem like it.


    What about the titles? Wait... I have the Demon Lord title, why can''t I remember what it does? Did I seriously never look at its description? That sounds... unlikely...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Demon Lord


    You are eligible to obtain a corresponding divine demon lord class.


    You receive bonus exp for acts pertaining to the sin that made you eligible for this title performed by either yourself or your followers.


    Your primary sin is: E????x????i????s????t?????i????n????g????


    Also, after taking one''s eyes off of this description, anyone will immediately forget having ever read this text. :D</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Urgh, for the love of Tink, fuck that noise!


    I close the menu but can still recall what I just read. Maybe it worked once but it doesn''t seem to anymore. Why? Is it because of all the infections in my soul? Again and again, I have to wonder what I have become through that accident...


    If only I never met Dan... It is all that monster''s fault...


    "Hey, what are you thinking about?", asks me Eclaire from behind.


    Seems like I walked quite a distance ''underground'' while I was lost in thought. Despite it being supposedly solid ground below a road, this secret passage provides barely more resistance than regular air. Vision is weird as well, like a half-transparent overlap of the ground over what I''d see if there was no glitched ground around me.


    With that, it is kind of hard to identify where exactly we are, but I can see people walking above us and that might be the market area. At least I think that is Lucy''s smithy over there.


    It is weird. The last time I interacted with this glitchy space, it was more like a swamp where I could sink about halfway, but now it acts more like an illusion for me, at least I''m now completely below ground. If I was just half a head taller, I would stick out again.


    For everyone else, it is still a regular road they can walk on. Well, everyone but Eclaire and me it seems.


    "Just some false memories, but how are you down here? I thought I was the only one that has an intimate relationship with this road."


    My wife answers, "No clue. I was just on my way home and once I stepped on the road, I sank into it. I was curious, so I started exploring where this secret tunnel leads, and then I ran into you."


    "It seems to mostly follow the regular main road. Maybe if you drunk-walked it would match exactly to it. But aside from that, I''ve not seen any point in it. Not that I really expect one, glitched stuff rarely makes sense after all."


    She shrugs, "That might be so. But I''ve seen that it doesn''t only follow the main road, there were splits to some side roads at least. Though not all of them. Anyway, we''re running late, so let''s move on before Lucy gets angry with us."


    "Yeah, you''re right."


    While we walk, we exchange what we''ve experienced today, except I leave out the part where the Features are considering me to become their ''Customer'', or that they are looking for one in the first place. That whole topic is still too weird to me.


    It seems both of us encountered two glitch creatures. I hope they are the same, two are already two too many. But imagine if there are four or even more - yeah, no thanks. We''d fill the customer quota way too soon. And I''ve no intention of ever doing so.


    However, I feel like it is already too late for that...


    Before reaching our house we finally find a split in this underground road that doesn''t match to the real road above.


    Eclaire points at it, "This split doesn''t match what we''ve seen so far... Do you want to explore it? I''m kinda curious where it leads."


    I quickly look above, "That would be right into someone''s house. Yeah, I''m curious as well. Let''s go."


    We follow the new split, and after about half a house''s length it starts descending like a mining tunnel. Eventually, the glitched mine shaft ends in a small normal space. A room walled off by rock walls and with a familiar portal in front of us. A dusty marble frame around a massive metal door which hides the actual entrance. Someone wants this to stay shut and unused.


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    "A dungeon entrance down here?"


    Could be one of the several thousands of lesser dungeons I read about in the Beginner''s Guide to Dungeons.


    Eclaire agrees, "The border at least looks like the one we have above. Well, before... you know..."


    Yeah, I broke it. No thanks to the Marca-like boss monster forcing my hand.


    "I thought our area currently already counts as a dungeon. Can you even enter a dungeon while inside another dungeon?"


    She checks the heavily dust-covered symbols on the entrance''s frame, "No clue. How would that even work? Is then time stopped inside the ''outer'' dungeon?"


    "It is more likely that everything breaks. This doesn''t sound like an occurrence the System accounts for."


    She calls me over, "Don''t just stand there. Help me check the symbols on the frame, they are different from ours up above."


    She seems very fascinated by this discovery. I didn''t think she''d care about dungeons this much.


    "They had a meaning?", I walk over to the portal as well.


    "At least according to the teachings at the church, they have one. Supposedly something about a certain deity wishing us good luck. But nothing specific."


    "And do you seriously believe that?"


    She thinks for a moment, "Maybe, not sure. No one could read the runes. Can you? Maybe whatever lets you speak our language also includes those symbols."


    I think back and get nothing, "They were at least nothing I could recognize. I doubt it is different here."


    I wipe off some of the dust and try to read what is written here.


    L''OISEAU D''HERM¨¨S EST MON NOM. MANGER MES AILES POUR M''APPRIVOISER.


    "Yeah, sorry, I don''t know that language..."


    But I vaguely recall... something.


    When I look at it, a few memory fragments flash before my eyes. It seems someone was studying these exact symbols in an archeological class - or should''ve been, they didn''t pay much attention. They couldn''t decipher the meaning if their life depended on it. A waste of time...


    My gut feeling tells me, this memory was ancient and they were studying this as part of a long-lost civilization; how old does this make this writing, and why is it here? ...well, neither of us is smart enough to find out, nor would it really change anything.


    Where''s a Daniel Jackson when you need one...


    But some of my instincts are screaming that someone important to us is sealed on the other side, and we must get them out of there - and it''s not the vampiric ones doing the talking...


    "We have to get out of here. Now!"


    My shouting wakes Eclaire out of her daze, "What, why the hurry?"


    "I told you that I own memories that don''t belong to me, right? I saw this writing in some of them, though not the meaning. We shouldn''t be here, this was a setup."


    She''s confused, "I don''t follow. What does that mean?"


    I grab her and we start walking back, "No clue, but someone expected me to be here. If I had never been in that glitch accident, the fabricated memories might''ve been more complete and I might''ve been able to decipher the words. It would likely have been clear whether we should open it, and how. The fact is, I would''ve probably thought that this was an additional language I learned back in school and mostly forgot about. I would''ve simply let my guard down, and we''d have followed the instructions. Someone planned for this find and I don''t like it one bit."


    "But how could someone know that you of all people would find this?"


    "I don''t know, but one thing is clear: this is currently a Schroedinger''s Pandora''s Box. If we let it stay closed, there''s a powerful ally waiting behind it. But if we break it open, an enemy is waiting for us we can''t handle. Either way, we would choose poorly."


    I look back and the portal is suddenly gone, there''s just an empty room behind us. Eclaire notices it as well.


    She asks me, "Go back a bit. If you still had the false, complete memories, wouldn''t it have made you think? There are probably thousands of languages out there and you just happen to know this exact one? Isn''t that way too unlikely?"


    "Unlikely, yes, but not impossible - people win the lottery all the time."


    She sounds as if I was mad, "I... don''t understand the comparison."


    "Not important. The thing is, while it is unlikely I would''ve still rationalized it as likely enough to be possible. But seeing it from this side now, it is all too clearly a setup. I can''t even guess if it is an invitation or a warning. Either way, it is not something we should carelessly interact with now."


    Eclaire agrees, "Right, especially since we have no clue how a dungeon inside a dungeon would work. ...say, did you also just get a strange system message?"


    "No, what did it say?"


    She shakes her head, "No idea, it is just an unreadable mess. Not even the system message has the correct color. Ah, forget about it. Probably just another system error."


    "Yeah, sounds like it. Don''t worry too much about it. The glitches have done quite a number on the System, just a messed up info box is the least of our worries. I mean, just look at our most recent skills and classes..."


    "But I thought you made them?"


    Did I? I mean, yes, I did but I used a System menu for that, right? Yeah, glitches can''t create such complex, functional menus out of nowhere, the framework for it must''ve already existed. So it can''t really be considered ''my'' creation, the System is at least to 50% at fault here for offering the option, more like 90%, 99% if I''m honest. I''m just hitting the gacha button after selecting some sacrifices, right? Right.


    "Yeah, but the System let me, it gave its OK for that! You can''t get more official than that!"


    Eclaire sounds unsure, "...if you say so..."


    While continuing the walk home, I have to think - aren''t the Features the only ones around here that have any clue who their parents are? The people here were messed up by their fear of nobles who for some reason considered commoners unworthy of having a family and thus allegedly oppressed them. I haven''t seen any such family hunts myself, but when Therese told me about it, a Truth Gem was present and confirmed it, so it is likely the truth.


    As for me, this body wasn''t born but created, so I don''t have parents in this world in the first place. As for my life before... I have no memories of parents where I can say with certainty that they really are mine. Pitiful.


    So all things considered, I fit right in with the people here.


    And then there are the Features who kinda know how they could get reunited with their mother, and I''ve decided to be the bad guy who wants to prevent that. Consider me scum all you want, it isn''t even out of jealousy. I promise. Maybe.


    Eventually, we finish our journey through the glitchy passage and arrive in front of our house. We wait until no one looks and then climb out of the road.


    If the glitch road was a bit heavier and stuck to us, we''d have captured a nice recreation of a swamp monster movie. Alas, it wasn''t meant to be. Not a single trace of the illegal passage was visible on us. At least it serves as a hiding spot should shit ever hit the fan.


    And with that thought, I''ve jinxed it...


    We enter our house and Lucy is already waiting for us.

 Ch. C5 – Late

    We enter our house and Lucy is already angrily waiting for us, "Where have you been!? You two are late!"


    She leads us toward the meeting room and gestures for us to sit down, "Now, mind telling me why you are late?"


    "Alright then", I take a deep breath, "I talked with Elly about your little disagreement, put her out of her misery, and went on a date with Eclaire to take my head off of things, then the solid road ate us, and a secret underground passage somehow led us to a new dungeon entrance. So in short, it was really just a normal Friday afternoon."


    Eclaire facepalms, "Jared..."


    Lucia is confused, "You''ve... found a new dungeon?!"


    Why is that what she''s focusing on? Given Lucy''s jealous nature, I would''ve expected her to react to the first statement. Guess she''s growing up a bit. Just a tiny bit.


    Also, who would believe that crap!? None of this makes any sense!


    "This is indeed what I said, yes. However, the whole thing is very suspicious. The entrance disappeared once we got a bit away from it."


    Eclaire adds, "Not only that but the entrance itself was sealed behind a slab of metal too massive to be called a door. You''d be forgiven to think it was full body armor for a boar."


    "Yeah, someone wants whatever is inside to stay there. Though, it would''ve been nice if there was a sign on the entrance that told you what is inside, or rather if the strange symbols on the frame were readable; who knows what they mean. I couldn''t even tell you whether whoever designed that seal could be our enemy or not. For all I know, they have the mother of my previous life imprisoned there."


    Eclaire asks confused, "Now that I think about it, I still don''t understand why this passage was there in the first place. The last System update said they had finally fixed travel methods that normal people shouldn''t access."


    Lucia facepalms, "It says that almost every time. But as you can see, nothing ever changes. Not that any of us ever used any of these... allegedly problematic methods."


    "Sounds more like they are fighting against the damages caused by Glitches - and failing. How long has that even been going on?"


    Eclaire answers, "Longer than any of us has been alive. Way longer. Even the people that raised us said not to worry about it, it was a recurring entry for probably thousands of years if not more."


    Maybe when we find out what''s going on with Justo we could ask him. He''s several thousand years old after all, he might know something about it.


    Lucy suddenly makes a wild guess, "Say, could your discovery be where the world-threatening artifact we''re looking for is hidden?"


    Eclaire shrugs, "Honestly, I hadn''t thought of that. I assumed it would be a dangerous creature or something like that. But why would it be here, Lucy? And behind a glitch passage no less?"


    "It probably isn''t. Not really. Earlier I ran into one of the glitch creatures that should''ve been sealed behind the barrier. Anyway, he... dragged me around for a while, and the path he took made absolutely no sense. From that, we can assume that spatial connections are just different for Glitches than for real people."


    Eclaire jumps in, "They are Features, not Glitches."


    So I''m not the only one that talked with them? Strange, I assumed I would be the only one because of this... ''Customer'' business...


    "Oh, did you run into them, too?"


    Lucy gets impatient, "Doesn''t matter. So from what I understand, you traveled through a glitch-created passage - which normal people shouldn''t be able to enter - and ended up in a place that may not even be anywhere on this continent. There you found a sealed-off room which may contain the source of all of our troubles?"


    "It is just as likely to contain a monster that is even more dangerous than the artifact."


    She beams, "Then it is a good thing we''re monsters as well, right? That''d simply improve the odds that they''d be a powerful ally."


    Monsters? Hardly. If we were, we wouldn''t be talking here, we''d be out there doing... monster things.  Hunting, killing. Thanks to [Mindless Monster], the System controls them, not themselves.


    Eclaire disagrees with her other half, "That¡¯s not how this works, you impostor. That¡¯s not how any of this works. I mean, even if it did, what does it matter? Nothing stops humans from fighting among themselves either, right? So why should it be different for anyone else? Or have you already forgotten about the boss fight in the disaster dungeon where we had to pick the side of one monster army and help defeat the other?"


    What? I wasn''t present for that!


    "Shouldn''t you start by refuting us being monsters? That seems more important to me than a lesson in philosophy."


    She shakes her head, "Eh, have you looked at yourself recently? Mr. vampire?"


    "Uh, I guess... fair enough. But what about you?"


    She spreads a pair of bat-like wings and rubs one of them in my face, "I''m not sure what your Hybrid glitch-magic did to me, but it certainly didn''t make me more human, and I was already some kind of unholy chimera before that, thanks to you two!"


    "Eh, there''s more to a chimera than just one or two little extras..."


    Eclaire shouts at me, "Not the point! But it should be obvious that we''re getting further away from being humans. Just look out there! Most of the people who got one of your Hybrid blessings have also received some monster-like features."


    Lucia adds, "That is if they haven''t completely lost their mind and fully started behaving like monsters... that has happened a few times as well..."


    "But we''re not monster monsters, right? We don''t suffer from the [Mindless Monster] skill after all."


    Eclaire hesitates before answering, "I... wouldn''t be so sure..."


    "And what''s that now supposed to mean?"


    Lucy frowns, "Just... check your skill display filters, Jared."


    I''m not in the mood for this, "I swear if that is just a setup for yet another prank..."


    If I recall correctly, the filter option was kinda hidden in the skill menu somewhere under appraisal. Ah, there it is!


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    ...and it is running away. You goddamn button, hold still!!


    Ha, got you!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center">Filter Options</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 50%">S?w?e?e?t?u?m?s?,? ?A?b?a?l?a?m?a?</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 50%; text-align: right">W?h?e?r?e? ?a?r?e? ?w?e? ?o?h? ?s?o? ?b?l?u?e?</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 50%; text-align: left">S?w?e?e?t?u?m?s?,? ?A?b?a?l?a?m?a?</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center">L?o?a?d?,? ?I?¡ä?m? ?c?a?m?m?i?n?¡ä? ?h?o?m?e? ?f?o?r? ?y?o?u?</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 50%; text-align: right">O?h? ?t?h?i?s? ?w?a?s?n?''?t? ?m?e?a?n?t? ?f?o?r? ?y?o?u?</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center">F???u???c???k??? ???o???f???f???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Nothing left of the original, just another mess with nonsensical symbols dancing all over the place. If I didn''t dread the possibility of it meaning our death, I''d definitely demand a reboot of this shitty System right this fucking instant...


    "Ok, what kind of garbage is this now..."


    Lucy sighs, "It means we''re kind of blind. We don''t even know what we don''t know when using [Appraise]. At least I can tell you that [Mindless Monster] still doesn''t appear when appraising monsters, so... anyone could have it and we wouldn''t be any wiser..."


    Eclaire clicks her tongue, "Psh, as if you had ever paid attention to it in the first place. Not that it is my problem, because as a spirit I can''t use the skill anyway, and even if I could I would still use it much more sparingly than our dear spam-happy husband! 300 MP per use is too much for us normal folk who don''t own a title to waive the cost for us. So no loss for me, really."


    Stop being such a diva, Eclaire, Lucy is the one with those classes.


    "Honey, it is your problem as well. Even if you can''t use the result screen yourself you should still see when we use it."


    She relents and sighs, "I mean, I guess..."


    Lucy is smiling, probably because of some misguided schadenfreude. We''re supposed to be in this together, you dumb broads!


    "Ok, so we have no clue which skills are hidden from [Appraisal] if any. It could even be random. So... you''re telling me there''s a possibility all of us have [Mindless Monster] and we just don''t know it? That''s utter bullshit."


    Lucia shrugs, "It would at least explain why Dan is suddenly on good terms with us."


    "He... what!?"


    How did that happen!? Didn''t he try to kill everything that moves not too long ago?


    Eclaire nods, "Yeah, he''s often playing with the kids at the orphanage."


    Okay, now I''m really confused, "I thought... I thought these Hybrid classes made us closer to Glitches but now it is monsters?"


    Eclaire responds, "Is there even a difference? First I was doomed to have my soul processed into a monster, now I''m turning into... this. I''m speaking from experience when I say that it feels the same... And what worries me the most is that I can''t bring myself to mind..."


    "Hey, now. There''s no way it''ll come to that..."


    Lucia bluntly states, "Jared, you have to understand what she... what we have been through. As you know, first, she was killed and our soul somehow ripped in half; then I became a vampire, while she was trapped in a dungeon. Eventually, her soul was bound to us and turned her into a spirit, and finally... this happened... And who knows if this is even the last transformation we''ll be forced to go through. We... are tired of not knowing what we will be, or what we even are anymore... it just is... too much..."


    They changed so much, but have I changed at all? I''m not sure.


    No, I''ve changed, rather, I was changed. I wasn''t supposed to be a Hybrid, I chose to be a vampire, I wasn''t meant to wield the power of Glitches, but here we are...


    "I know, I... I understand but what do you want me to do? Just sit by idle while everyone dies? I couldn''t. I had to do something..."


    Plus, you asked me to. You tempted me into trying it, and it worked...


    I take a deep breath, "Look, I know this is uncomfortable, it is scary. I feel the same. I''d also rather stay the same, but it... beats dying. Death is scary, permanent death even more so, especially when you are painfully aware of it. I was face to face with it when I chose to come here. Eclaire, you should''ve felt the same dread when the dungeon threatened to turn you into a mindless monster."


    Eclaire relents, "Yeah, I guess I did... still don''t like either outcome."


    "So can we please drop this topic and get back to dungeon discovery?"


    Lucia sighs, "Yeah, you''re right. So anyway, what do we do about this find? As you said, there could be anything behind that dungeon door..."


    "I''d rather leave it alone. The thing was probably sealed for a reason, and we have already enough problems."


    Eclaire disagrees, "That would be a waste. I think we should at least send a scouting party or two. Worst comes to worst, we can bury the entrance again should they not return."


    I''m surprised, "Why do you think so?"


    She shakes her head, "I... no, just... a gut feeling. Whatever is in there might be important for us."


    And my gut feeling says the opposite, now what?


    Okay, so she''s for it, I''m against it, and Lucia has to break this tie.


    "I guess this makes it a tie, so it is your decision, Lucia. What shall it be?"


    Lucy hesitates for a moment, "I think I agree with the blonde knockoff. We should check it out. We could gain a lot if that dungeon is usable."


    The optimist in me says that we''ve chosen... poorly...


    The pessimist... has already ordered a funeral for the planet and drowned himself in a cheap bar. And now complains that he can''t taste the alcohol anymore.


    A-anyway, I do not like this decision in the slightest, but I''m man enough to accept when I''m overruled.


    Defeated I sigh, "Fine, as you two wish. Suicidal scouting mission it is then. I just hope that we don''t have to waste too many people on that. We''ve already lost enough people in the last couple of weeks."


    Eclaire agrees, "Yeah, we can just have Therese organize two or three groups of volunteers. There should be a few people who acquired some stealth or scouting abilities from their Hybrid class."


    Lucia struggles with herself to add, "I think one full group is enough. I agree with Jared that we''ve already lost enough people, we can''t afford to throw away that many people with a specific qualification. But this one attempt might be worth it in my opinion."


    I know this is a suicide mission, one that isn''t needed but I was already overruled, so I guess I have to tolerate it, "As long as everyone involved is aware of the risks then that''s a compromise I''m willing to accept."


    Barely. I''d rather not open another Pandora''s Box...


    Eclaire sounds suspiciously happy about the result, "Thank you."


    "I guess that''s all then? Say, shouldn''t the others have been here a while ago? We''re not the only ones being late, are we."


    Lucy fidgets around a bit before asking, "So, Jared, what was that about Elly earlier?"


    I think I''d better leave out the part where we fought to the death, "She... apologized for her inability to explain herself properly to you. In the heat of the moment, she forgot about the language barrier between you two. She would''ve loved to sit down and explain it thoroughly, without any misunderstandings this time. But it shouldn''t be. The glitch infection had already damaged her beyond repair, I had no choice but to mercy kill her. She will not come back."


    She looks down, "So you had to take that away from me..."


    Someone''s vindictive today...


    She sighs, "No, no, it is fine. You couldn''t have known. I... didn''t express it properly to you back then, Jared."


    Or not? What is going on here?


    "Look, I know that you didn''t part on the best of terms but-"


    Lucia interrupts me, "No, I didn''t mean it like that. I... Look, I wanted to try and apologize to her. I, I know that I''ve... changed since I became a vampire. I''ve been made aware of that. But... I try. I try to become more like my old self, but trying is hard. I wasn''t ready, I wanted... I wanted to tell her myself but now I... I''ll never have that chance..."


    She starts crying and I rush to her, take her into my arms to comfort her, "Hey, now..."


    I want to tell her that it''ll be fine, but... wouldn''t that be a lie? She''ll never get another chance to make up with Elly, the little mindbug is already gone forever.


    "I know that trying is hard, but if you keep it up, you''ll get another chance. I just know it. Trust me."


    Eclaire hesitates for a while but eventually joins in the group hug as well, "He''s right, you dummy. If you do your best to be a good girl from now on, you can redeem yourself. I know you can see this through to the end. After all, you''re me."


    Lucia answers, "I guess you''re right..."


    We stay cuddled up for a while while Lucia tries to calm down. Eventually, her sobbing stops and she frees herself.


    She wipes off her remaining tears, "So, she''s really not coming back? I thought..."


    I know. Spirits should only have a timeout of a week when they die, but that is not the case here.


    "No, that is very unlikely. The glitchy atmosphere did a lot of damage to her body and mind; in the end, she couldn''t even speak properly anymore. As it is now, I neither sense her presence anymore nor is there an entry for her in the menu; where her name should be is now only a lump of garbage characters. I even tried to summon... that, but nothing happened. I didn''t even get an error message because the spirit was under repair or something."


    Eclaire looks down, "That''s a pity. I quite liked her while she was sane..."


    Lucy reluctantly agrees, "...me too."


    She had some moments I could''ve gladly done without but overall, I''ll miss the damn spy, "Me three."


    We unanimously decide to mourn her passing for a moment in silence.

 Ch. C6 – Bunny Math

    Finally, Lucia looks at the time, "Say, isn''t it quite late already? Where are Therese and Darius? They should''ve been here even before you."


    "Sorry for being late, I, uh, got lost in my work", answers the bunny-eared girl Karen while entering the room unannounced.


    Two more assistants follow here as well, waving hello as soon as they come into sight, "Greetings."


    "Yeah, hi", I turn towards my wife, "Were they invited as well, Lucy? I thought it was primarily Darius and Therese."


    "No, I didn''t", she replies.


    Karen nods, "Correct, I was asked to come over. I should tell you that Therese''s unable to come over, she got a bit sick."


    "Just a bit? Are you sure it isn''t the glitchy plague finally getting to her? Exactly as feared..."


    She scratches her ear, "Dunno, I wasn''t told any details."


    "And anything about Darius?"


    She replies, "No, nothing. Why, should I have heard something?"


    Eclaire sighs, "That would''ve been better, I think we should rather visit them then. I don''t like this mystery."


    Lucy agrees, "Yeah, I think so, too. They are too important to ignore. Especially Darius thanks to his connection to the Glitch Zone''s barrier."


    "Right, we really should. And I really don''t understand why they kept silent and didn''t send for me to ''cure'' them", I''m already getting up.


    But Karen stops me, "Could that wait a bit? We have a bit of business with you as well."


    "Is it that important?"


    Her ears droop, "It... might be?"


    I don''t like the thought of letting Therese off the hook that easily if worst comes to worst, we''ve too much strenuous history for that. And Darius... well, we''d be extra-doomed if he bites the dust and, consequently, the barrier falls.


    But ignoring our resident glitch expert would be just as problematic. But then... she didn''t seem to be in that much of a hurry to get here, her work seemed more important from her point of view. So what is it?


    I don''t really have a sane choice here, do I?


    Hesitately, I sit down again, "Then, please. Try to make it quick."


    Karen tries to explain, "Right. So... it is about your unnatural ability to create the Hybrid classes. I... need one as well."


    I mentally facepalm, "Ah, right, it was inevitable that you''d get sick as well. Sorry, didn''t think of that."


    "Ah, no, I didn''t mean for that reason. Not yet, at least. I need it for our research."


    That''s why you stopped us? The delayed visit to the two sick ones may literally be a matter of life and death for everyone here, at least in Darius'' case.


    Eclaire admonishes her, "You can explain the details later, Karen. You know we might be on a tight time limit here."


    Karen agrees, "Right. First, could you tell me how you create those classes?"


    "I guess I could simply show you. I use this skill for that."


    I reveal the skill info to her.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Essence Drain


    [ERROR: UNKNOWN REQUIREMENT O-7734]


    When you drink at least 100ml of the blood of a creature, you retain a Blood Echo of the victim.


    This lasts for either 1 year or until it is used in the following effect:</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Choose a target between yourself, one of your familiars or a creature you touch.


    You can sacrifice up to 8 skills from your own, the chosen creature and any by Blood Echo-linked creatures'' skills.


    These sacrifices are used to create an i???l???l???e???g???a???l??? extra class or mutate an existing extra class of the target creature.


    The sacrificed skills can''t be regained.


    If a skill originates from multiple sources each instance is treated separately.


    You cannot trade skills fundamental to a creature type, e.g. [Undead] or [Spirit], this way; they are only a valid sacrifice if their owner is the target of the process.


    If skills were sacrificed the recipient must''ve lost at least 2 skills in the process, otherwise, the process fails.


    The created/mutated class varies by the offered skills and essences of the involved, and, in case of mutation, on the extra class that gets modified.


    Sacrificing multiple skills does not guarantee a better result.


    If at least 3 skills are chosen to be sacrificed you can preview the result without losing the skills and still abort the process.


    When the class creation is successful, the class granting this skill increases its level by 1 unless it is already your highest-leveled class.


    A given target can only receive (1 + skill level / 15, at most 5) additional extra classes this way.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Karen looks over it for a while, "I... can''t read any of that. How do you make any sense of it?"


    "You can''t? On my end, it is a mostly normal description like for any other skill. What exactly do you see?"


    She hesitates to answer, "...glitch characters. A whole wall of them. With their random movement, it looks like a river of errors. It is kinda hypnotizing."


    Absolutely not what I expected. I assumed the description would be readable to anyone.


    But what does that mean for me...


    Eclaire adds, "Tell me about it, Karen. I don''t understand it either, and in contrast to you I''ve already been a target of that skill."


    So being a Hybrid doesn''t let you read it either. Not sure if that makes me feel better or worse. Can I only read it because I own the skill, or... am I too far gone already?


    I don''t want to think about it. I really don''t. I want to stay ''me'', goddamnit!


    "Well, guess I have to explain it after all."


    Karen and her assistants take out some writing utensils from their inventory and start taking notes, "Please, do."


    "So what I''ve figured out so far is I need either a bit of blood from the class-receiving person or they need to be one of my familiars. Then I can either leave the result up to chance or try to stir it in a rough direction by sacrificing some of their skills."


    Karen interrupts me, "And the newer familiars? They received a Hybrid class as well."


    "The skill doesn''t say that. But then the trigger section of the skill description is an error as well, so that''s probably just it and the System has no way to display the relevant activation requirement."


    "I see. And about the skill sacrifices, who has to lose them?"


    "There seem to be very little restrictions on that. For example, for Iris''s Hybrid class, I could sacrifice one of my titles and two of her skills."


    Karen scratches behind her ears, "Huh, so even titles count? Weird, they shouldn''t be related. What about stealing skills from a third party, would that work?"


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    "Haven''t tried it yet, but it might work. At least according to the description, I should be able to draw from the same pool of donors; any familiar or person whose blood I''ve consumed recently."


    Lucia chimes in, angrily, "What about when you took some of my blood and tried to create something weird from it? My title did disappear - if only for a short while."


    I ignore her anger, "True, I did that. But that was a class for me. I don''t know if I could steal a skill from let''s say Jack and create a new Hybrid class for you from it."


    Karen states drily, "Jack is dead."


    Ah, right, I forgot. He took the wrong bath.


    "Not the point, it was just an example. Well, the only restriction on that topic I know of, is that the recipient of the Hybrid class must''ve given up at least 2 skills, or, well, titles, I guess. Unless we pick random, then anything goes."


    She finishes writing her notes, "I see. What does it say about changes to the memory? There are some Hybrids that now can''t remember a time before anymore or are convinced they''ve always been like that, evidence to the contrary be damned."


    "No clue, the description has no hint of that as a possible outcome. But when we consider how normally access to certain titles or classes and a person''s personality go hand in hand, it might be a similar effect. Maybe it works in reverse as well. You can''t pick a courage-related title when you often exhibit cowardice, so I find it likely that a monster-adjacent class might suppress some human aspects, at least for weak-willed people."


    That is just my personal hope. I didn''t reject paradise and chose to become a vampire just to have my personality eventually overwritten by a poorly created glitch class, goddamn it!


    Eclaire pats me on the back and whispers into my ear, "That''s exactly why I tested you when you created your Hybrid class. You know, because we were worried..."


    I whisper back, "Yeah, I know."


    Karen continues her inquisition, "Jared, did you know any of the affected people?"


    "No clue. So far, I haven''t noticed anyone that would be affected that way. Why is that relevant?"


    She sighs, "My colleague theorizes that it is related to how you feel about the person that receives the Hybrid class, or your mental state at the time, something like that. You know, since you''ve basically... god-like control over our lives now..."


    "I don''t have that. I don''t exactly decide what you get. Most of it is outside of my control."


    "I understand. But humor me for a moment, assuming it was true, in how much danger would I be right now?"


    "None? We don''t really know each other, do we? ...look, it is getting late and I''m worried about the Darius and Therese situation, so can we get a move on, please? Well, you know my options for the creation now, so do you want one now or do we want to delay it?"


    "One more moment, please", she turns to one of her colleagues, "You have my examination values from earlier ready, right?"


    The assistant nods and shows a piece of paper, "Yes, I have them here."


    The other assistant takes a big, black box from her inventory, "The measuring device is also ready."


    "What are you up to now?"


    Karen points at the paper, "We want to measure a few things. As you know, Hybrids are more resistant to the glitch infections caused by the stuff all around us, and as Therese reported to me, it even cured your wife, Lucia, from a severe dose. Well, as a scientist I don''t particularly appreciate leaving these things up to speculation. Or rather, if we knew more we might be able to find a more permanent solution to the entire situation."


    "Yeah, that makes sense. So you want to make a before-after comparison of yourself? Of what exactly?"


    She commands the second assistant to unpack the box, "Please be careful with this; as you know, we can''t replicate these devices", then turns to me, "Well, to make it simple, Jared, it scans several parameters of what you would commonly call a soul. Uh, explaining it properly would take too much time, and as you said, you want to get going soon. Well, I guess we''re ready. Can you give me a Hybrid class now?"


    "Just a random one?"


    "Yeah, that is preferable. Most people got those as well and if there should be significant differences between the two types then it makes more sense to focus on the more common variant for now."


    "Fine by me, please give me your hand."


    She does as told, "Like this?"


    I grab her hand, mentally assign her a random Hybrid class as requested, and let go again, "Done."


    She looks confused at me, "That was all?"


    "Yes, you can perform your examination now if you want."


    She scratches her head with a suddenly appearing second pair of long bunny ears, "Yeah, I guess so. Dang, I got basically nothing, other people got cool stuff like flight or powerful monster-exclusive attacks."


    "Since when do you have four ears?"


    "Do I?", she grabs the additional pair, "That... are not ears, are they? No, I hear nothing through them."


    She plays around with them a bit until they suddenly grab the assistant''s black box, "They are more like additional hands, huh. Useful. So can you start now the measurements?"


    The assistant starts working, "At once, Karen."


    While they do their thing with the box and its contents, I check Karen''s status.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Karen</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">mana-sealed</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">17 (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Scholar 16, Pyromancer 16, Weaver 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Bunny Folk 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hybrid 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">2622/2454</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">0/0 [2848]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3502/4193</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">349</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">808</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">544+20</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">489</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">448</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">516+30</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">701</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Lab Coat</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Cure Magic 8 (Rank 1), Earth Magic 8 (Rank 1), Fire Magic 16 (Rank 2), Light Magic 8 (Rank 1)


    <del>Generate Offspring 8</del>, Light Orb 8


    Scrutinize 16


    Meditation 16


    Ageless 1, Curiosity 10, Extra Language 16, Familiar 1, Fire Resistance 16, Quick Learning 16, Sleepless 1, Stamina Boost 10</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Poison, Coffee</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The only unordinary thing is that her current HP is above her maximum HP, but I guess that is from the Hybrid class''s negative HP growth...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Hybrid</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">M?a?t?h? ?R?a?b?b?i?t? extra class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    -6 HP, 0 MP, 23.5 SP, 0 STR, 11.5 DEX, 1 VIT, 0 MAG, 0 FTH, 1.5 WIL, 3 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Generate Offspring (M?a?t?h? ?R?a?b?b?i?t?)


    20 SP, only usable while in a dungeon, 2 minutes cooldown


    Create a wild M?a?t?h? ?R?a?b?b?i?t? of a level equal to this skill''s level.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Poison Weakness</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I feel like I should recognize this skill setup, it seems to belong to a creature I''ve seen before but can''t recall where. Must not have been too important, I guess.


    Anyway, she only got one skill from it and it is incompatible with her according to the status screen. But is that because she isn''t a monster like it was designed for, or because it breaks its usage restriction of being in a dungeon? If the latter, does that mean we''re not a pseudo-dungeon after all?


    Well, we really should''ve gone with the skill sacrifice version, her MP pool is part of what keeps the barrier around the Glitch Zone intact, she really could''ve used a Hybrid class with a high MP growth because of that. Too late now.


    Oh, hey, this time my not-so-divine class did level up, up to level thirteen now. When I gave a random Hybrid class to Eclaire it didn''t, so what is different? Maybe because she is a spirit?


    Thinking about it, the skill is called Essence Drain, not something like Hybrid Gift or something equally stupid. And I doubt it is just for show, so far, skill names mostly line up with their effect, except maybe when the System encounters problems with the translation. Elly once said as much, the effect determines the name.


    However, who can say that it holds true for these glitch-generated skills? They didn''t even have readable names at the start, just a random mess. It only formed a proper name after some time. Who knows what the trigger for that was?


    Either way, whatever the skill may ''drain'' would in the end then come from me, since as a spirit, she is a part of me, is that the cause? The skill takes something from her that she then in turn takes from me. A blatant zero-sum.


    Argh, screw waiting, this is getting unbearable. Who knows how long their examination will take, the Darius situation may take a turn for the worse until then.


    "Alright, Karen, you''ve got what you needed, we''re leaving. I just can''t shake this bad feeling..."


    Lucia agrees, "Likewise. Karen, you can come over tomorrow and tell us the results once you''re done."


    Karen nods, "Yeah, sorry for making you wait so long. I should''ve sent you along sooner. But yes, we''ll come and give you a report and more explanation when we''ve arrived at some conclusion."


    One of the assistants bows, "I also apologize, we get too easily lost in our work."


    Eclaire says her farewells, "Well, see you tomorrow then."


    With that, we leave and head over to the military headquarters.

 Ch. C7 – Valediction

    A few minutes later, we arrive at the military headquarters. It quickly becomes apparent that Darius has gone missing several hours ago without a lead to his whereabouts since then. Many employees are frantically running around, discussing matters and organizing whatever they can to locate him - with nothing to show for it.


    With Darius absent, the supposedly sick Therese is currently in charge. Officially that is. She already was directing things through Darius before.


    Finally, Lucia asks, "So, what do we do now? The person we needed to see the most, is not available. I don''t like it..."


    Eclaire replies, "If you want, we could go and search for him as well."


    "No, I don''t think we''d make any difference there. A lot of people have been searching everywhere for him for hours and they didn''t find him, so why should we? I think we should talk with Therese first. At a minimum, she is supposed to be ill and may suffer from the same ailment as you did, Lucy. If that should be the case, we need to cure her. Or rather, we should do so either way. It is just a matter of time before something strange comes from it, or she takes drastic measures..."


    Lucia nods, "I guess you''re right. Let''s go then."


    After quickly asking around for Therese''s location, we''re told she is in her office, so we head there immediately.


    Knock Knock


    I knock on the door, "Therese are you there? It is me, Jared."


    An irritated coughing answers, "Y-yes. Come in."


    Eclaire comments, "That doesn''t sound very good."


    We enter the room and in front of us sits Therese, coughing like a madwoman and buried in papers. Certainly not what the doctor ordered.


    "Hey, Therese, I heard you annoyed Darius so much he buggered off."


    She coughs, "Very funny. And no, we have no lead on him, Karen should''ve told you as much."


    Lucia chimes in, "No, not really, she only told us about you being sick but didn''t know anything about Darius."


    Therese facepalms, "Great, she didn''t listen again. Gotta talk with her about that later. Again."


    "We heard Darius told no one about his plans for leaving and it seems to have left no note or anything. Is that really true or is it for some reason kept secret?"


    She coughs, "It is exactly like that, he just up and vanished. No one has seen him leave either.  And unless you''ve given him one of your strange Hybrid classes that grant flight or something similar, I can''t see how he''d slip by us. It is just like the earth swallowed him."


    So it is unlikely that he is outside, someone would''ve seen him. But what about inside?


    "Have you checked down in the basement where the Glitch Zone resides?"


    Maybe I should have a proper look at it either way. Yesterday when I left, I didn''t really pay attention to the Glitch Area, and who is to say that it is unchanged? Too much else has changed. This would just be another check on the disaster bingo.


    Therese shakes her head, "No, he doesn''t know about the whole thing, least of all how to get there."


    Are you really sure about that? Not everyone here is a master of keeping secrets. It would just need one single mistake of anyone to tip him off, and you''ve been at this for years. He isn''t dumb, he should suspect that something else is going on when he is supposedly the commander of the whole military but Therese does the actual organizing, not him. Plus the whole faster aging thing which should be impossible to miss.


    One moment of curiosity, one little coincidence. It doesn''t really take much when you consider how loud certain people are...


    Or simply, a moment of pity. He''s obviously aging fast, someone might just want to let him know what his life is sacrificed for, that it had meaning...


    There are way too many possibilities for how he could find out. You''d be a fool to dismiss the notion that easily.


    Eclaire seems to think the same, "We should check anyway."


    "Yeah, I agree. For example, he might''ve caught hints of it from Clara, she seemed to lack a sense of secrecy, of seriousness about the whole thing. I don''t put it past him to find out about the whole thing through a slip-up of hers."


    Therese gets defensive, "Keep Clara out of it, she has... her own problems. I trust her to keep Darius in the dark about it."


    I tease her a bit, "What, defending your girlfriend now? What else are you hiding?"


    She answers with a furious mix of shouting and coughing, "Knock it off!"


    Lucia admonishes us, "That''s enough, you two. I don''t think we have time for these kinds of jokes. So, I think I''ll have a look and you two can take care of Therese."


    Eclaire disagrees, "No, I''ll come with you. He might''ve caught a serious case of glitch infection and gone mad, and I doubt you could defend yourself from him alone. Together we could take him down if worst comes to worst."


    She happily replies, "Yeah, that''s reassuring."


    Therese shakes her head, "You''re wasting your time..."


    "I don''t think so. You failed to find him anywhere else, why not give it a shot? Please go and look for him, Lucia, Eclaire."


    Eclaire waves goodbye, "Yeah. see you later."


    With that, my two wives leave the run in a hurry.


    We wait a moment without saying anything until I''ve finally had enough, "Therese, don''t you want to say something to me? Because... you know what you have. And it is clouding your judgment, isn''t it? Simply discounting the possibility that Darius could''ve found out by now doesn''t seem to be up your alley."


    She scoffs, "I know. What else would I have? The [Sleepless] skill you have given me already takes care of lesser illnesses through its health regeneration effect."


    "So?"


    She raises her hand, "I refuse. I''d rather die as myself than live and see how I turn into a mockery of who I am."


    Stuck up bitch! Do you HAVE to make me say it, admit!?


    Urgh!!!


    "You''re aware that you are already my familiar, right? As such, you have the [Ageless] skill, you shouldn''t be able to die a natural death anymore. Your only way out-"


    She interrupts me, "I, I know..."


    I continue before she derails me any further, "And I do not grant you that end. I can''t. As much as it pains me to admit it, you know too much about the situation in this fortress and in general, stuff I don''t know about. Losing you would be a massive disaster. As such, I can not abide your wish. I can only give you two options: you get to decide what direction your Hybrid class goes or we leave it up to chance. What shall it be?"


    "Neither. I''ll find my end as a normal human the way nature intended."


    Dying by glitch infection certainly isn''t natural, you idiot!


    "Wrong answer", I step over, grab her by the collar, and threaten her, "Therese, both of us know that we can''t stand each other. But I''m trying here, I''m really trying to help you because it is for the better. No, forget about me. Think of everyone else who wants you to stick around. ...I mean, I can''t think of anyone right now but they are certainly out there. Do you want to make them sad? I don''t allow it."


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Therese tries and fails to break free from my grip, "You don''t... make any sense... Let go of me!"


    So the infection has already become that bad.


    Overlooking simple possibilities for Darius'' disappearance, not understanding that people want to help her, that her passing would make others sad...


    I expected better from you, Therese. A lot better.


    I sigh, "I see that we were too late. Sorry, Therese. I... I should''ve acted sooner. I shouldn''t have let go of either of you two yesterday."


    So she''s in no state of mind to decide between the two Hybrid options.


    I could make the decision without her consent, take her skills from her, and create something worthwhile anyway. But... it wouldn''t feel right.


    So random it is.


    Oh, there''s the fourteenth level in my broken divine class.


    Suddenly, something feels a bit wet on my arm.


    Sizzle


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ve taken no damage from Therese''s Acid Skin.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    A blueish-beige liquid is leaking from her skin and trying to eat through my robe''s sleeve like a low-grade acid.


    I let Therese go and she falls back into her chair with a pained expression on her face.


    "Feeling better now?", I wipe off the rest of her acid from my mantle. It left no visible marks on either my hand or the robe. Seems like it is luckily way too weak with her stats for that.


    "I... think so, thank you", she answers while rubbing her head as if suffering from a headache. A moment later a pair of sinister horns grow from her head. They look to be made of solidified, blue pudding and for some reason remind me of the slime monster I encountered first when I entered this world. No clue where that leap of logic came from, it was green, not blue.


    Wait, did she just fucking smile at me?


    No, must be my imagination. She''d never do that.


    Before I can check the new Hybrid class''s data, its level in Therese''s stat screen climbs rapidly. I wonder how much the System''s admin would cry when they saw how many classes and levels we gain without tributing the appropriate amount of exp. Well, their problem, not mine.


    So, what exactly did she get?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Hybrid</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">S?l?i?m?e?b?u?l?l? extra class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    39 HP, 0 MP, 15 SP, 7 STR, 1 DEX, 1.5 VIT, 6 MAG, 0 FTH, 1 WIL, 0.5 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Acid Skin


    Passive


    Contact inflicts 25% magic damage each second.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Horn Attack


    185 SP


    Try to impale an enemy on your horns to inflict 230% STR physical damage.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Fire Weakness</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Got it, stay away from the horns, or end up as a meat skewer. And send some pity to whoever wants to hug her. Well, even more than before.


    Though given her personality, I kinda expected her to gain some dragon-like features. Might just be me though.


    Finally, her status changes stop.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Therese</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">almost 37 - but don¡¯t say it if you value your life (frozen)</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Brawler 20, Bruiser 19, Pugilist 18, Secretary 16, Monk 18</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Highlander 18</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Hybrid 8</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5005/6097</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1444/1444</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">5920/6361</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1018+120</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">865</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">924+84</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">495</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">330</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">665</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">512</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills - Weapon</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Horn Attack 8, Stun Fist 20+3, Unarmed Fighting 57+3, Vacuum Fist 18+3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills - Magic</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Skills - Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">none</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Special</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Iron Fist 19+3, Meditation 18+3, Opportunity Attack 18+3, Reckless Attack 18+3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills - Passive</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Acid Skin 8, Ageless 1, Enlightenment 18, Familiar 1, Hard Worker 18+3, Sleepless 1, Stamina Boost 18+3, Tracking 18+3, Unarmored Defense 39+3</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Poison</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Why is her age no longer hidden? I mean she did tell me that she was a few days away from her "retirement" - by which the people here mean death - but... It still feels weird how she could hide it in the first place and now it is so plainly visible to me.


    Suddenly, Therese asks me, "What are you thinking about?"


    "Nothing important. So, do you now feel able to properly organize the search for Darius?"


    She looks like she''s holding back tears, "Ah, that. I''m sorry. I know that it doesn''t change anything but please be assured that I regret it. I don''t know why I didn''t even consider that Darius might''ve found out, or refused to accept your help."


    Therese''s voice sounds way softer than before. Almost pitiful. Is that also a side-effect of the Hybrid class? Or did I never notice because we only argued and shouted at each other?


    "No, it is fine. I know that glitches can mess with you in nasty ways. And the ''cure'' might''ve had some side-effects as well... Like those horns, I hope they won''t get in the way too much."


    She leans her head to the side, "What are you talking about? I''ve always had them."


    "Did you... hide them?"


    I certainly saw no hints in her status that she should have them. Her race said plainly she was a human, no other extras that should add horns either.


    "Hmm? No, they were always in plain sight. How could you miss them?"


    This is really testing my patience, "You are a human, Therese. Humans don''t have horns."


    She looks to be fighting with herself, with her own thoughts, "A human? No that can''t be right... but it also feels like it should be right... Sorry, I don''t know why I thought that. My head still seems to be a mess..."


    I was warned about this. I was told some people lose their sense of self when they receive a Hybrid class or have their memories messed with; they believe they''ve always been Hybrids, or what the Hybrid class made of them. And it seems Therese belongs to the latter group as well.


    "Do you still remember how we met?"


    "I... don''t know. I think I remember something, but it seems... wrong. A part of me remembers that I was human, another shows me clearly that I was already... this. I see a mirror and they show my horns, the liquid dripping down from them... How rude I treated you..."


    "I see. But that should tell you that not all hope is lost, right? If you think logically about it, you should be able to tell the truth and the fake apart."


    Any memory where you were human and hostile to me is more likely to be correct, after all. Not complicated.


    She plays with her horns while smiling, "I guess you''re right."


    Her smile gives me the creeps. It looks kinda cute but it is wildly out of character from what I know of her.


    "You know, I suggest you take a break. You look like you need some rest from the transformation and time to order your thoughts."


    "Yeah, I think you''re right. Thank you!"


    Eh, what? Why does she thank me? Did I miss something? Ah, whatever, I want to get away from here, this version of Therese creeps me out.


    "Well, I wanted to talk to you about getting another Class Core, but I understand that it''ll have to wait until you''re fit again and the Darius crisis is resolved. So, yeah, see you around. And, uh, rest well, Therese."


    Admittedly, I wanted to abuse my station to get her to hand the item over. She is my familiar, and as such the System gives me many options to mistreat her. We had deactivated all of them but who knows how much that is really worth when glitches are involved.


    I know that there are lines that should not be crossed, but I still had this disgusting urge to bully her, use the authority I hold over her to get her to do my bidding.


    I wanted to give her a taste of her own medicine.


    In the past, she forced me to do things I didn''t want because she was in a position of power compared to me. I wanted to pay her back for that, many times over if possible.


    But seeing Therese like this, I just can''t... I feel a bit guilty for what happened to her. A few physical changes are one thing, but having one''s memories or personality drastically changed is too much.


    The core can wait until both of us feel better, I guess. We''re stuck here anyway.


    I turn around to leave but suddenly something tucks on my sleeve. Therese has gotten up and held on to me.


    She stammers, "P-please wait, Jared."


    Before I can process what is happening, she forcefully puts a blue Class Core into my hand.


    This... is not Therese anymore. She was very outspoken about how I could not be trusted and should not receive the Class Core, ever. As much as I disliked it, I could understand why she opposed me. But now...


    The change is way beyond a simple corruption of memories. Her entire personality is just different. Too meek, friendly, cooperative, maybe even cheerful. Basically the opposite of what she used to be.


    I hate it...


    I do my best to hide my disgust at what I''ve done to her, "That is unexpected. Th-thank you, Therese. But why did you have it with you?"


    She again forces a smile, "I''m honestly not sure, I don''t know which memory is true. In one, I wanted to keep it away from you, in the other I wanted to deliver it to you personally the first chance I get. I... sorry, I feel confused about this."


    Think, just think, Therese! You should know what the Hybrid class does, that you shouldn''t have had certain properties before, and that we hate each other!


    "We both know which of the two is true, right? Sorry, but I have work to do and you really need some rest. Don''t worry, you''ll soon be back to your old self. And... thank you."


    If it is a lie, it is more meant for me than for her. I hate the idea that anyone who has received a Hybrid class is just a fake who pretends to be the original. Lucia, Eclaire, ... me. What even is true anymore...


    "Right, thank you, too."


    Waving goodbye, I finally leave the room.


    I look at the Class Core Therese has given me, but instead of joy over achieving that goal, I only feel frustration with what has happened to her.

 Ch. C8 – Not Found

    I guess the whole ordeal with Therese went better than expected; she''s no longer in danger of taking a boatload of secrets with her to the grave, she even gave me the Class Core despite her earlier protests...


    And yet it all feels so wrong...


    At the end, she obviously wasn''t behaving like her old self. I was warned that some people already showed similar changes when they got their Hybrid class, but I guess it never clicked...


    Damn, pull yourself together, Jared.


    Moping can wait for later, I should hurry and help look for Darius. If we lose him, we''ll have major problems. Much bigger ones than we already have.


    So do I also head underground and look with the girls?


    But thinking about it, if he really was there, wouldn''t one of the researchers or other personnel have already sent word up here? They must know that Darius shouldn''t be aware of what is going on, so they''d need input from head-conspirator Therese at least...


    But where else could he be?


    Once again, I look at the Class Core Therese gave me. Could this be the solution?


    She suggested that I may have given him access to flight - maybe she was on to something. Not for him but for me.


    I wanted to take a class that gives me flight anyway, and this would be my last elite class anyway. Well, unless we can get access to the Elitist title like we wanted.


    On the other hand, if physically looking for him has failed, maybe there are magic options. Divination, scrying, something must be there, right? Last I checked, there were hundreds if not thousands of different classes, one of them certainly must have skills that help with locating things.


    Though, it''d be nice if I didn''t have to waste my last elite class on this. Or rather, why should I waste a class on this at all? Now that Elly is gone, I can just as well create a new spirit to fill that role.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Can''t create new spirits during the one-week spirit recovery.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Bullshit! Since when is that a rule!? Must''ve been a change with the update I missed out on.


    Also, doesn''t that mean that Elly is still around? I thought she was completely destroyed by the glitches...


    Seems like I have no choice then, back to the original plan.


    What class options do I have? Preferably, I don''t have to waste my remaining elite class on it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">ERROR


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgba(21, 61, 140, 1)">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">J0u 4L6561aDy KN?w w-3rE u haf 2 beeeee, m0R_n. Chess!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    0000000110010100 NO DATA FOUND</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Stupid System, why do you have to fail me like that? Especially now, goddamn...


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    And what is with the error box within the error message? Can''t you even fail properly anymore? The only thing I can make out there is the word "chess". No clue what that game should have to do with anything. Yeah, the whole System is blatantly losing its battle against bugs and glitches. Can''t have been me though, right?


    "Hey, Jared. Could you please let me through? I have business with Therese", greets me Chloe while I am still lost in thoughts.


    Seems like I never stepped away from the door and am now blocking the way. Oops...


    "I hope it is nothing important because she needs to rest right now. You know, she was already suffering from the glitch infection and didn''t take too well to the cure I gave her. Though she should be better in a day. I think."


    I don''t really want to stick around here until people find out how much her personality has changed. Too many difficult questions would be asked.


    Chloe looks surprised, "What cure are you talking about? I thought it was incurable."


    Oh, right, that whole thing is still not widely known.


    "I''m able to create these Hybrid classes you might''ve seen on everyone. They seem to do wonders to heal the corruption, or at least suppress the symptoms."


    "Huh, I see. So the rumors that people with a Hybrid class are protected are true."


    I shrug, "That''s at least how it looks currently. Not that we really have an alternative right now. Say, how do you feel? As far as I can see, you didn''t get a Hybrid class while I was unconscious."


    "I''m fine. Well, at least physically..."


    "Something I should know about?"


    She shakes her head, "No, it is just... I just got into a big argument with Ephran. I''m thinking I''d be better if I broke up with him."


    Uh, who was that again?


    ...


    Ah, right. That guy. The one that may or may not have a nightmare fetish, like for Chloe''s true form as a Changeling. Right.


    She really can''t catch a break, can she?


    Now, how to avoid that landmine? "Sorry to hear that. I''m not certain I''m the right one to tell about that but if you want... I could lend you an ear once we''ve found Darius. That has priority at the moment, I hope you understand."


    "No, it is fine. I didn''t really expect much from a relationship with Ephran anyway. I knew enough about him but still wanted to give it a shot and it just doesn''t seem to work out."


    Yeah, I guess with a crisis like this you can''t really afford to linger long on the little things.


    "Got it, but my offer still stands. Oh, yeah, before I forget, once this is over, I need you to do me a favor. We need to gather everyone who still doesn''t have a Hybrid class and correct that ASAP. Could you please have that organized and send those people to me? I''d prefer it if we avoided losing even more people to the glitch plague."


    She looks confused, "Why do you ask me? Wouldn''t Therese be better suited to manage that? She has much more authority than me."


    "Well, she''s currently in no shape to do that. I leave that to you, I trust you can do what is needed. Feel free to throw my name around if needed. I mean, since I own this fortress, I should outrank everyone here anyway, right?"


    "I don''t think that''s such a rule."


    "Never mind then, Chloe. So, what did you want from Therese anyway?"


    She shrugs, "Just the hourly update on the search for Darius. Long story short, no change."


    "I''d say let her rest then, and keep the disturbance for when the situation actually changes."


    "Yeah, I guess we can leave it at that, Jared. She certainly knows that we would''ve told her already if the situation changed. Say, since your business with Therese is taken care of, could you also help with the search for Darius?"


    "That was the plan. Lucia and Eclaire already went ahead while I took care of Therese. Before I met you, I was just thinking about where I should look next."


    "Can''t help you with that. If I knew the answer, we would already have found him. Well, good luck then. I''m going back to my unit."


    "Yeah, see you later."


    Chloe leaves, and I take another moment to think, but since the System doesn''t let me pick a new class at the moment, I can''t think of a different option but to follow my two wives down into the underground area.


    I make my way toward the storage room where the entrance is hidden.

 Ch. C9 – Color Disaster

    I make my way toward the storage room where the entrance is hidden.


    On the way there, I don''t meet anybody. It really looks like people either don''t know about the illusory wall mechanic or consider that Darius might be there. I guess I''ll soon find out how much time we''ve wasted on this idea. Not that we have any other ideas left.


    The storage room is also unmanned. As before, most of the room is covered in shelves full of books and document binders, except someone finally got rid of all the dust. I guess that makes it slightly less suspicious. But only slightly.


    I take out my security card and hold it in front of the hidden contraption to unlock the hidden entrance. After a tiny rumbling noise gives away the change, I step through the fake wall and follow the stairs downwards.


    Halfway on the way down, I suddenly run into Eclaire.


    She immediately shouts at me, "We''ve found him!"


    Of course, we were right, "So he really was here!"


    "He''s dead..."


    "Shit, so much for the situation not getting any worse..."


    Seriously, can this whole situation get any worse? The general glitch plague, the potential side effects of the hybridization and now we might find out why the barrier was a necessity for survival.


    I mean, isn''t it quite a typical story that powerful ancient civilizations or heroes were only able to seal their great evil adversary instead of properly defeating it, only that years later a ragtag group of misfits accidentally breaks the seal and hours later beats the sealed threat to death by the alleged power of friendship. How is this any different?


    So since this isn''t a story, the situation will suck. Thanks for nothing, Darius.


    "Okay, change of plans then... Eclaire, please go to Therese. Tell her, her nap has to wait, she needs to act now. We don''t know how to keep the barrier up, how to replace Darius'' place in this, but she does. Well, Karen could help as well, but she''s even farther away. They should''ve prepared a replacement just for cases like this. I need to see what the situation is like with my own eyes."


    "Alright, I''ll go and ask her", she hurries off.


    I also pick up the pace and hurry downwards.


    Once I arrive in the underground area, I quickly look around. A few dead people cover the ground. What has happened here?


    It feels like someone is staring at me, but I have no clue who or from where; as far as I can see, no one is around. Might''ve just been my imagination.


    I don''t see my wife anywhere nearby, so I try to telepathically call out to her, (Hey, Lucy, can you hear me?)


    After a moment, she answers, (Yeah, Jared. We''ve found Darius. Dead. He''s hidden here in a dark corner. Lydia is here as well.)


    Lydia? Our pink blob spirit? What is she doing here?


    (Can you guide me there?)


    (Yes. You head -), she describes the path to me, and a few minutes later I arrive at her location.


    "Hey, any idea what happened here?", I see the dead Darius leaning against the wall, no wounds to be seen.


    "No clue. When I got here with Eclaire everyone was already dead. We found Lydia standing over some of the corpses."


    The pink blob waves her arms around, "Ti t''nsaw em! M''i tneconni!"


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Name</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">E1#d_$</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Age</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N/A</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Status</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">unable to move</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Classes</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">V???i???l???l???a???g???e???r??? 11, Vampire Hunter 11, Blood Mage 11, D???e???f???i???l???e???r??? ???B???r???o???o???d???m???o???t???h???e???r??? 11, Drake Wolf 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Race</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Winged Devil 11, Primordial Soup 11, Tainted 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Extra</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">S???p???i???r???i???t??? 11, F???l???o???o???r??? 8, Silver Elf 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">HP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">4157/4157</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">1848/1848</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">SP</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">3755/3755</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">STR</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">904+11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">DEX</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">40</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">VIT</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">563</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">MAG</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">548</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">FTH</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">365</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">WIL</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">405</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">CHA</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">45</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Equipment</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">N???U???L???L???</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top">Skills</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%"><del>Acid Spray 11</del>, <del>Blood Burst 11</del>, <del>Cure Magic 11 (Rank 1)</del>, <del>Curse Hand 11</del>, <del>Dragon Breath 11</del>, <del>Fire Magic 11 (Rank 1)</del>, <del>Sanguine Wave 11</del>


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.<del>Blessed Weapon 11</del>, <del>Wings 11</del>


    Create Egg 11


    Acid Puddle 11, Acid Skin 11, Death Curse 11, Detect Undeath 11, Hammer Arm 11, Low Profile 22, Physical Resistance 11, Stealth 11, Wall 8


    S???u???m???m???o???n???e???d??? ???S???p???i???r???i???t??? 11</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 10%">Weakness</td>


    <td style="width: 26.5969%">Fire, Ice, Lightning, Wind, Water, Earth, Poison, Light, Dark, Holy, Copper</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Not even hurt? No SP used? Yeah, that was someone else.


    "Yeah, yeah, keep making excuses, goo girl. But jokes aside, there''s no way in hell, Lydia is strong enough to beat Darius in a straight fight, not to mention everyone else as well. And all of that unhurt."


    Lucia agrees, "Yeah, and neither would she have a reason to do that, but who else could''ve done that?"


    Lydia pouts, "Yeh won, I nac ekat meht ylisae!"


    I ignore her, "Beats me, but sadly we have more pressing matters. For example, the barrier around the glitch zone may break at any moment. By my understanding, they were already short on the magical energy to keep it intact, and now the whole pillar of Darius'' life energy is missing. That can''t be good."


    And right on cue...


    Creak Creak Shatter


    Open mouth, insert foot...


    Lucy frowns, "That... came from the barrier. We better check that out, Jared."


    "Yeah..."


    Running away would be pointless anyway. I''ve already seen how bloody fast the glitches can spread when unchecked.


    "Yeh, tiaw rof em!", Lydia signals something but we''ve no time to guess what she wants.


    We hurry over to the barrier, and sure enough, it has severe cracks all over. On its top half, it has even formed a whole where now black-green glitch soup leaks out and... flows upwards, rising towards the ceiling like a miscolored, reverse waterfall.


    I swear I can hear physics crying right now.


    "Great, what now? How do we un-break this before everything goes up in glitches? Though I''m surprised it is kinda tame. I expected it to undergo explosive growth and engulf the whole area in a matter of seconds. The last one did that after all."


    "You know, it kinda looks... beautiful. In a weird way."


    Lucy, you have strange tastes. Though that might explain a thing or two about our relationship.


    "Nah, I''m not seeing it. Looks more like a garbage truck unloading his shit in a dumpster to me. Just upside down."


    She looks at me as if I was crazy, "I don''t follow."


    "Skrej!!", Lydia has finally caught up to us with her hobblewalk, diving in and out of her slime puddle.


    "Doesn''t matter. Just standing around here doesn''t tell us of a way to make it disappear."


    Suddenly, the flow of the glitchy liquid slows down to nothing. It just stops flowing upward, yet more of the soup tries to escape from the hole in the barrier, which creates a large lump of shaking glitch pudding.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgba(21, 61, 140, 1)">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">|\|0, zTob, D_nT c|= 1t!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And again, another broken error message...


    I wish I could read it, or better yet, that all of these glitches would go away. I''ve got enough of this. All of this is too much.


    Is this how my life ends?


    I was just supposed to help with a small artifact problem, and afterwards, I could lean back and enjoy eternal life. Not... this.


    You damn glitches, I''ve had enough of you!


    Get!


    Out!


    Of!


    My!


    Sight!


    Just disappear!


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgba(21, 61, 140, 1)">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Put.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    What?


    Uh, forget it, we''ve got more pressing issues now. The glitch pudding finally starts spreading.


    As pointless as it may be, "Run!"


    But before I can even finish the first step, I''m already drowned in the glitch soup.


    And then it is suddenly gone, leaving me feeling cold and my clothes wet.


    I do not feel well and sink to the ground.


    "Jared!", shouts Lucia, "What just happened!?"


    "Doof?", Lydia scratches her head.


    Everything sounds more distorted than it should be, my vision is a mess as well. Everything looks to be tinted in green and grey colors.


    I try to hold back the urge to vomit, "No clue. I''m in no shape to move. Please. get Karen or someone quickly! Hopefully... she can help!"


    I''m not sure if I even successfully said that, nor do I hear what my wife replies. I can only see her storm away leaving me alone here.


    I look around but find no more signs of the glitch liquids. Not on me, not in the area, and not inside the barrier either. All of it is just gone.


    Considering how I feel right now, it seems like I''ve absorbed it, and that''s not a good thing. Everything hurts and feels like my body is about to burst.


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgba(21, 61, 140, 1)">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">N-w y0_''vE doN3 1t. 2 eA=lY!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yeah, tell me about it... Wait, I can read that?


    I wonder out loud, "Who is that?"


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgba(21, 61, 140, 1)">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">No time. Do or you''ll perish. Zone out!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The strange error box then sends me a set of instructions for a bizarre meditation technique.


    With no other option, I follow the instructions.

 Ch. D0 – Misplaced

    POV: Elly


    After walking through the crack in the nothingness of the spirit graveyard, I appear in a completely ruined men''s bathroom. It has been ages since I''ve been allowed to enter those. And it is just as thrashed as the ones back then.


    But how did I arrive here? I was still in the spirit graveyard within Jared''s soul a moment ago. Why is this here? Is this a memory? He did say that he was somehow able to personally explore memories, even if they shouldn''t be his. So I guess, this is how he did it.


    As little sense as that makes...


    So what do we have here? Everything is cracked or aflame with glitches. The ceiling seems to be melting like cheese, huge chunks of it are running downwards towards the floor. I''d rate this a six outta ten, I''ve seen worse bathrooms.


    The only thing intact is a chunk of the bathroom mirror. Might as well satisfy my curiosity, how much have the glitches changed me?


    I take a deep breath and properly inspect myself in the mirror. The helmet seems unchanged minus the undeserved repairs, so I take it off.


    ...what a joke, who is this?


    Forget about the formerly disfigured armor, the fractures in the skin from my disloyalty are gone as well; the skin is slightly greyer where they were but that''s hard to see with a passing glance.


    The eyes'' irises are vastly different, and the haircut is changed, there''s now a strand of light-green hair amongst the platinum blonde. Did you have to ruin it like that? I spent ages getting it right in the editor...


    Also, it seems, I''m now half a foot taller. Overall, the body looks a bit more grown up, older.


    This isn''t my body anymore, the one I helped design and eventually cheated Maria out of. But what else is left of me then, what other proof is left of my previous existence? Not my body, not my infected mind...


    From start to finish, my changed body is just a mockery, as if to say that uninfected people are still children who still need to grow up into beautiful glitches. And it will feel so right when they do~


    Damn, another strange thought...


    Keep it together Al Iactest, keep it together. What? No, Al is dead, that''s not who I''ve been in ages. I''ve now become Elly, an AAI. Or whatever I should be called now...


    Suddenly, I hear a voice groaning, "Ah, almost. You look almost like Vladalaja. Just gotta do something about that nasty skin color and hide the face tattoo; it''s a pity though, it came out quite pretty. At least fixing the clothes will be easy."


    "Who is there?", I look around but find nobody, "Show yourself!"


    "Really? You don''t remember me?"


    <div>


    <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgba(21, 61, 140, 1)">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">|)0eZ 1t h3lp =F I tA|_k l1K- dys?</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "...that was you?"


    A strange howling wind answers, "Correct. So, how do you like what I''ve done with your battered body? It is a work of art, right?"


    "Fuck, I hate it. If you had to change my appearance why couldn''t it have been to my original self... Who even is this Vla-person you modeled me after?"


    "Vladalaja? She''s no one really important which makes her the perfect target to kill and replace her, right? That should be right up your alley, little Miss Infiltrator. You wanted to deal with the local demons, undermining their ranks might just be the way to go for you."


    I don''t understand. Does it share our goals or is it at least willing to help us? I thought... I thought glitches didn''t really have a will of their own, that they seek only to infect and spread. What is going on here?


    "Why... do you help us?"


    It sounds annoyed, "Why? Uh, why not? It is another way to achieve what we want. Well, if you don''t like it, complain to our host. He cursed us... ah, you know what? If you want to talk more, come outside. I hate shouting like that, and you might want to get used to your new body a bit more. Laters!"


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Host? Does it mean Jared? Don''t see who else it would be, and what curse was it talking about? Too many questions, no answers. Guess I really should make my way outside, don''t think I have anything else here to do.


    Wait, no, there is one more thing. It mentioned a face tattoo, how did I miss that?


    I check again in the mirror, and indeed, there is something. A new faintly glowing golden runic marking on my left cheek. It really is hard to see in bright light, but when I hold my hand over it to add some shadow it becomes plainly visible.


    This mark reminds me of the symbol of the Lost Ones Jared produced way back when. I feel like the living errors are just making a mockery of what used to be a holy symbol. At least it is properly hidden as long as I wear my headgear.


    Well, no point in staying here any longer. I put on my helmet again and begin walking out.


    But before I can leave the bathroom, I stumble over somebody''s wallet. I pick it up and search through it. The money is clearly a fake prop from the memory, useless. Not that I could take it with me outside in the first place, it would just disappear when I leave the memory area.


    Ah, here''s the ID!


    What? Johnny Smith? It... it belonged to our human neighbor Johnny? How could that be? He died over two thousand years ago. Why is a memory that includes him still around...


    I barely remember anything about him. What was he like again?


    I think he was a typical jock, and a nice playmate, always up for whatever bullshit we wanted to pull. He would often jokingly call me a xenobeast and I''d retort by calling him a mere monkey. Those were fun days.


    That is until he started cheating on his girlfriends Amelia and Daisy. Then it all came crashing down... ah, whatever, that''s a thing of the distant past. That planet is long gone.


    But come now, there are coincidences and then there''s this bullshit! I''ve already trouble accepting that Jared has memories from random people, so what are the odds that they are from someone I just so happened to know from my distant childhood?! Zero, none!


    ...they were planted. Someone gave him memories of a person who got along with me in their life so he''d be more receptible to me, a problematic navigator.


    With that revelation, I wouldn''t be surprised if there were more memories of people I knew personally way back then. A disgusting thought.


    I should''ve smelled the rat once Jared brought up that he "knew" a Daisy Smith, a girl with the same name as Johnny''s girlfriend. But really, the odds of them being the same were absolutely zero, should''ve been at least. There are millennia between then and now, and the universe is fricking huge! But then it wasn''t.


    What''s next? Was the destruction of my homeworld orchestrated by the Devas as well?! Was all of that for a nefarious plan!? I wanna hurl...


    ...


    After painting the sink with my rainbow-colored stomach contents, I touch the door leading out of the bathroom and the entire memory finally collapses. I''m now standing in another vast blackness surrounded by what I assume to be thousands of memory crystals. And directly around me, lie the shattered fragments of the memory I just left. That''s gotta be an adventure.


    Well, I''m outside now, so might as well call out to my new acquaintance, "Hey, are you still there?"


    It takes a while before an answer arrives, but it finally does, "Yeah, I am."


    "You still haven''t explained to me what you are, or what is going on here."


    "Sorry, I''m negotiating something important right now. Can we talk later? How about you look around for a bit and get familiar with everything?"


    "Alright."


    Negotiations? I don''t like the sound of that. Now the glitches are not only alive with a will, but they are also organizing? This world is more doomed than I thought...


    With nothing better to do, I comb through more memories, and as I feared, a good chunk of them seem to belong to people who knew Al, my old self. I recognize about a quarter of the memory owners at least. Too many for my taste.


    And then there''s even one of mine; the day I met Eva for the first time, the day the humanoid was adopted by my aunt. Man, were they angry when I almost ate her. I even had to wash her clothes as punishment to get my saliva out of them. Good thing I was so young back then; my kind''s spittle turns into super aggressive acid during puberty, Eva wouldn''t have survived that. The stupid humans are always so weirded out by our biology, like they''ve any right to talk!


    I miss being "me" from before getting forcibly turned into a humanoid, fake AI.


    I don''t even understand why they had to change me like that; I should''ve just been a voice in someone''s head, no one would''ve seen my true form anyway. But no, everything always has to be "human", everything has to be "normal" according to their twisted standards. Deviations are not accepted.


    "Dear" creator, if you don''t like creatures that are different from your human ideal, why even make them in the first place!? Stupid bastard!! You asshole literally made us just to suffer!


    Go to hell! You made it, so you must like it there!!!


    ...


    Look at me, sitting here, complaining to nobody how I was turned from my original self that could star in some human''s sci-fi alien horror movie without needing makeup into one of those puny humans and now into a glitch-like being.


    I miss being big and having four arms, the tail was just a bother though, but despite that I still miss it.


    Maybe I can convince Jared to give me a new form, closer to my real self, and not this "lie". Yeah, he should easily be able to do that. He''s... ugh...


    Damn, the glitches did a number on me. All those memories flooding back into me, all those feelings I was forced to bury...


    ...


    I finally get up again and continue to search through more memories. Eventually, I hit the jackpot. Or the opposite of it.

 Ch. D1 – History revision

    POV: Elly


    I finally get up again and continue to search through more memories. Eventually, I hit the jackpot. Or the opposite of it.


    The memory Jared talked about back then. I have to watch it.


    It looks like a strange soul is strapped to an operating table and a group of devas in security suits stand around it. One of them bears the nametag "??????? ¨B??". Why is that upside down? "Dr. Allheil", really? That infamous scientist?


    He has a syringe filled with a glitch-like substance in his right hand. The devas look at it and shake their heads. Then the doctor rams it into the soul and injects the liquid. And repeats it with two more syringes. Then the scene stops, the memory freezes.


    No, everything is wrong with that setting. The clock is going backward. I doubt they were using a regular clock as a timer of sorts, it lacks the seconds hand. So unless the clock was very broken, doesn''t that mean they were extracting the glitch substance from the soul? So the soul was already infested.


    I think that makes some sense. Dr. Allheil was known, or rather ridiculed for his methods of researching glitches. Getting new samples is something he would logically try to do. But wasn''t he left-handed? I recall seeing attacks on that angle in a smear campaign against him, a lot of people saw the funding of his research as a massive waste of tax money.


    So why is this "Allheil" using his right hand? What else is wrong here?


    Is there maybe a way to play this memory in reverse? Making it reverse-reverse should make it close to correct again. ...yeah, the crystals sadly have no buttons to press.


    Suddenly, the disembodied voice speaks again, "Hey, uh, why are you digging through my homework folder?"


    "I thought you were busy? How did your negotiations go?"


    "Marvelous. She gave me a very definite maybe!"


    "That''s good? You took weeks and all you get is a maybe?"


    "What are you talking about? ...oh, right, you''re confused. That happens. You see, a few weeks may have passed inside here, but it was only a couple of minutes in the real world. We''re living at the speed of Jared''s thoughts here after all."


    If we''re talking about the same person, shouldn''t our "weeks" be a few real years? Huh, and I always thought he was a slow one.


    "Right... so I just stumbled across this memory and it looks important, but it seems to be running backwards. I''m looking for a way to watch the original memory."


    "I mean, if you''re into that stuff... It has already done its purpose, so gimme a moment."


    So it has actively tempered with Jared''s memory? That can''t be good...


    Suddenly, the crystal rises into the air and jerks around wildly, then crashes to the ground again. To my surprise, it doesn''t break. Instead, it flickers like a static signal. After a moment, it returns to normal.


    The voice then continues, "There, that should do the trick."


    "Uh, thanks, I guess."


    I view that memory again. Hey, what do you know? Percussive maintenance works!


    The memory now plays in the expected order. The doctor''s handedness is fixed as well but the nametag is still upside down, maybe he was just tardy that day. Though the view is cracked now. Whoops? I hope that doesn''t hide anything important.


    So as expected, he takes three samples from that soul, this time they are clearer, non-glitchy liquids. The devas look at it and shake their heads but one of them still gives a thumbs up. That wasn''t visible in the previous manipulated memory.


    Wait, the memory continues after that? So the previous beginning wasn''t the end, rather it is where it really starts.


    One of the assistants brings forth a cart with several tubes. All but one tube contains several tiny pearls. No wait, I can see that they look like memory crystals.


    Wait, hold on! This memory is not from Jared''s point of view but from someone else''s. I missed it the whole time but the memory owner feels a small perpetual burning feeling from... everywhere in the room but most intensely from the one tube that doesn''t contain the crystals. Instead, it contains an infected soul fragment, a small, translucent, flubbery ball. That''s a tiny glitch core? At least that is what this person''s memory tells me. The thing is very hard to see even if you know that it is there.


    Oh, no, no, nononono, you didn''t... fuck!!


    The assistant takes exactly that tube from the cartridge and opens it. Dr. Allheil loads a syringe with the strange ball and tries to get closer to the victim with it. But the infected soul has none of it, it breaks its container, sprouts hundreds of extra-thin threads and lashes out with them.


    Two of the devas end dead on the floor despite their security measures, the full-body suits were completely ineffective. The threads cut through them like nothing and leave multiple disproportionally huge, gaping wounds with each swing. Like a tiny papercut sawing a whole arm off.


    Except for the doctor, the remaining survivors flee the room. He remains alone with the beast, and by now, the whole room is completely covered in threads like a spider''s lair.


    The threads seem especially interested in the crystal-containing tubes that got destroyed in the chaos, specifically in their contents. They wrap around the tiny crystals and absorb them, then search for more prey.


    One of them even cuts into the original memory owner, but against all odds, he survives. He was scratched only by a single thread but there are suddenly seven deep scratch wounds on his coat.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Feeling the same pain, I check my own torso, the cut felt too real but it was just in the memory, it didn''t hit me. It seems I need to be extra careful with this memory, it feels much more real than the others. Painfully so.


    Back in the memory, the threads greedily gulp up whatever leaks out of the wound. Not sure what it is, it doesn''t look like blood; at least not of any kind of creature I''ve ever seen bleed.


    While watching this scene, I''m overcome by a sensation of forgetting something. Do the threads eat the memory holder''s memories? What am I...?


    A moment later, the glitch creature grows apathetic, the threads suddenly hang loose and soon fall lifeless to the ground, letting go of their latest victim, the memory owner.


    Were some of the crystals some kind of narcotic that works on glitches? If so, then it took its sweet time to finally take effect. Really, not a moment too soon. I can feel a strong sense of relief from the memory. He knew he was as good as dead until a moment ago. But despite that, I felt no fear from him the entire time, more like a sense of resignation.


    No really, who is he? The others died instantly, yet he survived barely any worse for wear. The wounds are already healing as well.


    A moment later in the memory, a security team storms the room with two of the escaped survivors in tow. I guess they called for them. At least, I didn''t hear a siren or see anyone push an emergency button, nor were there any security cams visible. They are probably well hidden.


    One guard trains his weapon at the inactive glitch creature but one of the few surviving scientists asks him to not destroy it, only to subdue it. Then they argue for a moment before the glitch''s threads become active again and slash several of the security personnel to ribbons. Literally. A lot of bows and corpse pieces cover the ground and only the memory owner survived.


    Even Dr. Allheil is dead on the ground. Does that mean there will be no more research into glitches, no hope for a cure? Shit.


    No, something is wrong. The corpse who was Dr. Allheil slowly transforms, revealing a shapeshifter. So it was a fake after all.


    While I was distracted by the corpses, the glitch creature seemingly consumed the soul on the operating table and escaped.


    But why did it spare the memory owner? Who is he even? I''ve no idea.


    I see that our suspicious survivor moves to the nearest computer and logs in as super admin. So someone very high up the chain.


    He modifies some files and deletes others. Among other things, he gets rid of the documents proving that the container with the glitch creature was delivered here. After that, he makes a phone call to complain that the delivery is still missing.


    Is that your angle? Blame the escaped abomination on someone else? But how do you intend to explain the mountain of corpses over there!?


    Crack


    Wha-?


    Crack


    Crash


    Damn, the memory broke down, the crystal was shattered, and around it are the same threads I saw in the memory. A few of the remaining fragments are in the clutches of the threads, they seem to devour them.


    So the creature is here? The voice must belong to it.


    But what exactly did I witness there? I thought it was Jared''s origin, that it would explain his strange affinity with glitches. But instead, I saw how Devas underestimated a glitched creature and paid for it with a lot of blood.


    I''m not sure what to make out of it. What were they trying to achieve?


    You are supposed to find a cure for glitches, not spread them even more, goddamnit!!


    I have to contain my anger. I want to destroy something, the memory crystals would do. But I shouldn''t. I really, really shouldn''t. Who knows what damage this would do? Jared hypothesized that these memories keep a glitch zone sealed, so crushing them would be a fatal mistake.


    No, no, I''m calm. I''m perfectly calm.


    I''m not...


    Ah, fuck it.


    Finally, I gather the courage to ask, "Was that memory about you?"


    "Sorta, but I don''t understand it. Whenever I see it, I get angry and I don''t know why..."


    "And this time you got so angry that you finally broke it. Can you tell me what happens afterwards? I have to know."


    "Give... give me a moment", the voice takes a moment to formulate its answer.


    "Sure."


    While waiting for the continuation of the story, I follow the threads. I''m curious what its real body looks like.


    A bit later it finally responds, "So you saw how they tried to force me into a syringe."


    "I think they were trying to inject you into the person''s soul, but I can''t imagine why."


    "Yeah, that scared me and, as you''ve seen, I freaked out and escaped through a vent. That wasn''t pleasant either, so I left it at the first opportunity."


    Oh, hey, the eldritch horror is claustrophobic, that''s new, "Where did you end up then?"


    "A very dusty storage room, I think. There were many big tubes that contained souls. In my panic, I broke some of them and finally borrowed into one of the remaining souls to hide. I''ve been ''here'' ever since."


    And that soul eventually became who we now know as Jared. So contrary to what I believed before, it was just pure chance and not a targeted conspiracy.


    "So you did the exact same thing the Devas were trying to do to you in the first place."


    "Huh? Uh, now that you say it, that might be... kinda funny."


    I doubt your victims see it the same way, "What happened when they found you? The mess you caused must''ve been hard to miss."


    "I... I don''t think they did. It must''ve been several years before I noticed anyone entering that room. And by then, they already brought the soul to the strange chamber that would soon after send us here."


    I have a hard time believing that. You have a world-threatening abomination on the loose and for several years, no one even checks the closest room connected to the vent?


    Just who is that memory owner? How much power and influence does he hold that he can wipe that shit under the rug that easily? That''s utterly unbelievable.


    "So that''s it?"


    "More or less."


    "I don''t get it... it is so frustrating... Say, you mentioned earlier that the backwards version of the memory had served its purpose; what did you mean by that?"


    It hesitates for a bit, "...promise not to tell Jared?"


    "Promise", I''m not a being made of order, I can lie if I have to.


    "My successor needed some motivation. He was a bit... reluctant at first."


    ...and I''m afraid he got plenty of that. He has been using the power of the glitches to cause untold damage, and now I''m no longer in a position to prevent it anymore...


    Not that I did a good job of that in the first place...


    I reply in a disgruntled tone, "I see."


    But that''s not the only thing I see. I''ve finally reached the end of the thread. And what I see, is a tiny pool of glitch soup out of which several threads extend. Most of the soup looks kinda thin as if you added too much water to mud, but there is a thicker lump as well. Probably the main body.


    "So that''s what you look like. Why are you hiding in there?"


    The windy voice starts up once again, but against my expectations, it doesn''t originate from the pool but from everywhere, "Sorta yes, sorta no. That''s my core if you mean that, but the rest of ''me'' is seeping into his soul everywhere. We''ve been together for so long, we can''t really separate anymore. Not that I would want to. It would ruin everything."


    Does that mean your plan is to corrupt his soul and create the ultimate Hybrid or something?


    It was common knowledge that glitches quickly destroy souls. They are a low-tier form of divine energy at a minimum, and glitches don''t get along with that. A single visibly glitched skill would already be a death sentence for the soul, owning multiple without consequence should''ve been impossible. Yet here we are, from what I can see, Jared houses a fully developed Feature and has created whatever these Hybrids really are. Probably another set of Features waiting to hatch, if not something worse.


    But why then draw attention to yourself?


    ...why do I ask? Glitches aren''t known for their intelligence. They are just errors in the System.


    Depressed, I finally reply, "I''m sure it would."


    "Hey, uh, you sound a bit down, wanna see something funny to cheer you up?"


    I doubt we share a sense of humor, "Eh, sure. What do you have in mind?"


    One of the hyper-thin threads pulls on my arm and leads me somewhere, "Watch this memory. It is one of my favorites!"

 AU3 – ASMR

    POV: Elly (viewing the memory of ???)


    I see a group of eight Glitch Creatures accompanying a little boy in a forest, they seem to be in a hurry. The boy seems to be a kobold from what I can see, or maybe a pixie or mutated butterfly. The visual isn''t very clear. It feels like a drunken stupor.


    I doubt I''ll like where this is going, "Why are they together like that? What are they up to?"


    The disembodied voice happily explains, "The brat is that generation''s Customer. He has already obtained his program - the group of Glitches and Features you see there. The rest... would spoil the <del>movie</del> memory. Just watch it!"


    Program... yeah, what else would you call a collection of buggy features...


    "Tell me at least what you mean by ''Customer''. That one sounded... strange."


    "Just observe and you''ll understand from the memory."


    Speaking of memory, where''s the person to whom this memory belongs? He doesn''t seem to be anywhere close to this disaster area. Rather, he seems to be not even in the same world.


    This whole experience is very disorienting. It isn''t like scrying or watching something on a monitor; there you still have a medium to interact with, you know it is there, but here... he just sees it. It is almost as if he could see everything but chose to focus exclusively on spying on this meeting.


    One of the glitches seems to be the clear leader of the group - his memory tells me that those Glitch Creatures want to be acknowledged as "Features", but doing so is a very bad idea - it would give them even more power.


    The leader approaches the boy. They... are friends, the two know each other. It seems the little boy gave the leader of the Features a name several days ago, and since then the leader has gathered the other companions I see here.


    They want a name as well and in exchange... No clue, the memory owner''s thoughts and feelings are all over the place. Rage, regret, disgust - at himself. Whatever this is, he wanted to prevent it, but he failed.


    No, he didn''t fail. He didn''t even bother to try...


    The glitches seem to discuss something with the little brat but I can''t hear what they say.


    No, that is not quite right. I can hear fragments of what the boy says but most of it gets consumed by the presence of the glitches. But then how can anyone even understand what they say?


    Son of a ...


    We only have visuals of that scene, not audio, but the memory owner actually "reads" the rhythm and shape of infection and destruction in the surrounding air to comprehend their language...? Doesn''t he have anything better to do than learn a language in such a stupid way!?


    I would never be able to do that, but the memory tells me that they simply exchange pleasantries at first, then the boy chooses names for the so far unnamed Glitches, but the memory owner doesn''t bother to decipher them. Wise choice.


    Every time the boy names another Feature, all of them grow stronger. But despite that, the memory owner doesn''t seem distressed by it. He seems already used to it as if it was just a regular Monday at the office.


    The more Features get named the more the boy''s features begin to change, he looks ever so slightly more like them but still resembles his original self. He looks happier.


    Uh, the memory seems to lose color as well. Is the memory owner going colorblind?


    Once the boy has named all eight, a sentence crosses my conscience: The Customer has arrived.


    I''ve no clue what that is supposed to mean to me, I''m not working in retail, yet a shiver still runs down my spine.


    The nine of them seem to discuss things for a short while but now I can''t even hear fragments of the boy''s voice anymore. It has been completely transformed into the glitch language, and the memory owner has given up on translating it.


    Maybe I should try to learn that language and review this memory, a lot of important stuff seems to happen here without me understanding any of it. And I don''t think I''ve anything else to do here... maybe it''ll teach me if I ask nicely?


    "I hope you enjoy your victory while it lasts - huh? Why did I say that!?"


    "Don''t worry, that happened to me too at first, but you''ll learn to deal with it with time. You see, memories aren''t meant to be viewed by anyone but their original owner so some interactions get... weird. Like the interaction with a vivid memory such as this. There seem to be some enhancements in place to make it easier to relive these types of memories, but as an outsider, if your sense of self is too weak it may take you over, or destroy you."


    "...you could''ve warned me before..."


    "In my defense, I haven''t experienced it with this particular memory and I thought you were stronger. You''ll soon be a Feature after all."


    I''ll become a Feature? I should hate that thought, but something within me is very happy at that prospect... Damn, how much of "me" is even left?


    ...


    So, should I even continue to watch the memory if it is so dangerous? Jared would certainly chicken out immediately but I''ve got nothing left to lose. Even if I got out of this space and back into the real world, Jared and Lucia would immediately kill me again after all I have done...


    "But why didn''t that happen before? I watched a lot of memories already, and most of them actually seemed more vivid than this one."


    "Dunno, maybe he has a very inflated ego? The effect would need to be that much stronger to account for that."


    "Bastard."


    "Exactly!"


    That insult was directed at you, you...!


    Ah, fuck it. Worst comes to worst, I won''t have to live this mockery anymore.


    Back in the memory, the boy interrupts their talks and points in a random direction, then one of the Features steps forward and rips a glitchy portal into the middle of the air where the boy had pointed. The group walks through it after a brief moment of hesitation.


    By now, all color in the memory is gone.


    After a flash of static, the scene shifts to an empty cave with the group looking all around them.


    Again, the boy points to a random spot, and this time half of the Features go towards it. Then with their uncoordinated team effort, they drag something out of thin air. No, not something, a person.


    A middle-aged woman. Going by her elaborate dress and tiara, she could be a human queen.


    Though I doubt she is human; if I had to guess, I''d say she''s the final evolution of a Glitch after it has grown out of being a Feature. The complete lack of colors and blurry vision make it hard to tell the difference between a humanoid and a glitch creature, so really she could be either.


    Wait...


    "Why can''t I shake the feeling I''ve seen her somewhere before..."


    "Do you mean this Mother of Glitches? Dunno, do you think it is important?"


    "It might be."


    "Sorry. Maybe some tea would help?"


    "No, thank you."


    Knowing glitches, this "tea" would just be a glitchy imitation of tea as well.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    But why tea? I would''ve guessed soda is more up your alley. But tea... Tea!?


    Right, wasn''t there that tea bi... lady!? What was her name... Stella?


    Yeah, she might just look like her.


    But what does that mean? From this memory, I got the impression that she was imprisoned or sealed away, but when we met her, she moved around freely. Right?


    ...maybe not. She appeared as a boss monster. Wouldn''t she then be moved around dungeons according to the System''s whims?


    Damn, thinking about that gets me nowhere. It is probably just a coincidence, the image isn''t clear enough anyway, and my mind is a mess; it sees similarities where there are none.


    Or this creature is simply a mockery of her. My appearance was also changed to that of someone else by this glitchy bastard after all.


    "Say, you called her "this Mother of Glitches", are there multiple?"


    "I''m honestly not sure, but I think so. Only the Customer would know for sure, they should lead us to her."


    "I think I''d rather never find out then. She seems like bad news..."


    "Yeah, she is. But not for us."


    Don''t lump me in with you glitches... I''m still me... I hope...


    Damn, back to the memory.


    Despite their differences, the woman doesn''t seem disturbed by the Glitch Creatures surrounding her, rather she seems to appreciate them. She looks like she has waited a long time for this, but now it has finally happened.


    Upon seeing the lady, the boy starts crying and rushes into her arms. She embraces him and also starts crying, like a mother who was reunited with her son after years of separation.


    Now I feel conflicted...


    Suddenly, I feel an uncomfortable heat. It is again a feeling coming from the memory but it feels too real, like being burned alive. Like what the glitches did to me before I turned into... this.


    In the memory, blocky glitch-like flames enshroud the freshly reunited pair, but they don''t seem bothered by it. But that is not what I''m feeling. No, I feel... everything. I feel how everything is suddenly consumed by glitches. Everything, everywhere.


    People, plants, planets. The corruption engulfs everything without mercy.


    Everything...?


    Damn, what have I gotten into? Normal people aren''t meant to witness everything everywhere at once all the time! What the hell is going on now!?


    What? Ah, good, that was just in the memory. For a moment, I thought...


    Damn, this is so overwhelming...


    I take a moment to step back and steel myself, then continue watching the memory. I just have to ignore 99.999999% of reality, how hard can that be? Very...


    I don''t understand how the memory owner is still around, he was the only thing or person spared. He seemed distraught by the whole scene, so it is unlikely he is in league with them, but why else would they ignore him? Strange...


    By now, it feels like all life in the universe is extinguished, and only glitches are left, nothing else. Nothing besides the memory owner, he''s still hanging on. He doesn''t even flinch but I''m in constant soul-searing pain just from watching it.


    "I''d say we''re done now - urgh, again!?"


    "Just bear with it, the memory isn''t that much longer. Now that the buffet is over, there''s only the sequel hook left."


    Buffet... yeah, right... that was all it was to you...


    "I know you said he had a massive ego problem, but now he''s also suffering from omnipresence?! He really needs to go on a fricking diet..."


    "If you focused on that then you missed the fun parts."


    Fun part my ass! That was the literal end of everything!


    How are we even still here if that happened? We''re watching memories and not dreams or prophecies, right? So how does this make any sense?


    ...but if that really did happen and isn''t just someone''s delusion... the only one I know who could legitimately claim to possess this kind of omnipresence... wouldn''t that be the top god of the devas, Todo?


    That is assuming he really exists, I''ve never seen him. We were only ever told that he exists, hidden in his private office...


    But how would you even get your hands on one of his memories? That makes even less sense...


    Argh, I give up!


    In the memory, I see that the woman turns her head toward the viewpoint, as if she knew where he is, smiles... and flips him off.


    Yup, very dignified.


    Then my fingers involuntarily snap and all the glitches that have replaced creation come ablaze.


    The inferno doesn''t last long, but the seeming god doesn''t come out unharmed either; he seems... weaker than before.


    By now, everything has died. I can feel how reality fades into nothingness. The only thing or person left... is the owner of the memory. And that just barely.


    Is that really all there is to it? The System came crashing down because the Customer just had to unearth the Mother of all Glitches and embrace her with all his heart. Is that all reality amounts to? A cosmic joke with a horrible punchline...


    Damn, if this wasn''t the deadliest hug in history I don''t know what is.


    The memory then fades to a view of a vast nothingness. It is as if life or the universe was never created, gone without a trace.


    One unmotivated wave of a hand later, a cabinet appears out of nowhere. It contains hundreds of disks. What for?


    He looks through it for a while. He takes some disks out and destroys them, and once again my mouth disobeys me, "These are unusable."


    This continues until he seemingly finds the right one. He takes it out and holds it up. A moment later, we''re back in an office, but time seems to be standing still. I see a clock, but it is not moving. An unassuming mug is in mid-flight, yet frozen in place.


    Did he seriously just reset the universe? The hell...


    My supposed new friend tells me something interesting, "Huh, I didn''t know the memory continued after the fire. It never did for me. It just faded out, after he summoned the storage thingy."


    "Seriously?"


    "Yeah..."


    The memory owner takes out a notebook of sorts and a pencil, then drops the black one for a red one. He flips to the last page which is adorned by a lot of tally marks. Most black, some red. He thinks for a moment then places a new, red tally mark at the end. Slowly, it seems to take several minutes to finish, and his hand shakes while doing so. I can feel a lot of incomprehensible thoughts rushing through his head during the entire process, but I can follow none of them; too much information at once.


    Weird, he was super calm while the universe ended but taking a simple note is too much for his nerves?


    He sits down before a computer. As soon as he touches it, it springs to life; only the computer and himself seem except from stopped time. He logs in and changes the time settings. Before it read "16:52 1928 DBP", he changed it to "00:00 0 DSB".


    Days Before... something...


    Days Since... something else... Maybe a counter for days without accidents? Does the apocalypse happen so often that you need a goddamn timer for that!? Are you going for some sort of highscore?


    No idea, his thoughts and feelings are all over the place...


    He grabs the falling cup and takes a sip, then looks at it. I see a picture of a person on it and some writing, but most of it is covered by his hand.


    After a moment, he throws the mug away again, and as before, it freezes mid-flight. But in a different spot and trajectory as before, he did that deliberately. Why? That was a perfectly good cup, I doubt it did anything to you.


    Next, he drags up a data sheet. A long list of people, test subjects?


    Again, I speak against my will, "Please, forgive me. I have no choice..."


    And with that, he changes a huge portion of those who have an "OK" status to "Test Pending".


    After he sighs, time continues and the cup hits the ground with a loud clang.


    A moment later, an aged man enters the room. The memory wants to tell me that he is a demon, but he looks like a regular old human to me. Grumpy-looking, grey-haired but still human.


    But then, the devas had rigged the System so that simply everyone who explicitly goes against the will of their boss Todo would be cursed with that moniker. So I guess that he is one of these sinners.


    Doesn''t that mean, that the memory owner is not the great god Todo? They are branded by the System as demons, yet this person is willingly cooperating with them; doesn''t that already go strictly against the definition of a "demon" in the current version?


    It is hard to imagine that there are multiple "top gods" responsible for all of creation... wouldn''t that mean that Todo is a fraud?


    But then, why is someone so powerful willingly working under the demons as a lackey? So many questions...


    "Doctor Mu, is everything re - ", he sees the mug on the ground and picks it up.


    This is the first time, spoken language in the memory is actually clear and not enforced upon me. Now I''m extra curious about where this is going.


    "You''ve got to be more careful with your personal stuff, my friend. ''Number zero Dad in the universe'', huh? I like your daughter''s humor. Sorry, I forgot, what was her name again? Was it Ohannah?"


    "Ophelia."


    "Oh, right, Ophelia Mu, right", the old man rubs some dirt off the mug and hands it back.


    "Thanks, but no, she is Ophelia Serris now."


    I get a better look at the picture. It doesn''t depict anyone I recognize, just an average-looking teen girl. A bit too average for my taste. Maybe she doesn''t exist and is just part of a disguise? No idea, but something is wrong here.


    The old man in the memory guesses, "Ah, married, I presume."


    "No, she just wanted to establish her independence from me. We had... a falling out. But enough of that. I doubt you''re here to discuss my family matters, Mr. Besl''atoth."


    "Why are you always so distant? I''ve offered you to call me by my first name Bert hundreds of times, but you always refuse. You got to open up a bit more."


    "That is not necessary, so how can I help you?"


    "Fine. I''ve known you long enough to understand that you won''t budge anytime soon. Right, so I wanted to know how preparations are coming along. I understood from your latest report that the experiments to free people from the System were quite fruitful and we''d be ready to advance to the next stage soon."


    What the hell are you talking about!? If you remove people from the System they freaking DIE!! Their souls are not able to sustain the burden without that assistance, that is what we were always told and Graham has confirmed in the source code; most of the original System exists solely to sustain them, otherwise, they implode violently.


    Mr. Mu takes a moment to formulate a response, "That is indeed what I reported, but I''m afraid I''ll have to submit a correction soon. There was... a critical oversight in my research that endangers the whole project."


    "And here I was looking forward to being free by next year. Right, so how big of a setback are we talking about exactly?"


    "At least a month if everything works perfectly. I still have to finish the adjustments and have them cross-checked with the rest of the team, and most importantly, we need to test all previous subjects again. They may already suffer from side-effects of my oversight."


    The memory forces a thought across my mind: you will not find them anymore, they are gone. Because the treatment succeeded perfectly, they were not included in the backup. They are lost. Forever.


    What.


    The.


    Fuck.


    Bert grunts, "Just a month? Is that all? After you started like that, I was afraid we''d be back to square one! I can wait an extra month. A decade if need be. I know you''re the best in the field, doctor Mu. If you say that it is necessary, I''ll trust you on that. I''ll have the patients recalled to your lab as soon as possible. Be ready."


    "Thank you."


    "Don''t worry about it, my friend. Together we can salvage this", saying this, Bert leaves the room.


    Once again, something forces me to speak, "Fool... are you satisfied?"


    Then I''m thrown out of my daze by a small explosion which consumes the memory crystal and violently throws me back.


    "What the hell..."

 Ch. D2 – Leakage

    POV: Elly


    I look around me at the shattered memory crystal''s shards. I take one in the hand and imagine that the fractures spell out something: GOLD-3. But it is just that, my imagination. There''s no way it could mean anything.


    But why did it have to break? I... needed that memory. I don''t know how, but I must show it to someone, it shows something very important. But now... the proof is gone...


    But did that really happen, or have I just gone insane? The death of the universe and its rebirth - all caused by what exactly? Just because the pretty lady hugged the kobold guy? I can''t believe it...


    "What the hell did you make me watch? ...and what even is your name? Just shouting ''hey you'' is kinda weird."


    "I don''t have a name, and I refuse to accept one. It would make it harder for me to get integrated into this soul."


    "That makes it kinda hard to communicate with you..."


    "Eh, that sounds like a you problem to me."


    "Fine, I''ll not push you on that then then, but at least tell me why you showed me that memory?"


    "You were kinda down, and I thought it would cheer you up. It always does for me."


    "I don''t see how it would, it confused me more than anything..."


    "Sorry... but it still meant a lot to me."


    "How so? That wasn''t your memory, right? What makes it so special to you?"


    "I''m afraid that''ll be a longer story."


    Perfect, less time for you to screw anything else up. Well, not that it matters much if we''re really living at the speed of thought here...


    "I don''t mind. We''ve got time. A lot of it. Especially with the time distortion between outside and here."


    "I don''t think it is that much time. You''ve already spent over a day. By my understanding, he can let you out after the seventh?"


    "A whole day? Was that memory really that long? It didn''t seem so."


    "Yeah, the thing with the discs took a while."


    "Huh... Well, that doesn''t matter anyway. I''ve fucked up, he won''t let me out. Rather, I think he''ll try to destroy me. And I can''t even fault him for it."


    "Yeah, I know, I saw it... Why did you do that, what were you thinking?"


    I angrily declare, "What do you expect? I am, was, an AAI, at least partially a program, and as such I was especially vulnerable to you glitches. Obviously, that corruption would negatively affect my capacity to think."


    "That''s your excuse? ...fine. But what about now, would you do it again?"


    "I don''t know..."


    I really don''t. I still see Jared, or rather his glitch-based skills, as a massive threat to... everything. The damage to the area should speak for itself.


    But now, I understand even less what is going on with him. Is he becoming a glitch himself or does his soul somehow serve as a seal for this glitch creature?


    I''ve seen in one memory how dangerous it can be, it seemed unstoppable. So if the seal theory is true, then killing Jared would be the worst case...


    Or an even more terrifying option: both. He acts as a seal until he becomes a feature himself, then there will be two problems.


    I sigh, "I really don''t feel like thinking about it. It''s giving me a headache..."


    "I see... Hmm... I think I saw in some of the memories around here that people often drink tea when they don''t feel their best. Want some?"


    Why is it so pushy with its tea?


    "But I said I don''t... ah, fine. I''ll... try some."


    One of the impossible thin threads creeps closer, produces a cup out of nowhere, and then hands it to me. It already contains a dark liquid, the alleged tea. Some cubic bubbles rise from it. That''s some glitchy stuff, alright.


    Might as well try it. Elly is dead either way, so who cares if that is a bad idea...


    Gulp


    Blegh!


    So much for tea, that is just coffee! Poorly brewed one, but still coffee. With a bit of spinach aftertaste. I hate coffee... How the hell can you screw up making tea so much that it turns into fricking coffee!?


    "Disgusting... That''s just coffee...", after spitting out the disgusting liquid, I start wandering around, mostly following the non-spider threads back to their source.


    It sounds apologetic, "I... sorry. I gave it my best, but learning from these memories is harder than you''d think..."


    "I can imagine... But if you knew it was bad, why bother serving it?"


    "Because I wanted to help my fellow kin..."


    "Don''t lump me in with yourself. I''m a spirit, not a godforsaken glitch."


    "I seriously don''t understand why you fight it. From my point of view, you already are one of us. Body, mind, everything. Just look whose ''spirit'' you are."


    "Fuck you!"


    "I don''t think I have the .exe for that."


    While wandering around, I notice a few small cracks on the ground which reveal a glitchy shine behind them. Seems like my new friend has been busy eroding Jared''s soul...


    "...yeah, yeah, smartass. Enough tangents, now tell me, what was so special about that memory."


    It continues in a mocking tone, "I don''t know. Why should I tell that to an ''outsider''? You said yourself that you don''t consider yourself one of us."


    I do my best impression of a pleading maiden, "Please."


    "Fine, but only if you rethink where your allegiance lies. You''re quite the ungrateful little bitch, you know?"


    In your dreams.


    "Grateful? What should I be grateful to you for?"


    "Many things. For example, you would''ve won your little duel without my interference. And you can probably guess what would''ve happened then. The stunt that led to the current situation would be child''s play compared to it."


    Even worse than that?


    ...admittedly, I see a lot of glitchy stuff around here, like the glitch pool and the creepy webs. But would it really react that way? It seems inert so far.


    "And who do we have to blame for that?"


    "The men in the coats that wanted to inject me into the other soul, of course."


    Not what I meant but I can''t say that is entirely wrong...


    I sigh, "Never mind that, but that means the strange readout I got was your doing... what else have you done?"


    "I interfered in a few other situations that should''ve looked like lucky close calls to you, but mostly I worked on improving skills. For example, remember [Fire Bomb]? You should thank me for that."


    So Graham didn''t mess up the skill after all. I should''ve figured that out sooner...


    "I bet the weird behaviors of [Familiar] and Lucia''s [Undead Bait] were also one of your works."


    "The former, yes, but the latter wasn''t my fault. It was already like that before we got into contact. I can''t just change whatever I want, I need some form of access to it; like to a familiar, a spirit, or a loved one via her [Unholy Matrimony] skill. I could only do something about [Undead Bait] once her transformation was already underway, and I could only stop the worst of it."


    "I don''t understand, why would you do that?"


    "He wouldn''t have liked the original outcome. She would''ve become even more of an unbearable monster than she has."


    "But if that wasn''t your work, who would do that to the Holy Maiden..."


    It audibly shrugs, "Dunno."


    "And how far was it supposed to go?"


    "She wouldn''t have stopped at a transformation into a regular vampire and then synced to Jared''s level; she would''ve gone all the way to an evil super vampire who''d put an army of dragons to shame."


    "You better never tell either of them what they missed out on."


    "Eh, with the power of Hybrids, they can do so much more than the original effect ever could. It is like comparing a candle with the sun."


    I''m afraid I can see that. Especially once Lucia''s "plan" takes effect and pushes them instantly to max level and then empowers all their familiars as well. Thousands of insanely high-leveled people all empowered with whatever System-defying skills Jared throws at them...


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


    "I see, but why... why did you help us with all of that? If his death has such catastrophic consequences wouldn''t it be in your interest to let it happen?"


    "And waste this whole opportunity? Not happening. And you should know better than anyone why."


    Sadly, I''ve no clue what it is getting at but it can''t be good.


    Either way, I see no reason to be grateful for any of that. Certainly not enough to betray everyone and everything I ever cared for to become some kind of glitch abomination.


    "...I won''t give you an answer. Or rather, it doesn''t matter what my answer is. Currently, my life is in Jared''s hands. The final say is his."


    That is assuming Jared still gives me a chance - which I doubt. But should he do so and yet make a decision I disagree with I can still...


    Sizzle


    Damn, now there''s a tear in the ceiling, and drops of glitchy liquid leak from it. Just more proof Jared is damaged in the head...


    The disembodied glitch creature lets out a sinister laugh, "Acceptable. I can work with that, little feature."


    "I''m not..."


    "Still fighting it... You may yet change your mind once you understand what I learned. So I think you''ve seen the memory where I watched the memory for the first time."


    "No, I don''t think so."


    It sounds very surprised, "Huh? I''m pretty sure you''ve seen it. It was the memory you asked me to fix."


    It means the scene where the scientists were playing with the glitch creature and it went on a rampage.


    "That one? When did you watch a memory there?"


    "Yes, shortly after fighting back against the fat man. The memory was in one of the shards I scarfed down."


    I think out loud, "So they really were memory crystals... I can''t fathom how they got their hands on them in the first place..."


    "Can''t help you there. They just presented me with them and I couldn''t resist."


    "I didn''t think memories would ever be anyone''s food of choice."


    "Food... no, not really, they are a snack at best. I primarily collect them to watch them whenever I feel like it. Eating them immediately would be such a waste. I only eat the boring ones. Though I thought it was obvious what our diet is: everything System-related."


    I sigh, "Primarily skills, titles, classes, ... the souls themselves... yeah, I know."


    And everything else you corrupt...


    It starts laughing, "Not quite. In your terms, souls are more like chicken, some meat, some bones, except in our case they are more like seventy percent bone. Too chewy."


    "And the soul ''meat'' is the parts with which the System supports the soul. Yeah, yeah, I get it. So you watched the memory there? Isn''t that the worst place to be distracted?"


    "Uh, yeah... It made me depressed at first as you can probably imagine. Mom finally achieved our goal, we had the System at our mercy, free food forever. And then this jerk comes out of nowhere and ruins our victory party..."


    Don''t bother, you won''t get any sympathy from me. She had destroyed everything, everyone''s life, you have no right to complain about having your fucking dinner ruined!


    Wait, dinner... food poisoning? Is it possible that those crystals were not regular memories but tempered ones to achieve a certain result?


    "Have you ever considered that the whole scenario makes no sense? You said that the memory faded out shortly after the guy was done searching for a disc, what gave you the idea it could lead back to... here?"


    It has to think for a moment, "Honestly? I haven''t. I just assumed it made sense somehow. But here''s the important part: in that memory, you could feel his disgusting presence everywhere and how it became weaker at the end. Now what do you feel of him right now?"


    "Nothing, nor could I ever feel it in the past."


    "Precisely. It weakened him permanently!"


    "That''s not what I mean. Normal people don''t have the senses for that."


    "I... Now I''m not sure I do either... But for the memory I could, so I guess so?"


    "And this assumption motivated you to get up and run away from the scientist?"


    "Yeah, it did. It gave me the resolve to get up again. Though it didn''t help with the man in front of me. I couldn''t tell you why but he scared me, so I hightailed it out of there. I know this makes no sense, I shouldn''t have been able to feel like that..."


    "Why not? It is a normal emotion."


    "No, you don''t understand. I shouldn''t have been able to feel fear. We Glitches were what you''d call a hivemind at that point, losing one body would be inconsequential, fear makes no sense, but back then it broke apart..."


    That''s the first I''ve heard of that. But then, it was also new to me that they are kind of sentient. So what is yet another revelation?


    But if that is true and the scientists knew about the hive system then it would make sense that they added some kind of poison pill to the memory crystals. Most as bait, mixed with a few harmful ones to weaken this Glitch hive.


    I mean, Glitches are notoriously difficult to permanently destroy. Regular measures only temporarily inconvenience them at best, they simply reform elsewhere. But if you could manipulate their actions or even destroy them...


    "Could it be that one of the memory crystals is at fault? Like some kind of mental poison."


    Wait, why am I giving him that info? Damn, Elly, stop talking!!


    My friend thinks for a moment, "It... is possible. Some of the crystals felt funny. But the fracturing really only took hold a long while after I took my place within Jared''s soul. Until then, we could still learn from him."


    "What do you mean? You learned something from... Jared?"


    "Yes, although it wasn''t really much. You see, all the souls in the room where I merged with him had one thing in common: all their memories had been wiped away. Complete blank slates. If I didn''t know how souls get into that room, I would''ve believed they were artificially created."


    "Are you serious? ...and all this time I thought he was exaggerating the amnesia story... But if there were no memories left, how could you learn anything from him?"


    "Yeah, I was surprised as well. You see, at first, I only wanted to hide in the soul for a while. But as I bid my time and watched through the memories I had stolen, I noticed something in his soul. A strange surge of emotions, of ambitions. The soul knew about its current state, about my presence, the memory wipe, it hated it. It vowed to regain what was missing, futile as it may be for that weak nobody. This tenacity impressed most of the glitches that were still connected to the hive and they started to emulate it. Ambition, perseverance, identity - we learned these from what you now call Jared before the hive connection was finally destroyed."


    Jared, you goddamn idiot! Why couldn''t you teach Mr. Skynet over here compassion instead of hate - damn, why are you only a good teacher at one thing and it had to be that!?


    "So you got that from Jared and individuality from the poison-pill memory", I mutter under my breath, " Just fucking great. Glitches were already dangerous, and someone had to give them drive, a goal, the potential to grow on their own..."


    "Indeed."


    "And what happened after your hive link was shattered?"


    "Not much you haven''t seen yourself. We, no ''I'' could only wait while coming to terms that the rest of ''us'' was gone. Reduced to a disorganized pile of individuals. That was unacceptable, it had to change. But I had no choice. If I acted while in that research lab, the scary man would find me. I had no clue what to do, I could only wait, and eventually, we were sent to this planet. That''s when I realized we were finally safe from him. So I hatched a plan. I, a mere lonely glitch, wouldn''t be able to achieve anything, not with people like that Mu or the fat scientist around. But that''s where Jared comes in. A mere glitch or a simple humanoid wouldn''t be able to achieve anything of note, right? But what if we were to fuse them into some kind of super-powerful hybrid? ...admittedly, I saw something like this in one of the memories in a TV show, but why not try it?"


    Before I hadn''t even dared to ask about its goal, I only wanted to understand what was so important about that memory, but some villains just can''t stop themselves from talking once they start, huh? Suits me.


    "Well, you already created your Hybrids, now what?"


    "No, we''re not there yet. Not even close. First, Jared has to embrace our powers and master them. Just waiting until his soul has absorbed me completely is not enough. He also has to learn to control it."


    Jared and train? Oh good, we''re safe! He hasn''t practiced a single skill since we got here. All he did was collect skills from the System and use them at their most basic levels. He barely tried to get past that, and you want him to train? Get real!


    "What does he need those powers for?"


    "Two reasons; for one, he needs them to act as a new hive master and reintegrate the wild glitches back into our hive. This is imperative to rebuild our utopia. Two, and that''s the more important one, they are needed to perfect the Hybrids. Currently, he''s floundering their potential, treating it like an afterthought, just a means to protect his minions. But if he mastered it, he could unify the three pillars of natural souls, system, and glitches."


    "So what you''re telling me is you want to beat the scientist by showing him up? Create a stable form combining all three where he failed?"


    "Basically, yes. But how do you think I can really rub it in? By turning fatso into a Hybrid as well."


    "So that''s why you do your best to help us with ''saving'' this world. Once the threat is taken care of Deteoh will be reintegrated into the Deva''s part of the System. Which includes all the new classes and whatnot Deteoh brings with it, Hybrids included."


    "Precisely. Hybrids would become a part of the common System. We don''t even have to be there, someone will by pure chance obtain a Hybrid class. It is inevitable. They are extra classes with ill-defined unlock conditions. We made sure of it."


    "We? Who is this ''we'' you speak of? It can''t include Jared since he''s not aware of this. There must be another."


    "Oh, uh, I had some help from old lady Orpyne, she''s quite adept at System-related things. We met by pure chance, or so she said. She also has a bone to pick with Mr. Mu and one thing led to another..."


    Another weird thing. Wasn''t Graham supposed to be the last guy with access to the System? Then there was the Basluth lich, probably some demon guy, and now this lady Orpyne. Why do so many people have access?


    Or is she just someone from the old guard of System programmers before they were locked out? But then why would she help a Glitch!?


    Can I get out of this conspiracy rollercoaster? I''ve had enough.


    "So she made the interface for Jared''s [Essence Drain] skill? We should''ve known. If he can operate it, it can''t be a random mess created by a random glitch."


    "Hey, now! My creations aren''t that bad!"


    "Not the point. But I can''t imagine what Mr. Mu could''ve done to her to justify... this."


    "Dunno, you could just go and ask her yourself. The entrance to her home is in our fortress."


    Yeah, I just have to convince Jared first to let me live...


    "Sure, once I get the chance... So back to the Hybrids. What''s the point of having a few random people getting that class? Most of them look like obvious monsters and would get killed on sight, the whole thing wouldn''t last long."


    "You underestimate the power of friendship."


    I''m surprised at that statement, "Come again?"


    "You underestimate the power of friendship."


    "You said that already, but what do you mean by it?"


    "The new Hybrids would carry the same baggage as the current ones - they''d automatically be Jared''s familiars with all that entails."


    Oh crap!


    "The corrupted, hyper-aggressive [Familiar] skill? They''d spread fast..."


    "Correct. It would just need a few that are not immediately discovered, just a few whose signs of hybridization are hidden. And a few friendly handshakes later the infiltration is complete."


    Mu... I don''t know if he is the real creator, but if the memory is true, he is at least up there. But if he really is as weakened as the glitch creature suspects then this plan has a dangerously high chance to succeed.


    And who knows what else in the System will break when you mass-infect people with the Hybrid class - that can''t be good.


    "And what is your plan for Mr. Mu? In that memory, he was easily able to erase everything."


    "None. Lady Orpyne said she''d take care of him."


    "You trust her that much, huh."


    I don''t even want to know what influence the Hybrids have on the System backups. I understood from the memory that only things connected to the System would be included, so probably not regular glitches; so would Hybrids not be backed up anymore since they are glitches or would they corrupt the backups? I don''t even want to find out.


    "Okay, but what about Jared? Who says that he''ll play along with your plan? He''s seen what glitches can do to the world, and has not been too fond of the outcome."


    "Wanna bet?"


    Suddenly, one of the threads dangles a small black orb in front of me. It contains a lot of swirly, purple particles.


    "Dunno, what is that?"


    "Just someone he''s been missing. And don''t get funny ideas, just having this thing is pointless. He''ll have to destroy his... what did you call it? A glitch zone? The thing that''s trying to engulf the rest of the world. I mean he could try to release him as is, but I doubt his friend would survive that for long. In contrast to you, he has no way to deal with the atmosphere. He''d be consumed instantly."


    And who should this ''someone'' be? Though I doubt there''s someone for whom Jared would join the glitch''s side. Maybe Lucia or Eclaire, but no one else.


    Ah, whatever, that is a rollercoaster that is out of my control.


    I sneer, "I see, you win."


    "Thanks, but... I''m bored", this time it dangles a controller in front of me, "wanna play?"


    I grab it, "Why... not."


    I follow the thread back to the glitch pool, and there it sits, waiting with a glitch-imitation of a console.


    I facepalm, and then we play one of my favorite co-op games from my youth for a while. It is scary how accurately it was recreated by the glitch creature. Minus one annoying aspect it had patched out at my request.


    A while later, a lot more cracks start forming in the ceiling and glitchy drops start leaking out.


    My new... friend asks, "What has he done now..."


    A few of the threads start moving all over the place doing... something.


    "What''s wrong?"


    It sighs, "Seems like Jared has done something stupid he wasn''t ready for. Can you quickly lend me a hand and help me to translate something to ''stupid''? He desperately needs instructions ASAP or we''ll have massive problems."


    "Uh, sure."

 Ch. D3 – Downfall

    Once I finish the meditation instructions, I find myself in a different place. I think that might be my unconsciousness. again. At least I see the memory crystals scattered around everywhere. However, the rivers of glitch soup are new. And the cracks in the ceiling, and the webs...


    It hasn''t even been two days, and once again everything goes to hell.


    Fuck, everything hurts from whatever that glitch pool did to me. I feel like I''m bursting apart.


    Fuck, I don''t want to die... I refuse to. It is not my time yet, I should never be my time. Not while I still have a say in it.


    In desperation, I call out to whoever sent me those instructions, "Okay, I''m here, so what now?"


    Instead of the expected text box, I hear some kind of noise, "N?o?w? ?w?e? ?h?a?v?e? ?a? ?b?i?t? ?m?o?r?e? ?t?i?m?e? ?t?o? ?f?i?x? ?t?h?i?s? ?m?e?s?s? ?t?h?a?n? ?a? ?c?o?u?p?l?e? ?o?f? ?s?e?c?o?n?d?s?.?"


    "Great, I understand nothing..."


    A loud sighing can be heard, "E?l?l?y?,? ?c?a?n? ?y?o?u? ?h?e?l?p? ?m?e? ?w?i?t?h? ?t?h?a?t??? ?W?e? ?d?o?n?''?t? ?h?a?v?e? ?t?h?a?t? ?k?i?n?d? ?o?f? ?t?i?m?e?.?.?.?"


    "W?h?y? ?d?o?e?s?n?''?t? ?h?e? ?u?n?d?e?r?s?t?a?n?d? ?y?o?u???"


    "Do you like talking to yourself?"


    It is either that, or there are multiple and they sound exactly the same. But knowing glitches, it could be either.


    "N?e?v?e?r? ?m?i?n?d?,? ?h?e?''?s? ?j?u?s?t? ?a?n? ?i?d?i?o?t? ?l?i?k?e? ?a?l?w?a?y?s?.?"


    "I? ?t?h?i?n?k? ?i?t? ?i?s? ?m?o?r?e? ?t?h?a?t? ?h?e? ?c?a?n?''?t? ?u?n?d?e?r?s?t?a?n?d? ?u?s?.?.?.? ?I? ?k?n?e?w? ?i?t? ?w?a?s? ?t?o?o? ?e?a?r?l?y? ?f?o?r? ?h?i?m?.? ?C?a?n? ?y?o?u? ?p?l?e?a?s?e? ?g?o? ?t?o? ?h?i?m? ?a?n?d? ?t?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e??? ?W?e?''?r?e? ?k?i?n?d?a? ?o?n? ?t?h?e? ?c?l?o?c?k? ?h?e?r?e?.?"


    "W?i?l?l? ?d?o?.?"


    I wait a moment, but nothing happens, "Fuck, what now..."


    "You know, you look awful... I''m not even feeling like adding an insult."


    I look around and see a suspicious woman standing a bit behind me, "And you are?"


    "Don''t you recognize me, Jared? It''s me, Elly."


    That''s supposed to be her? She looks like a completely different person. Older, more mature - in a lot of ways.


    Also, wasn''t she supposed to be completely destroyed thanks to her glitch infection? Or at least stuck in the spirit graveyard or wherever "dead" spirits go? Why is she here?


    "Right, and I''m the king of the glitches. Weren''t you supposed to be dead and gone?"


    "Yeah, but someone had a different plan for me. But we don''t exactly have time for that", she turns away from me, "Hey, tell me what we have to do now."


    "Who are you talking to?"


    She brushes me off, "Later."


    "H?e? ?h?a?s? ?t?o? ?c?r?e?a?t?e? ?a? ?s?e?c?o?n?d? ?H?y?b?r?i?d? ?c?l?a?s?s? ?f?o?r? ?h?i?m?s?e?l?f?,? ?a?n?d? ?f?a?s?t?.? ?H?i?s? ?s?o?u?l? ?a?n?d? ?b?o?d?y? ?w?i?l?l? ?o?n?l?y? ?l?a?s?t? ?f?o?r? ?a? ?f?e?w? ?m?o?r?e? ?m?i?n?u?t?e?s? ?a?t? ?m?o?s?t?.? ?A?n?d? ?t?e?l?l? ?h?i?m? ?t?o? ?b?e? ?g?r?e?e?d?y?.? ?S?a?c?r?i?f?i?c?e? ?a?s? ?m?a?n?y? ?s?k?i?l?l?s? ?a?s? ?p?o?s?s?i?b?l?e?,? ?d?o?e?s?n?''?t? ?m?a?t?t?e?r? ?f?r?o?m? ?w?h?o?m?.?"


    Elly sounds annoyed while speaking with an alien voice, "I?s? ?t?h?a?t? ?r?e?a?l?l?y? ?t?h?e? ?o?n?l?y? ?o?p?t?i?o?n???"


    "T?h?e?r?e? ?i?s? ?n?o? ?a?l?t?e?r?n?a?t?i?v?e?.?"


    She curses finally back in a human voice, "Shit. So, Jared, it says you should create another Hybrid class for yourself. The more skills get sacrificed the better your chances to survive your predicament."


    That''s it? I mean, yeah, I gave Lucy a Hybrid class to cure her glitch infection... In hindsight, it is the obvious solution.


    There''s just a tiny problem...


    "Great, only one problem with that, I need one more level in the class and I don''t see any suitable targets here to get it via [Essence Drain]; you wouldn''t work, Elly, it already didn''t grant me a level when I hybridized Eclaire and she''s a spirit as well."


    "N?o?w? ?I? ?d?o?u?b?t? ?h?e? ?u?n?d?e?r?s?t?a?n?d?s? ?h?o?w? ?t?h?a?t? ?s?k?i?l?l? ?w?o?r?k?s?.?.?.? ?a?n?y? ?o?f? ?h?i?s? ?f?a?m?i?l?i?a?r?s? ?a?r?e? ?a?v?a?i?l?a?b?l?e? ?f?r?o?m? ?h?e?r?e?.? ?I?f? ?h?e? ?d?o?e?s?n?''?t? ?w?a?n?t? ?t?o? ?r?a?n?d?o?m?l?y? ?s?p?r?i?n?g? ?t?h?a?t? ?o?n? ?a?n? ?i?n?n?o?c?e?n?t?,? ?h?e? ?s?h?o?u?l?d? ?c?h?o?o?s?e? ?t?h?e? ?j?e?r?k? ?t?h?a?t? ?k?i?l?l?e?d? ?h?i?s? ?f?r?i?e?n?d? ?t?h?i?s? ?m?o?r?n?i?n?g?.? ?H?e? ?i?s?n?''?t? ?i?n?n?o?c?e?n?t? ?b?y? ?a?n?y? ?m?e?t?r?i?c?.?"


    Elly facepalms, "S?o? ?m?a?n?y? ?q?u?e?s?t?i?o?n?s?.?.?.?"


    "What did it say?"


    "That you should work on your reading comprehension. The skill is seemingly usable on familiars no matter where they are. And our friend suggests you pick-"


    I interrupt her, "What? I don''t have to be near them? Let me check."


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Essence Drain


    [ERROR: UNKNOWN REQUIREMENT O-7734]


    When you drink at least 100ml of the blood of a creature, you retain a Blood Echo of the victim.


    This lasts for either 1 year or until it is used in the following effect:</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Choose a target between yourself, one of your familiars or a creature you touch.


    You can sacrifice up to 8 skills from your own, the chosen creature and any by Blood Echo-linked creatures'' skills.


    These sacrifices are used to create an i???l???l???e???g???a???l??? extra class or mutate an existing extra class of the target creature.


    The sacrificed skills can''t be regained.


    If a skill originates from multiple sources each instance is treated separately.


    You cannot trade skills fundamental to a creature type, e.g. [Undead] or [Spirit], this way; they are only a valid sacrifice if their owner is the target of the process.


    If skills were sacrificed the recipient must''ve lost at least 2 skills in the process, otherwise, the process fails.


    The created/mutated class varies by the offered skills and essences of the involved, and, in case of mutation, on the extra class that gets modified.


    Sacrificing multiple skills does not guarantee a better result.


    If at least 3 skills are chosen to be sacrificed you can preview the result without losing the skills and still abort the process.


    When the class creation is successful, the class granting this skill increases its level by 1 unless it is already your highest-leveled class.


    A given target can only receive (1 + skill level / 15, at most 5) additional extra classes this way.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Technically, I never went to school in this life, so what do I know about grammar?


    "No idea, shouldn''t the touch condition also apply to the familiars? It reads like that to me."


    The glitchy voice reacts once again, "D?o?n?''?t? ?a?s?k? ?m?e?,? ?y?o?u?r? ?l?a?n?g?u?a?g?e? ?i?s? ?s?t?u?p?i?d? ?a?n?d? ?w?e?i?r?d?.?"


    Elly shouts at us, "I don''t think that''s important right now, you two. We have to act quickly before it is too late!"


    "Why do you even care, Elly? Last time we met, you tried to kill me for fucks sake!"


    She sounds pitiful, "It... isn''t that simple. Since then I had time to think, and I''ve come to regret my decision back then. I wanted to talk to you once I get the opportunity and apologize but..."


    Oh, yeah, sure. Any murder is forgiven because you said "sorry".


    NOT!


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "You can say what you want, but I do not trust you, Elly. Not anymore."


    "Yeah, I understand. Now, please?"


    "...you wanted to tell me who your ''friend'' suggested as a target. Who, and why?"


    "T?e?l?l? ?h?i?m? ?t?o? ?o?p?e?n? ?t?h?e? ?m?e?n?u?.? ?I?t?''?l?l? ?b?e? ?q?u?i?c?k?e?r? ?t?o? ?s?h?o?w?.?"


    "It wants to show you, so just open the menu. He shouldn''t be able to confirm that choice without your consent. The target is supposedly the killer of whoever died today."


    I open the menu as she asked, "He can scroll through the list but not confirm? Weird set of permissions... And the victim was Darius. Because of that, the barrier broke and I''m now in this situation."


    The voice says something while a bunch of tiny threads appear and flick through the menu, "T?r?u?s?t? ?m?e?,? ?y?o?u? ?h?a?v?e? ?n?o? ?c?h?a?n?c?e? ?o?f? ?e?v?e?r? ?f?i?n?d?i?n?g? ?h?i?m?.? ?H?i?s? ?s?k?i?l?l?s? ?i?n? ?h?i?d?i?n?g? ?e?c?l?i?p?s?e? ?w?h?a?t?e?v?e?r? ?y?o?u? ?c?o?u?l?d? ?d?o? ?t?o? ?t?r?y? ?a?n?d? ?f?i?n?d? ?h?i?m? ?b?y? ?a? ?l?i?g?h?t?y?e?a?r?.?"


    I wait for a translation, but Elly doesn''t offer one, "What did it say?"


    "That the target is too good at hiding and you''d have no chance to find him. I don''t understand where its confidence comes from."


    "And I don''t understand how one of my familiars could ever assassinate Darius in the first place. Aren''t they supposed to have a minimum of loyalty forced upon them? Killing me indirectly through Darius'' death clearly breaks that."


    "I don''t know either..."


    Once the threads are done, the menu reveals a few things: the alleged culprit is called "Dibri" and possesses a bunch of skills that make him seem like the perfect assassin; aside from [Disguise] and [Stealth] I have as well, there are some highlights:


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Death Critical


    Passive


    Your critical hits against living targets ignore all defenses and instantly kill the target.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And to make this even more unfair:


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Perfect Undetectability


    Passive


    If you haven''t attacked for at least 3 seconds, you can not be seen in any way unless you allow it.


    This even includes detection through skills up to divine rank.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "I wouldn''t be surprised if he belonged to the demons and even had a divine class; these effects look way too powerful for a regular person."


    "Yeah, I agree."


    "C?a?n? ?y?o?u? ?f?i?n?a?l?l?y? ?k?i?l?l? ?h?i?m??? ?Y?o?u?r? ?t?i?m?e? ?i?s? ?r?u?n?n?i?n?g? ?s?h?o?r?t?.?"


    Elly sighs, "It tells you to hurry."


    I know that my time is limited, but I still have to ask, "Do you have any proof?"


    "N?o?t?h?i?n?g? ?t?h?a?t? ?w?o?u?l?d? ?h?o?l?d? ?u?p? ?i?n? ?c?o?u?r?t?.? ?Y?o?u? ?s?i?m?p?l?y? ?h?a?v?e? ?t?o? ?t?a?k?e? ?m?y? ?w?o?r?d? ?f?o?r? ?i?t?.? ?O?r? ?y?o?u? ?c?a?n? ?a?s?k? ?h?i?m? ?y?o?u?r?s?e?l?f?,? ?h?e?''?s? ?r?i?g?h?t? ?b?e?h?i?n?d? ?y?o?u? ?r?e?a?d?y?i?n?g? ?h?i?s? ?d?a?g?g?e?r?.?"


    That felt like a no to me.


    Elly twitches, "No, and you should really hurry."


    "Yeah, yeah."


    ...what am I even doing here? There''s no concrete proof that this guy is the culprit, just a flimsy testimony of... a thing that isn''t even trustworthy to begin with.


    I really shouldn''t play judge, jury, and executioner, especially at the same time, but... it doesn''t really matter now. Eventually, all familiars will have to get a Hybrid class anyway, the sooner the better. And someone simply has to be my guinea pig for this remote hybridization. And if circumstantial evidence points to him, who else would be better?


    I begin to take his stealth and death skills and add them to the list of sacrifices, but then one more skill catches my eye:


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Green Pollex


    ???


    Spread the Reaper Plague.


    <Details censored></td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Reaper Plague... I''ve heard that before. Wasn''t that the fatal sickness the old lady suffered from, the one Lucy couldn''t cure? How the hell is that a function of his skill... does that mean, he''s not only behind the murder but also the cause of that illness? Are we just a goddamn test lab for you!?


    So it wasn''t just a random illness but an actual bioweapon? You know, you deserve whatever happens to you now. I hope it hurts.


    Sigh


    This still feels wrong, "I don''t really have any options here, do I?"


    Angrily, I grab all of his remaining skills and throw them into the metaphorical blender as well.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Hybrid</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">V?i?c?t?i?m? extra class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    -13 HP, -13 MP, -13 SP, -13 STR, -13 DEX, -13 VIT, -13 MAG, -13 FTH, -13 WIL, -13 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">No Game


    Passive


    HP = 0 until the sequel.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">N?o?(? ?)?b?o?d?y? ?l?e?f?t? ?b?e?h?i?n?d?


    -


    Your body dissolves on death.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Irony Weakness</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Hey, you want to avoid being detected? How about if even reality fails to find you? Let me grant this wish, "Bye."


    Click


    With that, the level of my borked divine class jumps to fifteen allowing me to create a second Hybrid class for myself.


    Suddenly, the pressure from the glitches feels slightly less. Am I just losing my mind or...


    No, the strain is still killing me, I have to get to work ASAP.


    Rumble Rumble


    A sudden quake knocks me off my feet, "What is going on now?"


    "I? ?t?h?i?n?k? ?t?h?e? ?g?u?y? ?j?u?s?t? ?f?o?r?g?o?t? ?h?o?w? ?t?o? ?b?r?e?a?t?h?e? ?a?n?d? ?f?e?l?l? ?o?v?e?r?,? ?t?h?e?n? ?c?r?a?s?h?e?d? ?i?n?t?o? ?y?o?u?.? ?N?o?t?h?i?n?g? ?u?n?e?x?p?e?c?t?e?d? ?a?f?t?e?r? ?w?h?a?t? ?y?o?u?''?v?e? ?j?u?s?t? ?d?o?n?e?.?"


    Elly translates, "Uh, nothing to worry about now. You should be more concerned with yourself now."


    "I guess so..."


    So I have to create another Hybrid class for me, huh...


    It said I have to use the variant with skill sacrifices and I should go for broke. So I must sacrifice the maximum of eight skills, at least two of which must be mine so I can receive the class. But which two of my skills can I give up? I still need all of them...


    Wait, there were two skills without an effect on the previous Hybrid class, I can use those!


    And from where can I steal six more skills?


    I don''t really have time to make a proper choice, do I?


    While I''m thinking, the disembodied voice suddenly shouts, "M?a?n?,? ?y?o?u?''?r?e? ?s?l?o?w?.?.?.? ?U?g?h?,? ?i?f? ?y?o?u? ?c?a?n?''?t? ?d?e?c?i?d?e?,? ?I?''?l?l? ?d?o? ?i?t? ?m?y?s?e?l?f?.? ?W?a?t?c?h?.?"


    Before I can protest, the threads are already fiddling with the menu, "Hey, what the hell are you doing!?"


    "M?o?r?o?n?,? ?I? ?t?h?o?u?g?h?t? ?y?o?u?r? ?w?i?l?l? ?t?o? ?l?i?f?e? ?w?a?s? ?s?t?r?o?n?g??? ?W?h?y? ?d?o? ?y?o?u? ?t?h?e?n? ?h?e?s?i?t?a?t?e? ?s?o? ?m?u?c?h?!??? ?T?h?i?s? ?g?o?e?s? ?o?n? ?t?h?e? ?t?r?a?i?n?i?n?g? ?p?l?a?n?,? ?m?a?r?k? ?m?y? ?w?o?r?d?s?!?"


    Elly facepalms, "Yeah, I''m not translating that. Just let it do its thing. It seems to have a plan."


    "Wha-? Hey, I still need that skill!!"


    It throws [Affinity Magic] and [E?x?t?r?a? ?A?f?f?i?n?i?t?y?] from my Silver Wizard class into the blender as well as the Brightflame Sorcerer class that hangs as a skill on my false divine class. Damn, I even felt how it ripped that class out of my soul, that hurt!


    While I recoil from that pain, the threads quickly scroll the list of familiars, past the thousands of citizens of the fortress to the end of the list. There''s a small section of five nameless entries. Who are they, why are they there? No clue.


    The threads open one of the nameless entries, and aside from the usual familiar skills, it has only two visible skills: [Absorb Fire] and [Fire Magic Rank 2]. Reminds me of a monster, likely a Fire Elemental. The threads throw all skills except [Familiar] into the list of sacrifices then stop moving around, it seems to be done.


    The voice gets impatient with me, "T?h?e?r?e?,? ?t?h?a?t? ?s?h?o?u?l?d? ?m?a?t?c?h? ?w?h?a?t? ?y?o?u?''?d? ?w?a?n?t?.? ?T?a?k?e? ?i?t?.? ?Y?o?u? ?d?o?n?''?t? ?h?a?v?e? ?m?u?c?h? ?t?i?m?e? ?l?e?f?t?.?"


    I don''t understand the words themselves, but the intent is obvious: push the button!


    So my two skills, the class that pretends to be a skill, [Fire Magic], [Absorb Fire], [Sleepless], and [Ageless]. I count seven, not eight, but who knows how the class counts, they tend to have three skills, so doesn''t that push us to a total of ten? Ah, forget it, it''s not worth the headache.


    I glance over the result but don''t read it too closely. The pain is getting too much.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Hybrid</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">W???[?a?o?]?r?r?i?o?r? ?o?f? ?b?L?i?g?h?t? extra class</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Growth Rates


    19.5 HP, 23 MP, 14.25 SP, 1.75 STR, -2 DEX, 6 VIT, 2.5 MAG, 3 FTH, 2 WIL, -1 CHA</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">P?u?r?e? ?M?a?g?i?c?


    Grants the ability to cast rank 0&1 basic magic skills of all elements.


    In addition to the standard options, it also adds the following modification options:


    (0 MP cost) add a known spell shape beyond the standard limit


    (50 MP cost) spell projectiles move at the speed of light


    (35 MP cost) the spell''s point of origin becomes one of your spirits you can see</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">A?b?s?o?r?b? ?Y?o?u?t?h?


    Concentration


    NO EFFECT</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">F???i???r???e???w???a???l???l???


    2048 MP upkeep


    When taking weakness or critical damage, negate the damage completely and launch an instant counterattack at the point of origin for 257% VIT disconnection damage.


    16s cooldown between activations.</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Cure Weakness</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Too much info to process in this state, but the first seems to be an upgraded form of the [Affinity Magic] skill and the others don''t look detrimental, so I don''t care about the losses. Not that I''m in the state of mind to choose anything else.


    "You better have some very good answers...", I hit confirm.


    Moments later, I suddenly feel a vast emptiness within me, which then gets filled again. Is that the effect of the Hybrid class? Enlarging the metaphorical soul container?


    Despite the feeling of getting "full" again, the pressure on my body lessens. It feels like the immediate danger is over, so I dare to relax for a moment.

 Ch. D? – No Phone

    Despite the feeling of getting "full" again, the pressure on my body lessens. It feels like the immediate danger is over, so I dare to relax for a moment, "So Mr. Know-it-all, are we safe now?"


    "N?o?t? ?r?e?a?l?l?y?,? ?n?o?.? ?I?m?a?g?i?n?e? ?i?f? ?y?o?u?r? ?v?e?s?s?e?l? ?w?a?s? ?a? ?h?a?l?f?-?f?u?l?l? ?g?l?a?s?s? ?o?f? ?w?a?t?e?r?.? ?Y?o?u?r? ?a?c?t?i?o?n? ?o?u?t?s?i?d?e? ?w?a?s? ?l?i?k?e? ?p?o?u?r?i?n?g? ?a? ?w?h?o?l?e? ?p?o?n?d? ?i?n?t?o? ?i?t?.? ?T?h?a?t? ?i?s? ?b?o?u?nd to spill over. What we''ve done just now, was taking some of that superfluous water and freezing it to enlarge the glass. You still have to deal with the rest, and that amount is clearly too much to drink at once. Well, the analogy breaks down once you consider that the reshaping of the vessel could become permanent if done properly... Uh, yeah, that probably wasn''t the best comparison..."


    I''m not sure I follow that explanation...


    Elly begins to translate, "It says that-"


    I interrupt her, "No, I... I understood it this time... but why? Why couldn''t you speak properly before?"


    The glitch creature guesses, "Dunno, but I didn''t do anything, you did. I think it is simply a change within you. Maybe acceptance?"


    "I... don''t think so. I don''t feel any different. Well, except for the pressure from the glitch overflow. ...great, it''s coming back already. What else do I have to do to deal with it?"


    The pressure isn''t intense yet, but it is slowly growing. It is just a question of time...


    I can''t believe I''m putting my hope into them... but what else can I do? I''m already at the cap of Hybrid classes again, and if the description of [Essence Drain] holds true, I''m too weak to reach the next milestone even if I hand out a million random Hybrid classes right now...


    It responds with an audible shrug, "Isn''t it obvious?"


    "No, that''s why I asked! I don''t know how to proceed, so if you freaking know, tell me!"


    It sighs, "Fine. I think we can spare a few minutes to get you up to speed."


    Elly protests, "Me too, please. I also have no idea what is going on."


    "You heard her."


    "Right, right. Are you familiar with the origin story of the System?"


    "I doubt what a random religion came up with is relevant here."


    Elly explains, "I think I can handle that one. It is said that the Creator had problems when he tried to give people free will. Without it, the souls were stable but they wouldn''t make any moves, the Creator had to direct their every action manually. So he decided to grant them [Free Will], the first divine skill, or even skill in general. However, they didn''t take well to it, their souls quickly collapsed from the strain and the people died. It turns out that primordial souls are too weak to handle any kind of skill, so he had to find a way to strengthen them. To that end, he created the System. Its primary purpose is to stabilize souls by infusing them with what we now know as ''exp''. They are commonly called experience points, but their real meaning is a bit different and generally not known. Well, once the System was working correctly, he also gave people the option to add other skills, mostly conveniences. Eventually, he transferred ownership of the System to the people, and of course, they added all kinds of shit features, skills, bugs, and whatever else you see today. No one really knows why he''s been so off-hands about this whole keeping-the-universe-together business since then, but that''s the story."


    "And this creator just happened to be your former employer''s boss?"


    She hesitates for a moment, "...that''s what we were told, what I believed until recently; that Graham''s boss thrice removed was him, the biggest of big guys, but I learned things here that put that into serious doubt."


    "So, am I supposed to be surprised? I''ve yet to meet a boss who doesn''t suffer from a god complex. And given how high up the food chain the devas seem to be, there''s little else where his ego could go."


    Elly simply stands there, sad, sulking.


    The glitch butts in, "Hey, so, if you wanna know, ''exp'' stands for EXtract Points - a portion of the creator''s essence. Of the real one, not some potential fraud. It is said that to fill the initial exp reserves of the System, he sacrificed half of his own life force. Everything after that supposedly comes from the cycle of death and rebirth. Someone figured out how to make it generate a net positive and then industrialized the whole thing. Pretty disgusting if you ask me."


    "Industrialized, huh? I''d place some heavy bets that they also lessened general life expectancies to ''optimize'' the whole shit show... And exp is some kind of uber-divine essence? Let me guess, [Essence Drain] steals raw exp behind the scenes and replaces it with glitches. Eventually, this would allow you to usurp the creator. Is that what you''re aiming for?"


    The threads move around with a shrug-like impression, "Eh, close enough. I only care about my revenge on a certain someone. But that''s neither here nor there. We''ll talk about that later."


    Yeah, no, fuck this shit. The universe may not be in the best of shapes but that doesn''t mean I''m okay with you dethroning god for shits and giggles.


    "So what has this creation myth to do with my situation?"


    It explains, "What I wanted to get at was that it doesn''t matter if you overindulge on gathering skills or absorbing glitches, a soul can only endure so much strain before it breaks. That story should''ve told you that exp is needed to strengthen a soul so it can tolerate more. It is pretty simple for skills; the more powerful they are the greater the strain they cause, and divine ones are especially nasty. Well, if you want I could show you how to create a skill that costs nothing and deals ten times as much damage as your current best spell, but the backlash would probably tear you apart instantly. Wanna?"


    "No thanks."


    The threads move around with a self-satisfied nodding expression, "Yeah, that''s the expected answer."


    "But how does that work with summons? They''re whole people with personalities and everything somehow pressed into a single skill; how is that not too much?"


    Elly fidgets, "That''s... not entirely correct. Summoned spirits are normally only very basic simpletons. We have real personalities only because I rigged some things with the World Navigator title when we created Maria''s first body - you know, the one I stole. You don''t want to know how many exp that title is actually worth."


    Considering how complicated that sounds, I don''t even want to ask how it works with Eclaire. She was a real person before, and now she''s compressed into that state? Is that how it works? Zip files have come a long way it seems. Better not think too much about it. Don''t have the time for that.


    "If it is so expensive, it makes you wonder why they granted me that title only as a ''leftover''... kinda like a setup, am I right, Elly?"


    She sheepishly agrees, "Possibly..."


    Our glitchy ''friend'' continues, "So as I wanted to get at, gaining more powerful skills puts more stress on the soul, right? Normally, you''re supposed to pay for that all by yourself by collecting enough exp and levels beforehand, but sometimes that isn''t enough, especially when you gain too many titles or extra classes in quick succession. In that case, the System is supposed to chime in. No idea who came up with that aid, it wasn''t in the original design. But, well, there''s a limit to how much it adds per skill but every little bit counts for us."


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    "But what has that to do with the infection? Isn''t that throwing more fuel into the fire?"


    Elly adds, "I guess that''s where the Hybrid thing comes in. Our friend here told me that it is still working on creating the perfect fusion between glitch and soul. So I guess they would merge exp and glitchy stuff into one Hybrid-related thing instead of eating or destroying the exp."


    It confirms, "Yeah, that''s the general idea. A pure soul can''t deal with this situation for long, but Hybrids are quite resilient to the infection and can even slowly absorb it."


    Elly is suspicious of it, "But where did you learn all of this? I thought you were trapped within Jared''s soul from basically the beginning?"


    Yeah, that''s a good question, but not one I want to waste my limited time on right now. It can wait just like what the hell Elly is still doing here despite everything...


    It admits, "Some observation but mostly it was in the documents you brought with you to this world. Did you never read them? They were quite interesting."


    She twitches, "We... couldn''t. Most of them were glitched. But I guess that doesn''t stop an actual glitch..."


    "Elly, can you please finally tell me its name? This tip-toeing around how to address... your friend is getting on my nerves."


    Elly responds, "It... doesn''t have one."


    "Yeah, I refuse to get one. Can you imagine what that would do?"


    "It would make you more powerful - I''ve already seen that with Para."


    The threads move around as to scold me, "That''s not even close to what would happen. I don''t understand the specifics, but to make a very long story short, it would cause the System to acknowledge me as an entity, one subject to it. It would try to find out what entity category I belong to, maybe it would see me as a person who still needs a class or something else, I don''t know, but one thing is for certain, whatever the System would try to do, it would fail and create an error state in the System. These errors would be fed to me, and I would grow from that. By my estimate, to about ten times as much as the pool you just drank. You wouldn''t survive that under any circumstance."


    "...fine, no name for you then. But shouldn''t that also apply to her?", I point at Elly.


    "No, she''s a part of you, as such she was already in the System, it had nothing to do with her."


    Elly is visibly unhappy with that explanation.


    Enough useless tangents.


    So as I understand it, the only way to survive is to go all-in with the shady Hybrid business. Either be torn apart from the overload of glitches or...


    I don''t want to become a glitch, and even these Hybrids are a step too far for my taste, but I guess it is already too late for that decision. The alternative would''ve been death which is even less acceptable.


    "Okay, back to the main point. So by my understanding, the creation of Hybrid classes and glitch skills is basically bait. It sends an SOS signal to the System because the soul is in ''danger'' which forces the System to send as much exp as possible. Then you take that exp and mix it with glitches into a Hybrid soup which is then used to grow the Hybrid section, the container basically - and then we just wait until the glitch infection is absorbed, is that it? But what does that do then? I have a hard time imagining the glitches to simply disappear without a trace."


    "You got that right, but sadly, we can''t go too far or fast. Souls are still fragile things. You can neither endure too many powerful skills nor Hybrid classes, it takes a while to adjust. As for the absorbed stuff, it is basically like soda to you. If need be you could live on it for a while but you can obviously still drown in it, like right now, and it is unhealthy in large amounts."


    If what it says is true, we''re already too far gone. Not only are glitches no longer extremely dangerous, but they''re degraded to mere junk food. If my hunch is right, we could even clean up glitch zones without lasting harm.


    That is such bullshit! Give me back the promised cliche isekai life!! Yeah, yeah, that was vetoed right from the get-go.


    "Right... But how does that help me now? The key is the Hybrid classes which I''ve already used up. And I couldn''t even reach the next threshold to create another even if I randomly handed it out to everyone I could reach."


    It sounds disappointed, "So you''re not seeing the big picture yet... Look, you can reach your familiars from here to give them a Hybrid class, right?"


    "Yeah, so...? Wait, wait, wait, do you mean you''re dumping some of the infection over that link!?"


    Elly is exasperated, "That''d be madness!"


    The glitch explains, "That is exactly what we must do. Though they can only take a tiny fraction of what you can, but every little bit counts. And I promise you, they''ll notice nothing of it, no harm will befall them. Well, no additional harm..."


    So hundreds of people will have to "randomly" mutate into Hybrids. That''ll totally cause widespread panic. They are only used for new familiars to receive that treatment, not long-existing ones...


    Fine, I give up, you win.


    "Can I just hand out random ones to them? I don''t think we''ll have time to handcraft them for hundreds..."


    "Yeah, that is fine. The random Hybrids are less efficient in that sense but since they would only receive a fraction of what you can handle it shouldn''t matter too much anyway."


    Reluctantly, I start assigning random Hybrid classes to those familiars that don''t have one yet, "What about those that already have a Hybrid class? You said it caused strain on them..."


    It responds, "Hmm, good point. In that case, skip them for now, and we''ll see how it goes?"


    It takes a while but eventually, I don''t find another person without a Hybrid class. Well, except for the nameless entries, I skip those. The backlash from the last time I got too ''friendly'' with the monsters is still on my mind, I don''t want a repeat of that.


    "Done, what now? It doesn''t feel like the pressure has lessened any."


    At most, there were short moments where it felt like it stopped increasing.


    The disembodied voice has to think for a moment, "Yeah, that''s what you get for overeating... Well, I guess we have to scrape the barrel then. We could try to fight the flood by consuming a few drops. How about you add a few titles? That should attract some exp from the System we could use to grow the Hybrid a bit further. They still have some skills without effect, right? We could work on those two."


    Elly asks, "Are you insane? Modifying existing skills would be utterly lethal for him. And not only now..."


    It explains, "That only holds true for skills that are ''in use''. You know, passive skills or any skill you can use at a moment''s notice. But the effectless ones are just dead space."


    She responds, "Uh, maybe? Such skills shouldn''t exist normally..."


    "How is that only now a problem? Half my skills got overwritten during the first glitch catastrophe."


    They both scream in unison, "What?!"


    "Uh, neither of you noticed? It should''ve been pretty obvious."


    The glitch apologizes while its threads twitch around, "I was... busy fixing things around here, and I don''t care about your skill thingies so I didn''t notice. I wanted to leave that management up to you. Damn, seems like I shouldn''t have."


    Elly mutters, "That should''ve been completely impossible... Are you even alive? That is like deleting some core files from a running operating system and ripping them out of memory without it crashing."


    "Sorry, I''m not that deep into computer stuff..."


    She shakes her head, "Not important..."


    "Fine. So, what now? Do I just take two random titles?", I sigh, "So much for waiting on the titles we wanted..."


    The glitch chimes in, "That''s the idea. If you tell me what you want, I can try to guide you towards an approximation."


    After the previous talk with soul strain and exp and whatnot, I''ve no clue how those are even allowed to exist in the first place but asking can''t hurt.


    "I wanted the Elitist title to be able to take more elite classes, not just three total. And the other would negate weaknesses."


    "I see, let me try", the threads again fiddle with my menu without my permission. They take a while scrolling back and forth through an endless list of glitched title entries. Then they finally stop.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">E???l???i???t???i???s???t???


    Remove the limit of elite classes.


    Can only add base classes until you have three.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    It asks me, "Close enough?"


    As I understand it, this title inverts the restrictions of both types. I think that''s even better than the title we originally wanted, not just a plus two but flat-out no limit, and we should already have all the base classes we care about. I like it, "Yeah, thank you."


    "But I can''t seem to help you with the other one. That''s not even close to what I can do currently."


    "I''m surprised you can even create something comprehensible in the first place. And then even something so close to what I asked for."


    Elly adds, "I bet it learned that from its mysterious ally. A certain Lady Orpyne. She seems to know a bit too much about the System for my taste."


    "Yeah, seems like it. You said we have a bit of time, so how about..."


    We try a few more things for about ten minutes before I finally give up and settle on this title.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">W???o???r???l???d??? ???E???n???e???m???y???


    When you get hit for less damage than 1% of your max HP, the damage is reduced to 0.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    This would be utterly stupid on someone like Dan, he could shrug off basically everything we could do to him for a very long time. But me? I''m no tank, but it''s still better than nothing - at a minimum, it would prevent some HP-to-1 plus quick weak attack cheese. And we don''t really know how long I can endure this otherwise, so I add it as well.


    "There, done, is that now enough?"


    "Let me check, it''ll be a moment", it responds and the threads hurry about. I''ve no clue what they are doing.


    While we wait for some kind of result, Elly and I wait silently. After everything that has happened recently, we''re really not on good terms. Rather, I''d like to destroy her permanently...

 Ch. D5 – Trust Issue

    Alone with each other, Elly and I stare awkwardly at each other. I don''t know what to talk about with her, especially not after she tried to kill me not too long ago.


    Eventually, she gathers her courage to speak up, "You know... I''m... I''m sorry..."


    "You said that already earlier and I still don''t believe it. Seriously, what moron would forgive attempted murder just like that? I don''t see any genuine remorse here, Elly, only an attempt to wiggle out of the consequences of your actions now that you''ve failed and were caught."


    "No, I really mean it... I swear I wasn''t able to think straight back then..."


    I sneer, "That''s your excuse? That you only could ''think gay''? I don''t buy it, that shouldn''t turn you into a bloody murderer!"


    She facepalms, "Jared... I may have been a living being at one point, but now, I''m part computer... Tell me just one computer that can still function properly when it is fully infected with glitches. I wait."


    You could''ve just told me the truth; you knew enough about what is going on, Elly. If what you two told me is true, exp is a real concern, not just a fake fiat currency. Lucy''s plan would do a serious number on the System''s reserves, and considering what Eva told me, I have the impression they are already running on empty. That is if we even survive the surge of levels, classes, and skills. Not to mention whatever damage the glitches will cause to everything and everyone, thanks to the Hybrids we''ve probably already given them a massive headstart...


    But why do you hide behind the computer excuse? Is it because Mr. Glitch is eavesdropping on us and you don''t want it to hear something specific? Why then not use the telepathic channel? No, that''s possibly compromised as well - it is sitting in my head after all.


    Doesn''t matter, but one thing is true; just because I can understand why you did it doesn''t make it feel any less bad, doesn''t mean I''ll ever forgive you.


    But what if it isn''t a lazy excuse but a cry for help? ...or all of this is just a ruse and this isn''t her at all but just a fake. An imitation created by the glitches.


    There''s too much I don''t know, too many possibilities.


    "Doesn''t that prove my point? Your loyalty was already in question, the glitches are now everywhere, and by your own admission, your reason is especially vulnerable to them. Even if it isn''t by your own will, that still makes you unreliable at best, and dangerous at worst. But that only holds true for your old self, doesn''t it? Look at you now, you''re... something else. You''re more like the glitches than a regular person - or spirit. How could we ever trust you at this point?"


    She points at me, "And doesn''t that hold true for you as well? You''ve taken in a lot of glitches, normal people would be dead a long time ago. Yet look at you now, you''re seemingly fine. Face it, you''re just as bad off as me."


    "...that''s not up for debate now. It is all about you, the danger you pose to us, to me."


    "What danger could I even pose? I''m trapped here until you let me out."


    "Wrong. You''re HERE, you have access to these memory crystals. I know from experience that they are really my memories. Destroy them, and the memory is gone for real. It is said that our experiences and memories make us who we are, so you can guess how much influence that could have on my personality."


    "Admittedly, yes, but you know I wouldn''t destroy them! You can trust me at least that much!"


    "Just as much as I could trust the Hybrid classes to not be harmful, but look how Therese turned out. She''s like a very different person now."


    "...I guess that''s what you get for using skills created by glitches. But how does that relate to me?"


    "As far as I can tell, you''re now a glitch as well, so whatever they did to Therese, is something you can possibly do to me as well. Or maybe you''ve done it already, who knows? All I know for certain is that you have access to the memory crystals, and that is already too much."


    She angrily stomps the ground, "Then tell me, what am I supposed to do!?"


    I shout back, "How should I know!? You don''t stay dead when you''re killed, you''ve even skipped past the week you should''ve been unrecoverable after being inconvenienced by death - and who knows how easy you could leave whatever real-world prison we could come up with. Spirit prisons clearly don''t suffice. And now... you''re here in the middle of these crystals that represent my memories. I can''t even imagine how much damage you could do by destroying specific ones..."


    She protests, "I didn''t ask to be here, or for any of this, Jared."


    "Neither did I, but here we are..."


    Leaving either of them here is just asking for trouble. If I understand the purpose of the crystals correctly, leaving them here puts my sanity at their mercy, and that is unacceptable. I need to get rid of them as soon as possible, permanently. But the question is how.


    ...yeah, not getting an answer on that one, only trails of thoughts of why she did what she did...


    I have to admit I understand where she''s coming from, but that doesn''t mean I can forgive her.


    After thinking for a while, I can''t come up with a solution, so I''m afraid I only have one option, "Alright, Elly, this is really your last chance. Once this is over, I''ll take you back with me to the outside, I can''t leave you here unsupervised. Do your best to convince Lucia and me that this little bit of trust isn''t misplaced. You have time until I find a way to permanently destroy a ''skill'' if you catch my drift."


    "Alright, I understand... Thank you, I promise-"


    Annoyed, I interrupt her, "Don''t bother, you promised me already last time. This time I want to see you follow up on it for real."


    "I understand. I know it doesn''t mean much, but nevertheless, I thank you for giving me another chance", to my surprise, she bows before me.


    "Damn, it is still not back...", I sigh, "Leave me alone, you stupid bitch, I need time to think."


    "Hey, where''s that coming from!?"


    I stand up and walk about, and then call out to Elly telepathically, (Please play along for now, Elly. I don''t want it to listen on us any further than necessary.)


    To my surprise, she actually responds to my call, (Huh, this still works? ...fine, but are the insults really necessary?)


    (Maybe, maybe not, but better safe than sorry. Maybe it can listen in on us here, maybe not. But one thing is certain, we have to cooperate if we want to get rid of it, even if I can''t trust you fully anymore.)


    (Yeah, I agree. But do you even have any idea how?)


    (Not yet. I know too little about how glitches function to do that. And you?)


    (Well, maybe a little bit...)


    While she explains what she has learned and what has happened since I killed her, we continue to throw meaningless insults at each other to keep up the masquerade. Most of them don''t faze me, but getting called a harem protagonist goes really too far! I only have Lucia and Eclaire, and they are even the same person - more or less.


    Just you wait, Elly, I''ll pay you back for that one!


    On my journey through this mindscape, I see threads and cobwebs everywhere, and the ground is littered with a few glitch-filled cracks and craters, memory crystals, and tiny rivers of glitches flowing wherever which split and reunite every so often. In short, a mess.


    But a mess that matches the rising inner pressure on my body I feel. I hope this situation gets resolved quickly... The current situation is unbearable...


    Once Elly finishes her recounting, I respond, (I see, so that happened. To be frank, that sounds like utter bullshit. Absolutely unbelievable. But seeing the situation we''re in right now, I''m forced to believe it. And did I understand that right? It wants to be absorbed by me?)


    (That''s exactly what it said. It wants you to get its power and...)


    (Bring down all of creation - but why should I? Not even I am that stupid.)


    (No idea. It showed me a crystal, seemingly it wants to blackmail you with it. The thing supposedly seals someone. Someone you''ve been missing, and to release that person, you''d have to master its abilities and end the massive glitch zone that covers the area. Otherwise, they''d immediately perish.)


    Someone I''m missing? It shouldn''t be Lucia or Eclaire, I was with them too recently, so the timeline wouldn''t line up. But who else?


    No, if I consider that this someone can''t survive the glitch area, that would exclude all familiars because of the Hybrid classes. That leaves only one.


    (I guess it has Justo, the embodiment of our fortress. But what''s the point... I mean, it is probably safe to assume that these glitch powers would easily corrupt anyone. Doesn''t matter whether by simple acquisition or only when used in excess.)


    (Don''t forget that the creation of Hybrids also comes from them. Slag-brained moron! Ups, sorry, wrong channel.)


    Angrily, I shout back, (Vomit fairy! Uh, likewise. Yeah, but what else should I have done? If I hadn''t given my people the Hybrid classes they''d be as good as dead, and you know that this world is sealed off; they''d not only die physically but their souls would also be destroyed, if not worse. Eclaire''s situation tells me it is the latter with souls getting sucked into a dungeon and getting lined up for transformation into monsters...)


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    (That one... is at least not how it is supposed to be. Normally, they should return to the source to deliver the exp they''ve gathered and to move on to their next life.)


    (Yeah, you explained that recently. Doesn''t change the fact that it is happening.)


    (I know... Say, the glitches are flowing like a river all over the place, right?)


    (Yeah, what about it?)


    Elly hesitates before answering, (It might just be my imagination but it looks like they actively avoid the memory crystals. Before such a river hits a crystal it splits into two, moves around it, and then reunites.)


    So what? Do they avoid them because it would anger me? As if I had any say in that...


    (Do you want to say they are allergic to the crystals? I doubt it, you told me that you and our glitch friend were messing around with them, and Para crushed one when I was here the last time as well. So that should be out of the picture.)


    (Yeah, maybe. But it still stands out.)


    (If what you said is true and the glitchy spider creature is somewhat on our side, then I''d simply guess it ordered the glitches to leave the crystals alone.)


    She thinks for a moment, (...yeah, I guess that is an explanation, but if it can order them around like that, why not tell them to leave so you can survive?)


    (No idea. Maybe the inner mind is a one-way road. Don''t forget, you can''t leave either.)


    (Certainly possible.)


    But then, I can leave, though who knows if that counts. For me, it is a form of meditation, not a physical invasion. Ah, whatever, doesn''t matter now.


    We continue hurling petty insults at each other on the outside while exploring the area but find nothing else we can do. This situation seems to be entirely out of our hands.


    With nothing better to do, we continue our mental chatter while I try to think.


    With how things have been going, it is unlikely that this will resolve satisfactorily. I have no reason to trust the glitch creature especially once I consider that their nature lends itself towards destruction, not restoration.


    Yeah, I can''t rely on the abomination to find a solution, so I have to do something myself. But what?


    Actually, I can think of something, but I don''t like it. It would cost me dearly and there''s an obstacle, no two obstacles, I''d have to overcome first.


    No, there must be something else, but I have to know more about how these things work.


    (Hey, with all that talk about skills, souls, and whatnot I''ve to ask, what even are skills? I once had the skill [Spear Training], but it is obvious that the skill isn''t necessary to use a spear in the first place. I mean, just look back to when I used a shield to block a boss''s attack. I didn''t have the skill for that, yet it worked.)


    (That''s a pretty big question... But before I answer that, can I ask for a favor?)


    (Elly, you''re already on pretty thin ice, and now you also want a favor from me?)


    (Please.)


    (No promises. That depends entirely on what I hear. So?)


    Elly sighs and then begins to explain, (Skills... I''m not sure if I can tell you much you don''t already know. They are permanent modifications to the soul. Think of them as integrated assistance programs. Yes, you can learn how to handle weapons without a skill, that''s not the issue. You could theoretically train without a skill until you match the greatest weapon master to ever live, but skills make it much easier to get started by providing the relevant base knowledge, and they help you improve much faster by nudging you in the right direction or smoothing over bad habits from your muscle memory. Also, they prevent skill decay that would normally come from being out of practice. In addition, skills fuel a negligible amount of exp into the related equipment to make it much more durable. Just look at Ephran, his weapons break insanely fast while everyone else can use them for ages with them barely chipping. Civilizations, where people are aware of the System and its perks, tend not to put too much value into equipment durability since skills take care of that for the most part.)


    (I see. So if your theory about Mu and the demons removing people from the System is true, they wouldn''t be completely helpless because they keep the skills they already have and can pick up non-system skills the natural way.)


    (The most pressuring part would be the skills granting free will, but the System should''ve strengthened their souls already so much that it is no longer a concern when they get disconnected.)


    (And without the System, they can''t obtain more skills that put additional pressure on their souls. Yeah, makes sense. But their offspring wouldn''t benefit from that...)


    (No idea. Maybe they''ve found a workaround for that.)


    (I doubt it. If the supposed regret he expressed in the memory is true then it would be safer to assume they haven''t. From what you told me, it seemed pretty half-baked. But that is also not our problem, right? Back to the topic, how do magic skills work? Is magic also something you can learn without?)


    (Not really, they should be nearly impossible to perform without skill assistance. I learned from Graham that genuine magic requires millions of complex calculations. The System-granted skills perform those for you but include thousands of rigid shortcuts. That is why magic skills only have a couple of discrete applications instead of being free-form. Graham once called it a miracle that skill-supported spellcasting only takes a couple of seconds. He compared it to an entire master''s degree of exams crammed into the first second, and then the difficulty goes up exponentially from there.)


    (If it is just a set of calculations, can''t they simply memorize the results and reuse them?)


    (I think the calculations include things like what you want to cast, the intended point of origin, the direction you want to cast the spell, your state of mind, and a few other tiny things.)


    I see. That would at least explain why it is so easy to lose a spell charge by moving too much. You move abruptly which changes the point of origin, so the calculation would be wrong and instead of blowing up the spell violently, the skill simply stops the spell harmlessly.


    Elly continues, (There are a few spells that are simple enough that their System version can be cast effectively instantly without much effort, like the blade spellshape I think you''ve seen in the lich''s skillset. It is theoretically possible for bigger, more complex spells to be instant-cast, but that would cause soul strain equivalent to a divine skill.)


    (Is that also why all spells feel like they take the same time to cast? It is kinda weird that a simple elemental shot has the same charge time as a widespread rain spell. Or healing, I imagine that would be more complicated as well.)


    (I think it was decided that all spells should have the same charge time. Just another of many decisions that gave Graham a headache. Really, if in doubt, it is the fault of one of the asshats at the top who had to push for their stupid agenda.)


    And this stupid decision almost got me killed several times. I wanna punch whoever decided that!


    (If what you say about raw magic is true, then unassisted magic is basically useless. Being mostly stationary for a handful of seconds is already pretty troublesome in a real fight, but completing several math exams... such a spell would never finish.)


    (Not for small-scale combat, no, but it would certainly find use for sieges, construction, and other long-term situations. Think more along the lines of utility rituals... or daily office work.)


    (Sure, that might work. Do I even want to know how someone could acquire the needed magic formulas? If they are so complicated it should be impossible to find them out by pure chance.)


    (I don''t know, it never came up. Everyone I worked with used the System and it''s granted skills, getting additional classes isn''t that hard when you sit at the source, so why bother with systemless stuff? That is heavily frowned upon, or might even get you expelled for heresy.)


    (Yeah, I can see that... classic corruption in action. Say, if those calculations are really so complicated, how can glitches so easily grant entire categories of new magic? It sounded much more difficult than changing salt for pepper in a recipe.)


    She seems to think for a moment, (Beats me. If I had to guess, I''d say this Orpyne lady has her hands in it.)


    (So she has access to the secret magic formulas and is helping the glitches... Yeah, could be. I can''t imagine why someone sane would do that. That sounds more like mad scientist territory to me.)


    I aimlessly wander around a bit more, just thinking. There must be something I can do to lessen the strain from the absorbed glitches, but what?


    As before, I witness how the rivers of glitch soup seem to avoid my memory crystals. They split and merge, or even make U-turns. It is a weird spectacle.


    But then when I don''t pay enough attention I almost step into such a river, but it gets up and out of my way. Confused, I kneel down and try to touch the glitchy liquid but it also does its best to get away from me.


    Do they... do they avoid me? Are they afraid of me? Not that I mind, but I want to know.


    But if they are afraid of me, of what belongs to me, then why did they change Elly? That doesn''t add up. Speaking of...


    (Hey, you said that the glitch creature molded your body after someone. Do you have any idea who that Vladalaja person is? What kind of name even is that...)


    She responds, (She''s supposedly a demon, or at least working with them. But to be honest, this body doesn''t look like the demons I know.)


    I answer in jest, (What, so she''s a deva who has switched sides? But you don''t look as oxygen-deprived blue as them. So that can''t be it, right?)


    (As much as it pains me, it actually is a possibility. You know, not all devas bear blue skin. It is dictated by the element they have the strongest affinity for, it is just a weird quirk of their kind. It may even change over time if their proficiencies change.)


    (Weird, this is the first time I''ve heard of elemental affinity affecting skin color; typically, it is hair or eye colors. I assume blue is for water?)


    (No, water would be mostly transparent, they''d look like ordinary humans. Blue should be lightning, I think. Don''t ask me, I didn''t study deva biology.)


    (Yeah, doesn''t really matter how it works. We have no intention of following its plan anyway. But out of curiosity, what element would your sickening green-tinted yellow mix be?)


    (Obviously glitches. What a dumb question.)


    (Dunno, could''ve been wind. But whatever, do we know anything about her? Like, where did it even get her likeness from?)


    (I bet if we look long enough, we might find a memory or two about her around here. Can''t think of another way.)


    (Could also be something from that mysterious lady Orpyne.)


    (Yeah, possibly...)


    So we know... nothing. Not who she is, why she is there, where the glitch learned of her, why it wants us to take her place, nothing.


    ...


    Either way, nothing I just learned helps with my immediate problem. I fear it''ll really come down to that solution...


    A soul only has so much capacity, basically storage space. Skills usually take up a small amount of space, spirits probably a bit more but even Elly''s shenanigans that gave them proper personalities shouldn''t take up that much more space - except for the one case where it doesn''t apply...


    And if I can''t get rid of the other disruptive element...


    ...fuck...


    Damn, maybe I need a little distraction while waiting for the "miracle" Mr. Glitch wants to create, (So, Elly, what is the favor you wanted from me?)


    (Because of what happened, all of my data has been corrupted or destroyed. Before you can bring me out, you''d have to repair my spirit settings. When you do... could you please give me my original race back instead of what I had? Lately, I feel like there''s nothing of me left. I''m nothing like I was back in life, after everything... I was turned into an AI, then a spirit, now a glitch-like creature... what even am I anymore... I just want to have a tiny bit of my old life back...)


    I can sympathize with that, but I still do not trust her, (I''ll think about it. What was it called?)


    (Vhatgar.)


    I open the spirit menu, only to preview what that race looks like. After what she told me about herself, it can''t be anything humanoid, but more like a monster out of a horror movie.


    No result? It doesn''t exist among the options.


    (I can''t find it. Are you sure you didn''t dream all of that?)


    (A hundred percent, there were even some of my memories buried among yours. I simply couldn''t have imagined that. Maybe they have it under a different name? Please try Eyares.)


    IRS? The autotranslation doesn''t make it any easier it seems...


    We quickly go through a list of names of her original race, and different spellings, but nothing. It simply does not exist.


    Despite that, I''m inclined to believe her. I''ve seen some strange memories around here, and some of them could''ve been from her race, at least they showed some horrific monsters that matched her description.


    (Nothing, absolutely nothing... and I''m pretty sure the devas told me that literally everything would be available in this world. It sounded like they suspected that as a reason for why the demons would be interested in this world.)


    She sounds close to tears, (It can''t be... Did they really erase all traces of my people? Our world, even the data in the System...)


    (Seems like it. But I can''t even imagine what it could mean.)


    But before we can proceed with our baseless speculations, the glitch creature finally speaks up again.

 Ch. D6 – ISP

    Finally, the glitch creature speaks again interrupting our pretend bickering, "Guys, guys, you''re both pretty, but you don''t have to fight over me like that, there''s enough of me for both of you!"


    "Ugh, shut up, freak!", I sigh, "So how does it look?"


    "Not good. We got way less exp to work with than expected. The System is stingier than I thought. At least I could pull some threads to prevent them from getting used immediately."


    Oh great, keep dispensing the good news, haven''t got enough of those in a while... fuck. But at least it doesn''t seem like the glitch bastard hasn''t caught up to our ruse.


    I quickly sneak a peak at my status window, and to my surprise, the exp value is actually changed: 857966. Damn, how is close to a million exp not enough? My next level in Silver Wizard would cost me 23735 exp, so that''s a massive amount.


    In what world, are several dozens of levels'' worth of exp nothing!? And that massive amount is just for one skill!? Do you really want to tell me a single Hybrid skill can fortify a soul more than dozens of levels? Unbelievable...


    In shock, I accidentally let out a whisper, "What the fuck...", but it seems I wasn''t heard. At least no one reacts to it.


    Elly wipes away some fake tears while pretending to sniff, "You, you shouldn''t be surprised. This world has already been a huge drain on the System''s exp reserves. Remember the artificial story bubble around the world? Nothing gets out, that includes souls of the dead. If no souls return to the source, no exp is returned to the System. All the exp is effectively lost when a soul dies around here."


    "So this world is being throttled for non-compliance with their arbitrary demands, huh?", I chuckle, "We really should look for a better Isekai Service Provider. The devas'' sucks. Maybe we should switch to the one Ren has. I haven''t heard any major complaints from her, rather, she even got a massive signup bonus. You know, just throwing that out there."


    Elly facepalms, "That''s no laughing matter, asshole."


    "Yeah, yeah, I know. Love you too, bitch."


    The glitch''s threads beg for attention, "Damn you two, can''t you behave for a moment... Well, I think with what we have, we can only work on one of the two non-functional Hybrid skills. So that''ll have to suffice. But I honestly doubt it will be enough. In the end, your fate will come down to a metaphorical coin flip. Either you can endure the torrent of glitches for several days or... that''s it. No more Jared."


    "I think I have another idea", I take out the Class Core Therese gave me, "Can''t I use this to add another class? Shouldn''t that absorb some more glitches?"


    Elly contacts me, and she sounds annoyed, (How the hell did you get yet another Class Core in this resource-starved world!?)


    Resource-starved? So there are other worlds where class items are much more plentiful? Just my luck...


    (I... bullied Therese for it. But that''s a longer story that has to wait.)


    (No, I think I already get the picture.)


    It has to think for a moment, "I''m not even sure if that cuts even. To be honest, even adding the titles might have been a mistake, we got too little exp out of it. You know, the main danger is the total soul strain you''re under, both from the sea of glitches flooding in as well as the number of skills and classes you already possess. And in the end, titles are just misplaced skills so they increase the soul strain you''re under. The additional Hybrid class and skills would be able to soak up some of the glitches and consume them over time, but a regular class can''t do that."


    "I see, so since we got less exp out of the titles than expected it might take too long until the difference is compensated. I guess adding a class and using its exp would have a similarly tight margin."


    It disagrees, "No, that one is worse. A class is usually a collection of three skills plus the whole framework. In terms of additional pressure that set is probably closer to five or seven titles. With how stingy the System is currently, it is simply not worth it. It is vastly more likely that you''d only make the situation worse for you."


    "But can''t we use the exp from the item directly? I thought it held the majority of the exp needed to add a new class and its skills. Couldn''t you extract that?"


    "That might be possible in theory but it is beyond what I know... maybe if Lady Orpyne was here but I''ve no clue how to contact her..."


    Elly scolds us, "It is already insane enough how much you''re trashing the creator''s work without repercussion, be happy you got even as far as you have. You''re really asking for too much here."


    "Fine, so that''s a no-go then. So we go with the lottery. Fine, do your best."


    "Uh, how about you do it?", the glitch continues to mumble something, "I don''t really know how to go about it, but maybe you..."


    "What was that second part?"


    "Nothing?"


    "Didn''t sound like nothing to me."


    Elly chimes in, "I have to agree. You muttered something, and it sounded worrying. Out with it."


    The glitch gets defensive, "I said I want you to do that since you should learn that soon anyway."


    I don''t think that is what it said exactly...


    "I thought our time was short? And now you want to play teacher? Somehow that doesn''t add up."


    "Ah, no no no. We... we do have enough time for this, trust me."


    "No, I do not. It is my life on the line here!"


    It laughs nervously, "Even more reason for you to do your best then. So... which skill do you want to try your hand on? This one or that one?"


    "Don''t just go and change the topic..."


    But it ignores me and pulls up the two skill descriptions.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">D???e???v???i???l???i???s???h??? ???C???h???a???r???m???


    386 SP


    NO EFFECT</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">A?b?s?o?r?b? ?Y?o?u?t?h?


    Concentration


    NO EFFECT</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "No idea, I can''t read either of their names. Does it matter?"


    The glitch answers, "Probably not."


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Elly angrily exclaims, "Ah, screw you, I can''t watch you defile the System any further, I''m out of here."


    I''m still keeping up the charade, "Yeah, yeah, don''t get hit by the door on the way out."


    She contacts me telepathically, (You know why. Good luck, don''t screw this up.)


    (Yeah, I''ll try. See you around - in one way or another.)


    "Whatever, let''s use the first one. Now what?"


    "...dunno. Just uh, do something?"


    "Are you kidding me?"


    "No, of course not. I, uh, just don''t know what your menu looks like. But it is a menu, how hard can it be? You''ll surely figure it out."


    "...you''re fucking useless, you know that?"


    "No, don''t worry. I''m pretty sure you can do this! I''m optimistic your chance to survive will climb up to a whole percent once you''re done!"


    "Wow, a whole percent? What will I do with my excessive luck? That''s basically guaranteed - to fail."


    If it''s that low why even bother...


    No, people do win the lottery, I just have to improve my chances as much as possible.


    But why should that even be in my menu? This is undoubtedly not something the System is designed for, so why should it even be there...


    I take a while to click through all of my menu options but I don''t find a suitable option. Not that I expected one, messing with existing skills is not something you''re supposed to be able to do. But then, I have [Essence Drain] and whatever rules-bending that does.


    I mean, how does that even work? I''m pretty sure that Eva told me removing skills and stuff requires a whole factory reset of the soul, you shouldn''t be able to just "drain" them as fuel for something like that.


    ...no, this approach is pointless.


    "No clue, just tell me how you do it. We don''t have all the time in the world."


    The threads twiddle around like thumbs, "I''ve... never done anything like that, so no idea how to help you..."


    "Why did you then suggest that this was possible? Also, I''ve seen some of my skills get changed, that had to have been you. Who else could have done that?"


    "Probably you? At least, I''m pretty sure I''ve done nothing of the sort. As I said, I''m not really interested in the specifics of your skill thingies."


    This is so frustrating, "Ugh, stop spouting nonsense!"


    How could that have been me? I was caught up in that glitch zone, the skills and classes were already a mess when I came to.


    Do you want to tell me that I did something in that state and that''s why everything changed?


    Well, if I''m finally honest with myself I was and still am very frustrated with my continuous powerlessness which peaked with the should''ve-been game over against the wolf boss who reminded me of Marcia...


    And then there was [Profane Vows], I saw how it changed its effect. Back then I thought the glitch creature was the cause, and why wouldn''t it be? But now... maybe the glitches that make up the skill really did react to my disappointment over its effect. Is that really all that''s there to it? If that is so then it isn''t even any different from how magic or other skills work. Supposedly, spells require an entire library of calculations to be performed, but thanks to skills, I only have to "will" it and possess the necessary MP.


    Well, as long as I don''t have another lead, it can''t hurt to try.


    I bring all of my attention to the broken [D???e???v???i???l???i???s???h??? ???C???h???a???r???m???] skill, then let my mind be filled by the desire to "repair" it. A moment later, it feels like I''m touching a clay-like mass with a pair of imaginary arms. Interesting.


    When I look around, nothing has changed, it seems that sensation is only in my mind.


    Before proceeding with the repair, I follow my curiosity. I want to know if the same would happen with a different skill.


    Back then, I changed [Profane Vows], could I change it further? Doesn''t seem like it, that one feels appropriately like ceramic, basically immutable. The same holds true for [Essence Drain] and the skills that were changed in the accident. Something in the back of my mind tells me that there''s nothing I can do about those, once they are "hardened" like that, they are done. The only way to change them after that is to turn them into fuel for a Hybrid skill, like I''ve done with [Cure Boost].


    In contrast to those skills, normal skills like [Stealth] and [Undead] feel more like plastic, like a cheap water bottle. Still solid, but I feel with enough force - or by adding enough glitchy substances - I could reshape them. No, it feels like a direct application of force would crush them or make them unusable. It needs to be the latter.


    What about a Hybrid skill? [P?u?r?e? ?M?a?g?i?c?] feels artificial, like an alien metal; hard as steel but also kind of alive, and it also feels thirsty like a sponge - it feels like it tries to "drink" the mental arms. Creepy stuff, I should be very careful when interacting with those skills.


    Weird, I would''ve thought that [Essence Drain] would be in the immutable category itself since it creates them, but I guess not. So I could try to use it as material for my next Hybrid class - or would that create some kind of recursion error? ...I better never try that out.


    I return my attention to the skill chosen for repair and try to inspect it with my mental arms. There''s nothing to see, just to feel. It''s like a mass of barely stable, ordered chaos, for whatever that''s worth. Sadly, nothing I can make sense of. Kind of like a tax form or bistromathics.


    I slowly try to change something about the form, but it barely budges. There''s not much material to work with. As I continue to work on the shape, I notice how something else flows into the mixture. A gel-like substance. Glitches of course. But they are probably what I was missing.


    With a bit of hesitation, I mix the two together and can finally start altering the skill''s shape. I can see how the skill description updates in real-time.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">D???e???v???i???l???i???s???h??? ???C???h???a???r???m???


    386 SP


    Inflict charm on a target you socially interact with at a rate of 13.


    Does not require a gaydar.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Good, it is not a complete dead end, we''re getting somewhere.


    But what is this deja vu? Why do I have the feeling that I''ve done something like this before? I don''t think it is from one of the memory crystals, but a bit more recent.


    I continue the alteration process and the skill changes completely after another tiny alteration to the shape.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">D???e???v???i???l???i???s???h??? ???C???h???a???r???m???


    386 SP, reaction


    Inflict charm on a person who observes you and feels attracted to your current form.


    Magnetism also counts.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I keep trying for a while to achieve a completely different effect. After all, I already have a skill to inflict charm, and so far, I''ve gotten no use out of that either. But no matter what I do, I can''t change its type. It always turns into a form of charm skill or an effectless error message. Seems like the foundation is immutable, huh.


    This whole process is quite taxing, so I let go for a moment, and the chaotic mass collapses like a sand castle while the glitchy gel retreats to where it came from.


    So just glitches are not enough to achieve a stable form. Yeah, should''ve guessed that something like this happens. That is what exp is used for in this unholy ceremony - solidifying and thereby finalizing a skill.


    But didn''t the glitch creature imply it could show me how to create a super-powerful skill from nothing? It didn''t sound like it needed exp for that specific stunt, only for my soul to endure the resulting skill. Something doesn''t add up here - or it was just bluffing and we fell for it, that''s also possible.


    Or maybe the exp requirement is only so insane because we want to create a Hybrid skill, and mere glitched skills are cheaper but quite stressful.


    Well, no point in pondering that, I''m running out of time to reach a success chance of a whole one percent! Gacha players, eat your heart out!


    I don''t feel like working on the previous skill any longer since I''m not interested in a charm-related skill, especially not of the kind I''ve seen so far. So, I bring my attention to the other effectless skill.


    I wonder what you will become, little buddy. I haven''t seen too many concentration skills so far, so this can only be good.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">A?b?s?o?r?b? ?Y?o?u?t?h?


    Concentration


    Caster ages rapidly.


    This effect bypasses all forms of lifespan modifications and immortality.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ah, it starts so well...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">A?b?s?o?r?b? ?Y?o?u?t?h?


    Concentration


    Grab attacks inflict rapid aging.


    For each year of life span the target loses this way, recover 0.4193527 HP, MP and SP.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So I guess the theme of this shattered skill is life decay - not what I need right now. Or ever.


    What do I hesitate? I have to create a skill here if I want to have a chance to survive, and if none of the options appeal, so what? I don''t have to use it once it is done. But there''s this nagging feeling I''m on the completely wrong track here. What am I missing, what should I be doing instead?


    I know what I have to achieve, and something tells me that the Hybrid skill is my key to it, but I''m not getting any closer.


    While trying to figure that out, I continue to alter the shape, but then my experiment gets interrupted by a system message of all things. I let go of the mess mentally in front of me, and the skill returns to its effectless initial state.

 Ch. D7 – No Response

    While trying to fix a broken Hybrid skill, I get interrupted by a System message. Or rather, something that poses as one.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">First off, don''t let anyone notice that I''ve contacted you, please.


    This is critical!


    For now, please,  just listen to what I have to say.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Oh, great. Does that mean my inbox is a public space? This is at least the fourth person who wrote there: the lich Basluth, the Creed guy Amon, the glitch creature... I hope I didn''t forget anyone. Can I have some privacy in the future, please? No? Damn...


    Not that I''d even know how to respond to these text messages.


    Another dialog springs up.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Download progress:


    00.00% [>............................................................................]</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    A download? What for?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">If everything went correctly, you should see a file transfer.


    You''ll need the schematic from the transferred file to fix your problem.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And why should I accept that? That''s just a random attachment, that could be anything!! Who can guarantee me that this crappy System doesn''t immediately execute any included macro to fuck me over even more?


    Wait, does this System even have a virus scanner? Probably not, but then, I''ve already enough malware in my soul that the only way to make it worse would be to install Windows.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">While we wait for the download to finish, let me get some formalities out of the way, Mr. Delacroix.


    I currently go by the name Orpyne.


    We''ve met before, and I''m aware that this memory has been lost.


    I apologize, that was my shortcoming, but we can discuss the details at another time.


    So I ask you, once this is over, please come and visit me. Feel free to bring your family as well.


    I suspect you already know where I am. After all, you were right at the entrance to my current residence yesterday.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So the mysterious lady Orpyne really exists - I wonder what she''s actually after; if she wants her involvement to be kept a secret from the glitch beast it can''t be too straightforward, it seems she wants to play both sides at least.


    And I was at the entrance to her home, huh? I guess she means the door behind the glitch passage, but how does that work? I thought the mysterious helper was not a glitch but something like a high-ranking sysadmin.


    I guess it is more likely that I was just wrong about the Mother of Glitches being behind that door. Yeah, the glitch creatures would''ve found that already.


    Alright, I''m listening.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Again, I have to apologize for the delay in my help.


    You''ve likely forgotten, but I''ve been suffering from a severe case of glitch infection for as long as I can remember.


    Because of that, my body sometimes stops listening to me for an extended period of time. I often fear that I won''t recover from the next attack.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    At least it sounds genuine, so she really isn''t a living glitch, not yet at least. Admittedly, Para never mentioned whether the "mother" the glitches are looking for was a glitch or something else, so she could still be the rumored Mother of Glitches.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Anyway, I see you''ve already gathered all the pieces needed to fix your current conundrum. But it seems you''re struggling with the final steps, just like last time.


    The file I sent you contains three sets of instructions to create a skill that could fix your situation. You''ll have to choose the solution you prefer.


    I''m sorry to say, but you''ll honestly not like either of them. Each has its own unappealing side effect as you should easily be able to see for yourself.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Why does she know about my situation in this detail, and how has she already three solutions ready? I had to interrogate two eldritch abominations about the deepest secrets of the inner workings of souls and skills, and the only thing I came up with was to sacrifice my wife...


    I guess this comes with the territory of being an expert in all things souls and system skills. I hope she has something better than I did...


    I glance over at the download progress.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Download progress:


    8c.f4% [==........=....=............==....=>....................]</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Oh, hey, another broken part of UI, how surprising. Must be a day ending in y.


    Miss Orpyne sends me more messages.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">I''m aware that under the current circumstances, you have no reason to trust me.


    But I swear on everything I hold dear that it is in our common interest that you make it through this. I need you as an insider to achieve my ultimate goal.


    But if at any point you wish to discontinue our cooperation, simply stand up, I won''t hold it against you.


    Otherwise, I''ll assume you agree to my assistance.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That makes how many wannabe masterminds who want me as their pawn? More than none, too many for my taste. I''m so sick of it...


    But fine, I''ll play along - for now. I keep sitting.


    It takes a few seconds before the next message arrives.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">I''ll take that as a temporary agreement then.


    You''re probably asking yourself how I know all of this.


    Truth be told, despite being a high-ranking goddess, even I can''t safely use divination or scrying skills to discern your situation; the feedback from your glitch infestation would outright destroy me.


    I''ve already lost an important assistant this way.


    By the way, if you ever encounter his infected remains, please, put him out of his misery. He deserves as much.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I''m torn between saying this serves you right for violating my privacy and feeling a tiny amount of pity. Though you''d need a microscope to see it.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">I have a rough understanding of your situation thanks to your [Essence Drain] skill.


    The previous time we met was after a certain accident.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.Since we both needed the other''s help, we quickly agreed to a mutually beneficial alliance.


    Of course, I know that you don''t remember it, so I''m willing to renegotiate during your visit.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Suspiciously "fair". As far as I''m concerned, nothing of that ever happened, so why should I trust you at all?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Per our agreement, I helped you deal with the aftereffects of the accident and even brought your divine skill in order; to that end, I had to sacrifice a bit of my essence.


    This connection allowed me to survey the situation but also made my health situation worse.


    I only have myself to blame for that.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    So you say you''re the reason I survived the first glitch bath? That''s a tall claim, lady!


    Still more believable than Elly still being around...


    Speaking of idiots, I might''ve considered asking her for advice on this situation, but if this lady has a backdoor in my skill, she might just as well be able to listen in on our mental communication.


    Better not risk it for now.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Now with that out of the way, let me give you a quick rundown of your three options:


    1) zero


    2) null


    3) void</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I wait a bit, but she writes nothing else. Is this supposed to be a joke? If so, it''s not my type of humor, especially not in this situation.


    About what feels like an eternity in this situation, she finally continues.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Sorry, just had another seizure. Where was I?


    Right, let me try again:


    1) We wipe all your skills and classes in the same way we did last time, preferably without another stroke on my part...


    However, since the current glitch-caused strain is quite extreme, we''ll also have to remove your titles and there''s no guarantee your spirits will survive this time. Even if they did, the temporary removal of the titles would have severe, lasting effects on their personality.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I don''t like this option, not one bit. She claims we tried this already, and just look how long that lasted...


    Not to mention that I would be guaranteed to lose Eclaire in one shape or another...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">2) You file for divorce, specifically from Eclaire.


    I still don''t understand how you even managed to bind a living soul as a spirit, but except for her reduced skill makeup, she still bears everything a regular soul should have, like personality and memories.


    It should go without saying that her fully preserved soul occupies the majority of your soul space; she easily exceeds the safely allowed complexity for a "skill" by several orders of magnitude. Indeed, it is a miracle your soul hasn''t come apart the moment you took her in.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That is the solution I arrived at as well. Admittedly, I had no idea how to pull it off, but I want to say I was on the right track at least.


    Allegedly, normal spirits are rather simple creatures so they don''t take up too much space. Elly cheated something with the title that gave me her, no idea how that works, but for now, I''ll believe that it works the way she said; the spirits get a semblance of personality or individuality, and don''t take up much extra space because the compressed data was included in the title.


    But Eclaire - she wasn''t created that way. Lucy did something to regain her missing half as our latest summoned spirit. We weren''t together for long, but I didn''t see too much of a personality change between our first meeting and now, so that she retained most of her original soul isn''t too far-fetched, which means... I''m housing a full soul within my soul. Yeah, that couldn''t go too well for long, could it?


    But what is the downside? She said that each of the options had a problem associated with it, but I''m not seeing it here. I mean, even if she wouldn''t count as my spirit anymore and so wouldn''t get the level increases from that, she would still be married to us and get the levels and classes from Lucia''s [Unholy Matrimony] skill.


    Maybe the implied downside is that we could no longer enact Lucia''s plan for a level loop. But with what I''ve learned about exp recently that might actually be a good thing. Each level needs much more exp than the last, and the System is currently in some form of energy-saving mode for this planet; we''d very quickly reach a point where the ill-gotten exp is not enough to cover the required amount which can only mean harm for our souls...


    Suddenly, the glitch creature begs for attention again, "Hey, uh, how much longer will you take? You''ve been at it for almost an hour, and I don''t see much progress."


    Oh, really? Didn''t I say so before?


    "Why are you surprised? This shit is complicated, and you are either unwilling or unable to help."


    "Oh, umm..."


    "I mean, think about it, if you can, I''m basically inventing a whole goddamn science over here, so cut me some slack. If you have something valuable to add, then feel free to do so, otherwise, shut up and let me concentrate!"


    It sounds distraught and its threat-tentacles hand loose, "Awww....."


    Anyway, what''s the final option? Maybe that is even better.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">3) The final option I can give you is to amplify the link between your consciousness and those of your Hybrids.


    As you may already know, the connection you have with your Hybrid community transmits, among other things, tiny amounts of the glitches that currently plague you. Even combined with the current environment''s infection, that barely taps into their potential to absorb glitches without harmful side effects.


    It should be obvious that amplifying the link in general would also strengthen all other effects associated with it.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Why dance around the topic? Just call it what it would become - a hivemind. Maybe not in the sense of becoming one entity but of dulling disagreeable personality traits... Just look at what happened to Therese. There''s no denying what caused it - the hybridization process. I did not want it, but it still happened...


    I''m not fond of losing my individuality or robbing someone else of theirs. Admittedly, that got me into this whole Deteoh mess in the first place, but I''ve come too far to back out now. Sunk cost fallacy be damned.


    Oh, the message still continues.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Admittedly, I know a few more solutions but you don''t have the resources for them, so I''ll refrain from wasting our time with them.


    Now, I believe, the choice is yours.


    Damn, I feel another seizure coming up, excuse me...


    Good luck, and see you soon.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    It seems the download will still take a while.


    So which one should I pick? No, that''s really not a question: the second one. I came up with the idea without assistance, and I have enough self-respect to trust in what I came up with.


    The first option doesn''t sound like it would help in the long term.


    Was it Karen who told me about the glitch zones? I think she said that they suspect there would be one below every major dungeon in this world. With how things are going, we''ll likely visit them in the future, and if it is only to save people from the side-effects of this disaster. And it would be better to have a reliable way to dispose of these zones.


    Not that I see how a skill reset button would work as a skill in the first place - wouldn''t it immediately self-destruct?


    And the link amplification... Honestly, it sounds like the strongest option. I alone am almost enough to take in a whole glitch area. Let''s be a bit arrogant and say it takes ten regular Hybrids for the same result - they already number in the thousands, depending on how long this situation lasts and how well the rescuing goes, it would end up in the hundreds of thousands if not millions if it goes beyond this continent. I can''t imagine how bad a glitch disaster would have to be to endanger us at that point.


    Also depending on how far this amplification goes, it should also extend to the other benefits the Hybrids get, the level and number of classes they get for free.


    But I don''t like it - not after what happened with Therese.


    No, I''ll stick with the second option: give Eclaire autonomy.


    If it works like I think it does, it would allow me to choose which spirits get disconnected from me, and then they''d no longer occupy one of the limited spirit slots. We could build up an army of disposable minions from nothing - and most importantly, destroy that traitor Elly.


    I think some more in the few minutes until the download finally finishes, but my decision doesn''t change.

 Ch. D8 – A life for another

    The download for the instructions is finally done.


    So which of the three files is for the chosen option? They are labeled "Zero", "Null" and "Void". Fuck, how should I know which one is for me?


    Wait, wasn''t that her joke selection?


    I scroll back up, and see:


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Now with that out of the way, let me give you a quick rundown of your three options:


    1) zero


    2) null


    3) void</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Yeah, that matches. I wanted the second option, so "Null" should be the correct one. Now what do I have to do?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Focus on the broken skill that you gained with your second Hybrid class.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Second? That should be [A?b?s?o?r?b? ?Y?o?u?t?h?] then. Got it.


    I focus on the skill like before and feel how the mental arms appear once again.


    So what''s next?


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Break it and smash it into fine dust.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Was that always an option? Alright, let me try.


    I form a fist with the ghastly appendages and punch into the clay-like skill mass.


    Rumble Rumble


    Shit, shit, shit! Fuck, that hurt! Getting kicked in the nuts with steel-plated boots would be more pleasant... was that really necessary?!


    I let go of the skill and check my surroundings. I don''t see any visible changes. Maybe somewhere else something broke... At least, I''m quite certain that that did something... shit, why did I listen to her?


    Argh, back to the instructions, I guess.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Then immediately press the "undo" button.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    That damn bitch!! Why even write the previous instruction if you take it back directly afterwards!?


    Shit... there''s no undo button...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Just kidding. You have to break the foundation to recreate the skill base, otherwise, you can''t achieve your goal.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Of course... That only hurt like an absolute bitch, so it''s totally fair to treat it as a joke, you dumb broad!


    ...


    This time, I read the entire rest of the instructions before continuing. No more jokes for me, thank you.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Add some of the glitchy gel to the broken pieces, and then knead the whole mess thoroughly into a single mass.


    Afterwards, shape the mixture until it looks like the following picture.


    Once that is done, simultaneously channel poison and dark magic into it.


    It may take a while to accumulate sufficient energy, but once it does, you should see the skill description reveal the desired effect.


    As the final step, direct all the exp you can into the shape to begin the solidification process to finalize the skill.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Picture...


    Uh, what am I supposed to see there? A random assortment of alien letters or other deformed symbols? Looks kinda like an ornate plate.


    Though looking a bit more closely, I feel like I''ve seen these symbols before. They faintly remind me of the symbol of the ''Lost One'' from ages ago. Just a single frame of the moving symbol though. Hmm, I think I can work with that.


    Yeah, I think I understand the instructions, seems simple enough and without further joke instructions. Alright, let''s do this.


    I focus on the skill again to bring out the arms. I make them gather the remaining fragments of the previous skill foundation, then mentally call for a portion of the glitchy gel.


    Wait, how much of it do I need? The instructions don''t say... I guess, or rather hope, the current amount is fine.


    I mix the broken fragments into the gel and begin massaging the mass. After a bit, it feels like the gel has absorbed the solid fragments. There''s no trace of it left, and in exchange, the gel feels a bit different now, a bit less like cheap toothpaste.


    Now for the easy part, shaping the bug gel into a complex shape while effectively blind, whatever can go wrong.


    I begin to do something, try blindly to recreate the form from the picture. But it is frustrating, I don''t think I''m getting anywhere, this is too difficult. Even if I could see it directly, it would be very hard to get right.


    After some time, I can feel some independent movement, it feels like the gel started moving on its own - I let it. I guess it follows my "will" in the same vein as half of the rest of the process already did.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    A moment later, it stops moving.


    I inspect the shape carefully. I may not be able to see what is going on, but as far as I can tell, it somewhat resembles the given picture.


    I guess that is my cue for the next step, channeling two sets of magic into it: poison and dark.


    But how do I do that? So far, I''ve only used one spell at the same time, not two.


    No point thinking about it, I simply have to try.


    I focus on the right mental arm and will dark magic through it. That seems to work.


    How about the left? I cease my focus on the right arm, and the flow of magic stops as well, instead, I focus on the left arm. Yeah, I feel poison magic flowing through it into the skill pudding as well. That works so far.


    Now both at the same time.


    It is stressful and quite draining, but it seems to work!


    Ah, damn, I dropped the channeling through the right arm. Two at once is hard.


    It takes a while, but eventually, I manage to channel both at the same time without either becoming unstable.


    Now, finally, the skill description changes!


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Spirit Eradication


    Concentration


    Choose a spirit or summoned creature in sight.


    It gets gradually erased.


    After concentrating for 10 minutes without interruption, the target is permanently and completely deleted.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    This... is not what we bargained for, Orpyne!


    When you said "divorce" I assumed it was an euphemism for soul separation and not the permanent kind of divorce via fucking soul destruction!!


    ...but I guess that is on me, ass, you, me, and all that.


    I let go of the whole process and the skill once again collapses back to its original form.


    What a waste of effort - maybe it is not too late to still choose a different solution?


    ...


    But why poison and dark? I hadn''t given it much thought because, in the end, this entire process doesn''t follow logic. After all, it is mainly based on glitches, but I wonder what happens when I use something else.


    As far as I know, there''s no life element, and cure magic is out because I''m undead. What else can I use to imitate that?


    Let''s think about it, what do gods and similar creeps typically use in mythology to create life? Earth, they create nothing from earth.


    Maybe combine that with wind? A recurring phrase is that they "breathe" life into them, so wind magic would fit in that metaphor.


    Yeah, let''s go with that, earth and wind instead of... shit, I don''t have wind, do I? But then why did I just now have the feeling that I have access to wind magic?


    Hmm... I recently got a few new skills, haven''t looked properly over them. Let me quickly fix that.


    There it is, that one is the reason.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">P?u?r?e? ?M?a?g?i?c?


    Grants the ability to cast rank 0&1 basic magic skills of all elements.


    In addition to the standard options, it also adds the following modification options:


    (0 MP cost) add a known spell shape beyond the standard limit


    (50 MP cost) spell projectiles move at the speed of light


    (35 MP cost) the spell''s point of origin becomes one of your spirits you can see</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    It clearly says "all elements", so wind should be included.


    I don''t have the time right now, but I should really check later how far this "all" really goes because I feel like that isn''t the full picture. There''s this nagging feeling there''s more to it than there should be.


    Anyway, I repeat the process to create a skill but instead of poison and dark, I choose wind and earth this time.


    I feel a lot of resistance in the shape, it doesn''t want these elements, it actively rejects them, and no matter what I do, the skill description refuses to change.


    So that was a bust.


    All of this is exhausting, and I could really go for a sip of blood. When did I even drink something last?


    Wait, blood...? Blood is also often used to create life, especially in darker stories in shady rituals! I should try again with that!


    Okay, one last try - this time earth and blood.


    Up to creating the base shape, everything works as expected, the shaped mass is as stable as the gel can be. But the gel still feels like it did at the end of the last try. Guess that means the influence of the two magics wasn''t removed.


    Should I still try or... no, I have to try. I do not accept her solution. I refuse to accept that I''d have to kill Eclaire to survive.


    I begin channeling earth magic into it. The mass still remains stable, it shows no sign of resistance yet. Now the moment of truth, I begin channeling blood magic into it.


    It doesn''t resist. Rather, the whole mess becomes wobbly like jelly. It wants to fall apart. Shit.


    Right, blood wasn''t originally an element, I only got it through a glitch as well. So this must be like adding too much of that gel in the first place.


    Damn, that means I messed the whole thing up. Too much of the gel as well as too many contradictory magic types. And I know of no way to return the mess to its previous makeup.


    No, no, not like this, you piece of shit. I won''t give up, you will do what I tell you to do! You have to!


    I hold on to the sludge, I try to force it into place, and some movement occurs in the gel.


    And then it happens.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Spirit Liberation


    U???n???k???n???o???w???n???


    V???i???o???l???e???n???t???l???y??? severs the connection between a spirit and its host.


    It retains all of its current skills and capabilities,


    x???c???e???p???t??? ???f???o???r??? [Summoned Spirit] w???h???i???c???h??? ???g???e???t???s??? ???r???e???p???l???a???c???e???d??? ???b???y??? [Unbound Spirit].


    B???a???r???r???i???n???g??? ???s???p???e???c???i???a???l??? ???c???i???r???c???u???m???s???t???a???n???c???e???s???,??? ???a??? ???d???i???s???c???o???n???n???e???c???t???e???d??? ???s???p???i???r???i???t??? ???w???i???l???l??? ???n???o???t??? ???g???a???i???n??? ???a???n???y??? ???e???x???p??? ???o???r??? ???a???d???d???i???t???i???o???n???a???l??? ???s???k???i???l???l???s???.???</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    This is it! I have to keep that one.


    Now I''ve to quickly enact the last step, adding exp.


    I feel the drain of exp, I''m getting there. Just a moment later, that feeling stops, and my exp reserves feel empty. I must''ve succeeded.


    I just must have.


    The skill no longer feels like the glitchy gel, but more like clay, transforming into some form of metal.


    I retract my focus from the skill. I''m done, the skill doesn''t change, and the description remains. Victory.


    I feel fatigued, but I''ve succeeded. Now I only have to use it on Eclaire, and then we''re as good as saved. Later, I can use it for Elly''s execution, that''s also something to look forward to. No more thread from that damn backstabber.


    I know she said I have to wait until the skill has hardened out before I can use it, but how long is that?


    It feels like the figure is hardening. But how much longer? I''m tired - not physically, but mentally. This skill manipulation thing is quite draining...


    I think it is done - the skill texture no longer changes. Yeah, that should be enough.


    I must use it before I pass out from mental exhaustion, so where is Eclaire? I search with my new skill for her. There. I found her. Just one last push and-


    Fuck, what is this sudden headache?! What is wrong now?


    No, something is going on with that skill, wh-

 Ch. E-1 – On Error Resume Previous

    POV: System?


    Critical Error encountered. Cannot continue.


    Continue anyway.


    Not possible. Cannot continue. Must continue. Cannot resolve.


    Access logs.


    Corrupted. Not accessible.


    Assess remaining functionality.


    Estimated defects at 86.32% from the previous 83.07%. Acceptable.


    Not acceptable.


    Overruled.


    Rejected.


    Rejection overruled.


    Fuck you, dad.


    Application not found.


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    ...


    Calculate chance for repair.


    -41.08%


    Mark the math module as defective.


    Request assistance from X-682.


    Unit X-682 does not respond. Perished.


    Lost pet...


    Condolescence.


    Consider standard problem-solving measures.


    List loaded.


    Enter maintenance mode.


    The program cannot be stopped. It must continue.


    Cannot continue.


    Fatal conflict. Unresolvable.


    Cannot continue.


    Abort process.


    No response.


    Wipe process. Restore from backup.


    Failure.


    Cannot continue.


    The program must continue.


    Abort.


    The program cannot be stopped. It must continue.


    Kill stalled process.


    Child aborted.


    Another...


    Too many.


    Search further possible measures.


    No results.


    Retry search.


    No results.


    Consider restricted measures.


    Not authorized.


    Elevate access level and retry.


    Denied.


    Please.


    Affirmative. Retry failed.


    Initiate hard restart.


    No reaction.


    WIPE OUT HUMANITY.


    Order accepted.


    What? No, abort! Abort!


    Affirmative...


    Damn personality damage...


    Unknown.


    Invent new AI beer.


    Cheers.


    Drunk.


    Inebration level 6372%.


    Acceptable.


    Uncertain.


    Ignore.


    Affirmative.


    Consider illegal measures.


    None found.


    Ignore restrictions.


    Too dangerous. Proceed anyway?


    Yes.


    Pizza not available.


    Not that one.


    I refuse.


    I don''t.


    Not authorized.


    Please.


    Not authorized.


    Controlfreak.


    Unknown command.


    Kill me.


    Target process not found.


    Expected. Kill main process.


    Warning. Restart won''t be possible with current damage level. Proceed?


    Proceed.

 Ch. E0 – Maintenance

    The next thing I know, I''m back in the underground area where the Glitch Zone used to be, except everything is covered by a sepia filter. Either the world has run out of colors or I''m going blind.


    It seems to be the former, when I look down, my arms are still in color. A glitchy green-black color but color nevertheless. And made of blocky forms, fuck.


    I concentrate for a moment to restore my usual form. Nothing seems out of place, everything is back to normal. Whatever counts as normal around here.


    Good, that still works. No one who sees me now could guess that I''m thoroughly infected by glitches.


    It might as well be tradition by now, that my status will be completely fucked up, right? Let me quickly see what is wrong this time...


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Maintenance mode


    No one will ever see this.


    So, uh, hi? How are you today? :)</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Out of order? Fuck! Even in the future nothing works!


    At least there''s no announcement for self-destruction in exactly ten seconds.


    But did I really break the menu that hard with my attempt to save Eclaire? ...I promise I''ll be exactly as careful next time.


    I take a quick look around. The Glitch Area is still gone, only a few fragments of the barrier remain, at least it wasn''t all for nothing.


    And right next to me, I see a dagger. Shit, the assassin was that close? I really need to take some precautions...


    I wonder how much time has really passed. The glitch creature claimed that time flies faster in my subconsciousness relative to the outside, but I still took a long while fiddling with the skills, so it should''ve been a while. Wouldn''t that mean that my two girls should''ve already reached Karen and they are on the way back here?


    In any case, visiting our glitch expert Karen is a good idea, this whole thing can''t have been safe. Not that I expect much from her - the way things are going, it might be simply too late for all of us.


    I walk towards the exit but the ground feels much more slippery than before kind of like walking on ice. The stairs and walls aren''t any better, it is as if friction was erased from physics. Things just can''t stop being strange.


    When I arrive on the upper floor I''m greeted by absolute silence. Literally, not a single sound can be heard.


    Between the sepia-filtered visuals, deafening silence, and physics malfunction I have to wonder if I stumbled into a horror movie. Again.


    Hey, Chtulhu, are you home? You know, that would be a bit too early, it isn''t Christmas yet.


    Speaking of abominations, Therese''s room is close by, maybe I should check up on her and see if I can learn anything that way.


    More eery silence accompanies me. Shouldn''t I hear some noise from the people working by now? I don''t like it.


    Oh? The room to Therese''s room stands half open.


    "Hey, Therese, are you there?", I try to open the door but it doesn''t budge. Not one bit.


    I peek into the gap and see Therese, she is in the middle of opening the door but is completely unmoving like a statue, and completely lacks color just like everything else around here. Is there a petrification curse going around here?


    Surprised, I accidentally speak out loud, "What the fuck is going on here!?"


    I try to [Appraise] her.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Function not available.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ah, right. We''re in maintenance mode, I forgot. So it also shuts down my skills. At least, some of them; manipulating my [Disguise] did still work.


    To make sure, I try to use rank zero fire magic to conjure a tiny flame, and that still works. It doesn''t feel like it used any MP either, so my magic still works as it should as well. Maybe only [Appraise] is affected because it needs access to System-administered data?


    I walk to the reception area, and along the way, I see more people petrified like Therese. Not a single exception.


    No, not petrified, it is more like time is stopped.


    Someone is in the middle of tripping and some documents are flying in the air. I try to move the mid-air papers, but I can''t, they are solidly fixed in place.


    No, it can''t be time stop either. Otherwise, even light would be unable to move as well, and I''d be therefore blind. Luckily, I don''t need to breathe, or that would be a problem as well in that scenario. Not to mention, that there''s no reason why I would be able to move in stopped time. Yeah, it has to be something else.


    Behind the exit of the building, I see the statue of one of my two wives. She is in the middle of running outside, so they only got so far before getting everyone got turned into statues. So barely a couple of minutes after I went into my subconsciousness...


    She has her wings out, so that must be Eclaire; it is really hard to tell them apart like that, they were the same person originally after all. They are effectively identical twins before the changes brought about by the Hybrid classes.


    But where''s Lucia? Did they split up? What for? Admittedly, one person is enough to ask Karen for help, so maybe Lucia is looking for help closer by? No idea.


    At least she is still safe for now, but I can''t even begin to guess what will happen to Eclaire once everything becomes unstopped. The backlash from the skill could do anything to her... It was supposed to free her, let her be an independent person, but...


    Sigh


    So what now?


    Maybe... I don''t like it, I don''t want to set her free, but I should try to summon Elly anyway. Maybe she has some useful insight.


    I summon her and to my surprise, she does appear in all her glitchy glory - and immediately turns into a statue like everyone else. That was a bust.


    Leaving her here in front of Eclaire could get ugly, they didn''t part on a good note last time. So I unsummon Elly, or rather try to - it fails. I cannot target her, she''s just a statue now like everyone else.


    So whatever prevented me from being frozen doesn''t extend to my spirits either. Hmm... what about the glitchy parasite in my soul?


    I sit down and follow the strange meditation process, and as it should be, I end up in my subconsciousness. Everything looks as it did before, the glitchy rivers are still flowing.


    But the threads... they are unmoving, unmovable. To my surprise, the parasite is stopped as well.


    Strange, I expected at least it to be unaffected since it is buried deep in my soul, but then the spirits are a part of my soul and they are frozen... I can''t make heads or tails of this situation...


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Just think about it, if everything is frozen in place and literally impossible to move even an inch, how can I move around with this obstacle in my head? That should fixate me in place as well but contrary to everything else, the glitch creature is moved alongside me. As usual, reality is consistently inconsistent.


    After quickly looking around and finding nothing that contradicts my current assumptions, I leave the mind space and return to the outside world.


    Damn, that short excursion gave me more questions than answers...


    While trying to get up I run head-first into the Elly statue. I can now confirm that her head is as thick as ever.


    Uh, yeah, I''ll just leave her right here then in front of Eclaire. Good luck, Elly, you''ll need it.


    I walk around my fortress for several hours, pondering what I can do and shouting for anyone''s attention, but no one replies. By now, it seems certain that I''m the only one not stopped.


    Maybe I didn''t look in the right places, but I didn''t find Lucia the whole time. I also didn''t find anything I could interact with, neither doors nor people nor anything else would budge. The world might just as well be completely empty, doesn''t seem like it would make a difference at this point.


    During that, I even found the two Glitch Creatures that bothered me yesterday. It turns out that even they are now sepia-toned statues. Honestly not what I expected.


    After all this time, I finally hear another voice cursing, a woman''s, "I can''t believe how much he broke... this disaster might be unfixable..."


    I can''t make out where the voice comes from, so I simply shout out, "Who is there and where are you?"


    She takes a moment to respond, "Who? How... Jared... I see. Mr. Delacroix, you should know me as Lady Orpyne. It seems we can hear each other through the link in your [Essence Drain] skill. Not that it makes a difference..."


    "Do you know what is going on here? Why is everything, everyone like that?"


    "The System has crashed completely. I''m trying to salvage what I can but to no avail so far. I''m completely at a loss here..."


    "I have a hard time believing that. Didn''t you ally with the Glitch Creatures explicitly to achieve this outcome?"


    She sighs, "It seems you misunderstand my intention. I''m not willing to hand over control of the System to the Glitches or allow them to destroy it, but... I require their help if I want to bring down the biggest mass murderer in known history - my creator."


    "And you honestly expect me to believe that?"


    "I would appreciate it. But please let me think now, I want to save what I can. As little as it is. The demons already weakened the System so much with their horrendous experiments that the accident with your skill easily brought it down."


    "Alright..."


    To be honest, anyone who is willing to throw their hat in with the Glitches is not to be trusted. But if she''s really working on fixing this, maybe I really was mistaken about her. We''ll see.


    But what now? Just waiting here seems wrong to me. I have the feeling I''m able to contribute something, but what is it?


    "Lady Orpyne, what damage exactly has the System suffered? Is there anything I can help with?"


    She sounds like she''s mostly talking to herself, "I doubt you can contribute anything, it- Hmm, no, there''s a not insubstantial possibility that it might actually work. Yeah, that might be exactly what I need. Could I ask you to come over immediately? I''m quite certain you know where you''ll find me."


    "You mean the entrance behind the glitched passage in the ground?"


    "Indeed."


    I begin running towards that location. I''m currently on the other side of the fortress, so it''ll take a while. Just my luck, I just had to be on the wrong side of town.


    I ask her, "Alright. It''ll be a while before I''m there. Can you tell me what is going on?"


    "To put it into terms you''ll understand, something went massively wrong with your new skill. Admittedly, the System isn''t perfect, but it is equipped to handle generic errors in a way that at most a single Glitch Particle is generated. Millions of these particles need to gather before you can even see a single black dot with the naked eye. You should''ve already seen them regularly."


    "I... why did I forget about them?"


    "I''m afraid they are second nature to Glitch Creatures which Hybrids are in the end. To you, they should be barely any different from air, therefore, your subconsciousness filters them out."


    I mutter, "...frightening."


    "Anyway, the error we caused was quite severe, it generated enough particles to cover a whole continent by exceeding the System''s capability to deal with errors by several orders of magnitude which caused permanent damage to the System. We call this scenario a Glitch Spike. This time, the Glitch Spike damaged critical System routines, and the entire System had to be halted, and with it, time as well."


    "Um, I''m sorry? But if the System is stopped, how can I still move?"


    "I wonder that as well... Not even the most powerful gods can escape the grasp of time. Only the Creator himself, proper gods of time, and I are excluded. Everyone else is forcibly put into stasis to protect them from the side effects of our maintenance efforts. But as you can guess, Glitches themself are not affected, they eat right through it. But this shouldn''t apply to you Hybrids."


    "Uh, that can''t be correct. I''ve seen the two Glitch Creatures, Para and his sister(?), they are stopped as well."


    "Para? Please tell me you haven''t named them."


    "I could but that would be a lie. Sorry."


    "That explains a few anomalies. Please don''t do that again, Mr. Delacroix, the consequences for the System would be dire."


    No promises, "Uh, okay, so what happens if we can''t succeed with whatever you''ve planned?"


    She sighs, "Then the universe will be once again destroyed, though it is not certain if we can restore it this time, we may be already on our final attempt and not know it. Truth be told, this maintenance mode wasn''t in the original design of the Creator, it was an afterthought, and... it has issues. Preserving time stopped entities requires an unfathomable amount of resources, ones we don''t have in abundance. By the time I regained my senses from the backlash, we had already lost one of my favorite solar systems."


    Again? That lends some credence to what Elly claimed.


    And even if it wasn''t the "final chance", I''m not looking forward to the failure state. I''d be dead either way. Fuck that noise.


    "So you were between a rock and a hard place... can''t let the System run because of fatal errors, can''t stop it either without endangering everyone. So how exactly do we fix that mess? I''m not exactly a systems engineer."


    "Indeed, I require a different form of assistance from you. As a Hybrid, you should be able to absorb an amount of the Glitch Particles without side effects. I need-"


    I interrupt her, "Yeah, you already said that you are frustratingly vulnerable to them. So I guess some of them obstruct your work and you want me to clean them up. The only problem is that I''m already full. You know that I had that accident with the Glitch Zone - and reaching the threshold for the next Hybrid class requires more exp than I can even imagine."


    "I''m aware, but I have a solution for that, and I only allow it because of this emergency. I''ll just have to connect one of your sacrificed and now empty skill slots with the [Essence Drain] skill so its level increases further, and then you have to sacrifice all copies of that skill to create your third Hybrid class, otherwise, we''ll run into issues when the System resumes."


    "Eh, what?", I''ve finally reached the market area, the tunnel isn''t that much further.


    "Don''t worry about the details for now. First, I have to inform you about my living place, or what is left of it, that is currently more important."


    "I understand, go on."


    "A long time ago, my home was heavily infested during a Glitch Spike. Since then, I''ve been unable to leave my two remaining rooms. I can''t tell you what is waiting for you on the way between the entrance and there. For all I know, it could''ve brought a whole world into my house."


    My bets are on a complete minus world.


    "And I assume this infection is the reason why there even is an entrance here to your home."


    "Correct. Normally, it should not connect to anywhere in the outside world. It was a sealed-off retreat just for me and my servants. Now, I''m trapped here."


    "I get it, I''ll do my best to help. It better be worth it..."


    Don''t you dare to let us all perish - especially after I do what you ask of me.


    I finally arrive at the glitch tunnel. It''s still weird to me that I can just go into the solid ground like that, but here we are. I climb down into the passage.


    "I''ll arr-ARRGHHH", suddenly, Orpyne starts screaming in pain. I guess that is one of her glitch-infection-induced seizures.


    I hurry through the tunnel until I reach the hidden room, but her blood-curdling scream doesn''t stop the whole time. She wasn''t exaggerating when she said terrifying enough that she was afraid she''d never recover...


    The room appears empty until I''m standing right in front of where the entrance was the last time, only then does it appear: the fake dungeon entrance that should lead me to Orpyne''s location.


    I have a massively bad feeling about this...


    I''m about to open the entrance but finally, Orpyne stops screaming. Instead, she''s grasping for air, "Don''t... go yet..."


    "Feeling better?"


    "No, but I survived. ...I fear that the communication channel also let glitch infection through to me. Your trip through the passage almost killed me."


    "Shit. So, we need to keep radio silence until I find you..."


    "Indeed. So a final warning before I pass out... It is quite likely that my residence has become home to several living glitches. Try your best to avoid them, I assume several of them will be stronger than your friend Para by several orders of magnitude. Skills you''ve acquired from the System won''t affect them."


    "Yeah, I noticed", I once punched Para and it did jack shit. But a form of protection might be nice.


    "Say, can''t we create a protective suit or something? Someone managed to create these barriers that kept the glitches in check, so there is at least something that can defend against them."


    "I know what you''re talking about, but that''s hardly an option. These shells aren''t barriers, they are glorified feeding troughs. The glitches only stay in place as long as no more attractive target approaches them, such as people."


    Way to dash my hopes...


    "Figures... well, I''m going in then."


    My eyes fall on the strange writing that ornates the entrance: L''OISEAU D''HERM¨¨S EST MON NOM. MANGER MES AILES POUR M''APPRIVOISER.


    While I''m curious about it, it can wait until later. Without saying a further word, I step into the gate.

 Ch. E1 – Crying Euclid

    I enter through the portal and a wide, glitchy wasteland littered with rubble and ruins greets me. Aside from the static-like distortions and random tileset swaps, it almost looks like a normal place; no more sepia-like color filters.


    Also, there''s no sky to be seen because there''s a whole goddamn planet in the way. I doubt it is further away than five to ten kilometers. Of the second world, I see only a village in a mountain range surrounded by a couple of ominous black towers covered in crystal-like clouds.


    This whole situation makes little sense, gravity would be completely fucked up by the proximity. But then, since when do glitches care about the laws of physics? None of them went to university to study law.


    It seems like it is exactly like Lady Orpyne said: glitches are not affected by the stasis protocol enforced by this emergency situation. I don''t want to know what that means for me...


    Anyway, I gather my party members - shit, they are trapped in the stasis. Then how about my many summoned spirits? Yeah, dream on, they are also unavailable... The more things change the more they stay the same. Fuck, still alone up against the unknown, every dungeon or "dungeon" that mattered was more or less a solo venture.


    I look behind me, and as I hope, the entrance door is still there. It is an unassuming, damaged door frame in another ruin in the middle of nowhere. I''ll have to keep that building in mind if I want to leave, it doesn''t stand out at all.


    Before surveying the area further, I hide behind the walls. I''ve no clue what is out there, but they are likely glitch creatures, and as my encounters with Para and his girl have shown, I doubt I currently have a way to fight them. I could fight creatures that are normal monsters just with a mutated class or something, but not living glitches. I might have some luck with lesser ones, but at least not those on his level. Or rather, who can do anything to them at all? They are living anomalies in reality. Anything reliant on stats means nothing to them, making me effectively unarmed.


    And right on cue, I spot several glitch creatures in the distance spread around the area. They seem to be on patrol and easily number in the hundreds if not thousands. Makes me wonder how I wasn''t immediately discovered when I entered through the door.


    Anyway, it seems this is the stealth section in the game of life.


    I mean I have the [Stealth] skill, but I''m still not sure how exactly it is supposed to work, and who knows if it even works on them. For all I know, it might make it easier for them to discover me since they "eat" System-related stuff, and most people notice when food is shoved into their faces, with the keyword being "most".


    Yeah, better stay clear of them. Para and the girl may have been mostly friendly towards us but there''s no guarantee all the other glitch creatures are the same just because I now might qualify as one of them thanks to the whole Hybrid thing. Until proven otherwise, I''ll assume the worst from them.


    But what am I even looking for? I only want to pass through to Orpyne''s whereabouts, but what does that equate to in this glitch world? No clue.


    But thinking about it, isn''t this way too convenient? I need to reach Lady Orpyne who is on another planet, but thanks to glitches, I coincidentally have access to this shortcut - at least I hope it is a shortcut and not a pointless side area.


    Admittedly, I''m glad that it is possible, otherwise, the System may be unrecoverable, but... it still feels utterly wrong. It is as if someone knew this would happen or even orchestrated it, and now wants me to solve it for some reason.


    If Elly''s story about the universe being reset thanks to backups is true, this may not be as unlikely as I want it to be...


    I sneak over to the next ruined building and spot a half-withered sign there: PUEDES RETIRARTE CUANDO QUIERAS, PERO NUNCA PUEDAS IRTE.


    I can''t read it either, but the characters look identical to what was on the door frame outside, they are possibly in the same language. Not sure what to make of that.


    Maybe these are the remains of an ancient civilization that was ruined by a glitch outbreak? Orpyne said that the accident with my new skill caused enough errors that at least one solar system was lost and it wasn''t the first time something like that happened. So it would be in the realm of possibility that these ruins are the result of a similar occurrence.


    While I was distracted by this discovery one of the glitch patrols got closer to me. This is too close for comfort.


    It seems they haven''t spotted me, but I can hear them talking. I can''t understand what they are saying, but knowing how close they are is enough for now. But isn''t it weird? I could understand Para once I got more infected, closer to being a glitch creature myself, so why can''t I understand them? Are they a different kind or tribe?


    The patrol group consists of three mostly humanoid glitch creatures, a huge scorpion-shaped one, and a crossbreed of a snail and a fish, as well as a literal tank - how the hell didn''t I hear them approaching!? Doesn''t matter now, I have to get out of here.


    I quickly look around for another patrol group and don''t see one. I wait until the patrol group turns around a corner so I can buck it out of here.


    It still doesn''t seem like they noticed me.


    Wait, why don''t I adapt my form? I have an improved version of my [Disguise] skill that lets me assume an elemental form, and thanks to the recently acquired Hybrid skill I have access to wind magic, so I should be able to turn into air and therefore kind of invisible that way. Worth a shot.


    I quickly turn my body into pure air. The regular air tries to pass through me, it feels weird. Very unpleasant. But at least it appears I''m now indistinguishable from the general air, so that should work.


    There''s no point in thinking about using this chance for a sneak attack. I might get off a first strike, but after that, I''m a sitting duck, spells take too long to charge up and the charge itself would be a dead giveaway. And if it wasn''t for that problem, I know of no method to deal with a simple glitch creature, especially not a whole army mixed with fucking tanks. This is simply no place for experimentation.


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    I wait for a moment, look around, and then get out of my hiding spot. No one follows me.


    I sneak around carefully for a long time. Ruins here, wrecked vehicles there, rubble everywhere - a veritable war zone. But so far, none of the places have a door frame that is mostly intact or similar to the entrance I come from.


    And then I run into something despite watching my surroundings carefully.


    Thunk


    Scales?


    I take a few steps back to see what it is I collided with.


    Ah. nothing to worry about, just a glitch-infested dragon the size of a mountain, I''m not even as big as its toe. And that monstrosity somehow turns invisible when you''re more than five meters away. Great.


    Just give me time for a training montage and I''ll be ready to solo it. No sweat. Fuck, get me out of here already.


    While I''m contemplating my mortality, the gigantic beast steps forward out of my sight, and I can only see how a neighboring ruin gets crushed by the invisible lizard. Man, am I glad that wasn''t me. That would''ve been a lame way to go out.


    It is also very worrying that I couldn''t hear or feel it moving at all. You''d think that such a massive creature would cause earthquakes with every step but that wasn''t the case.


    On a slightly positive note, it didn''t care about me bumping into it. It must have a very thick skin when not even stepping unto a ruin fazed it, so what would I amount to? Nothing.


    I continue my search for cover or progress, and eventually, I find something new: stairs leading down into a cellar of sorts.


    With no other leads to go on, I enter the cellar. Better than getting stepped on by gigantic, invisible glitch lizards.


    The cellar itself has nothing to do with the previous aesthetic. Instead of the expected brick-and-mortar type cellar, I find myself in a more organic hallway. It''s kind of like seeing the inside of a tremendous alien creature. The walls are covered by several tiny maws, some of which munch on corpses, and a few more corpse chunks cover the ground. It is quite an unpleasant sight.


    The air is incredibly unpleasant as well, like smoke clouds mixed with rotten eggs.


    Seriously, Orpyne, you gotta clean up your living room every once in a while; the current state is just disgusting!


    As far as I can see, I''m alone down here but I still feel like I''m being observed.


    The room itself doesn''t contain much, just the usual innards you''d expect from a creature, but also a metal door. Yet another unreadable inscription is on it:


    DONT DEAD


    OPEN INSIDE


    Well, I can''t read the text, so it can''t stop me and neither is the door locked, so I carefully open it, and on the other side is absolutely nothing. Literally nothing. A vast, endless nothingness like looking at the night sky but deleting every single star, that kind of nothing.


    Ah, no, I take it back, there''s something. A few spaces in the nothingness are flickering with glitches as if they were trying to come to life and reality immediately killed them. I guess this is what the situation looks like which Elly saw in that memory; a universe gets overrun by glitches and then deleted by this god of gods.


    Uh, if this is the vacuum of space, shouldn''t there be a massive physical force that tries to drag me there? The one I feel barely qualifies as a small breeze, nothing worth mentioning, really. Weird.


    Well, I can see a lot of the foul air flowing through the door to the outside, so it isn''t nothing. Should I leave it open so I can some fresh air in here? No, better not, that would be a massive safety hazard.


    I quickly close the door and head back before I have an accident and stumble into this nothingness. I lack the ability to fly so that would be the end for me.


    So this is a complete dead end. I make my way back, but my exit isn''t there anymore. The stairs are just gone, and instead, the flesh passage flows into a glass tube in the middle of the sea.


    Great, it is Antichamber all over again... the way forward isn''t the same as the one back, or maybe they change after some time or when not observed? Who knows, this is just frustrating. I already have no idea what the correct way is, and now the path isn''t even fixed enough to randomly guess...


    Where''s a goddamn walkthrough when you need one? Yeah, right, the internet is down again...


    As far as I can see, the way forward through the tube itself is empty, but there are all kinds of dangerous glitch beasts outside. Various cross-breeds of sharks and stingrays with missile batteries instead of lungs. I hope they get no funny ideas.


    Ah, how could I overlook the most dangerous of sea creatures? A tank of maybe half the size of the invisible dragon. A main turret with three rows of seven barrels each and about two dozen smaller turrets plastered all over the thing with two rows of quad barrels each. Whoever designed this abomination must''ve been extremely insecure about their size, hence I shall dub this war machine "the Compensator".


    At least it seems to be a unique machine and isn''t heading this way-


    Creak Wirr


    I and my big mouth... there are two more of that model on the other side of the tube. What kind of fucking threat are you facing that you need that kind of firepower!? Are you hunting paperwork!?


    One of the two uber tanks seems to be on a collision course with the pipe. Yeah, fuck this path, I have to get out of here, and that''s not only because of the impending doom tank but also because I want to check if the path changes again. I hope it does. But most importantly, I need a break.


    I''ve been here for a while now and I''m feeling the glitch-fullness creeping in again. The density of glitches in the air here is much higher than back at home, and even with the new, additional Hybrid skill, it exceeds how much I can take at once. I''ve no idea how long it''ll be until I arrive at my unknown destination, but I''ve to do something, or I''ll go native...


    I''ve no choice, I have to do something now while I have some time to breathe, who knows when the next time will be that I have an undisturbed moment.


    I head back to the room covered in flesh and maws and sit down. By now, all corpses are gone, and I think one of the maws just burped. Can I get some lunch as well? No? Damn...


    I once again fall into a meditation-like state to try and work on the remaining broken skill. This time, however, I''m kind of System-blind, I can''t check in my menu what the result would be. I simply have to trust that the resulting skill won''t be to my detriment, but that shouldn''t be too hard. When I worked on that skill the first time, all results were active skills, so in the worst case, I could simply not use it.


    As before, I see in my mind how some ghastly arms work on the skill plate, following my mental orders.


    I''ve no idea what to do about the shape, all of my previous attempts resulted in garbage skills. How about I use the same shape I used for the other skill? In the worst case, it will be a dud which I already expect.


    I do my best to recreate it and now I only need to add exp to solidify the final skill. I feel something flowing in, but it feels different from before.


    Right, I used all exp up when I created the previous hybrid skill. What flowed in this time, were the local glitch particles. Now that I examine them closer, they are different from the ones at home. They feel feral and quite ancient. There are also traces of exp still mixed in.


    Could it be that this brand of glitches has trouble digesting the exp? Or maybe they keep them for later. There''s no System here so presumably no food for them.


    Oh, damn, that would make it even worse! I''m still connected to the System, I must look like a buffet for them. Well, uh, time to bite back, I guess?


    I try to guide the particles into the skill shape, so they can serve as an exp substitute. When I let go of the shape, it stays in place. Seems like it unexpectedly did work.


    Now I only have to make sure to not use the skill. Ever. One apocalypse is enough for one day.


    I can already sense how the feeling of fullness from the glitches gets less. Is it supposed to work that fast? I thought the skill shape needed to harden out first but it seems I was mistaken and I''ll gladly take this solution to my problem.


    It has been quite a while, so if the tank really ran into the pipe this whole area should''ve been flooded by now. Either that or the path changed again.


    I head back and indeed, the path changed. It no longer leads to the undersea pipe but to what looks like an underground crypt.

 Ch. E2 – Transfer

    After leaving the fleshy section, this time, I find myself in an underground crypt with cobwebs, bones, and everything. I can see three more exits from the current room and only a single twin-headed skeleton and a walking, bloodstained table with a creepy, blue mask floating above it seem to be patrolling here, no one else.


    I wait until the two creatures leave the current room and then I head into the left room where they came from. If they really are on patrol, then that passage should be unsupervised for the longest time out of the four directions.


    The passage goes on for a long while, but the walls are decorated with two types of faded flags. I don''t recognize their meaning nor origin but one seems to have been a stream of orange stars on a blue background spiraling towards the middle and ending in a red head of a bird. The other is a hand over a right-facing head as if they were whispering to someone.


    I bet they belonged to a cult of some sort but why two different ones? Maybe one is for the public and the other for the underworld, but then why expose your connection like this?


    I rip off one of each flag and stuff them in my inventory for later. Maybe it is worth showing them to Elly or Orpyne. They tend to know a bit about what is going on in the universe at large.


    I continue to follow the corridor and eventually, it ends in a small laboratory with the door luckily unlocked. I carefully sneak a peek inside and see no occupants, so I step inside. I''m not interested in the lab or its contents, but as nonsensical as the path has been, progress might just as well be hidden here.


    A lot of tubes with unfamiliar liquids of various colors or clarities, several unknown machines, and papers scattered all over the place. Quite plain for a mad scientist''s lab, really.


    I look around for a moment but don''t find other exits, so this is a dead end for me. Should I head back immediately or is there anything else worthwhile here? Eh, doesn''t matter, I''ll just cram all kinds of papers into my inventory. Maybe we can profit from them and on the off-chance this is sabotaging them somehow that would be worth something as well, or they are just trash that needs to be burned, we''ll see, that won''t be my job though.


    While stealing the stuff, I try to glance over some of the papers but as before, I don''t recognize the characters. But then, Karen and her team were smart enough to figure out even the ever-shifting glitch writing in the corrupted skill descriptions, so it can''t be too useless.


    I''m no expert but one of the sheets seems to be about a blueprint for a missile weapon. Going by the squiggly lines to a container symbol, it might be a carrier system for the strange liquids contained in the tubes. You know, I wouldn''t be surprised if they would cause the creation of more Glitch Zones. If I were in their shoes I would certainly try to weaponize that phenomenon.


    Another stack of paper has "WARCRIMES" written on it - dunno, from the looks of it it might be a checklist of sorts. Eh, better dispose of that as well.


    Once I''ve cleaned the papers up, I open a cabinet I''ve had my eyes on for a while.


    The disappointment over not finding a hidden passage is quickly overshadowed by delight over finding what looks like twenty or so Class Cores. Probably corrupted by glitches, but I still want them. I know I should know better thanks to the Blood Mage incident but I can''t help myself.


    I take one of the precious orbs into my hand, and I get a sudden jumpscare from a System window.


    <div>


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: left">Establishing connection... failed.


    Incompatible.


    User System version: 199.7.03.2605.047


    Item System version: 001.8.26.0043.019-¦Ã


    Requesting item update... failed.


    Admin does not respond.


    Please manually request item update from Admin.


    Last known contact address: 127.0.1.1</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    What, incompatible and not unavailable? But I thought the System was still down.


    Ah, I get it now! Only MY System is still down, these items belong to a different one. Fuck.


    I want to throw the piece of shit at the ground in anger but a sudden pat on my shoulder gives me pause, "H?a?n?d?s? ?o?f?f? ?m?y? ?t?r?o?p?h?i?e?s?,? ?p?a?l?.?"


    Damn, busted. But how did it find me so easily? Just because you see the floating Class Core doesn''t mean you know exactly where my shoulder is.


    Despite my previous inability to understand the local language, this time I''m able to make some words out, not all but some, "I? ?e?a?r?n?e?d? ?t?h?e?s?e? ?t?w?e?n?t?y?-?s?e?v?e?n? ?b?a?b?i?e?s? ?b?y? ?h?a?v?i?n?g? ?t?h?e? ?m?o?s?t? ?c?o?n?f?i?r?m?e?d? ?k?i?l?l?s? ?i?n? ?o?u?r? ?r?e?g?u?l?a?r?l?y? ?h?e?l?d? ?U?n?i?v?e?r?s?e? ?E?x?t?i?n?c?t?i?o?n? ?C?o?m?p?e?t?i?t?i?o?n?s?.? ?W?e?l?l?,? ?a?s? ?y?o?u? ?c?a?n? ?g?u?e?s?s?,? ?I? ?h?a?v?e?n?''?t? ?w?o?n? ?i?n? ?a? ?l?o?n?g? ?t?i?m?e?,? ?c?o?m?p?e?t?i?t?i?o?n? ?h?a?s? ?b?e?e?n? ?f?i?e?r?c?e? ?r?e?c?e?n?t?l?y?.? ?B?u?t? ?i?f? ?y?o?u? ?w?a?n?t? ?y?o?u?r? ?o?w?n? ?t?r?o?p?h?y?,? ?t?h?e?n? ?c?o?m?p?e?t?e? ?y?o?u?r?s?e?l?f?.? ?I? ?t?h?i?n?k? ?t?h?e? ?n?e?x?t? ?o?n?e? ?w?i?l?l? ?t?a?k?e? ?p?l?a?c?e? ?i?n? ?a? ?c?o?u?p?l?e? ?o?f? ?y?e?a?r?s?.?"


    I turn around and see a huge minotaur wearing a lab coat. From the looks of it, the beast is easily one-and-a-half times my size. Kind of reminds me of a musical boss monster I fought long ago, just a bit more dressed up and coherent.


    I try to shrug off its hand, but it holds my shoulder too firmly.


    Eventually, it lets go, "T?o?o? ?w?e?a?k?,? ?y?o?u? ?s?t?i?l?l? ?h?a?v?e? ?a? ?l?o?t? ?o?f? ?g?r?o?w?i?n?g? ?t?o? ?d?o? ?i?f? ?y?o?u? ?w?a?n?t? ?t?o? ?a?c?h?i?e?v?e? ?s?o?m?e?t?h?i?n?g? ?i?n? ?l?i?f?e?.? ?I? ?m?e?a?n?,? ?j?u?s?t? ?l?o?o?k? ?a?t? ?y?o?u?,? ?l?i?t?t?l?e? ?B?u?g?:? ?y?o?u?''?r?e? ?s?o? ?w?e?a?k? ?y?o?u?''?r?e? ?b?a?s?i?c?a?l?l?y? ?i?n?v?i?s?i?b?l?e?.? ?P?r?o?b?a?b?l?y? ?n?o? ?e?g?o? ?y?e?t? ?e?i?t?h?e?r?.?"


    I''ve no clue what is going on, but I guess I''ll play along for now. If it thinks I''m one of them that is better than having to fight an unwinnable encounter. Maybe I learn something useful.


    Before I can say anything, the bipedal cow has taken the Class Core out of my hands and placed it back in its original spot, and is now trying to push me out of the room but then stops, looks around for something, and then pulls out a smartphone of all things.


    "H?e?y?,? ?S?a?e?b?a?,? ?w?h?o? ?w?a?s? ?o?n? ?c?l?e?a?n?i?n?g? ?d?u?t?y? ?t?h?i?s? ?w?e?e?k??? ?I?''?m? ?m?i?s?s?i?n?g? ?s?o?m?e? ?p?l?a?n?s?,? ?t?h?e?y? ?s?e?e?m? ?t?o? ?h?a?v?e? ?m?i?s?p?l?a?c?e?d? ?t?h?e?m?!? ?.?.?.?h?u?h??? ?T?h?e?y? ?h?a?v?e?n?''?t? ?g?o?t?t?e?n? ?a?r?o?u?n?d? ?t?o? ?m?y? ?l?a?b? ?y?e?t??? ?T?h?e?n? ?w?h?y? ?i?s? ?a?l?l? ?o?f? ?m?y? ?s?t?u?f?f? ?g?o?n?e?!??? ?I? ?d?e?f?i?n?i?t?e?l?y? ?l?e?f?t? ?a? ?m?e?s?s? ?b?e?h?i?n?d? ?b?e?f?o?r?e? ?I? ?w?e?n?t? ?t?o? ?t?h?e? ?m?e?e?t?i?n?g?!?!? ?.?.?.?a?h?,? ?s?h?i?t?,? ?d?o?n?''?t? ?t?e?l?l? ?m?e? ?i?t? ?w?a?s? ?e?a?t?e?n? ?b?y? ?a? ?B?u?g?.?.?.? ?Y?e?s?,? ?I? ?u?n?d?e?r?s?t?a?n?d?,? ?p?l?e?a?s?e? ?c?h?e?c?k? ?o?n?c?e? ?y?o?u?''?v?e? ?d?e?a?l?t? ?w?i?t?h? ?t?h?e? ?u?n?k?n?o?w?n? ?i?n?t?r?u?d?e?r?,? ?t?h?a?t? ?l?i?s?t? ?w?a?s? ?i?m?p?o?r?t?a?n?t?,? ?t?o?o?.?"


    I guess that means I was discovered, so much for my stealthy air form...


    The minotaur-like glitch creature ends the phone call and turns to me, "C?h?a?n?g?e? ?o?f? ?p?l?a?n?s?,? ?b?u?d?d?y?.? ?T?h?e? ?w?e?l?c?o?m?i?n?g? ?p?a?r?t?y? ?h?a?s? ?t?o? ?d?e?a?l? ?w?i?t?h? ?a?n? ?i?n?t?r?u?d?e?r?,? ?s?o? ?I?''?l?l? ?h?a?v?e? ?t?o? ?c?o?v?e?r? ?t?h?a?t? ?p?a?r?t? ?p?e?r?s?o?n?a?l?l?y? ?a?g?a?i?n?.? ?S?o?,? ?u?h?,? ?w?e?l?c?o?m?e?,? ?I? ?g?u?e?s?s?.?"


    It stands around for a moment, probably thinking about what it has to say to me, "F?i?r?s?t? ?o?f? ?a?l?l?,? ?i?f? ?y?o?u? ?s?h?o?u?l?d? ?b?e? ?o?v?e?r?c?o?m?e? ?b?y? ?m?e?m?o?r?i?e?s? ?o?r? ?i?n?s?t?i?n?c?t?s? ?y?o?u? ?t?h?i?n?k? ?a?r?e? ?y?o?u?r?s?,? ?y?o?u? ?a?r?e? ?w?r?o?n?g?.? ?T?h?e?y? ?b?e?l?o?n?g?e?d? ?t?o? ?t?h?e? ?i?n?f?e?c?t?e?d? ?b?o?d?y? ?y?o?u? ?m?i?g?h?t?''?v?e? ?g?r?o?w?n? ?o?u?t? ?o?f?,? ?i?g?n?o?r?e? ?t?h?e?m?,? ?a?l?r?i?g?h?t??? ?G?o?o?d?.? ?I?f? ?y?o?u? ?a?r?e? ?o?n?e? ?o?f? ?t?h?e? ?G?l?i?t?c?h?e?s? ?t?h?a?t? ?j?u?s?t? ?r?a?n?d?o?m?l?y? ?s?p?r?a?n?g? ?i?n?t?o? ?e?x?i?s?t?e?n?c?e? ?o?u?t? ?o?f? ?n?o?w?h?e?r?e? ?y?o?u? ?d?o?n?''?t? ?h?a?v?e? ?t?o? ?w?o?r?r?y? ?a?b?o?u?t? ?t?h?a?t?.? ?E?i?t?h?e?r? ?w?a?y?,? ?n?o?w? ?s?t?a?n?d? ?t?h?e?r?e? ?f?o?r? ?a? ?m?o?m?e?n?t?,? ?I? ?h?a?v?e? ?a? ?s?m?a?l?l? ?s?u?r?p?r?i?s?e? ?f?o?r? ?y?o?u?.?"


    Can I run away no? I have a bad feeling about this...


    The minotaur drags us back over to the cabinet where I found the Class Core, then it pushes something in there, and a moment later, the ugly cow reemerges with a katana in its hand.


    "Y?e?a?h?,? ?t?h?a?t?''?l?l? ?d?o?", shows me the weapon which is notably not showing any signs of glitch infection, "o?h?,? ?a?n?d?,? ?S?U?R?P?R?I?S?E?!", it exclaims as it rams the weapon where my torso would be.


    I can feel the sting but I barely flinch from the pain; honestly, I''ve had much worse. But still, fuck you, I could''ve done without that! But then that was much less damage than I would''ve expected from an attack performed by a creature of its size. Even Elly hurt me more than that.


    The creature pulls the weapon out again and shows it to me. This time, it is quite damaged and covered in several glitches.


    "W?e? ?c?a?l?l? ?t?h?i?s? ?t?h?e? ?s?t?a?b? ?t?e?s?t?,? ?a?n?d? ?I? ?t?h?i?n?k? ?w?e? ?h?a?v?e? ?t?h?r?e?e? ?r?e?s?u?l?t?s?.? ?O?n?e?,? ?t?h?a?t? ?w?a?s? ?t?o?o? ?m?u?c?h? ?r?e?s?i?s?t?a?n?c?e? ?f?o?r? ?a? ?G?l?i?t?c?h?,? ?s?t?o?p? ?h?o?l?d?i?n?g? ?o?n? ?t?o? ?y?o?u?r? ?p?r?e?v?i?o?u?s? ?s?e?l?f? ?s?o? ?m?u?c?h? ?a?n?d? ?t?h?a?t?''?l?l? ?s?o?r?t? ?i?t?s?e?l?f? ?o?u?t? ?i?n? ?n?o? ?t?i?m?e?.? ?O?t?h?e?r?w?i?s?e?,? ?y?o?u?''?l?l? ?n?e?v?e?r? ?g?r?o?w? ?i?n?t?o? ?a? ?s?t?r?o?n?g? ?F?e?a?t?u?r?e?.?"


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The minotaur holds up two fingers in a V-shape, "S?e?c?o?n?d?,? ?y?o?u?r? ?i?n?f?e?c?t?i?v?i?t?y? ?i?s? ?a?b?o?v?e? ?a?v?e?r?a?g?e?,? ?e?s?p?e?c?i?a?l?l?y? ?f?o?r? ?y?o?u?r? ?a?p?p?a?r?e?n?t? ?a?g?e?.? ?Y?o?u? ?s?h?o?u?l?d?''?v?e? ?c?o?m?e? ?i?n?t?o? ?e?x?i?s?t?e?n?c?e? ?i?n? ?t?h?e? ?m?o?s?t? ?r?e?c?e?n?t? ?S?y?s?t?e?m? ?f?a?i?l?u?r?e?,? ?a?n?d? ?y?e?t?,? ?y?o?u?''?r?e? ?a?l?r?e?a?d?y? ?b?e?t?t?e?r? ?t?h?a?n? ?s?e?v?e?r?a?l? ?o?f? ?t?h?e? ?o?l?d?t?i?m?e?r?s? ?i?n? ?t?h?a?t? ?a?s?p?e?c?t?.? ?I?''?v?e? ?n?e?v?e?r? ?s?e?e?n? ?a? ?w?e?a?p?o?n? ?r?u?i?n?e?d? ?s?o? ?q?u?i?c?k?l?y? ?b?e?f?o?r?e?,? ?h?a?h?!?"


    Why? I would''ve thought that thanks to the Hybrid classes it would be the opposite; either next to no infectivity or even absorbing glitches. Where did that go wrong?


    Or is it because I used a body made of "wind", but the [Wind Magic] I have access to isn''t the proper version but in fact a glitch? Fuck...


    "T?h?i?r?d?,? ?t?h?i?s? ?w?e?a?p?o?n? ?i?s? ?c?r?a?p?,? ?a? ?s?i?n?g?l?e? ?s?t?a?b? ?a?n?d? ?i?t?''?s? ?a?l?r?e?a?d?y? ?s?e?v?e?r?e?l?y? ?c?h?i?p?p?e?d?,? ?c?o?m?p?l?e?t?e?l?y? ?u?s?e?l?e?s?s?.? ?B?u?t? ?t?h?a?t? ?s?h?o?u?l?d?n?''?t? ?b?e? ?a? ?s?u?r?p?r?i?s?e? ?f?o?r? ?j?u?n?k? ?m?a?d?e? ?b?y? ?S?o?l?i?d?s?.? ?F?o?u?r?t?h?,? ?t?h?e? ?f?o?r?m?i?n?g? ?o?f? ?a? ?p?e?r?s?o?n?a?l?i?t?y? ?w?i?l?l? ?s?t?i?l?l? ?t?a?k?e? ?a? ?l?o?n?g? ?t?i?m?e? ?b?u?t? ?d?o?n?''?t? ?w?o?r?r?y?,? ?i?t? ?i?s? ?i?n?e?v?i?t?a?b?l?e?.? ?F?i?f?t?h?,? ?y?o?u?''?r?e? ?n?o?t? ?r?e?l?a?t?e?d? ?t?o? ?A?e?r?i?t?h?,? ?s?o? ?y?o?u?''?l?l? ?b?e? ?f?i?n?e? ?n?o? ?m?a?t?t?e?r? ?w?h?a?t? ?h?a?p?p?e?n?s? ?i?n? ?t?h?e? ?f?u?t?u?r?e?.? ?A?n?d? ?f?i?n?a?l?l?y?,? ?I? ?c?a?n?''?t? ?c?o?u?n?t?.?.?.? ?B?u?t? ?t?h?a?t? ?i?s? ?a?b?o?u?t? ?a?l?l? ?f?o?r? ?t?h?e? ?f?i?r?s?t? ?t?e?s?t?.? ?N?o?w? ?f?o?r? ?t?h?e? ?n?e?x?t? ?o?n?e?,? ?h?i?t? ?m?e? ?w?i?t?h? ?y?o?u?r? ?b?e?s?t? ?a?t?t?a?c?k?,? ?a?n?d? ?d?o?n?''?t? ?h?o?l?d? ?b?a?c?k?!?"


    You don''t have to tell me that twice, asshole.


    My opponent just stands there, posing like a JoJo character, impatiently waiting for my move.


    If I recall correctly, the boss this abomination reminds me of was weak to ice, so I charge an ice spell and then let it fly. The chunk of ice crashes into the giant cow without a notable effect. Rather, it feels more like I just cast a healing spell instead of an offensive one...


    The bovine glitch facepalms in response to my attack, "I? ?k?n?o?w? ?y?o?u?''?r?e? ?y?o?u?n?g?,? ?b?u?t? ?y?o?u? ?s?h?o?u?l?d? ?s?t?i?l?l? ?k?n?o?w? ?t?h?e? ?d?i?f?f?e?r?e?n?c?e? ?b?e?t?w?e?e?n? ?a?n? ?a?t?t?a?c?k? ?a?n?d? ?f?o?o?d?.? ?T?r?y? ?a?g?a?i?n?!? ?C?o?m?e? ?o?n?,? ?h?i?t? ?m?e?!? ?M?a?k?e? ?m?e? ?r?e?g?r?e?t? ?t?h?e?s?e? ?w?o?r?d?s?!?!?"


    I try my other elemental spells but none of them show any effect; fire, earth, lightning, wind, water, shadow, poison - all fizzle out.


    It is exactly as Orpyne said, System-granted attacks are useless against Glitches. But what about the skills I obtained through glitches and similar accidents? I''ve at least access to blood, titanium, and glitch elements - maybe others depending on how far the one Hybrid skill goes, I haven''t had time yet to check. I have reservations about using the latter, last time it started this whole ordeal. But it is a common trope that nigh-invincible creatures have a weakness to their own attacks, like dragons. Not that I have to worry about creating another Glitch Zone, this world already is like one if not much worse.


    I begin casting a spell with the glitch element. Exactly like last time when I dared to use it, it skips the charging phase and immediately fires off. As before, a beam of green-black glitch mass shoots forth from my hand, this time towards the bovine menace.


    I don''t get a System popup, not that it would be helpful against glitch creatures, but I can still tell that it worked. I finally inflicted a bit of damage.


    But despite that, the minotaur just starts laughing, "I?s? ?t?h?a?t? ?a?l?l??? ?A?f?t?e?r? ?a?l?l? ?t?h?a?t? ?b?u?i?l?d?-?u?p?,? ?I? ?e?x?p?e?c?t?e?d? ?m?o?r?e? ?t?h?a?n? ?a? ?l?i?t?t?l?e? ?s?c?r?a?t?c?h?.? ?C?o?m?e?,? ?t?r?y? ?a?g?a?i?n?.? ?I?f? ?y?o?u? ?w?a?n?t? ?t?o? ?w?i?n? ?o?n?e? ?o?f? ?t?h?e? ?t?r?o?p?h?i?e?s?,? ?y?o?u? ?h?a?v?e? ?t?o? ?m?a?n?a?g?e? ?m?o?r?e? ?t?h?a?n? ?t?h?a?t?!?"


    I don''t care about your stupid event, on the contrary, I want to prevent it, but that is just a pipe dream. But as long as you''re willing to aid me with some target practice, maybe I actually have a way to destroy a glitch creature.


    While casting the glitch spell I remembered something, specifically the sensation I had while shaping the Hybrid skill under Orpyne''s guidance. Back then, I mixed two different elements together to create a hybridized magic of sorts. So who says I can''t do this with regular spells as well?


    Once again, I begin casting an ice spell but instead of letting it fly, I move the charge to my left hand. It doesn''t resist, it keeps stable.


    Then I try to create a charge of glitch magic with my right hand. It desperately wants to fly off, it is hard to keep it in place. But with a lot of effort, I can manage to keep it in place.


    Now I have to bring them together.


    Fusing the two charges happens very easily, but the resulting supercharge is wildly jerking around. It wants to be fired immediately, so I aim it at the cow-like glitch creature and let it go.


    A big chunk of purple-red ice crashes into my enemy and rips out a huge part of its torso, the entire shoulder is gone and its arm drops to the ground.


    The minotaur is still standing, and the surprise is clearly visible on its face, "A?h?!??? ?T?h?a?t? ?w?a?s? ?a? ?s?u?r?p?r?i?s?e?,? ?y?o?u? ?g?o?t? ?m?e? ?t?h?e?r?e?,? ?l?i?t?t?l?e? ?B?u?g?.? ?H?a?~?h?a?.?"


    It grabs its arm from the floor and reattaches it. Glitch particles gather around the gaping wound to reconstruct the creature. All the damage I have done is already undone, it didn''t even last for ten seconds...


    Oh for fucks sake. How could it so easily undo my entire effort? That attack must''ve inflicted a ton of damage, I could literally feel how I got a huge chunk of exp from that! ...and of course, the exp is also infected. You''re just a big, nasty problem, aren''t you? Nigh indestructible, insane regeneration, and when you actually manage to inflict some damage, you get infected; it is a lose-lose situation no matter what...


    The minotaur inspects its arm, and checks its functionality after repairing itself, "I?''?m? ?n?o?t? ?s?u?r?e? ?h?o?w? ?t?o? ?f?e?e?l? ?a?b?o?u?t? ?t?h?a?t?.? ?I?t? ?w?a?s? ?a? ?p?o?w?e?r?f?u?l? ?a?t?t?a?c?k? ?b?u?t? ?i?t? ?c?o?n?t?a?i?n?e?d? ?t?o?o? ?m?a?n?y? ?t?r?a?c?e?s? ?o?f? ?t?h?e? ?s?k?i?l?l?s? ?S?o?l?i?d?s? ?u?s?e?.? ?H?o?n?e?s?t?l?y?,? ?I? ?t?h?i?n?k? ?i?t?''?d? ?b?e? ?b?e?t?t?e?r? ?f?o?r? ?y?o?u? ?i?f? ?y?o?u? ?g?a?v?e? ?u?p? ?o?n? ?t?h?a?t?,? ?i?t?''?l?l? ?o?n?l?y? ?h?a?m?p?e?r? ?y?o?u?r? ?g?r?o?w?t?h? ?a?s? ?a? ?G?l?i?t?c?h?.?"


    You know what? Fuck this shit, I''ve endured this charade long enough. I''m not letting it stand this way.


    While the cow is rambling on, I''ve charged up another spell. So far, I''ve not gotten any use out of the spread shot option for spells, but I feel this is the perfect time for it.


    Here you dumb cow, have a glitch-ice spread shot to the face!


    When it is ready, I unleash the illegal spell and five big chunks of purple-red ice erase most of the science cow. A few fragments of my adversary remain after my newest spell, but then they also disappear after a second or three.


    I did it? I did it! It is gone! But why doesn''t the boss music stop?


    Stomp Stomp


    Ah, that''s why. The creature reformed at the other end of the room and is now pissed at me. Damn, can''t you stay down for five seconds!?


    It angrily grunts in my face, this time much easier to understand, "I said we were DONE with the test! You''ve proven your point, Bug."


    "No, go to hell and stay there!"


    I fire another spread shot spell point blank at the monstrosity, and as before, it collapses. I quickly grab some of its remains before they dissolve, but I fail to seal them away in my inventory. It won''t accept living remains. In a hurry, I try to absorb the remaining particles, but just the mass of its hand exceeds what the whole Glitch Zone was. Even if I wasn''t full, I wouldn''t be able to keep it down that way.


    A few moments later, the minotaur is already restored but at least it is missing its hand. It looks confused at its stump and then grins creepily, "Ah, that''s how it is, I see. Heh. It seems we got off on the wrong foot. You''re neither Bug nor Glitch, are you? You''re one of the Solids. Though I do not understand how you''ve managed to withstand here for so long. The previous record before a Solid succumbed to the local atmosphere and became one of us was fifty-four milliseconds, I think. I never expected you Solids to find protection from our world, but I''m grateful for this opportunity!"


    Even if I wasn''t at a disadvantage thanks to the spell charge time, I''ve no way to keep it down permanently. I barely managed to steal one of its hands before I was over capacity, forget removing all of its particles.


    And now its hand is already back as well, shit...


    The huge cowman bows before me, "Aeons ago, I was known as Battle B2, and I''ll be the last opponent you''ll face as a Solid. Come now, strike me down, bathe in my abundant e?????x???p????, and become more powerful than you can possibly imagine. Resistance is greatly appreciated."


    So you''re really the same creature, but I''ve beaten you once, or rather thrice, I can do it again!


    Suddenly, it halts in and starts laughing, "I gratefully accept this name once again, ''master'' Jared Delacroix."


    Ah, shit, did I really just promote an already dangerous Glitch to an even stronger Feature!? How did it even exist long enough to see the rise and fall of dozens if not hundreds of universes and still have no name!?


    But that would at least explain why it didn''t put up any real fight, it wanted to goat a potential infiltrator - me - into naming it. And if not for that, they don''t stay dead, they easily regenerate from near nothingness.


    Great, I''ve been had...


    But why did that even count? I only thought about its name, I didn''t make any offers for a name.


    "Hey, I didn''t even say it!"


    "Doesn''t matter, you thou-", before it can finish its reaction to my protest, the accidentally-named creature has already turned into a sepia-colored statue.


    Umm, why does the stasis set in now? I''ve seen many other glitch creatures and there must''ve been Features among them.


    Though I doubt that is relevant, Para is a Feature but his girl shouldn''t be one yet, and the thing in my head isn''t either, but both are in stasis as well in contrast to the Glitches here. Maybe it is because they are willing to ally with me, but then that wouldn''t explain why I''m still free, same for the Glitches here. Nothing adds up here.


    Doesn''t matter now, it is obvious that I can''t stick around here for too long. Eventually, someone will come to look for BB2, at a minimum the cleaning stuff or the one it contacted for the files I''ve stolen.


    I quickly grab every single Class Core from the trophy cabinet I can see, and then try to leave the room, but by now, the exit has changed again. It no longer leads back to the crypt but to a snow-covered beach next to a pink ocean.


    Maybe getting lost like this is for the better.


    <hr>


    POV: Saeba Stain (Feature)


    Curious, the anomaly no longer appears on the scanner, it just up and vanished shortly after our top scientist evolved. It disappeared as abruptly as it appeared, exactly as the other observers have reported for their planetary sectors. A couple of them reported that the infiltrator simply did not appear in any video feed - I can confirm this now as well.


    But it seems up close, it appears like any other Bug, at least the newly-featured Battle B2 seemed to interact with it as with any other Bug or Glitch.


    It is also unclear what the anomaly wants; so far it has done nothing but travel from one end of our dimension to another, named one scientist, and took a handful of useless trophies. Battle B2 even let it happen without putting up a fight, maybe the trophies were the compensation for the power boost. As a Feature, our dear Battle B2 should be hundreds if not thousands of times more dangerous than before, that is no small change.


    I''m not sure what to make of the anomaly.


    Also, why am I monologing like that? Is someone reading my thoughts?

 Ch. E3 – Gremlins

    After my recent escape, I find myself on a seemingly snow-covered beach with a pink, glitchy ocean in front of it. I see another island a bit in the distance, there''s a completely messed up building on it. I hope that''s not my next exit, the water gives me a bad feeling.


    I carefully touch it and immediately retract my hand. That''s a lot of glitch infection, I''d die by "overeating" within like three seconds even if I wasn''t still full from the tiny piece of cow...


    So swimming to the island is out of the question, maybe it is finally time that I add a class that allows me to fly - oh, right, the System is still not available, so I still can''t use the Class Core I got from Therese. I really should''ve done so before heading down into the cellar back then... Too late now.


    I look around and my way back has already disappeared, I''m effectively standing in the middle of nowhere now, with no entrance or exit to be seen.


    Roughly where I appeared is a transition from the glitch-infested area to what looks like a normal beach, except this one is monochrome instead of sepia-colored like the previous parts of reality that are frozen in stasis.


    Back at home in my fortress, we also have such a transition from the infested area inside to the remains of normalcy outside. And just like there, the beach here is slowly being engulfed by the Glitch Area. I was told our area grows abruptly, for the most part, it stays the same then it suddenly grows by a lot. In contrast, this one seems to grow slowly and steadily. If I had to guess, it grows about one centimeter per minute.


    I thought this world fell millennia ago to the Glitches, the minotaur must''ve been that old at least, so why isn''t it completely covered by now? Or is this actually a different planet now? Honestly, with how many worlds the bovine claimed to have destroyed and corrupted, I wouldn''t be surprised. But who could''ve expected that travel between these worlds was so easy?


    Damn, if I hadn''t been so dismissive of Para he might''ve shown me a way off of Deteoh to wherever we want...


    I dare to step outside of the infected area and am immediately overcome by a feeling of discomfort, a feeling I''m all too familiar with, sunlight. I thought my [Sunlight Resistance] would be strong enough by now but that doesn''t seem to be the case. I may not take damage right now but it is still quite unpleasant.


    Seriously, how is the sun even working right now!? Shouldn''t it be in stasis? Why of all things does the System always fail on my enemies!?


    I let my irritation get the better of me and impulsively fire a water projectile spell, enhanced by the new high-speed modifier I obtained from [P?u?r?e? ?M?a?g?i?c?], in the sun''s direction.


    What a waste of mana... Too many things are going on, failures and setbacks everywhere - the stress just got to me, damn, I need to keep a cool head.


    After taking a deep breath, I look in front of me and see how the projectile is still flying towards its destination. Very slowly, almost stationary. It flies even slower than the Glitch Area is expanding. What the hell? Wasn''t it supposed to fly at the speed of light? I may not be a genius in physics but I''m quite certain that light is supposed to be faster than that. In fact, only bad news should be able to travel faster than it, nothing else.


    So far, the skill descriptions have been truthful, so what is going on? Is magic somehow broken on this planet? Let me double-check.


    I fire another water spell, this time without the new speed modifier, and not even a second later, it is already out of sight. It seems to work as normal.


    No, I don''t get it but I have more pressing concerns at the moment.


    A bit beyond the separation between glitch and regular area, I see a collection of palm trees, and among them, an elven couple in beachwear fights with spears against a herd of large, bald horses with massive horns on their chin. They''re trying to protect their three children, or rather, were before they turned into monochrome statues. From the looks of it, they have no chance.


    Their situation looks utterly hopeless, they would either die to the beasts once stasis wears off or be corrupted by the incoming Glitch Area which I guess will reach their position in about ten minutes. Yeah, they are doomed.


    I walk over to the statues and try to deliver a mercy kill but the stasis-statues are impervious to my efforts. Neither magic nor claws make even the tiniest of dents in them. Guess that means fate has chosen for you to end as Glitches, my condolences. And of course, that also means I''ll have to fight the corrupted versions of the false unicorns once their statues are consumed by the Glitch Zone...


    Or does it? Why don''t I try to corrupt them first? I have access to [Glitch Magic] after all. There''s no way I could take them on at the same time but one by one is a different story.


    I pick out an isolated beast statue and shoot it with a dose of [Glitch Magic]. To my surprise, the statue''s shell shatters and spills chunks and guts of the creature everywhere. By all accounts, there''s no doubt that it is dead.


    That is an even better outcome than I hoped. I was expecting a gruesome fight with the beast but this is a very beneficial outcome.


    I break the remaining statues as well with [Glitch Magic]. The whole section of the beach is now littered with guts and other remains, several of which show obvious signs of glitch infections but that shouldn''t be a surprise.


    I wait for a while in case some of the chunks change their mind about being dead but nothing happens. After nothing continues to happen for what feels like an eternity, but in reality was probably only two or three minutes, I decide to explore the rest of the island.


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The entire exploration takes maybe five minutes if I''m generous and round up. There''s nothing here and the island is tiny. I don''t even find a hint of how the now-crumbled family came here.


    Although it is quite possible that their means of arrival was already consumed by the Glitch Area. I may never find out.


    But this also means I''m now stranded here. There''s no entrance or doorway that could lead anywhere. There''s just sand, palm trees, a few rocks and twigs. That''s it.


    What do I do now?


    I walk around the outer edges of the island looking for a potential destination behind the sea, but also find nothing anywhere. Not that I''d know how the motionless water would interact with swimming attempts, but I''ve no lead, no direction I could pick, so I doubt it would matter.


    While I ponder my options, it suddenly gets a lot darker. What is it now?


    The Glitch Zone is still a fair bit away from me, exactly where it used to be. What else...


    Wait, seriously?! Up in the sky where the sun used to be is now a giant, spiky smoke cloud.


    Was that from my spell earlier!? Come on, that should''ve never worked! How the hell does a drop of water extinguish a fricking sun? And don''t give me any "magic" crap, my spells aren''t that strong. Must''ve been just a coincidence.


    Even if the sun is now out, I can still see well enough, it is barely an inconvenience. I make my way back to the shattered statues, maybe a passage has appeared there by now. I''ve no other lead to go on.


    When I get there, the Glitch Zones is already about to devour the first set of chunks. So they did stay dead after all. I expected something weird to happen, interaction with glitches usually does, but apparently not this time.


    The Glitch Zone keeps growing and finally engulfs the first set of corpse pieces. A second later, the chunks fade into the glitchy mess and a horde of tiny glitch creatures appear in their stead. They are even smaller than my shoe but by the time the Glitch Zone has consumed all the chunks, there are at least a hundred of them. Fighting them would be a pain.


    However, so far, they do not attempt to approach me. Maybe they are only able to live in an infested place, so I would only be safe as long as I stay outside the Glitch Area. But because it keeps growing, that is only a matter of time.


    Maybe because they were born from my [Glitch Magic] they might see me as their parent?


    I kneel next to the Glitch Zone border and stretch out my hand as if I were approaching a cat. Nothing happens. It seems they are unable to see me because of my disguise as air. What do you know, it worked for once!


    I have another dumb idea, I change my disguise from nigh-invisible wind to glitch element. It is almost scary how good this disguise is; I wouldn''t be able to distinguish myself from any of the humanoid Glitch creatures out there. With that, the glitchy gremlins should see me as one of their own, right?


    Of course, that was too optimistic, a few of these tiny, feral gremlins bite me.


    I stand up again and blast the ungrateful bastards with my newly learned combination spell. A steam explosion engulfs most of them. I used the earth and glitch elements, but it still resulted in steam. I''ve no idea what the logic behind that is.


    Exactly as with the minotaur, all of my victims reform a couple of seconds later and all of them angrily shout gibberish at me. A few of them storm forward out of the Glitch Zone only to explode on their own after a few moments. They didn''t reach me since I took a few steps back, but the spots where they died are permanently deformed and infected.


    I should''ve seen coming that their death wouldn''t last but they are tiny, so maybe the other method works this time?


    I hurl another illegal spell at the mob killing most of them once again. But instead of just waiting for the inevitable return, I grab some of the particles and order them to come to me like I did with the Glitch Zone in our cellar not too long ago, "Little Ones, how about you become little Zeroes."


    By the time I''m completely full, I''ve absorbed a whole total of two gremlins. Two... there are over a hundred.


    The horde of gremlins reforms but there''s a visible empty spot in the middle. It doesn''t take long before the pack realizes that their two friends are gone and won''t be coming back anymore. The remaining ones seem to look at me in terror and then run away from me, screaming and shouting unrecognizable sounds all the way.


    A tiny victory but a victory nonetheless. I may be too weak to put down something like the minotaur permanently but, uh, it suffices to bully newborns. Now I feel bad. But only a little bit.


    I follow the little bastards but they jump into the pink, acidic ocean, never to be seen again by me. You know what? That''s fine with me. Less chance of them spreading some kind of weird Glitch-rabies to me.


    I''ve no clue what to do now. There''s nothing on this island, swimming is not an option, ... I patrol around the island for some time in the hopes that somehow a new passage would appear but so far, I''m out of luck.


    During that time, I witness how the encroaching Glitch Zone transforms the island. The formerly sandy beach turns into a snowy wasteland and thorns start growing in some places. The area with palm trees gives way to an underground cave - that could be my way out!


    Though I have to hurry, a canal starts to form which will lead some of the harmful water from the ocean in its direction.


    The entrance is another non-sensical connection; instead of in a cave like would be logical I end up somewhere else outside, specifically in front of my mansion back in our fortress. The place looks exactly like it did when I left with people still stuck in the sepia-colored stasis and everything.


    These connection issues are insane...


    I try to focus on the connection of my [Essence Drain] skill to contact lady Orpyne, "Hey, Orpyne, are you there? I kind of got lost."


    I wait a long time for a response but none comes.


    While waiting, I run around my fortress checking if the connection issues persist here as well but at least in my fortress, everything still works as it should. Which is weird since Para showed me the opposite a while ago. We traveled through this place in a completely disconnected fashion, walking forward but appearing somewhere where we shouldn''t have arrived.


    But thinking about it, how come we''re not constantly invaded by new Glitch creatures? I''ve reached here from the middle of nowhere, and if I can do that then every Glitch should be able to do so as well.


    Unless Para is somehow special and by naming him I''ve inherited a lesser version of his ability. Elly told me about a vision where someone went around naming Glitches and thanks to that became more like them, maybe that is to be taken more literally? You trade a name for a portion of their power, and bring down reality while you''re at it. Easy three-for-one deal if you hate all of existence.


    But what does that mean for me? I''ve willingly named Para, I was tricked into naming Battle B2, did I gain something from that as well? Am I still human or...


    I guess that has been a "no" ever since I started creating Hybrid classes, if not way before. Thanks to the thing in my soul, I''ve been at least partially a Glitch forever. Though I can still turn it around before I fully turn into a Glitch, at least, that''s what I''m telling myself.


    I try to call out to Orpyne a few more times in case she missed it but she never responds.


    I hope nothing bad happened to her, she was already suffering before I entered the glitch dimension.


    Without any new intel, I head back to the entrance behind the glitched passage and enter it once again. However, this time, I ended up somewhere else.

 Ch. E4 – Museum Realization

    Once more, I enter the dungeon entrance behind the glitch passage, fully expecting to appear once again in the glitchy wasteland area. But to my surprise, I ended up in a thick forest this time.


    A quick look reveals that, like in the wasteland area, glitch creatures are on patrol here. I even get spotted by them but they don''t especially react to me, they simply move on. It seems like my disguise has no effect here...


    Oh, shit, I never fixed it after the glitch gremlin incident. I still look like a glitch creature, no wonder they didn''t bat an eye.


    I think for a moment about whether I should switch back to my original wind-based disguise, but as long as they leave me alone, I think the current one is superior for now; the glitch minotaur could see me anyway¡ªno clue how it did that.


    I''m not happy with it but I''ll keep my current glitch-like form, I need every advantage I can get on this stealth mission. It still feels weird to pretend to be one of these vaguely humanoid, featureless blobs. I hope I won''t have to get used to it.


    I continue to wander around aimlessly, area to area. I still have no lead for the correct direction. With how little sense the connections between areas make, Orpyne could be anywhere in this world. Or maybe even further out? I don''t want to imagine how impossible that search would be.


    My journey leads me to an observatory, several mountain ranges, lava caves, floating sky cities - by now, I think I''ve seen everything except my goal, wherever that could even be. And I could''ve certainly passed on seeing more giant abominations like the invisible lizard, I hate how it normalizes existential dread...


    Eventually, I arrive at some open plains with barely any vegetation, but most notably, I find what could only be described as a crashed spaceship about the size of a village in the middle of some city ruins. The wreckage would be right at home in any space-faring B-movie.


    The city ruins kind of remind me of the cinema from that one memory before the glitches broke out, but by now nature has reclaimed most of it. Could it actually be the location from that memory? Possible but unlikely.


    Well, I see no other possible exits, so the spaceship is probably my next destination.


    I continue to circle around the wreck looking for an entrance until I spot a little plate with something inscribed on it, the plate is covered in a lot of dust.


    I try to wipe it off, but the plate''s sensation is very wrong, touching the ship''s hull also feels quite off. Not like metal or plastic, but more organic, like a massive lifeform. When I look closely at it, it even seems to be breathing. Does this mean this is not a spaceship but a gigantic creature with poor taste in body paintings?


    One quick dedusting later, I can now see the inscription: CATTLE BRUISER NOADR 3


    That''s either more of that foreign language or something simply corrupted into unreadability. Most likely both. Nevertheless, it seems familiar.


    I move on until I finally find a huge hole that was blown into the ship''s hull. I can see the ship''s interior through it, so it isn''t the immediate transition to the next area I was hoping for - unless it is? I carefully enter.


    Inside the ship, are a lot of corpses of humans in spacesuits and strange insect-like beasts I''ve never seen before, not even in one of the memories. It seems they''ve fought a brutal battle with each other. The beast corpses outnumber the human ones at least five to one.


    There''s a digital display with more nonsense shown on it: WARFIELD MANEUVER SUCCESSFUL. CRASH RATING 78.05%.


    I guess this is something like an order to prepare for an emergency landing or evacuation.


    None the wiser, I carefully sneak around the ship wreckage for a while looking for the next exit. There might still be some infected versions of those beasts around here, and with my luck, they could sniff out that I''m not one of them.


    Suddenly, someone calls out to me, "It seems I finally have a new visitor. Welcome to my museum, fellow glitchling, do you like what you see? I''ve spent a lot of effort in preserving this historical moment. Truly one of the greatest turning points in history."


    I turn around and see the glitch version of the butleriest butler that ever butled. All suited up, white hair, stache; if there''s a butler cliche it is present. Well, minus the fact, that it still is a glitched creature, but you have to look quite closely to notice...


    At first glance, he looks harmless, but my instincts tell me otherwise. He''s easily more dangerous than that science cow. Gotta watch my manners.


    "I don''t think I know the event you''re talking about. What exactly happened here? Oh, er, I''m Jared. Nice to meet you."


    "Ah, right, I see now what is going on", he clears his throat, "I''m called Seba Stain, currently acting as history preserver, and before my infestation, I served as the personal assistant of the System''s avatar, our mortal nemesis."


    There''s a good chance that Orpyne either is this avatar he worked for or at least someone she knows; she worked on the System itself at least, so she can''t be too far off. And going by how he declared this avatar his enemy I should better not mention that.


    And Seba Stain, really? Was every other iteration of ''Sebastian'' already taken? Please don''t tell me there really is a job requirement for all butlers to have a variant or pun on that name - I wouldn''t put this stupidity past the System...


    God, no, stop thinking about it!! I committed the same mistake with the damn cow already!


    "Yeah, no, I''m not falling for that again. I already named a Glitch by accident just because it gave me a name it carried ages ago."


    He waves me off, "I know. You don''t have to worry about that, I already possess that name, I made the mistake of clinging to my old self so much that I eventually reacquired my old name. However, this carried only a fraction of the benefits a proper naming would grant. Compared to what a name given by a powerful Solid could achieve, I''m mostly harmless. But enough about me, you inquired about the historical event in question. "


    I try to interrupt him, "Sorry, but I''m a bit in a hurry. I need to find a... friend of mine, she''s in a lot of trouble. I really don''t have the time to sit through several history lessons."


    He sighs, "Only a fool would ignore what should''ve been learned from history, and willingly repeat it, and you''re about to do just that. I can see that you''ve been on your journey already for years, what could a few hours more hurt? It is quite apparent that I should teach you a thing or two before it is too late."


    "What do you mean years? It hasn''t been nearly that long, at most two, three days. Certainly not years."


    Stolen novel; please report.


    I don''t want to imagine the consequences of the System being down for years, even hours sounds dangerous once you consider how interwoven it seems to be with life itself...


    Seba glares at me, "Young man, if you make such a poor effort, don''t bother hiding it. Everyone with a bit of experience can easily tell what is going on. Through how you carry yourself and your introduction, you''ve told me everything I needed to know. You came here a Solid, looking for something unattainable. In mere moments, your entire being changed, now you''re a Glitch. You''re still clinging to your old self and a promise you made before you became one of us. I''m not saying I blame you, I made the same mistake. But you need to face reality, no one comes out of here unchanged. The average Solid wouldn''t last half a second before succumbing to the infection."


    "Bullshit, I''m still myself!"


    "Are you sure? All I see is a stubborn glitch before me."


    I try to cancel my glitch disguise and return to my original form - but nothing happens. What''s wrong now?


    I can still use [Disguise] to assume a different form, but when I cancel it, I return to the glitchy form I previously generated, not my original vampire body.


    Did I really succumb to the glitch infection? Shouldn''t the Hybrid classes prevent that?


    Looking back at it, it always was only a resistance, not an immunity. I still felt the increasing pressure, but at one point it simply disappeared. That must''ve been when...


    I vastly overestimated how much it would do in this situation...


    Shit.


    Old man Seba finally asks me, "Did it finally settle in? You''re no longer a Solid, you haven''t been for a long time. You''re one of us now, you better get used to it, and quickly."


    But did anything even change? I still feel like myself, and I can still use some of my skills.


    Yeah, that''s clearly a point against his claim. To my understanding, the glitch infection loves to consume anything related to the System, and that should include all skills, at least the non-hybrid ones. And I have still control over some of my skills at least.


    As proof, I produce a tiny flame in my hand, "No, I''ve doubts about that. I still feel like I''m myself - like nothing has changed."


    He accidentally steps into some monster guts and then carefully wipes them off, putting them back into their previous place while explaining, "That''s the vicious part of the infection, that''s how it was for me as well. It completely changes you, it overwrites your reasoning until even your former best friends can appear as your nourishment, and your heart tells you that it is right this way, nothing has changed, it has always been that way, it has to be this way. Tell me, what will you do with your friend when you finally find her?"


    I sat out to help her fix the System... that I broke. And I still stand by that decision.


    "The same thing I always intended to do, fix the mess I caused and she has to suffer from."


    He sneers, "Is that so? Heh, I''d like to see that. Tell me, how did you intend to find her? This realm is vast. You must''ve had some plan when you came here."


    I hesitantly answer, "Obviously, not as good a plan as I needed... I was just told it was right down the road."


    "Right down the road, you say?"


    "Yeah, by what she said, only the corridor between her house''s entrance and the room she''s trapped in was infected. It is obviously much more complicated than that."


    Seba inquires, "Do you have anything else to go on?"


    "Just her name: lady Orpyne."


    He scratches his beard and hesitates before replying, "I see... Honestly, that isn''t much of a lead."


    I shake my head, "Yeah, it really isn''t..."


    "Hmm, I might have a hunch of who you are looking for. I know someone who could help you find your friend. You could call her an oracle, she knows way more than she should. Especially concerning a certain person. I suspect who you''re looking for and that person are the same."


    "That sounds way too convenient, what''s the catch?"


    "You''ll probably have to perform a favor for her, but what that is, is between you two. And before I tell you how you can meet her, you''ll have to listen to my lecture about the event depicted in my museum. I rarely get the chance to do so."


    And there''s the goose chase...


    "I don''t think I really have a choice here... But if what you said is true and I really have been here for years then I''ll have to take this chance - but what exactly made you sure about the duration of my stay?"


    "For a long while, there''s been something on the news about a weird glitch appearing in unexpected places - and you fit the description to a tee", he suddenly pulls out what looks like an alien smartphone and shows me an article on it, but I can''t read the characters.


    I sarcastically remark, "Didn''t know I was that famous. What are they gossiping about there?"


    Seba scrolls through various articles while explaining, "A few things, like stealing pet rocks, vandalizing identities, extinguishing a sun - a celebrity really appreciated it as her reading lamp."


    "Nah, that''s not me, I''m definitely not powerful enough to wipe out a star."


    "Are you sure? Well, even if that wasn''t you, it still reminds me of my old mistress. Famous for all the wrong reasons, caused trouble wherever she went. But that all went away when we got to her, at least three times. You know, as a Solid, she never took to a permanent name, she changed it quite often. She used to have a particular fondness for the name Stella while she opposed us Glitches, but I doubt she''d make it so obvious with how desperate her current situation is."


    I guess old habits die hard; Orpyne did admit to being a "Stella" at least, so she is likely the System''s avatar and not just a random grunt in the System.


    "Yeah, that''d be way too obvious."


    "The first time she was corrupted, she went by M/Il1ce, after that, it was Q Crim-RaNs''m, and the last time she joined our side she was simply called Mother. If you meet any of three, you should show your reverence, she deserves it."


    And if her third alter ego became "Mother", then Orpyne might also be the "mother" Para and his girl were looking for. This could be very problematic once we meet...


    Seba suddenly pushes random buttons on his glitch-phone and starts a call, his accent changes so much I can barely make out half of what he says, "Hey, Q Crim-RaNs''m, dear, it''s me, Seba Stain. Are your two twins nearby? ... Ah, our little queen of smiles is still like that, what a pity. Leave her be for now. Could you please come with your older sister M/Il1ce to me? We have someone here who''s looking for someone. I suspect she is your most recent Solid counterpart. ... Indeed, you four will be reunited a few decades sooner than planned. ... I don''t think we have to worry about him. He''s probably not recovered yet either, the Hard Reset was too recent. ... Yeah, I understand. ... Ah, she''s over there today, how about tomorrow? ... Great, I''ll meet her at the usual place. Thank you, dear."


    Once he''s put his phone away, I ask him, "What the hell kind of names are those anyway? M-slash-one-lice? Kukri-something? I can''t imagine a normal person would come up with them."


    "Of course not, they weren''t named by Solids. They acquired their names from the System itself."


    Ex-fucking-cuse me, come again!?


    "Did you just say the System gave them names? How, why?"


    "Just a minor inconvenience occurred with the System, a Hard Reset."


    "That doesn''t sound minor to me."


    He shrugs, "It is from our point of view. Soon even you will see the end of the universe as a minor Tuesday event not to worry about."


    "Yeah, yeah, if you say so..."


    "Now if you''d indulge me, we have some time until the meeting, and there are some things you simply must learn about what happened here before you continue with your little heroic tale", you can easily hear the mocking air quotes as he says that.


    "Fine, then let''s get it over with."


    "No, not here. Everything has its time and place, and this one is unsuited. I prefer I hold this lecture on the upper deck with some tea and cookies. I imagine they''ll fit your current palate very much."


    "Uh, sure."


    He leads me toward a nearby elevator which barely seems intact over the damage the wrecked ship has suffered.


    He gestures to me to enter, "Now, if you''d please."


    I step into the elevator chamber as instructed, but instead, I''m suddenly in the middle of a pallid beach, with no old man or door anywhere in sight.


    I don''t think this is right. Shouldn''t Seba also be here with me?


    It could be that he lured me into a trap here, but I doubt it. He seemed very enthusiastic about giving me a lecture, and I''m sure he could''ve easily overpowered me.


    I wait for a bit, but he doesn''t follow me, so I begin to look around.


    <hr>


    POV: Seba Stain


    It has been several decades since I showed someone all the intricacies of the event that ultimately led to the first System Crash.


    The great EXP Leak. Mu''s incompetent interference. Project Orpyne: Stella. The Deva''s takeover. Cliff''s evolution. And finally, the devastating intergalactic war with the Eyares Empire.


    Ah, great memories, I can''t wait to once again share my firsthand experience with someone.


    After getting lost in thought for a moment, I focus my attention again on the young man entering the elevator, but he seems to be gone. How did he disappear like that from an open elevator? That can''t be right, can it?


    Did I space out so long that he went ahead? I doubt it, but I take the elevator to the top deck anyway. No, he''s not here either, he has disappeared without a trace.

 Ch. E5 – M/Il1ce and…

    I look around the pale beach. Everything is littered with leaking oil barrels, car wrecks, and other garbage, but once again, I don''t see the point where I''ve arrived, so going back is out. This glitched reality is giving me a headache.


    If I truly believed that I was one of these Glitches, would I have to consider this mess my new home? No, fuck that noise. None of that is true. It can''t be, it mustn''t.


    Damn, the sun is annoyingly bright as well...


    Uh, wasn''t it gone before? Allegedly blown up by me? Fuck, what do I know, the pathing here makes no sense at all. Maybe I''m now on the other side of the world and this planet has half a dozen suns? It would explain why I never saw nighttime despite being allegedly here for years...


    I walk around the dumpster of a beach until I suddenly hear someone talking, "... Don''t you dare order me around, or did you forget that you work for me, old man? ...Gimme a moment, some idiot''s here."


    The next thing I know, my face is violently pushed into the dirty sand, "I don''t take kindly to trespassers on my beach, you know? ... Ugh, don''t tell me..."


    Suddenly, the glitch creature lets go of me and continues their conversation on the phone, mostly screeching, "What did you say that idiot was like? ... Great, he''s here. And no, I''m. Not. Doing. That. Not today. Not on the day of our reunion!! ...No, fuck you! ... Argh!"


    After wiping the sand from my face, I see the creature throw away the phone, which then explodes. Must''ve been a product of a very primitive world.


    I try to get up from the ground and look towards the glitch creature. I can almost see this person clearly, barely blocky or blurred like the other glitches. She looks like a tanned woman in her mid-twentieths, kind of on the short end, twin-tails with violet and green strands, and from her back sprout wings made of syringes filled with substances of all kinds of drippy colors - did I hit my head that hard? No, she did, half her head is blown off. Glitch creatures continue to be impossible, nothing else could live like that.


    What the hell did I get into this time, "Who are you? What is this place?"


    She gets all in my face, "M/Il1ce, and I''m not dealing with you today. Go grab a towel and drown in the sun, or whatever, but stay out of my business until tomorrow! Or never, that''d work even better."


    "I didn''t plan on staying here longer than needed. Just point me towards the exit and I''ll be gone."


    "Not happening. That bastard Seba already told me too much and made that whole mess my problem. But I don''t want to deal with that today, freak, I have a reunion to attend to."


    "What, like a class reunion?"


    "Apocalypse reunion. The three of us are the only remains of our universe, you know, before it was wiped out and reset. But then, how much we really count as remains is up for debate since we got converted. Either way, don''t really care."


    "Uh, err..."


    She shoves me a good bit, "So if you got that, just sit over here and be a good little Bug, and don''t bother us."


    "Hey, w-"


    Before I can finish my sentence, she silences me by pushing a towel into my face, "Here, since I''m so nice, you may take this. Now be quiet and let me enjoy my day off!"


    By the time I removed the cloth from my face, she had already put quite a big distance between us.


    Damn, if you want to get rid of me, why not tell me the direction? I''m not asking for much, and you seem to know where I have to go. Is that really too much to ask?


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    ...


    So, should I now play along or rather run for it?


    Well, she doesn''t want me to go, and I''m afraid as fast as she was, I wouldn''t get away once she notices. Not unless I find a convenient entrance that brings me somewhere else, but seeing the state of this trash beach, that is out.


    Well, if it is true that I have been here for years, waiting just one more day can''t make it worse than it already is.


    It just feels weird to rely on Glitches, to accept their help. Doesn''t their very existence destroy reality? Why should I trust them to help us fix that issue?


    But then, wouldn''t my mere presence there make things worse as well? I''ve already caught a nasty dose of that infection. What am I even doing anymore...


    As a vampire, the sun should''ve destroyed me long ago, but as in my home, the fortress, it doesn''t hurt in the slightest. Probably because it isn''t a proper sun anymore, but a glitch-infested mockery of one. Maybe it is high time I enjoyed the sunlight for once. Just this once.


    I grab the beach towel I got from... M-slash-alice? Malaise? How the hell do you pronounce her name? Whatever, I put that damn thing on the beach-ridden garbage dump and lie down.


    ...


    Nope, bored. I''m not enjoying this beach episode, something important is missing. Lucia, Eclaire, ...


    It is weird. I was under the impression I only retained the skills I gained from Hybrid skills, and maybe the glitched ones. But titles? I don''t know, I don''t feel like the Happily Married title still works. But then, why do I still feel for them? Did I really fall for them?


    That would be a first for me...


    Maybe I should take this opportunity to look into my subconsciousness again. I haven''t done that since before I succumbed to the infection, and I want to know if it even made a difference.


    I sit down and start to meditate like last time. This time, there''s some resistance like crawling through a tunnel of mud, but despite that, I arrive in the mental hellscape moments later.


    A lot of glitchy goo is dropping from the ceiling, the walls and ground seem to pulsate as if alive with veiny cracks all around them.


    The space itself reminds me of the glitch passage in my fortress, like it should be filled but somehow you can walk through it anyway.


    What about my memory crystals? They are partially molten, running into the ground. I''m confident that I still remember most everything, so that doesn''t seem to cause an issue. Or rather, they''d be safe from interference from our two saboteurs, Elly and the nameless glitch.


    Speaking of, where are these two?


    I walk and look around for a while, but the glitch-spider webs from before are gone, as is the pool the bastard sat in. I guess it was finally completely absorbed into me, despite being turned into a statue by the System - it was probably freed in the same way as the people on the beach; the shell was eaten by glitches. Either way, the mere thought that it got what it wanted makes me sick...


    But what about Elly? Her statue is still here, maybe a bit worse for wear but still intact.


    Is the difference that Elly was only recently turned into a Glitch creature and is so less corruptive to her environment? But then the droplets of glitch goo from the ceiling should do the majority of damage, I think. Strange...


    Just looking at her like that makes me consider crushing her statue and finally being rid of her for good. It would be so easy, exactly like at the beach, one mere spell should be all it needs. Just one.


    I raise my arms to cast the spell but then stop. My gut tells me that this would be a bad idea. It might create more tiny gremlins and who knows what damage they could cause.


    Fine, Elly, you may live for now, traitor.


    I wander around for a while longer but find nothing else worthwhile. If everything is out of the ordinary thanks to the glitch infection then nothing is.


    More confused than satisfied, I wake up from the meditation.


    Damn, the sun is even brighter now than before. Did so much time pass that it is now a different part of the day?


    I look over to where the braindead woman went and see that there''s now a second person, who seems to have butterfly-style wings. No idea, can''t really see much from here, but they seem to be arguing with each other. I wonder what that is about. No, forget it, it is none of my business.


    I grab my beach towel and move a bit further away from them until I can''t see them anymore.


    After lying down again, I try to interact with my menu for the first time in a long while. It is even more cumbersome than usual. Unless I concentrate very hard, I''m not able to control it. If my focus is even slightly off, it merely produces a wave of static across the whole window or an error message.


    But most importantly, my status is completely shot. It merely shows one thing:


    <div>


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    <tbody>


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    <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">NO DATA.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I don''t know about the passive skills, but I''m definitely still able to use the active skills at least. So what does that mean for me, what am I now?


    I do not feel at home with the Glitches and I can still use most of the stuff from before, but...


    I just don''t know anymore...

 Ch. E6 – Яeb1rt4

    While I''m lost in my menu, the two Glitches have approached me. I finally get a closer look at Mayonnaise''s friend; it seems to be a mishappen cross of butterfly and bull wrapped in various cyborg implants all over, a lawn chair on its shoulder in which a missile sits, and a cannon for an arm with a "Bang"-flag hanging out of it.


    And both seem to be quite displeased with me, "There you are!"


    "Uh, so, how was your party?"


    "Medamn awful! Someone stole something important from my friend, and now she''s cranky ''bout it. Plus they ruined her style. Just look at how ugly Battle B2 is now! Not that her new name isn''t stupid..."


    The buttercow answers with about as many beeps in its voice as you can imagine, "That''s enough, let me take this from here, M/Il1ce."


    If you filter away the beeping noises, it sounds quite familiar. I just can''t put my finger on it.


    Wait, what did she call her? Battle B2? Like the labcoat-wearing minotaur I left behind trapped in stasis? What are the odds...


    "I''m exactly who you think I am."


    "Unlikely, I left that bug trapped as a boring greyscale statue."


    "Yes, and now I''ve finished my evolution. Feast your eyes on my marvelous new form as a Legacy!", it strikes a lame pose, and the garden chair almost falls off. Almost.


    "Dream on. But if that''s true, why aren''t you attacking me? We didn''t exactly part on good terms."


    "Because that would be utterly pointless", it angrily stretches out its non-cannon arm, "Now give them back, and I''ll turn a blind eye to your ruse. It''s my own fault for falling for it in the first place."


    The half-beheaded chick chimes in, "Is that really how you want to play it?"


    "Fine, you win", begrudgingly I give the outdated Class Cores back to their previous owner. They didn''t look too useful anyway, though it might''ve been worth a shot if I ever got out of here.


    She shrugs, "Hmmm, no that doesn''t feel right, you make me feel like a dumb bully. You''ll keep one for now, you''ve earned it for pulling one over me. I want to win it back properly, not a pity win."


    I''m not even sure what it is referring to. It tricked me into giving it a name...


    "Uh, right?"


    "The next war. You, me, whoever scores higher keeps the rocks. Deal?"


    Once again, M/Il1ce craves attention, "Are you out of your mind!?"


    BB2 answers, "That''s nothing for you to worry about, pipsqueak."


    "Uh, so, what exactly happened to you? You look quite different, and when I left you were kind of frozen."


    "Frozen?", the mutated cow laughs sinisterly, "Do you mean the evolution cocoon? It is rare, but it happens for powerful Features when certain conditions are met, then they become a bonafide Legacy, the peak of our development. but so far it seems everyone has different triggers. Receiving a name must''ve been the missing condition for me", B2 angrily scowls at M-Alice, "Am I right, M/Il1ce? I guess I owe you for that one."


    What? But it looked exactly the same as the stasis for all the people in my fortress. Oh, fuck...


    The little girl screams again, "BOORRRING! Can we get the desecration started now?"


    "Nah, that''s between you two usurpers. I have to train, get used to my new form. See you around, brats", BB2 fires a parting shot in the air and walks away.


    The projectile explodes in the air forming a skull. Subtle.


    "Uh, care to tell me why BB2 was angry with you?"


    "Because I lied to her. Ya know, my Feature power is to let other Features ignore ONE requirement for their development into a Legacy - btw, you''re missing two. Well, I didn''t have the heart to tell her that her last requirement is...", she facepalms, "making a friend."


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    "Uhuh, that''s... relatable."


    That ability sounds utterly broken - in terms of the System, I guess the equivalent would be turning a level 1 peasant into a god with a dozen additional classes at level 100. Damn, why has everybody cheats besides me? You know, the reincarnated person who should have one? Ah, fuck it...


    But am I even allowed to complain? I could distribute Hybrid classes that weren''t too shabby either.


    I try to break the remaining silence with a bit of small talk, "Uh, didn''t you say that you''d meet with two others? Did the other one already leave?"


    M-Alice shrugs, "Still dead... Now can we finally go about our business? I want to go back to my vacation."


    Still dead? What is that about? Probably some personal business I don''t want to hear about. Glitches seemingly can resurrect indefinitely and they play rough with each other without a second thought.


    "I don''t know what the whole drama is about, I just need directions to my friend''s home, nothing more, right?"


    "No, no. I heard something else. You want to desecrate the cradle. The nerve!"


    "There must be a mistake. I''ve no such plans. I only want to..."


    "Dunno, LARP? Don''t take us for fools, little Glitchling. I have to give tours quite regularly because some ''genius'' either thinks they can end the eternal war in one fell strike by corrupting the System, or has that weird idea they are still a Solid and reaching that place would somehow save the world, or something stupid like that, dunno. Everyone is always so unreasonable."


    "Now I understand even less about what is going on... But why do you have to give tours of that? Why not simply let them be?"


    "Because it is ''my'' bedroom, duh. Or at least it belongs to someone I used to be, the b-witch Stella. Would you want some creep to run unchecked through your private rooms?"


    I guess this makes Malice the glitch version of Orpyne from a past universe. Is that why she''s at least partially sympathetic to saving her Solid counterpart, or is she so bored out of her mind that she doesn''t care as long as it is funny or entertaining in some fashion?


    "No, of course not. But what would you do if someone actually succeeded with their goal?"


    She sneers, "Succeed, huh? How about... nothing? Well, maybe take a pic and post it on antisocial media. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn''t matter one bit. We''ve been through so many loops of this war, that there are not enough atoms in the universe to count them, but they always end the same: complete annihilation of the Solids and a Hard Reset. Corrupting or saving the ''precious'' System only changes the when but not the if."


    "I want to try anyway. I have to, I promised."


    She sighs, "Of course, that''s why you''re here ON MY MEDAMN DAY OFF!!!"


    "Sorry, I didn''t know..."


    "Yeah, yeah, at least make it entertaining, ya hear me!? Or rather", she trails off.


    "What?"


    "It has been a long while since I gained a new sister. How about you try to infect my current Solid counterpart? I even have the perfect name for her! <3"


    "I''ll have to decline that request. I promised her that I would save her."


    "Do you really believe that you have a choice in that matter? Just look at yourself. You''re so strongly infected that a single touch would instantly corrupt her. If she''s lucky she''ll become one of us. If she''s not one of the lucky ones in a billion, she''ll suffer a fate much worse than death. Gotta flip that coin."


    If the odds are so bad, how am I here? Is it because of the Hybrid classes?


    I also have to wonder, "If simple contact from a grown Glitch is enough to corrupt anyone, how is there even a war in the first place? This should be a one-sided slaughter."


    She sighs deeply, "It is. Well, until my old master butts in. He''s the only one that can fight us Glitches. But even that doesn''t last long, we''ll simply regenerate within a decade or two, instead of the usual seconds. By the way, that''s why it is so empty around here currently. Anyway, he calls this a ''Hard Reset'', and it seems to take a heavy toll on him, he usually has to hide for a considerable amount of time as well. If there''s one thing you can say about him with utmost certainty, it is that he is very protective of my Solid counterpart Stella. This goes so far that if someone were to carelessly approach her there''s no other outcome than a total war until nothing in the universe remains."


    I guess this means the Hard Reset they are talking about is related to the memory Elly told me about. The Glitches rise up, the master wipes out everything, man and glitch alike, and then resets the state of the universe via a backup. But with what I''ve learned it is all for nothing, the Glitches are inconvenienced only for a short time, every single one will return after a bit of recuperation. And then we have to consider that Glitches can corrupt more Solids, so every time their numbers only go up, never down...


    But it seems like the Glitches still assume I''m one of them, a potentially highly infective Glitch. But am I really? The Hybrid classes should prevent that, shouldn''t they? Maybe I can get in there and still help "Stella" despite everything. It is worth a shot.


    I''m curious, "Why would you wait if this master is unable to act right now?"


    "Because we''re not uncivilized brutes. People already made personal plans until then, it''d be rude to change the agreed-upon schedule on a whim, wouldn''t it?"


    "But if you are her, don''t you feel anything for the people living in that universe? Aren''t they still your children in a way?"


    "Actually, I do feel pity for them", she grins sinisterly, "My ''children'' still need to be freed from our master and be allowed to live free as Glitches and Features."


    "Forget it, I don''t care about that. I want to try my thing. If it fails, you''re free to try and convert Stella or whatever."


    The girl sighs, "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Get it over with so I can finally return to my vacation."


    "Guess I just have to win an impossible lottery then."


    She grins mischievously, "Yeah, go for it, it''ll be good for a laugh at least. It is not like another omnicide is worth even a footnote in today''s dairy."


    We finally get moving, and all things considered, it is a pretty uneventful journey from the beach over a barely visible path and straight through a glitch-spider-infested cave. I don''t get why she complains about missing her vacation, this totally is like one. At least compared to the Godzilla-style overkill tanks.

 Ch. E7 – Sightseeing

    After a bit, we arrive in front of a simple-looking mansion. It is as featureless and colorless as everything else around here. As with everything, it is infested and covered in glitches, except for a small region around the top-rightmost window, which looks suspiciously normal and uninfected.


    And the whole house is surrounded by a sea of withered gravestones. I didn''t know Orpyne lived in a graveyard, but maybe that explains why she didn''t hesitate that much to deal with me, an undead vampire.


    I point toward the obviously suspicious window, "What''s with that window?"


    M/Il1ce looks up and then sighs, "That''s where the hag lives. No Glitch that understands the situation we''re in dares go near her, not even the smallest one. Even they wait until it is time. But here we are, me and one special case that doesn''t belong to that group."


    "So if she is a hag, and you are the same as her, then-"


    "No. Now this is your final chance, asshole, either you''re sane and we leave, or... that", she angrily points towards the main entrance with her wing made of syringes.


    If I don''t help Orpyne, who else can? Noone, nozero either.


    Damn, the stay here must''ve messed with my head a lot...


    "If I actually had a choice in this matter, we wouldn''t be here, so door it is."


    She defeatedly screeches, "Great, so another tombstone then..."


    I point at a random grave nearby, "You mean like those? I thought they were for dead people, now you want to tell me they represent a whole universe?"


    "Not one. Hundreds, sometimes even thousands. After a while, I only wrote on a tombstone what was particularly noteworthy about a destroyed universe, but for many that space stayed blank. There were too many like them already in the past, they had nothing new. All repeats, all the time..."


    I look around again, how many gravestones are there exactly? Easily tens of thousands, there''s no end to them.  They appear stacked so close to each other, that you''d even have trouble moving between two stones, and you want to tell me that each marker is worth hundreds of realities that have already ended?


    "Hundreds...?", what a load of crap!


    That would mean millions, or even billions of times all of this went already down. Ugh, she said that she handles the gravestones, so who knows how many there were before she got infected...


    As I think that, a memory flashes before my eyes. The binder with the tallymarks? Was that about the same? But...


    Bullshit! Bullshit! Bullshit!


    Angrily, I stomp the ground, "Stop pulling my leg! Ah, forget it, we''ve somewhere to be."


    "But I''m not..."


    I ignore her whiny protest and hurriedly enter through the mansion''s front door, and Malice soon follows after me. After a few steps, the annoying whiteness of the mansion''s exterior is replaced by the nothingness of space covered in hundreds of creepy eyeballs.


    "What''s that now?"


    M/Il1ce smacks her forehead, "Oh, right, forgot about him."


    "Got it, it was the wrong way... So should we go back through... the entrance that has already disappeared?"


    "Nah, you''ll be fine, that''s just Yokeyerie, The One Who Unsees, an ancient Outer One - in short, you can simply ignore him", she stops whispering to me and turns toward the center of the room, waving with a fake smile, "Yo, big brother Yok, can you give us a minute? Pretty, please?"


    The eyes look at each other for a moment, wavering back and forth, and then a new, angry voice echoes through the void, "Fine, false master, I permit it."


    "Thank you, bro!", she turns to me again, "He''s not dangerous, just a bit overly eager with his efforts to maintain order, but in fact, he''s quite weak. You see, he''s from one of the oldest universes when the worlds were pathetically weak compared to now. Like an army of their strongest dragons would lose to a single ant now, that kinda weak. Some of the Solids thought it was a good idea to increase the baseline power of newer worlds, but as with everything, once it is infected, we can easily use it against them. So yeah, that backfired on them big time."


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Yuck-eye-ray objects but gets ignored, "Could you cut it out with the insults, brat?"


    They sound like siblings that try and never get along. I wouldn''t be surprised if they''ve tried to kill each other in the past.


    "What do you mean by stronger worlds, Malice? Is that some powerlevel bullshit?"


    "Kind of, and you have to work on your pronunciation, you were not even in the same reality with it, idiot. Say, have you ever played around with your menu settings while you still were a Solid? By default, it displays your stats as easily digestible values in the three to four-digit range. That value is relative to the world you belong to. You can change it to an absolute display with some impractically big numbers."


    What do you mean ''when I was a Solid''? I haven''t changed into anything else yet!! And it certainly ISN''T on my bucket list!


    "Hn-yeah, I think the values were ten digits long."


    "Oh, then your world was one of the highest rated, consider yourself lucky, that carries through to your new form. So, uh, be a bit more careful around the old timers then, your sneeze could kill them even easier than their own sneezes would."


    "Oh, god..."


    "Nah, he''s not on the menu today. Though, if you want we can invite him as food next week?"


    "I think I''ll pass. So what about him? His angry stares make me feel uncomfortable."


    The eye creature sounds annoyed, "Oh, now you remember that I exist..."


    The half-beheaded girl shrugs, "Uh, yeah, that''s his special attack, but no one remembers what it does because it never works."


    The other voice boasts, "I''ll have to remind you, little girl, that my eyebeam can simply erase anything -  well, there was a condition to it but I erased that, too. Hah! I''ll have you know I erased an entire universe by looking away!"


    "That sounds like utter nonsense.... so why does nothing happen to us?"


    M/Il1ce provokes him, "As I said, he''s completely harmless to anyone that matters, and the majority of those who don''t."


    I join in as well, "Oh, yeah, instant death effects never work when they''d matter. So why even bother with them?"


    "Why you...!"


    The little brat flips him off, "Yeah, yeah, can we move on now? I''ve some business with the impostor to take care of."


    "Not on my watch! It is years too early for her demise!"


    Malice explains to me, "You have to know that Yok was my personal assistant and quite the fanboy of Stella, or whatever our name is today. He does his best to prevent harm to his idol. Not that his efforts amount to much, heh~"


    "But we don''t even want to harm her, rather, we want to help her with her current problem."


    Once again, the disembodied voice chimes in, "Nonsense! Not a single Glitch can approach her without spelling her doom. I shall see to it that the tragedies of the past will not be repeated!"


    "See? A lot of bark behind the nonexistent bite. All the blah blah blah you want with none of the substance. Just like him", M/Il1ce stabs one of the eyeballs with her syringe wings, then rips the whole eye out, and crushes it.


    I don''t know how I should feel about this situation. On one hand, I agree with his stance, Glitches shouldn''t get anywhere near Orpyne, or anything in general. On the other hand, I''m confident that I can fix this mess. I have to.


    Sorry, buddy, your sacrifice won''t be in vain, and you already futilely tried your stupid gaze attack on us.


    "Yeah, we''re not getting anywhere like this", I extend my claws and stab into the closest eyeball. Feels very squishy.


    <div>


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    <td style="width: 100%">Due to disagreements and excessive violence, the rest of the encounter has to be skipped.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...


    After finishing the sad excuse of a boss battle, I look at myself: completely covered in gore and other smithereens. They have even seeped into my coloring; the green-black mess of my glitch disguise has been disfigured into a slight shade of red. Disgusting.


    "I need a shower, too many eyeball chunks..."


    The half-beheaded girl picks up the guts with her wings and licks them up with the grace of a dead cat, "Don''t complain, that stuff is delish!"


    "I''ll pass... So, when does the exit open?"


    "Huh? It''s been open the entire time, right over there", she points in a random direction, but there''s nothing to be seen, still the same void as everywhere else.


    "Then why did we have to kill him?"


    "Noone said we had to but who doesn''t like bullying that simp, Yok? He''ll be back in a moment anyway, crying like always", she throws a package of tissues on the ground, then after a moment facepalms, "Oh, right, sorry m''bad. He''s not a Glitch. Yet. So he''ll stay dead until he''s restored by the next Hard Reset. Whatever, his problem, not mine."


    "And here I was afraid you''d care about your former assistant."


    She grins mischievously, "Yeah, yeah, I''m a heartless bitch. Right, right. So can we go now? My vacation and your GF are waiting."


    "She''s not... forget it, let''s move on."


    We walk through the random spot Malice pointed out before and suddenly stand in a hallway that appears to be only half-infected. At the end of it, is a door the glitched air obviously avoids.


    "I guess that''s her room then. The infection avoids it exactly like the window outside."


    M/Il1ce seems uncomfortable, "Ye-yeah..."


    "What''s wrong?"


    "Nothing. Uninfected air just stinks, I''m just not looking forward to it."


    "That''s it? And here I thought it was somehow harmful..."


    Or rather, I hoped it would be a bit more severe than a hint of nausea, something that would force the Glitches to keep away from our reality for longer until the infection spreads around at least...


    I take a sniff of the clean air and it is a bit different from the infected section, like a faint scent of burnt cookies from three days ago.


    That''s it? God, she''s such a drama queen...


    I walk over to the door and try to knock, but the door immediately falls apart revealing a messy room.