《Descension (A LitRPG Adventure)》


 Prologue

    Journal Entry 001:


    I''m Liam Thompson, 26 years old, a security guard at one of the world''s top companies. I''m your average guy¡ªnothing spectacular about me. I''ve got wavy brown hair that never really behaves the way I want it to, brown eyes that reflect the tiredness of the life I''m leading, and a habit of disappearing into video games or movie marathons whenever I can. It''s my escape, my sanctuary from the mind-numbing monotony of my days. On weekends, it''s a ritual¡ªfriends gathered around, controllers in hand, the world outside fading into nothing as we dive into worlds more vibrant than the one, I find myself stuck in.


    But right now, I''m sitting at my security desk, watching the clock tick as the silence of the night weighs on me. Another night shift. Another hour spent staring at screens, waiting for something to happen¡ªor more accurately, waiting for nothing to happen. The world outside is quiet, peaceful, but that doesn''t mean much when you''re in here, cooped up in a concrete box. I keep telling myself that my job is just a steppingstone¡ªthat this will all change. That eventually, I''ll find something that excites me, something that makes me feel alive.


    But who am I kidding? I''ve been saying the same thing for years, and nothing''s changed. This job is about as uninspiring as it gets. A soggy sandwich of a career¡ªjust bland, with no real flavor. The kind of job where you show up, do what you''re supposed to do, and leave. There''s no spark, no passion. Just long hours and a paycheck. The nights are especially tough. The quiet hum of the fluorescent lights overhead, the constant, unyielding tick of the clock, and the vague sense of loneliness that always seems to creep in. Sometimes it feels like the walls are closing in. The job drains me in a way that nothing else does. It''s not physical exhaustion¡ªit''s something worse. It''s the kind of exhaustion that sits in your bones, in your chest, that makes you feel like you''re going through the motions without ever truly being alive.


    And I hate that feeling. I hate that deep-down, I''m not satisfied, that the days blur together in a haze of uniformity. My creative spark, the part of me that used to imagine worlds of my own, feels like it''s being drained by this routine. My passions have slipped through my fingers like sand, and I''ve tried so hard to grasp onto something¡ªanything¡ªthat could reignite that fire. But here I am. Stuck.


    Still, I keep telling myself it''s just a phase. I keep telling myself that things will get better, that this won''t be forever. Maybe one day, something will change. I''ll stumble upon that perfect opportunity, or some grand revelation will make everything clear. It''s a comforting thought, even if I don''t entirely believe it. Maybe if I tell myself enough times, I''ll start to believe it again. Or maybe I''ll just stop worrying about it, stop chasing some version of my life that seems so elusive.


    I don''t know. Life''s been pretty average, really. A series of "meh" days, with a few moments of brightness here and there. But that''s okay, I guess. Because there''s always something to look forward to. And right now, that something is the new MMORPG that''s dropping in a couple of days. I''ve been following its development for months, keeping track of the updates, eagerly waiting for the day I can lose myself in that world, escape from this one.


    For now, that''s my light at the end of the tunnel. And if I can hold onto that hope, maybe I can make it through another shift. Maybe that''s enough for now. Anyways, I should get going. Off to work. Another night, another shift. Same old, same old. Until next time.


    -------


    While on duty, I was pursuing what I believed to be a delinquent teenager trying to capture videos or photos of someone breaking through the company''s supposedly impenetrable gate. But the reality was far less dramatic: the gate was just an 8-foot-tall structure topped with razor wire, easily breached with a pair of bolt cutters. Still, I wasn''t thrilled that this had happened in my patrol area, especially since I was the farthest from my company-issued vehicle, a moped, during my foot patrol.


    As I chased after the figure, I started noticing some odd things. For one, they were much shorter than I had originally thought. And their shoes? They were flashing¡ªdefinitely a factor in why I couldn''t seem to catch up, as the individual was clearly outpacing me. I was a good seven seconds behind by the time they reached the corner of the building. When I finally arrived, there was no one in sight.


    I shone my light around, hoping to spot any clues the trespasser might have left behind. That''s when I saw it¡ªa shiny gold coin on the ground. I bent down to pick it up, but as soon as I reached for it, the coin started moving away from me. The closer I got, the faster it retreated, until it clinked against the side of the building. Then, things took a turn. The coin began to ascend the concrete wall, rising until it was at eye level with me, and then, without warning, it shot towards my face. I instinctively raised my hand to block it, feeling a burning sensation in my palm before everything went dark.


    ........


    The first sensation I felt upon being woken up was freezing cold. Trying to fight the urge to shiver I opened my eyes, finding myself completely in the dark.


    There was nothing for what seemed like a few minutes. No sound. No lights. Then out of nowhere a robotic sounding voice flooded my hearing.


    "System error detected.


    Non system integrated sapient detected."


    Panic started to swell in my chest "Okay really funny guys." The group on my shift usually played practical jokes on each other every now and again. They must have found me unconscious and took me back to HQ. HQ being a single wide rent a trailer because the top earning company in the world couldn''t waste money on a permanent building for security contractors. Assholes probably locked me in the storage closet and are messing with me through the walkie.


    "System recalibrating. Integration protocol initializing... Error. Sapient anomaly remains external to known systems."


    "What the hell is going on?" I muttered through chittering teeth. Running through the possibilities of what could be happening when I was interrupted by the voice a third time.


    "System compromised. Sapient detected. Opportunity for Descender integration identified. Will you comply with adaptive integration? Refusal of integration will lead to sapient termination"


    With my anxiety peaking I yell "Integrate!" As I did, the door to the storage closet flew open and all I could see was the bright piercing light of the cafeteria LEDS. Heat rising to my face in embarrassment and anger "You son of " The light enveloped me fully and as my stomach rolled everything went dark for the second time this night.


    ---- In the Outer Cosmos


    Nexa, Goddess of Dimensional Weaving, floated serenely amidst the glittering expanse of the cosmos, her form radiant and shimmering like a constellation brought to life. Her position as a system-granted deity came after centuries of relentless pursuit¡ªhundreds of years spent unraveling the mysteries of space, time, and the delicate threads that bound universes together. Through trial, study, and perilous journeys across countless planes, she had ascended to a station few even dared to dream of.


    Now, she wielded powers beyond comprehension. With a mere thought, she could summon a vision of any galaxy within the multiverse. Nebulae swirled and danced before her eyes, stars flaring and fading in a cosmic symphony only she could truly appreciate. Each planet''s intricate data was laid bare to her¡ªclimates, inhabitants, civilizations, and even the secret patterns of their dimensional threads. Her role was to oversee and maintain the delicate balance of teleportation across realms, ensuring the comings and goings of system-granted portals adhered to the laws of dimensional integrity.


    She had once thought of the "System" as a singular, omnipotent force¡ªan all-knowing, all-powerful entity that governed the flow of existence. Back in her youth, she revered it as divine, the pinnacle of order in the chaotic multiverse. But ascension had brought clarity, and with clarity came disillusionment. The System was no singular omniscience; it was one of many.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Nexa had learned the truth: the multiverse was littered with competing systems, each vying for dominance, squabbling over dominion like children bickering in a backyard over the shiniest stones. These systems, while immensely powerful, were neither infallible nor eternal. They were constructs, mechanisms born of something older and far more inscrutable. Nexa often pondered this truth, wondering what primordial force had birthed such entities¡ªand what lay beyond even them.


    Her responsibilities were as endless as the dimensions she oversaw. The fabric of reality was fragile, prone to rips and distortions caused by reckless teleportation or malevolent tampering. When a rogue entity attempted to destabilize a realm with unlicensed portals, it was Nexa who intervened, weaving the threads of space and time back into harmony. She only recently began enveloping planets into the systems grasp that had awoken her to godhood.


    Despite the weight of her duties, Nexa found moments of quiet joy in her role. She would drift across the vast expanse of creation, marveling at the kaleidoscope of universes, each a testament to the infinite potential of existence. She smiled faintly as she watched fledgling civilizations discover dimensional magic for the first time, their awe mirroring her own from so long ago.


    Yet, deep in her divine heart, a seed of doubt lingered. How long could this delicate balance last? How long before the bickering systems escalated their war, dragging the multiverse into chaos? And when that moment came, would her weaving be enough to hold the threads of reality together?


    For now, Nexa chose to focus on the present. A new dimensional disturbance had appeared, faint yet persistent, rippling through the threads she was sworn to guard. With a graceful motion, she extended her hand, drawing the strands of the disturbance closer. As the patterns revealed themselves, her celestial eyes narrowed.


    "It seems another sapient has meddled where it shouldn''t," she murmured, her voice carrying a calm authority. "Very well, let us see who dares disrupt the balance."


    With a thought, she vanished into the dimensional weave, her presence dissipating like a fading star, leaving only a whisper of her cosmic power in her wake.


    ------


    Bram Geargrind was not your average gnome. At only 122 years old, he was barely a quarter through his life, but already a little rough around the edges. He stood at a dashing four feet tall, his fiery red hair sticking straight up, making him look closer to five feet tall. His fiery locks were often singed at the tips from his latest invention gone awry, but that didn''t bother him. In fact, he liked the look. It gave him an air of unpredictability, and who needed tidy hair when they were a grand inventor¡ªright? That was his boast, anyway. "Tinker? Please. I create wonders," he''d say with a wink and a grin, always ready to share a story of some grand (often exaggerated) achievement.


    Bram''s workshop was a hodgepodge of mechanical marvels and disastrous attempts¡ªgears and springs, wires and arcane devices, all cluttered together in a seemingly chaotic fashion. But to Bram, it was an organized mess, a perfect representation of the way his mind worked. His tools were meticulously sorted in his drawers¡ªevery wrench and bolt in its proper place¡ªwhile his projects sprawled across the workbench in glorious disarray. He was a tinkerer by trade, though he never failed to describe himself as a "grand inventor" to anyone who would listen. His creations ranged from overly complicated timepieces to experimental contraptions designed to help him solve the mysteries of the world around him.


    Despite his enthusiasm, however, there was something tragic in his eyes¡ªa sorrow that never seemed to fully fade. Bram''s sharp tongue and playful exterior hid the painful memories of a gnome who had seen too much loss. He had grown up in a village where innovation thrived, where his family''s name was well-respected, and where his father¡ªan accomplished inventor¡ªtaught him the secrets of gears and arcane devices. His mother, a skilled alchemist, had provided him with a curiosity about potions and reagents, teaching him the subtle art of combining science and magic. Together, they had fostered Bram''s love for creation, and his childhood was filled with laughter and joy.


    That was until the night the sneaklings came.


    The greenskin creatures¡ªmalicious, vile, and cruel¡ªhad raided his village while Bram was just a child. They were ruthless, taking what they wanted and leaving destruction in their wake. Bram''s parents had died defending their home, their final moments etched forever into his memory. He had been hidden away by his mother in a small, hidden compartment in the basement, only to emerge later to find everything he had known reduced to rubble. The sneaking, treacherous creatures had taken his family, leaving him with nothing but a burning desire for revenge.


    From that moment on, the world had lost much of its former joy for Bram. He had been raised by his uncle, who tried to instill in him a sense of stability, but the sorrow of loss never fully left him. It shaped Bram into the gnome he was today¡ªdriven, resourceful, and fiercely independent, but with a heart that rarely allowed itself to rest. He buried his pain in his inventions, sometimes obsessively working through the nights, searching for ways to fix the broken parts of the world that reflected the broken parts of himself.


    Though he spoke little of the past, Bram''s motivations were clear: he wanted to understand the machinery of the world, the way the gears of fate clicked into place, and how he could, somehow, reverse the damage done. His inventions, while ingenious, were always tinged with a dark edge of caution, as if he was trying to control something larger than himself.


    In social settings, Bram was boisterous and quick-witted, always ready with a joke or a tale about his latest (sometimes disastrous) invention. He loved being the center of attention, reveling in the laughter and camaraderie of his friends, even if it was just a temporary distraction. But deep down, he knew that no number of jokes, inventions, or tinkering could fill the hole that was left when his family was stolen away from him.


    And so, his quest continued: to unlock the mysteries of the multiverse


    ......


    Finally, after grueling decades of trial-and-error Bram had finally perfected the teleportation coin that allowed him to skip between worlds, and he''d come perilously close to being caught. Just as he was about to leave his mark¡ªhis signature "Dwarves drool" tag¡ªon the side of a stone building. He noticed a beam of light slicing through the darkness, heading straight in his direction. Intrigued, he decided to remain hidden, making himself small in the shadows. The sight of the human male approaching made him curse under his breath. Humans were never much fun, but the chase. That was always exhilarating.


    Bram grinned, feeling the thrill rise in his chest. His luminous speed soles would easily outpace this oversized insect, and soon enough, he''d be disappearing from this world, on to the next. As he dashed along the building, his speed soles lighting up the ground beneath him, he reached into his pocket for one of his teleportation coins. However, in his haste, one of the coins slipped from his coat pocket and dropped to the ground. It wasn''t the first time this had happened, and he knew to come prepared. So, with a quick curse, he grasped the other backup coin tightly in his hand as he vanished into thin air, leaving behind only the glow of his soles and the mystery of his fleeting presence.


    .......


    "WOOOHOOO!" Bram felt an overwhelming sense of excitement from the successful pursuit he had just triumphed in against the human. He had returned to his people''s concealed valley only a few minutes prior and was now heading towards the local gathering place. He was eager to boast to the local youth about his latest adventure. Naturally, he planned to order a mooncap mead to celebrate his narrow escape. He could almost taste the crisp, refreshing beverage, which made his mouth water, prompting him to quicken his pace to satisfy his growing thirst. As he got closer to the Bronze Barrel Tavern, he noticed that it was quiet for this time at night. Nonetheless he raced towards the entrance, throwing open the door in the process.


    His wide beaming smile slowly started to disappear as he noticed the place was empty. He scanned the bar where Maggie was usually serving the good stuff, but no one was there. "Mags! You Here?" he half shouted as he walked across the room. After a few seconds of no response, he grabbed a mug from the rack behind the bar and headed towards that tapped keg. Turning the valve revealed that the barrel was hollow. "Torn bits and smashed gears. You got a thirsty customer Maggie! The keg here is dry and it''s hardly mid evening." Starting to worry he headed towards the kitchen knowing that Maggie''s bedroom was adjacent to it. The cooktops were all cold to the touch and a layer of dust had settled on them. Fear started to well up inside the grand inventor, not even worrying about checking Maggie''s room he headed for the door.


    Outside revealed much of the same eerie silence. How did he not notice before, too proud of his recent adventure and dashing escape to notice everyone was missing. Trying to shut out his wandering thoughts going to the worst outcomes. Making his heightened anxiety and panic get even worse. He started sprinting kicking on his soles in the process heading straight home to check on his uncle. Barging through the door of his workshop led to another alarming issue. His worktables were empty. No gears, contraptions or bearings in sight. Even his dearest mother''s alchemy set was gone. Tearing through the drawers and cabinets showed much of the same. Nothing, every single one was empty... Heart slamming against his ribs trying to break free, he took a few calming breaths. Knowing deep down that either one of two scenarios had occurred. He either pissed off someone really high on the food chain and they put everyone he loved in the abyss, or it had happened, he inadvertently crossed dimensions.


    The unsettling feeling never retreated while Bram wandered his village for any useful items he could use on his journey ahead. Not knowing how perilous this dimension was or if it had any inhabitants at all. He knew either way that he had a long battle against him. With no one in town he suspected that it was a soulless dimension. Which would mean he would have to craft the teleportation coins on his own. Harvesting every resource and mining the celestium crystals on his own was going to be a challenge. It was what he had to do to return home, so with the small amount of courage he could muster he left his valley behind.

 Chapter 1: A loose thread

    Opening my eyes again revealed much of the same darkness as before. My brain was foggy trying to figure out what had really happened over the course of the night. I raised my shaky hand just now realizing how cold it was, to wipe the dried drool off of my face. Thinking I''ve must have been unconscious for quite some time. Thats when I became aware of small shimmering lights in the far distance. They looked like faintly visible stars. Gazing out towards them to get a better sense of what they were, I noticed another oddity; something was traveling towards me at an alarming rate. Whatever it was shimmered the same way the lights had, but this object seemed much, much closer. My body felt a great weight put on it as if something was crushing down on me. Trying my best to focus in on it, I suddenly lost all vision when her voice erupted through in my mind like a thunderclap reverberating through every nerve and bone.


    "Who dares trifle with matters so far above them and disrupt the balance of the great system?" The voice demanded. Trying my best to come up with a response but also being so clueless and afraid. My head was pounding in pain from the mysterious onslaught that this being had caused. Trembling I let out the smallest of whimpers. "Ah, this all must be new to you as I see you are not a system bound life form. Perhaps a change of scenery will get some answers out of you." Without any further warning a wave if nausea washed over me as a bright warm light enveloped my body.


    Fighting against the brightness of the light I raised my hand instinctually while opening my eyes. What I saw before me was still very much shocking. I felt the warmth of a sun, finally getting some feeling back over my shaky body. Observing my surroundings I was in awe, towers made completely of threads reaching out to one another. Attaching themselves to nearby floating orbs that would ever so slowly shift back and forth between them. The floor I was standing on seemed to be made out of some malleable reflective glass bouncing reflections from everywhere. It was a little overwhelming as the threads seemed to constantly launch themselves around the space.


    At the center of it all stood a figure, radiant and commanding, exuding an aura of authority so profound it seemed to resonate in my chest. She was unlike anything I had ever seen¡ªa towering being whose form constantly shifted; her shimmering robe woven from the same threads that filled the space around her. Her face was indistinct, as if the universe itself refused to pin it down, but her piercing eyes burned with an intensity that left no room for doubt.


    "Welcome," she said, her voice now calm but laced with an unshakable power. "You stand in the Loom of Realms, where the threads of every universe intersect. I am Nexa, Goddess of Dimensional Weaving. And you, Liam Thompson, have crossed into my domain unbidden."


    Her words hit me like a freight train. I stared, mouth agape, unsure whether to run, kneel, or simply collapse. I stood frozen, barely breathing as Nexa''s piercing gaze bore into me. The threads around us pulsed faintly, almost as though they were alive, responding to her presence. Her voice, though steady, carried the weight of eons, each word reverberating through the shimmering expanse of the Loom.


    "You are an anomaly, Liam Thompson," she began, her tone neither angry nor welcoming, but entirely certain. "A being untethered by the System, yet you stand here, in the very heart of its design." She gestured outward, her hand tracing the spiraling threads that stretched endlessly around us. "This is the Loom of Realms, the nexus where all dimensions are woven together, strand by strand. Every reality, every universe, is interconnected here. I oversee these threads¡ªmaintaining balance, ensuring order. Yet your presence disrupts that harmony."


    I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sandpaper. "I... I didn''t mean to disrupt anything. I don''t even know how I got here!" Nexa tilted her head, her expression unreadable, but her eyes burned with an unyielding light. "You used an artifact that does not belong¡ªa crude creation that bypasses the safeguards of the System. A teleportation coin. Tell me, mortal, where did you come across such a thing?" The coin. The memory hit me like a jolt. "I¡ªI picked it up. It was dropped... by someone else."


    Her expression darkened, the threads around us vibrating with sudden intensity. "Ah, the meddling of those outside the System''s boundaries. The gnome who forged that coin has tampered with forces far beyond his understanding. His actions brought you here, inadvertently exposing you to truths you were never meant to encounter." My stomach churned, the weight of her words sinking in. "If I don''t belong here, can''t you just... send me back? Put me back on Earth, like none of this ever happened?"


    Her gaze softened, but only slightly. "If it were that simple, I would have already done so. The coin has altered your very essence, tethering you faintly to this place and severing your clean connection to your original realm. You are, for lack of a better term, an unsanctioned thread hanging loose in the tapestry of existence. To return you without care risks unraveling far more than just your life."


    I stumbled back a step, my legs threatening to give out. "So, what happens to me now?"


    Nexa sighed, and for the first time, I detected a hint of something almost human in her. "That depends on you. The System does not tolerate anomalies, and yet you are here. Your survival so far is testament to a resilience I did not expect. You have two choices, mortal."


    She raised a hand, and two threads unfurled from the void, each glowing with a distinct hue one a fiery red, the other a cool, shimmering blue.


    "You may accept integration into the System, becoming one of its chosen Descenders a guardian who ventures across realms to maintain balance and order. Or..." Her gaze darkened, her voice dropping to a whisper that carried immense gravity. "You may refuse, and the System will erase you. A loose thread cannot remain unaccounted for."


    "Well, that seems like an easy choice for me. I prefer living over being... "unaccounted" for."


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.I couldn''t really see it, but I knew she was smiling. "That is great news. As far as the concerning news with Bram goes. He will be accompanying you as well. Without the option you were given, his thread is already tied to the system, granted at a very miniscule level." With that she touched the two ends of the blue and red thread together and they became one.


    What I failed to notice was the fierce red thread was connected to the closest tower already. I had assumed she would have connected the blue thread to the tower, and I would then be system integrated. "Judging by your look you are confused. You and Bram are now intertwined on a path to set things right. Your first task will be to find the missing teleportation tokens Bram left scattered across the multiverse. If these fall into the wrong hands matters will get much worse. Good luck Liam and make haste Descender." With that darkness consumed me.


    ------


    I awoke sometime later on what could only have been a beach¡ªnot that I could see it, but I could feel it, sand sticking to places I didn''t think possible. Groaning, I pushed myself upright and immediately started shaking off the grit, only to realize one horrifying fact: I was completely naked.


    My face turned beet red as I scanned the area, nearly giving myself whiplash. No one was around to witness my lack of modesty, but the thought still sent me sprinting toward the nearby tree line. Just as I was about to duck behind the foliage, a transparent blue screen popped up in front of me, stopping me dead in my tracks.


    Welcome to the system


    Below you will find your status menu filled with an important overview about yourself. With further prodding you will find additional menus that will help along your journey.


    Name: Liam Thompson


    Race: Human (Earth Variant: Humans are known for their physical and mental capabilities which make them a well-rounded race. +5 stats per level increase.)


    Class: (Class choice will unlock at level 5 taking into account all actions performed up until level 5 in what stat choices the individual had made.)


    Titles: Descender (+5 to all stats)


    Experience: 0 of 250 exp to next level


    Renown: N/A


    Achievements: N/A


    Skills: N/A


    Stats: Health: 20 (Con x2) / Stamina: 20 (Dex x2)/ Mana: 20 (Intel x2)


    Strength 5 (+5) 10


    Dexterity 5 (+5) 10


    Constitution 5 (+5) 10


    Endurance 5 (+5) 10


    Intelligence 5 (+5) 10


    Wisdom 5 (+5) 10


    Charisma 5 (+5) 10


    Eyeing the screen cautiously I thought back to times when I had played games with my friends. More specifically, MMORPGS. This was exactly how a stats screen was in those games. Finding it here made me weary and cautious, but also slightly intrigued. This was my chance to escape from the mundane life I had been living though. Was it all a little overwhelming? Sure. Was I excited for this opportunity and see where it led? Hell yeah. Continuing on and reading the rest of the screen, a huge grin broke over my face.


    Descender Liam,


    Upon receiving this system message, you will have been granted access to the following rewards:


    1x System created armor loot box


    1x System created weapon loot box


    500x System currency


    May these help you with the fight against those that dare rise up against the system.


    Armor and weapons? My mind raced at the possibilities. What would I find in those loot boxes? Something Legendary or epic, I hoped. Or was this system about to hand me a tin helmet and a stick? Looking around I didn''t see any loot boxes, so I focused in on the text again.


    "Would you like to access this armor box? Yes/No"


    Mentally confirming, a wooden box with a metal latch appeared right in front of me. Eager with anticipation I threw the chest lid open. What I saw was definitely made from leather or at least something similar to it. It was a dark brown leaning towards black. I reached in and pulled it up by the shoulders revealing that it was some type of leather jerkin. Reminding me of the Greco-Roman era. Looking closer another blue transparent system box appeared.


    Descenders Leather Jerkin


    Rarity: Common


    Armor rating +10


    (A leather jerkin made from the hide of some intergalactic beast, commonly worn by billions in the multiverse. The only special thing about this piece is it''s a little darker and the word Descender appears in the title.)


    Scoffing at the description "Who the hell is in charge of describing items?" I thought to myself. Not caring all that much about the description anymore I pulled it on. Surprised that the armor actually fit snuggly. It had looked a size too big for me, probably some weird system size adjustment for items. Content with the results I opened up the status menu easily just with a thought. I summoned the weapon chest to see what I had to work with. Thoughts of great swords with fire enchantments and bows with mana infused arrows filled my mind. Reminding me of the great RPG games I play back home.


    The chest that appeared seemed to be sloppily half assed put together. That was just the look on the outside. My hopes of receiving some master class weapons were instantly dashed. The "chest" if you could call it that had half driven nails sticking out of it. Made out of what had to be half rotten wooden pallets. If it could have gotten any worse the word "Decendor" was hastily written on the top of it in what seemed to be chalk. With considerably less optimism, I flipped open the second crate. Inside was a single wooden club. Looking like something straight out of the flintstones. That was it. No blade, no bow, not even a pointy stick. Just a chunk of wood. I am not proud of the rage that filled my veins as I lashed out with my foot to strike the shotty box that stood in front of me. Forgetting in my rage fueled mind that I had no shoes on for any protection as a nail head tore through the middle of one of my toes.


    "Vrrruuucccckkk" I yelled out in overwhelming pain hopping on my one good foot now. The rage not dying down yet as I threw both crates into the tree line and then picked up the club and tossed that too. Flying through the tree line it had hit a single palm tree, unbelievably shaking it enough to drop the coconuts on top of it. Making it seem like some sort of tropical jackpot. I hadn''t even noticed the coconuts at this point.


    "Holy crap." I whispered in that instant all rage died as I half limped hopped towards the tree to recover the club. For what seemed like an hour I scoured through the brush and fallen dried palm leaves. After a few more minutes of searching, my hand finally brushed against something familiar. Quickly clearing away the brush my trust club revealed itself. It was a good twenty feet away from the original tree it stuck. Hesitantly picking it up and inspecting it a message appeared.


    Descenders Primitive Wooden Club


    (Some would refer to this as a light branch good for a fire, but those that are more desperate would keep it as a weapon.)


    Rarity: Common


    Attack: +3-5 bludgeoning damage


    +100% damage when used as a thrown weapon.

 Chapter 2: Thrills and Kills

    Reading over the description made me chuckle slightly, especially because of my previous antics, however it was still a crappy pull for a weapon. I''d have to make it work though, closing the menu I decided to head back to the tree that dropped the coconuts, planning to eat a couple to hold over my growing hunger. A few feet from the tree I saw the coconuts just as I had left them, thrown about in a haste to retrieve my club. Except now that I was staring at them with weariness, a couple of them starting to vibrate. Just a few hours ago, I was working a dull security shift, half-asleep in a rental trailer. Then, after being dragged into a cosmic tug-of-war by some "Goddess of Dimensional Weaving," I''d been unceremoniously dumped on a beach butt naked with stats, a system menu, and a dubious wooden weapon. And now, here I was, staring at coconuts that were moving in ways they definitely shouldn''t.


    "This can''t be real," I muttered, though the hairs on the back of my neck were already standing at full attention. Something about those coconuts screamed wrong.


    The vibrations grew stronger, faint clicking noises emanating from within their shells. My grip on the club tightened, and my heart thudded in my chest.


    "Okay," I said aloud, trying to steady my breathing. "Just coconuts. Weird, creepy, potentially dangerous coconuts." As if in response, one of them gave a sudden, violent lurch, rolling upright like it had a mind of its own.


    I took another step back, the club raised defensively. Staring deep into the moving coconuts trying to will whatever gave me the item descriptions would do the same now, but nothing ever came of it. The coconuts still moving towards me when they suddenly stopped. Catching my breath in thanks of it just being an earthquake when all out of nowhere the bottom halves of the shells broke open. Jutting out of the shell were crustacean legs like some sort of creepy crab hybrid. If that wasn''t enough huge claws tore through the sides of the shell only leaving a jagged half top of shell. My brain had a hard time of comprehending what the hell I was actually looking at. The damn chelipeds were easily a foot long and the claws themselves could decapitate me.


    "All right no big deal, just a couple of oversized crabs." I charged forward towards the closest of the two swinging back my club in a crazy golf or hocky stance ready to launch the thing. That''s when the damn thing leapt at me from six feet away. Quickly pulling up my club I successfully half swatted/blocked the thing, and it ended up behind me on its shell. Mentally noting I needed a shield as soon as possible while watching it rock back in forth for a few seconds I checked it out of the fight, for now and went towards the still lethal one.


    Examining this one further I saw something new I didn''t see before. Creepy long eye stalks bent over the edge of the top of the shell. slowly winking between the set egging me on to make a move. That is when out of nowhere the description appeared.


    Coco mite (Level 3)


    Experience rewarded upon kill dependent on level disparity


    Health 10 / Stamina 10


    The coco mite is a revered assassin of the Devarian coastal region. They catch unsuspecting prey from above blending in with the local fruit. If you live to read this watch out for the claws and their quick jump ability.


    First, I was annoyed with the message as it appeared way too late for any of that information to actually matter than I was grateful because it wasn''t being a condescending jerk this time. Quickly clearing the message away, the remaining upright coco mite was still staring me down hard. Thinking of a way to bypass the quick jump ability a plan started to come into fruition. I ever so slowly inched my way towards a coconut that was a couple feet way. Making sure to keep my eyes locked on to the nasty alien wavering stalks. For what seemed like an eternity I did this until finally the coconut was within reach. Bending over and out reaching with my left hand I grazed the edge of it and that''s when the Coco mite decided to jump at me.


    Swiftly ducking lower and throwing up my hand reflexively I somehow managed to catch the damn thing by one of its claws.


    "Gotcha!" I snarled, Triumph flaring briefly


    Taking advantage of the scenario, I swung it around like a lasso while dropping my club. Then without any warning, I was just holding a claw that had been detached from its body. "Seriously!" I yelled, tossing the severed claw aside. The mite skittered backwards, gaining distance as I scrambled to retrieve my club. Luckily, I was mid-way through swinging his body around when it decided to detach, so we were a couple meters from each other again.


    My pulse raced, but a grim smile appeared on my face.


    "Round two, you little bastard, but first." I muttered readying myself for the next move.


    I retreated back towards the upside-down crab and crushed it quickly. I refused to have any further surprises.


    "Congratulations, you have slain a system integrated creature, you gain the foll..."


    I slammed the message closed without a second thought. No time for distractions, running out of patience I decided to charge the remaining mite. This time looking into its mismatched closing eyelids I could see something I hadn''t before. An unmistakable sense of weariness? He must''ve worn himself thin with our previous encounter. With a heavy heart I hesitantly approached him, club raised to my side. I witnessed both eye lids close at the same time. My heart sank, but I gripped the club tighter. "I''m sorry," I muttered under my breath, more for myself than for the mite.


    With a burst of effort, I swung the club like a batter aiming for a home run. The mite sailed through the air, disappearing into the distant trees with a rustling crash.


    "Congratulations, you have slain the following system integrated creatures:


    1x Coco Might Level 5 (Rare)


    Experience rewarded: 1500 exp


    Killing this creature will result in fear of you from all coco mites in the surrounding area.


    1x Coco mite Level 3 (Common)If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Experience rewarded: 250 exp"


    I exhaled shakily as the message faded from view. For the first time since waking on this strange beach, the world was silent. I wasn''t sure if I felt victorious or just... tired.


    -------


    "It''s a lot easier to do in the games, but a man has got to eat." I said aloud to no one in particular as I picked up the crab claw.


    Loot gained: 3x Coco mite meat


    The claw had disappeared and, in its place, lay three small pieces of what looked like crab meat. Eagerly I shoved them all into my mouth not caring of the dirt covering one of the pieces. My tastebuds were slammed with an overwhelming sweet flavor of crab mixed with coconut. Unexpectedly I kind of enjoyed it. Eager for more I ran over to loot the other creature. Seeing it smashed like this for the first time didn''t feel me with sadness like I thought it would, however it hit me with a heavy dose of unsatiable hunger. Quickly touching the corpse, I got my reward.


    Loot gained: 3x Coco Might meat / 5x Chitin plate / 500x System Credits


    This time, the meat was different¡ªthree massive, steak-like slabs lay in front of me. How such a tiny creature could yield such gigantic portions was a mystery I didn''t care to solve. All I knew was that I wouldn''t be going hungry for a while.


    I scanned the ground for anything useful and spotted some intact palm leaves nearby. Grabbing a handful, I carefully laid the meat onto the largest leaves, overlapping them to form a makeshift wrap. Working quickly, I tore a few palm strips into thin, rope-like strands and used them to tie the package securely. Dirt and grit might''ve added flavor to the first batch, but I wasn''t taking any chances with these steaks.


    Satisfied with my handiwork, I stood and hefted the bundle. That''s when I noticed something odd, my injured foot wasn''t throbbing anymore. I flexed it tentatively, then took a few cautious steps. The pain was completely gone. Confusion mingled with relief washed over me, opening up my status menu to see if I could find a reason behind it.


    Congratulations, you have leveled up please apply your unassigned stat points to continue


    Unassigned points: 15


    I stared at the screen, mouth agape, as the reality of what had just happened sank in. Three whole levels? I had gone up three entire levels from what was essentially dumb luck.


    My mind replayed the encounter¡ªthe desperate swing of the club, the frantic sidestep, the claw detaching in midair. If I hadn''t ducked at the right moment, if I hadn''t reacted on instinct, I wouldn''t be here now. The thought sent a cold shiver down my spine.


    "Fifteen points..." I muttered under my breath, trying to shake off the unease. This wasn''t just a game anymore. This was survival, and every choice mattered.


    Knowing that abilities and mana were now a thing I thought back to the magic classes I had played in role playing games. Throwing fireballs and ice spikes out of my hands did sound interesting but for now not knowing how spells worked or where I would even get them in the first place, I did what anyone in my situation would have. I went full tilt and slammed five points into Constitution, Endurance and Intelligence, quickly hitting the accept button and instantly regretting it.


    Have you ever wondered what it might feel like to have a climbing pick slam straight into your frontal lobe? Would your body convulse uncontrollably, as though a cattle prod had been shoved somewhere unspeakable and cranked to max voltage? Would every nerve ending ignite in protest, screaming in unison like the aftermath of a botched chemistry experiment gone horribly wrong?


    I don''t know the answer, thankfully, but in this moment, I was living through something that felt damn close to it. Teeth gritted while writhing, fighting unconsciousness focusing on anything but the pain, watching the palm fronds swaying in the breeze, bringing with it respite from the heavy damp moisture in the air. Trying to steady my breathing, while squeezing the dry sand feeling the muscles in my hands cramp, when suddenly it passed.


    "What the hell just happened?" Rapidly blinking in fear that it could restart at any moment.


    After a few minutes I started to relax and decided to do a deep dive into the systems menus to restart my search for an explanation for all of this.


    With my status screen pulled up, I tried mentally willing a "Help" menu or an "Information" one a few times, with no luck. Getting irritated I revisited old memories and that''s when I got an idea. I decided to go through the details of the main stats to get a better explanation of what they did. Except when I pulled up the status menu it was completely blank except for my name and race. Panicking I closed it and reopened with nothing changing, I tried a few more times and then poof. The details started popping up as I read along.


    Class: If you survive long enough to reach level 5 you will get the option to unlock a class. Most children know this, but since you are an outer world descender, you lack that information. Be careful with your selection it''ll determine how far you make it. Well until you get enough creds to do a class wipe, but they are expensive and an excruciating process to endure.


    Titles: You can think of these as classifications or jobs for the commoners.


    Renown: While being a descender you may be requested from certain planetary nobility to save their dying worlds from countless issues or helping small villages with their... incessant nagging requests.


    Okay system is kind of dick, noted.


    Achievements: If you accomplish a great deed or have done something really, really dumb it ends up here. As an instant reminder to not do that dumb thing again or to tempt you to do even more dumb things because usually, some sort of reward is handed out depending on how rare the deed is.


    Strength: This stat represents how much weight you can carry without becoming overburdened, it also effects how hard you hit a thing.


    Dexterity: If you want to be quick on your feet and as quiet as a mouse this is the stat for you. (How do you think you never caught me at your mom''s house?)


    Who the hell wrote these things? I wondered taken aback by the childish remark, while also thinking of some alien creature chained up researching Earth insults. "Funny enough I didn''t even have a mom because I grew up in foster care, dumbass." Did I just call a floating box a dumbass? Yes. Did it make me feel better? Also, yes.


    Endurance: This stat directly correlates with your stamina, which is the thing that keeps you in the fight longer or helps you move faster and do other things. (I personally lack in this which is the real reason you never caught me.)


    Constitution: Your life blood, the thing that keeps your heart beating and healthy. Also, in charge of remedying lighter wounds and your health points.


    So that answers one of my questions. My foot must''ve healed from my constitution. I still felt a little tenderness from it, but nothing like it did. I noticed that even though my constitution patched me up it did not do anything about the dried blood on my foot.


    Intelligence: "I BIG, I STRONG!" yelled the bloodied massive barbarian just before an ice spear exploded through his brain. This stat will help you not be like the barbarian and more like the magic caster that ended his life. Increases your mana pool and mana regeneration.


    Wisdom: Represents perceptiveness, intuition, and practical intelligence. (If you are looking to be a hermit or live to be an old sage with a pipe weed addiction, max this puppy out.)


    Charisma: Do you always feel like people are talking bad behind your back because of the way you look or smell? Charisma will help with them doing it less. It affects how you are perceived by other sapient lifeforms.


    I let out a small chuckle completely understanding the wisdom reference. It was a little unsettling how much of this reminded me of gaming, I''d have to be careful with that. Seriously doubting respawns were a thing in real life and still believing that the system wasn''t behind the fruitful literature that was right in front of my face. Debating whether the all-powerful system could get hacked, a random notification came into existence.


    Congratulations, you have completed your status overview! All system menus are now available to you.


    At the top of the status menu, new tabs appeared. Everything from an inventory interface, properties to a gods damned information menu.

 Chapter 3: Unmasking the "system"

    Flipping through the new menus didn''t reveal whole lot of useful information yet. It was far too early for me to access most of the pages, apparently most of the information was locked behind getting a class. However, I did find the option to stop notifications while in combat so that was nice. I also found it interesting that unlike games I couldn''t quickly equip items in my hands from my inventory. I''d have to wait and see if this system had created anything like a bag of holding. The map revealed absolutely nothing new which was rather unfortunate, "Damn, fog of war." I muttered. At the very least I suppose it would be almost impossible for me to get lost with it, so it''s not all a loss. Not seeing anything worthwhile on the map, I tabbed over to the journal where lo in behold a quest sat.


    Quest: Recover the illegitimate teleportation coins 0/5


    Rewards: Unknown


    "Well, that''s exciting." stating in all too dry tone. Deciding to close the menus for now and figure out where and what to do. Looking at the sky it had to be early afternoon, of course the system gave me a digital clock in the menus, that read 14:26 but I wasn''t sure if it worked on this planet as it did back on earth. Not wasting another moment on menus, I snagged my club off of the ground, picked up the meat frond package and started walking away from the beach.


    ----


    How long can one go without interacting with others? I mean before the insanity creeps in like a warm fuzzy blanket covering your mind in a haze. Giving you a plethora of bad ideas that seem rational given the circumstances, but the voice in the back of your mind sits there judging you like it would do any better if it was in control. This is what I was currently thinking about one hour into the journey seriously contemplating one idea in general. Grabbing a coconut, etching a face into it and naming him after my 8th grade science teacher, Mr. Wilson. All jokes aside the temperate weather was horrendous to walk through. The muggy air clung to the inside of my lungs making it feel like I was drowning, and dying of thirst at the same time, yet I continued, one step after another.


    After another hour or so of walking on rough sand and through the thick palm trees I finally saw something worthwhile. It wasn''t some worn game trail used by villagers to forage or a city wall in the far distance but a mountain. Opening my map to see if it would be visible and luckily it was, I decided to do a quick calculation and found that it would only take roughly another hour and a half to get there. Wanting to get there as quick as possible, I started jogging.


    In the back of my mind, I braced for this to be a lot harder than it turned out to be. Back home, I was what most would call a bit overweight, and I only ever ran when absolutely necessary¡ªor during one of those "this is the year I''ll get in shape" resolutions that always fizzled out by February. But here and now, it came shockingly easy. Ten minutes in, I realized I wasn¡¯t gasping like a fish out of water. In fact, my breathing was steady, my pace consistent. Surprised by my newfound stamina, I pressed on. By my count, I only had about forty-five more minutes to go.


    I finally made it within a mile to the mountain before noticing anything strange. All of a sudden, the dense palm trees were replaced by oak trees and the temperature significantly dropped out of nowhere. The sweat all over my body felt warm against my chilled skin, as every muscle tensed up from the cold air. It was like I passed over some magical barrier that created a new space with its own rules. I stopped immediately after the difference and turned around to see if I could go back into the beach environment again. Luck had worked in my favor this time and just like before, humidity hit me full blast. The temperature must''ve dropped an instant thirty degrees. Making me wonder how significant the changes would be at night. I felt other changes when I crossed over which is why I instantly decided to waste the time and make a hodge podge hula skirt out of palm fronds.


    After completing the uncomfortable kilt which is what I will be referring to it as, from now on. I crossed back over the threshold thankful that it wasn''t some kind of dungeon that you had to fight your way out of. The cold air hit me again almost taking my breath away, but I pushed on. Deciding against jogging any further I took in the landscape, the trees weren''t too grouped up together down here, but I could tell that changed the higher the elevation got. Peering at the mountain from what I could see of it past the trees the left side of it looked as if half of the mountain broke off and blew away. Nothing but a sheer cliff remained on that side, the right side appeared scalable it would be rough without some rope further up though. Just continuing on my current path would seem to be the best bet, so with that I began to jog to the base knowing I''d be there within 7 minutes.


    It was silent until I felt a stinging pain at the top of my ear. After that, all I could hear was the throbbing. Reacting on instinct, I dove toward the nearest tree, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew I was under attack. Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I wrestled with myself mentally, debating whether to peek around the tree to see my attacker.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    An old paintball trick came to mind¡ªa move we''d used on makeshift fields at a buddy¡¯s farmhouse. You''d take your helmet off, put it on your gun, and edge it out of cover to fool your opponent into thinking it was your head. Of course, legit courses banned this, but it worked well in a pinch. With no better plan, I raised my club above my head and leaned the top over the edge of the tree.


    Two arrows whizzed past almost immediately, both missing the club. At least two attackers, I noted. Close-range bows, not crossbows¡ªit was too quiet for those. I slid back to the tree, heart pounding, as I heard rustling in a nearby bush. My angst peaked.


    Time to act.


    I shifted my weight, ready to fake them out again, this time holding the club lower. Hopefully, they''d take the bait and reveal themselves. I counted down silently, steadying my breath. Five. Four. Three... I pushed the club out.


    Two more arrows flew by, one just grazing the club. One archer was either less skilled or further back than the other. Weighing my options, I made my move. Club raised, I stepped out from behind the tree, forced to act on instinct alone.


    A small, wiry creature leapt at me; a bow slung across its back. Too close to swing my weapon, I threw up my leg and caught it squarely in the chest. The impact sent it stumbling back, but it quickly recovered, rolling out of the way of my follow-up swing. As I completed the arc of my strike, pain lanced through my upper right shoulder. I winced, biting back a curse, and locked eyes with the dodgy creature.


    "Fight me," I growled, resisting the urge to check the arrow glancing off my shoulder. Without hesitation, it lunged again, this time wielding a small dagger aimed at my chest. I dropped my club, catching its wrist mid-swing with my left hand. The momentum carried its body forward, and both of its feet drove into my groin with unforgiving force.


    A guttural noise escaped me as I crumpled onto the creature, pinning one of its hands beneath my knee. My right hand found its throat, squeezing as it writhed beneath me. Its rancid breath hit my face, and though its sinewy muscles fought against mine, I held firm. Sliding my grip higher under its jaw, I used my left hand to force the dagger it held against its own neck. Slowly, the blade dug into its throat, blood pooling as it struggled futilely.


    Then, a mind-shattering pain erupted in my side. I toppled off the now-limp creature, glancing down to see a dagger''s hilt sticking awkwardly from my armor. Looking up in confused frustration, I met the gaze of the second archer.


    It dove toward its fallen ally, clearly aiming to retrieve the bloodied dagger. I lunged for my club. I was quick, but it was quicker. By the time I rose to my feet, weapon in hand, something was terribly wrong. My right leg refused to respond, leaving me hobbling awkwardly. The pain hit a moment later¡ªa dagger lodged in my lower back, just above my hip.


    ¡°Little shit!¡± I roared, startling the creature. It hesitated, stepping back while unslinging its bow. I didn¡¯t let it. Fueled by rage and desperation, I hopped forward like a madman, eating up the distance between us faster than it could retreat.


    Branches and undergrowth were everywhere, yet the creature seemed impossibly nimble. I forced myself to focus, ignoring the searing pain and the useless weight of my leg. My mind screamed at me to stop, to retreat, but I launched myself at the archer instead.


    What followed could only be described as chaos. Anyone who might have witnessed the scene later would likely recall a crazed man losing all sense of self, pummeling a young goblin hunter with his bare fists. There would have been shouts of rage, maybe even some incoherent sobbing over the destruction of a "kilt." Fortunately for Liam, there was no one around to see it, or so he thought.


    -----------


    Bram had been contemplating the perfect moment to reveal himself to the human boy. Ever since the fight with those ridiculous fruit bugs, he had painstakingly observed Liam''s every move. Watching the human struggle for five grueling minutes against creatures Bram could have dispatched in mere seconds was both amusing and infuriating. But circumstances had changed. Bram no longer occupied a physical body¡ªcourtesy of the coins and the divine judgment of Nexa.


    The goddess had seen fit to punish him, binding him to this "Liam," the hapless human who had unwittingly exposed his scheme. If only the fool hadn¡¯t picked up that coin, everything might have gone unnoticed. Bram''s actions would have stayed hidden if not for Liam''s bungled teleportation attempt¡ªa violation for any non-system being. The system¡¯s swift response had sealed Bram¡¯s fate. First, an interrogation. Then, banishment to Nexa¡¯s realm for judgment. The punishment? A cruel and binding tether to the very source of his undoing.


    Bram seethed at the memory, his formless existence simmering with barely contained rage. The sight of Liam stumbling through the forest, only stoked the fire. During that ridiculous fight, Bram had discovered he couldn¡¯t physically harm Liam¡ªnot directly, anyway. But there were other ways to toy with him. Small, subtle tweaks to the system menus¡ªminor changes to wording that transformed mundane instructions into sharp, biting insults. Just enough to irk him without raising suspicion.


    Their fates were intertwined now, and Bram resolved to wait. He would remain in the shadows, biding his time for a moment of true peril¡ªwhen his intervention might make the greatest impact. Or perhaps... a different kind of mischief.


    An idea struck him then, wicked and tantalizing. One last hoorah to mess with Liam before making his presence known.

 Chapter 4: The Curse

    Both of my hands were shaking, bloodied beyond recognition. My emotions boiled over, spilling into the chaos around me. Between the pain of being shot and stabbed, twice each, and the absurdity of my current predicament, I completely lost control. The realization hit me like a hammer: I could actually die here. Alone. Without ever seeing my friends or foster parents again. Something inside me snapped.


    I lashed out, pounding the creature''s face over and over. Surprisingly, if you hit something in the face enough times, all your problems seem to fade. The rhythmic thuds of bone against my fists gave way to wet, squishy sounds, and then, finally, a sickening crunch. That sound snapped me out of my stupor.


    Breathing hard, I stumbled to my feet, taking a few shaky steps away from the crumpled body. My chest heaved as I surveyed my surroundings, every nerve on edge, waiting for another threat to appear. But the woods remained eerily silent.


    The sun, now brushing the peak of the distant mountain, reminded me of a new, pressing concern: survival. Specifically, the looming need for sleep. My body screamed for rest, but I couldn¡¯t afford to be careless. Shelter. Warmth. Hell, even a pillow these were luxuries I¡¯d have to scrounge for in this unforgiving place.


    Pushing that worry out of my mind for now, I hobbled over to loot the bodies of the fallen. Some feeling had returned to my leg, but it still hurt like hell. I went over to knife throat guy first, kneeled down and touched him. No loot screen appeared.


    "What the hell?" I shook the still corpse. "Loot damn it." snarling and opening the system menus in the process.


    Combat initiated would you like to reinstate system screens? yes / no?


    Kicking myself for not remembering I had that feature on, I mentally selected yes. An unexpected onslaught of information came in.


    Congratulations! You have successfully defeated the following enemies:


    1x Goblin youngling, granting you 200 experience points


    1x Goblin hunter, granting you 750 experience points


    Total experience rewarded: 950 exp


    Loot acquired:


    Goblin meat x2


    Leather x5


    System Credits x300


    Not particularly impressed by the quantity of loot, I moved on to the next notification.


    New achievement unlocked: Sapient Killer


    You have taken down another sapient being on a planet governed by the system. You may have overlooked the moment when the goblin youngling responded to your challenge to fight, but in the heat of battle, such details can easily slip your mind. Regardless, you have now earned your first randomly generated system item:


    Generating...


    Generating...


    Generating...


    Cursed Ring of Holding (Minor)


    This ring allows the wearer to store up to ten random items, which can be accessed via the inventory screen.


    Curse: each day, one random item stored within the ring will vanish. -3 Intelligence while wearing


    Having an internal battle happening, I was ecstatic and let down at the same time. The ring itself managed to materialize in the palm of my hand which frightened me at first, but it went as fast as it came on. Looking at the ring it was a silver or steel band with a deep green, emerald seated into it. Staring intently at it, I almost forgot the curse it came with. Fighting the urge to just toss the damn ring into the forest, but after a few seconds I reluctantly just slid it on my finger deciding it was worthwhile to keep it for now. The loot I was awarded had just dropped right in front of me, strangely enough the small goblin body did not dematerialize like the coco mites. Finding that interesting but deciding to look for the answer another time. I quickly figured out how to store my items in the ring, just had to think about picking the item up and it stored it automatically. The first thing I noticed was materials were stackable, so the five-leather counted as one item. Hopefully the same wouldn''t be true with the curse, but time will only tell. Since the bodies were still around, I looked over them and also tossed in the two knives, bows and quivers. Inspecting all the weapons I did notice that they were all of shoddy makeshift condition which wasn''t really a surprise since they came from goblins. With all the loot gathered I set off towards the mountain.


    My body had mostly healed by the time I got to the base of the mountain. My right leg was still bothering me, but I was able to fully put my weight on to it. Thoughts of my class kept coming to my mind along the walk and I was really hoping I''d get some hybrid class that would allow range and melee combat to be possible. Who knew if the system even put restrictions on weapons though, so I''d just have to wait and see. I had 1,050 experience left to gain so I was getting excited. At any rate I had roughly an hour of sunlight before it dipped below the horizon, I cursed my luck. No caves, no shelter, and the mountain¡¯s rocky base offered little in the way of protection. A cold wind swept down from the peaks, carrying with it the distinct bite of an approaching chill. I scanned my surroundings again, my eyes darting between jagged rocks and sparse clusters of scraggly trees among the oaks. Nothing.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Resigned, I decided to set up a makeshift camp beneath a large overhang. I was having a hell of a time trying to knock down the smaller scraggly trees, but that was before I thought of the clubs extra damage when thrown. After that I had three of the trees down in fifteen minutes. I hurriedly started interlocking the logs and tying them up with some of the bark. After the frame was done, I started to apply a mixture of clay like mud and leaves to the sides. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it would block at least some of the wind. Gathering a small pile of twigs and dry leaves to burn, I mentally prepared myself to sleep out in the open. Having the goblins fight hang in the back of mind, I hoped I wouldn''t have to deal with more in the middle of the night, but knowing at the same time I had no choice.


    I struck two stones together, each spark taunting me with how long this process would take. With each strike the frustration built in me, but I fought through with determination. Believing at any second the spark will catch on the dry leaves. Ten minutes later my arms were screaming out to me in pain just as I was going to quit the fire finally caught, I leaned back, staring into the flickering flames. My thoughts returned to the ring on my finger, its emerald gem catching the firelight and refracting it into strange, twisting patterns.


    What curse? I wondered, staring at the band. The system message had been vague, cryptic even. There had been no immediate consequences since putting it on, but that didn¡¯t mean I was safe. I even checked my status screen for the missing intelligence, and it still said I was at 15 points. A curse wasn¡¯t always something that hit you straight away. Sometimes, it waited.


    The goblin loot had been underwhelming, yet I couldn¡¯t shake the nagging feeling that this ring wasn¡¯t meant for someone like me. It felt deliberate, as if it were a piece of a larger puzzle I hadn¡¯t yet begun to solve.


    As the fire crackled and the mountain loomed above me, I felt a subtle pressure in the back of my mind. A faint whisper.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    I froze, my hand instinctively gripping the club resting at my side. The voice hadn¡¯t been external¡ªit echoed inside my head, soft and curious but undeniably there. I scanned the area, heart pounding, but saw nothing beyond the dancing shadows cast by the firelight.


    ¡°Who are you to wield this?¡± the voice repeated, calm yet tinged with something darker.


    My breath hitched. "Who''s there?" I muttered, gripping the club tighter.


    The voice chuckled, low and knowing. ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t know yet, do you? The bargain you¡¯ve struck. How amusing.¡±


    It had to be the ring. I yanked it off in a panic, but the moment it left my finger, I gasped. I still heard a humming sound like someone was really into the newest pop song that they couldn''t get out of their head.


    ¡°Great,¡± I muttered, sliding it back on. ¡°Looks like I can¡¯t get rid of you even if I want to.¡±


    ¡°Indeed,¡± the voice murmured. ¡°But it¡¯s not all bad. After all, I can be... useful.¡±


    ¡°Useful how?¡± I asked warily, glaring at the ring.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯ll see. In time. For now, focus on surviving. That mountain is no friend to the unprepared, and nightfall is a cruel mistress.¡±


    The voice faded, leaving me with more questions than answers. I stared at the ring, unsure whether I¡¯d gained a reluctant ally or a manipulative foe. Either way, one thing was clear: the ring¡¯s curse was more complicated¡ªand dangerous¡ªthan I¡¯d imagined.


    Pushing the encounter to the back of my mind, I turned my attention to the fire and the darkening woods. Sleep would be a risk, but exhaustion was creeping in. Tomorrow, I¡¯d climb the mountain and hopefully find answers¡ªor at least a clue about what I¡¯d gotten myself into.


    For now, I needed to trust that whatever this curse was, it wouldn¡¯t kill me in my sleep.


    ---------


    Brams brilliant plan had worked. Well, the whole thing with the ring was actually random, but the thing wasn''t really cursed. That had been Brams doing just a little play in the system description and boom. His lackluster plan of whispering into Liams ear while he was sleeping to make him believe he was being haunted had died. Left in its steed was something far more beautiful, making the poor guy think he''s cursed and slowly losing his mind.


    Bram was still unsure of revealing himself yet, this had been the best entertainment he had gotten in a long while. Well besides last Midsommer Festival he put a whole bottle of fire brandy into the fruit punch. The best part was covering it up with alchemical ingredients and miracle berries, so no one even noticed the harsh booze was in it.


    As he contemplated his next move, Bram found himself hesitating. For all the fun he was having, there was something annoyingly endearing about Liam. The kid was persistent, if nothing else, and watching him blunder through life-threatening situations with a mix of sheer luck and stubbornness had an odd charm. Bram would never admit it, of course, but he was starting to like the dumb human. Well, in the way a cat might tolerate a particularly amusing mouse.


    Still, there was work to be done. Bram wasn¡¯t ready to reveal himself just yet not when there was so much potential for more chaos. He leaned back, smirking as he considered his options. Should he "accidentally" let Liam stumble into a pack of wolves? Or maybe convince him the mountain air was cursed, too? The possibilities were endless, and Bram wasn¡¯t one to waste an opportunity for mischief. After all, tormenting Liam was quickly becoming his favorite pastime.


    --------


    I awoke sometime in the night from the biting cold. My whole body was shaking, I had forgot to make a pile of sticks and leaves to keep adding to the fire. Veering over at it I saw that there were still some embers going, but they were becoming faint. That was enough to get me up and moving, I dashed out of the makeshift encampment and searched feverously amongst the trees for any flammable materials that would keep the fire going. Calming down a bit in the search my eyes wandered upwards in took in the moons of this planet. There were three of them, one was a light pink and barely smaller than the moon I knew back from earth. The other two were bigger and actually put off quite a bit of light which definitely aided in my search.


    I finally managed a small bundle of sticks that filled my arms and turned back to the overhang when I saw a shadow of something by the makeshift wall I created. Whatever it was moved on all fours and was sneaking and investigating. My palms instantly got slick with sweat, and I went to take a step back when I heard one word spoken out of fear.


    "Don''t."

 Chapter 5: You Dolt

    Frozen in fear I stood there, watching the beast pummel through my newly acquired home. A few moments had passed and now the thing was inside the overhang stirring about in there seeming to be looking for something. I would be running right now trying to escape, but the damn curse had told me not to move. So, against my better judgement I listened to the damn thing. It would be any minute now and the creature would have my scent trail and instantly spot me. I know for a fact; I smelled like a gym locker room after a football game. That did not help my overwhelming anxiety and to make it even worse I left my club in there.


    In the faintest of whispers, I regrettably tried speaking out to the ring. "Curse. What do I do?"


    The words barely escaped my lips before the monster froze mid-motion. Its snout hovered above the ground, and its ears twitched as though it had caught a sound it didn¡¯t quite understand. My heart hammered in my chest, a deafening rhythm that drowned out the faint hum of the forest around me. It was as though my very pulse might betray me, pounding so loudly I was sure the beast could hear it too.


    Slowly, it lifted its massive head. Glowing eyes, like molten embers, scanned the trees with a predatory precision. I froze, my breath caught in my throat, my body betraying me as it refused to move an inch.


    Then, that sound, low and guttural, a growl that sent shivers down my spine as the beast pressed its nose to the earth again. A horrible snuffling noise filled the air as it began to trace the ground, following my trail.


    It knew.


    An earsplitting whistle cut through the air and the beast lost all interest, immediately running back in the direction it came from. In a single second the thing had disappeared. It would have easily caught me and tore me to shreds.


    ¡°That,¡± a smooth, sardonic voice cut in, ¡°was a goblin chief¡¯s mount. If he hadn¡¯t recalled it, you¡¯d be glistening bones by now. Quite the shame, really¡ªI was looking forward to the visual.¡±


    My mouth opened, but no words came out.


    ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there!¡± the voice snapped, suddenly urgent. ¡°They don¡¯t exactly travel alone. Move, you dolt!¡±


    I sprinted back to the overhang while glancing left a few times just to be sure the beast wasn''t coming back with an entourage of goblins. Making it inside without any issues, I picked up my club and got the hell out of there.


    --------


    I ran until my body refused to go any further, collapsing against my will onto the forest floor. My lungs burned, each gasp of air tearing through me like sandpaper, and my chest heaved as though trying to suck in the entire forest''s supply of oxygen.


    The mountain loomed behind me, its jagged peaks mocking my failed attempt to scale it. The ring had insisted, not worth the time or effort, it claimed. I didn¡¯t know if it was the curse¡¯s logic or its twisted sense of humor, but I listened. Against my better judgment, I veered away and ran, devouring as much distance as my legs could manage.


    Now, sprawled on the dirt, I felt every ache and bruise earned from the relentless pace. My throat was parched, so dry that even swallowing was painful. I severely needed water. My thoughts were a jumble, but one need screamed above the rest: Find a town. Find anything.


    Pushing myself up onto trembling arms, I glanced around. The forest was unyielding, its canopy too thick to see the sky. The dawn sunlight filtered through in fractured beams, doing little to guide me. The air was stifling, heavy with the scent of damp earth and rotting leaves.


    ¡°Liam,¡± The cursed voice whispered in the back of my mind, smooth and maddeningly calm. ¡°This isn¡¯t the best look for you. Gasping like a dying fish, flopping in the dirt. Very inspiring.¡±


    ¡°Shut...up...¡± I managed to wheeze, not having the energy to muster any real venom.


    ¡°Oh, my apologies. Would you like me to arrange for the goblins to come back and finish the job? Maybe then you¡¯d get some proper rest.¡±


    I ignored it or at least tried to. But his words lingered, gnawing at my already fragile composure. I needed to keep moving, but my legs felt like lead, my head spinning with exhaustion and dehydration.


    Get up.


    The thought wasn¡¯t mine. It was the rings, laced with an irritating blend of mockery and genuine urgency.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying,¡± I muttered.


    ¡°Try harder,¡± it snapped. ¡°Because if you pass out here, the forest creatures will find you before any town does. And trust me, they won¡¯t be offering a warm welcome.¡±


    I hated that it was right. Gritting my teeth, I forced myself onto my knees, then my feet, every movement a battle against my body¡¯s protests.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    ¡°Atta boy,¡± the curse crooned. ¡°Now, let¡¯s aim for not dying today, shall we?¡±


    Staggering forward, I pressed on. The forest seemed endless, the trees stretching endlessly in every direction. But I refused to give up. Somewhere out there, salvation or at least water had to be waiting.


    ----------


    "Finally!" I muffled out with eyes wide in pure adoration.


    "Am I really seeing this?" I asked the ring, not wanting to believe my eyes.


    What laid out in front of me in all of its glory was a creek, all too excited I dashed to it. It was only about three feet wide and a foot deep at best, but the water it would supply me would be a life saver. When I got to the side of it, I instantly got on my knees and dunked my head in. The water was cool and refreshing, giving me the chills as it ran down my back. I reached out my cupped hands for the glorious liquid to take my first drink. As the first bit of water went inside of my mouth and started down my throat, a figure appeared before me and spoke.


    I sucked in all the water and instantly started coughing it up, hard enough to feel the urge to vomit.


    "Do not fret youngin''. I am here, the great inventor and master tinkerer. My name is... well most people just call me Bram, but you... you can call me... Master Geargrind." The little man spoke to me coming off a little too smug and conceited for my taste. After coughing up the remaining water in my lungs I replayed what he said in my head.


    "Bram? As in the Bram? Where the hell have you been!? You were supposed to be helping me fix your fuck up!" I asked confusion slowly turning into frustration


    Taken a back the man''s face contorted through a few expressions before finally responding. "I had just been released from my punishment with the divine Nexa, as you can see, she has stripped me of my physical form. I am sorry for the pain I have caused you, but I am here now to set things right. You will be back home before you know it." Bram said trying to make this conversation as civil as possible.


    The possibility of going back home had never occurred to me, I thought I would have to spend the rest of my existence in one of these backwater worlds. Calming myself down through a few steadying breaths I decided to respond. "How are you so sure that returning home is a possibility for me? Also, what use will you be if you don''t even have a physical body? I know you could probably scout the surrounding areas for me but besides that. Sorry, but I don''t see how you will be of any value." I stammered it all out and kind of felt bad as soon as the last of it spilled out of my mouth.


    "You are quite the insufferable little twit, arntcha. How about for starters you open up your menus and check the damn tabs really carefully, before you start making assumptions on who is worthless and who isn''t." The ire in his voice building over towards the end.


    I opened up my menu and looked at the tabs again, as the "Grand Inventor" kept yapping. Knowing for sure I didn''t miss anything of importance.


    "The greenskins you got lucky with would have taken me mere seconds to dispatch with the amount of power I control. I would not be able to do much with the warg, but once I start leveling when I figur-..."


    I found it right under the companion''s tab, how did I miss it before, I thought cursing to myself.


    Bram Geargrind


    Level 1


    Stats: Intelligence: 10


    Wisdom: 10


    Charisma: 10


    Mana: 120 (100 base from being a Bound Entity)


    Bound Entity: Spectral Manipulator (Bound Entity cannot exceed 100 yards away from assigned Bearer)


    Abilities: Possession, Whisper of Deceit


    Experience Progression: 0/250 XP (Shared from completed quests with Host. Experience outside of quests is not obtainable.)


    "The only way to harm a bound entity is by magical force, or to derive it from mana for extended periods of time."


    Staring at the screen, I was curious on how he had already gotten abilities. Opening up their descriptions did not disappoint.


    Possession: Spectral Manipulator is able to occupy and control the bodies of creatures with lower intelligence. The control is not absolute strong-willed creatures might resist or break free over time. (Mana Cost: 10 + 5 additional mana per minute while occupying a creature)


    Whisper of deceit: Alters the thoughts or perceptions of nearby creatures, planting ideas or commands they may interpret as their own.


    I quickly ran my hand through my hair. "Fine. You can possess things. Great. But how does that help me get home?"


    Bram¡¯s smirk faded slightly. "Well, getting you home is... complicated. But you¡¯re not alone in this, Liam. I might be bound to you because of some divine punishment, but that doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t want to fix this mess. Besides," he added with a mischievous glint, "you¡¯re the only person I¡¯ve got right now."


    "You¡¯re insufferable."


    "And you¡¯re stuck with me," Bram shot back cheerfully. "So, shall we get moving? I¡¯ve got a feeling we¡¯re about to make some very poor decisions together."


    "Hold on a minute, I still haven''t gotten a full drink yet and I''ve been dying with all the figh... How did you know about the goblins? You mentioned greenskins something about you could''ve done better, how did you know about that?"


    Bram''s transparent body distinguished a little looking to have deflated under my questioning. Cursing mentally, he searched his brain for any explanation, but nothing was coming to mind, and he needed to answer now or else the whole thing would blow up in his face.


    "I... Uh. Nexa has shown me everything you have accomplished this far. She wanted me to know everything you had faced since my arrival. You know... She is a goddess; such matters are simple for her."


    I eyed him suspiciously, but not having any reason to mistrust his word I went along with it for now.


    After taking my tenth handful of water, I felt full. The water tasted kind of off, almost kind of musky in a sense, if that makes any sense at all. I decided to ask Bram about it, maybe Nexa would''ve let him in on some useful information.


    "Bram... Why does this water taste... off? I didn''t notice it before, but there''s definitely a tang to it."


    "I can''t solve everything for you... Hold on a sec." he said as he disappeared from sight.


    I eyed the stream and decided to look deeper into the water, from what I could tell it looked clean. I wonder if there''s a weird tasting bacterium on this planet, or if the water just tasted gross here. I''d always preferred my carbonated beverages anyways. Before I knew it Bram was back and dying of laughter.


    Between rolling laughter, he told me "You are... going to be... pissed."


    With him being that overjoyed I was getting scared..."Knock it off, what the hell is going on? What is it?"


    He calmed a bit wiping away fake tears from his eyes. "Theres a town up that way about 90 yards over that slight incline."


    "Theres also a bigger stream up there with a little dam holding back most of the water."


    My eyes widened in excitement, instantly climbing to my feet. "Are you serious? Eyes gleaming with the thought of quests. "Wait, what does that got to do with the taste of the water?"


    With a cough that suspiciously sounded like another round of a laughing fit starting he stated, "The towns men are emptying their houses waste buckets... Upriver from you."

 Chapter 6: The town of Hillgrove

    After the whole "incident" with the water and then emptying the contents of my stomach. We went up the hill and were able to see the town palisade, the trees around the town were all cleared away and several homes were actually on the outside of the defensive wall. Which I thought was a little strange, but looking closer they seemed to be small farmhouses with barns. Made sense really since you couldn''t realistically put farms inside without stretching out walls insanely wide. Giving the local wildlife though, I would much prefer being on the inside of said walls. Approaching closer, the damp grass turned into somewhat of a dirt road.


    "What the shit is that thing?!" I screeched as a massive bull-like creature somehow appeared out of nowhere with his head hanging over the fence


    "That would be an Abertrox." Bram stated.


    "Uh... and its purpose is?" The tentacles of the creature''s mouth waved in all directions like it had sensed me and wanted to explore my head holes. The body of the thing looked like a normal testosterone fueled bull, but around the snout foot long blue and purple tendrils flailed around. The worst part is I was able to see the things teeth at the center of the tendrils.


    "They taste good, why else would they farm them?"


    Not wanting any part of that thing, we made it to the outside of the towns gate which from the looks of it was in some dire needs of repair. Several canon ball shaped holes were patched over with planks. Definitely looking like the town had a lack of a craftsman, or they had some trouble recently. I was sure it would be the latter as the only stationed guard was sitting on what must''ve been a pretty comfortable chair with his feet up on a table, passed out.


    "I haven''t thought about it until now, but do they speak... English?"


    Bram let out a over expressive sigh and boredly said "Everyone will speak common, of course there are some races that prefer their native tongues, but the system sets forth one standard language when inaugurating a planet... I''d be concerned for the fact that you still don''t have any bottoms on." My face instantly flushed, totally forgetting my kilt got destroyed with the dagger blow. "If it makes you feel any better, I wasn''t going to tell you, but you''re my only option for leveling at this point and I kind of need access to that town to do so. From my perspective you got two options. Break into one of those modest farmhouses and steal some" I glanced over at the closest house, and I swore I saw one of the alien bull heads sticking out a window. "Or the option I know you''re going to choose. Make something out of the bushes back there in the woods and have the whole town judge you. Either way I find it as a win."


    ------


    After returning from my sprint back into the forest, I officially had on... something that resembled pants. Trying to make the best of the situation at least the only person that could have saw me was dead asleep.


    Hurrying my pace, I walked up to the table and politely knocked on the table... "Excuse me sir? Do you need to check us in or are we free to go into town?"


    The old man mumbled himself awake "What and who? Oh... Oh yes, you are free to pass. Just don''t do anything stupid or unlawful. Wouldn''t want to drag you out especially with all of the issues we''ve been having outside the walls." He mumbled through most of it, but I got the gist. He also tapped on his spear which was behind him leaning against the palisade. I could definitely use one of those over the damn club I''d been hauling around. "Shit!" I hissed and instantly through open my inventory screen to see what the curse had taken. Scanning through it I still had the food from the "might", the leather and goblin meat. Thankfully right at the bottom of the list was the club, a smile fell over my lips as I still had my main source of protection with me.


    "Is everything all right?" The old man cut in. "Yes, I just thought I misplaced something. Have a good day"


    Walking through the gate I was thankful he didn''t say anything about the bush kilt I was rocking. The streets weren''t all that busy and the town looked bigger from the outside. All the houses seemed made of wood and thatch, which seemed like a fire hazard. A faint smell of damp hay mixed with a tinge of smoke lingered in the air, but the streets were unnervingly silent, save for the occasional creak of a swinging signboard. The single stone building in town was the town hall, and across the street from it was the tavern. Continuing forward towards the gate on the other end of the wall, I couldn''t help but to feel disappointed. I may have set my standard of a town way to high. This place was definitely a village, I''ve only seen about four people walking through the main road on smaller bisecting streets. I couldn¡¯t shake the growing sense of unease. The place felt abandoned, like everyone had just up and left moments before we arrived. Finally, I turned to Bram. "Where the hell is everything? How am I supposed to get any quests or gear? It all looks like a ghost town."


    "Oh, you thought this backwater village would have adventurers lining up with shiny loot to hand out. Cute. Welcome to reality, kid. The ''ghost town'' vibes? Yeah, there''s a reason for that."


    Before he could get to the explanation, we were interrupted by a nervous woman around my age. "Ah you must be the help, the gods sent. We have been desperate with hope and prayers for the past two weeks; I am glad to see you here at last." She rushed out. "I forgot pleasantries, I am Renna Venstar I oversee Hillgrove here." She said with a small courtesy and when she mentioned the towns name, she wove her arm out in front of her in a wide arc like I was supposed to be impressed with what I''ve seen. I couldn''t put my finger on it, but there was definitely something strange about her. I couldn''t really pinpoint it though. She looked pretty plain her body type was rail thin with her pale complexion and auburn hair in a simple braid.


    "Uh... Wow, seems like a nice place." Nodding along "My name is Liam, what exactly are you needing help with?" hoping it would start a small quest chain; I need to level and obtain a class if I''m ever going to have the smallest chance of recovering the teleportation coins.


    "Well, you see... The town has been having nightly raids with an unknown encounter. They stay on the edge of our vision and seem to have a caster that''s been wreaking havoc on our southern gate. We are glad you''ve made it, but I have to ask. Why didn''t you use the passage glyph surely it would have been quicker?"


    Bram definitely had a lot of explaining to do. It now made sense why there was a lack of villagers those that could afford it probably left before the problems got any worse. Heat rising to my face out of both anger and embarrassment "Ah, yes about that I decided it would be best to get the lay of the land and take in the surrounding area. You know for reconnaissance purposes." clearing my throat over the last bit probably not sounding all to confident. She wasn''t convinced in the slightest.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "Uh... huh... Well as you know, as the town overseer, I could see your title and I know it''s a very minor issues among the gods, but we would appreciate your help. Even if you do have other reasons for being here. If you need anything just let me know, oh... and cooper inside the town hall has access to the system store, for certain replacements." She said while eyeing my makeshift kilt with a halfhearted smile like you would for a child that brings you a painting to put on the fridge. Instantly making me feel embarrassed all over again.


    "Thanks." I said softly "Oh and I will help your village with its current issue." Realizing then that Bram wasn''t around instantly giving me anxiety. "Have a good day." giving a curt nod then moving past her to walk straight into the town hall.


    A screen appeared as I got to the door:


    Quest accepted: Save the town of Hillgrove


    Find out what is causing chaos around the towns wall striking fear into the hearts of the town''s citizens: 0/1


    Find a resolution either by combat, or other means: 0/1


    Rewards: Dependent on results of completion,2500 exp


    Waving the screen away, I was shocked at the experience it would give. Getting impatient I quickened my steps towards the door.


    The damned door was about eight inches thick made of solid wood making it a pain in the ass to open, but with a final push it revealed the interior. For once since coming into town, I was not disappointed. Elegant tapestries hung from the stone railing of a marble staircase. The floors were even marble with some sort of gold inlay. Looking around the main hall I saw beautiful paintings of what had to be this planet''s figureheads and even a coupler of smaller statues sitting on pedestals. "Impressive." Slipped out of my mouth unconsciously.


    "That it is." Came a booming voice from my right. A big bear like man hovered over a nice oak counter that seemed to be recently polished. "Come over here, I have some wares you''d surely want to look at." eyeing me up and down, not even trying to hide the disgust on his face. I could barely see his mouth through the dense wiry blonde beard streaked with orange as he spoke again while tossing me something.


    "Use that to access the system store. Press down in the center of it to activate. Stock is limited since we only have town access of supplies, but it''ll get you enough to get by. If you have any questions, just ask."


    He tossed a silver circular disk at me as big as my hand. It had intricated carvings throughout the whole thing and a light blue crystal sitting in the middle. As I pressed down on the crystal, the disk hummed faintly in my hand, warm to the touch. A sharp hiss of air escaped as a translucent triangle materialized in front of me, hovering a foot above the disk. Its edges pulsed with a faint blue light, and tiny glyphs and symbols danced along the outer frame, giving it an otherworldly feel.


    The menu flickered for a moment before solidifying, displaying several tabs written in crisp Common:


    <ul>


    <li>Gear</li>


    <li>Consumables</li>


    <li>Crafting Materials</li>


    <li>Miscellaneous</li>


    <li>Sell Items</li>


    </ul>


    Each tab was accompanied by a glowing icon: a sword for gear, a potion bottle for consumables, a stack of lumber for crafting materials, and a question mark for miscellaneous. The "Sell Items" tab bore a simple coin symbol, radiating a faint golden glow.


    Curious, I reached out, my finger hovering over the "Gear" tab. The triangle shifted, its glyphs rearranging themselves to form a submenu. A list of items appeared in cascading order:


    Traveler''s boots


    (Good for mild protection from the elements and basic wear and tear.)


    Rarity: Common


    Armor rating +2


    Cost: 75 credits


    Rusty Iron Short sword


    (This sword has seen better days; however, it still has a pointy end for stabbing things.)


    Rarity: Common


    Attack: +4-6


    Cost: 150 Credits


    Leather Skull Cap


    (Provides little protection, possible to stop a glancing blow.)


    Rarity: Common


    Armor rating: +2


    Cost: 100 Credits


    Basic Short Spear


    (This spear is roughly 4 feet long and is equipped with a bronze spear head.)


    Rarity: Common


    Attack: +5-10


    Cost: 250 Credits


    The list went on like this for quite some time. Quickly skimming over the items, I noticed all of them were common items, must be because of the town limitations. I continued on to consumables which didn''t disappoint. Stamina, mana and health potions filled this section, they ranged from minor which would heal simple flesh wounds to major ones that would snap bones back into place within seconds. I made a mental note to definitely get some of the minors and one major one of each, as well as one of the water skins. I would be collecting water from north of the village this time not wanting a repeat of earlier this morning. With that I continued on the list. Crafting materials didn''t have much that I thought was useful, various amounts of pelts, ores, bones and herbs for alchemy. Though perhaps in the future I would consider picking up alchemy, I''d need to make sure I was safe in my primary class first though. Miscellaneous is where it got really interesting, it was filled with subcategories things like transportation, housing development and various odds and ends. I saw a large rucksack that was a bag of holding and I could only imagine what it could store, but with a price tag at 8,000 credits I was still off the mark for that one for a while longer. Finally, I made it to the sell items category and saw the price of everything in my possession. I instantly sold the goblin meats which I had two of for a sum of 10 credits and the leather for another 10. Moving on I decided to keep the coco meat slabs and all my starting gear. Interested I scanned over the ring to see it''s sell price, but when I did the item name changed. It was now just a minor ring of holding with no curse attached. It must be a bug in the system, not saying a word to anyone I closed out of the menu.


    Handing back the disk to Cooper he stopped me "You aren''t going to collect your credits?" He boomed in a confused tone with an eyebrow raised. When I answered back with a bigger look of confusion.


    He laughed "Where''s your system mark? You''ll need it to withdraw your credits. If you don''t have one, I have spares but since you sold goblin meat, I would expect you do."


    Not understanding what he meant at first, but then it dawned on me. I hadn''t really seen any inventory with the number of credits I had. The goblin kills netted 300 credits and the "Might" was 500. Biting my tongue with seething rage, I just nodded at Cooper with my hand outstretched, receiving the system mark and feeling a slight tug at something within me. Looking down at it a message appeared.


    System Mark (Tier 2, 50,000 Limit)


    Description: A sleek, coin-like piece of metal about the size of a half-dollar, etched with glowing runes that faintly pulse in sync with the user''s heartbeat. The mark is crafted from a mysterious alloy that resonates with the system''s energy, allowing it to securely store and transfer system credits.


    Features:


    Deposit & Withdrawal: Users can transfer system credits from their personal balance to the Mark by touching it to any System Store interface, such as the silver disks. Similarly, credits can be withdrawn for safekeeping in the same way.


    Security Measures:


    The Mark is keyed to the user''s unique mana signature, preventing theft. If stolen or lost, it can be remotely disabled through the system menu (for a small fee, of course).


    Capacity: It has a tiered storage limit, ranging from 1,000 credits for a basic Mark to millions for advanced, rarer versions.


    Durability: Virtually indestructible under normal circumstances, though high-level disintegration magic or specific rituals could destroy it.


    Collecting the credits was a simple enough process reminding me of my homes tap to pay method. After thanking Cooper even after he told me about his cut in the deal, which left me with a whopping 15 credits, I left the Hall in search of Bram.


    Stepping outside, I clenched the Mark in my hand. As much as I hated to admit it, Cooper¡¯s system seemed efficient. But I needed to know more, how it all worked, and most importantly, why Bram hadn¡¯t told me about it sooner. That smug bastard was going to spill everything.

 Chapter 7: Liam, My loyal Companion.

    Bram was getting tired of the whole save our town nonsense and decided to head over to the tavern. There he would at least hear rumors of the townsfolk and any additional issues with the quest.


    Walking into the tavern Bram was hit with a scent of sweat, food and stale alcohol as he entered the tavern. He didn''t even realize he had his senses until this moment, or if he was just imagining what a tavern smelt like based on memory. Everything inside seemed to be haphazardly thrown together. Only a couple of chairs were out per table, the tables had been patched again and again with mismatched assorted lumber. It was not one of the finest establishments Bram had been inside but also not the worst. An old man was scrubbing at the soft wood bar with some sort of cleaning brush. The poor soul had seen better days just like the building itself. Only a few men were inside, one of which was drinking an ale, which gave Bram the best idea he had ever got.


    ------------------


    Bram slipped into Gregory¡¯s body with ease, the man¡¯s mind sluggish and unguarded thanks to the ale he¡¯d already consumed. For a moment, Bram was stunned by the strange sensations, the weight of a solid body, the scratch of stubble on his chin, and oh, the glorious taste of ale lingering on his tongue.


    ¡°Another round!¡± he bellowed, slamming the tankard down hard enough to rattle the bar. The barkeep, wide-eyed, complied, filling Gregory¡¯s tankard again.


    Tankard after tankard, Bram drained the ale like a man who hadn¡¯t tasted anything in days, which, to be fair, was true. The warm burn of alcohol coursing through Gregory¡¯s veins was intoxicating in more ways than one. Bram laughed loudly, telling nonsensical stories about heroic feats and daring exploits, much to the bemusement of the other patrons.


    ---------------


    As soon as I stepped into the tavern, I spotted a giant of a man staggering near the bar. His face was flushed red, his eyes half-lidded, and he was leaning precariously on the counter like it was the only thing keeping him upright. A tankard dangled from one hand, dangerously close to spilling its contents onto the already-sticky floor. The barkeep wiped his hand down his face and muttered "What has gotten into you Gregory? You never drink this much ale."


    The sight alone would¡¯ve been odd enough, but then Gregory opened his mouth.


    ¡°Liam! My loyal companion!¡± Gregory, or Bram, I realized with growing horror, bellowed, throwing his arms wide. ¡°Join me in celebrating this most magnificent establishment!¡±


    I froze. ¡°Are you... drunk? How the hell are you drunk? You¡¯re a spirit!¡±


    Bram, or rather, Gregory¡¯s body, stumbled toward me, weaving like a leaf in a storm. He clapped a heavy hand on my shoulder, nearly taking us both down. ¡°Oh, Liam,¡± he slurred, his breath reeking of ale. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe it! Possession isn¡¯t just for scaring people, you know. Turns out it¡¯s a marvelous way to indulge in... shall we say... earthly pleasures.¡±


    ¡°You possessed Gregory just to drink ale?¡± I hissed, barely keeping my voice down as the other patrons stared at the scene unfolding.


    ¡°Not just to drink ale,¡± Bram corrected, wagging a finger. ¡°Also to sing! Watch this!¡±


    Before I could stop him, Bram clambered onto the bar, Gregory¡¯s body wobbling dangerously, and launched into some kind of bawdy tune. His voice cracked on every other note, and I was pretty sure he made up half the lyrics as he went.


    The barkeep wasn¡¯t having it. ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± the old man snapped, slamming a hand down on the bar. ¡°Get out before I have you thrown out!¡±


    With a groan, I stepped forward and grabbed Bram-Gregory by the arm, hauling him down. ¡°Alright, we¡¯re leaving,¡± I muttered, dragging him toward the door. He didn¡¯t even resist, though he kept giggling like this was all some big joke.


    Outside, I practically dumped him on the ground. ¡°What the hell were you thinking?¡± I growled.


    Bram left Gregory¡¯s body in a swirling mist, the man groaning and curling up in the dirt like he¡¯d been hit by a freight train. Bram floated beside me, his smug grin as infuriating as ever.


    ¡°Oh, lighten up, Liam,¡± he said. ¡°It was just a bit of fun! Besides, Gregory had already started the drinking. I merely... expedited things.¡±


    ¡°Expedited things?¡± I snapped. ¡°You turned the guy into a walking keg!¡±


    Bram shrugged. ¡°Small price to pay for a little indulgence. You should try it sometime. You¡¯re wound tighter than a crossbow string.¡±


    I pinched the bridge of my nose, taking a deep breath. ¡°One of these days, Bram, you¡¯re going to push me too far.¡±


    ¡°And on that day,¡± Bram said, drifting lazily ahead of me, ¡°I¡¯ll be sure to bring popped corn.¡±


    I glanced back at Gregory, who was still groaning in the dirt. ¡°You¡¯re helping me fix this.¡±


    Bram chuckled. ¡°I¡¯d love to, but you know, spirit. No hands.¡±


    I muttered a long string of curses under my breath as I bent down to help Gregory to his feet. "Have a good day sir, I''d probably go home if I were you." Gregory dizzily looked me in the eyes for a few seconds until he turned beat red in embarrassment from the memories. He quickly dusted himself off and headed away in the opposite direction.


    "Bram! We need to have a long thought-out discussion about everything, and I do mean everything that you know about the system and how all of this shit works. I am more than tired of being left hung out to dry and figure all of this out on my own. Please for the love of the gods just do that much for me." I started calmly but ended it in an irate mood.


    "Fine by me... But we need to find somewhere private, and we need sleeping arrangements. That is assuming you accepted the quest."


    I just ignored him and went on the lookout for Renna, hoping she would put us up for one night.


    ------------------------


    After finding Renna talking to Cooper, she agreed to let me stay in a spare bedroom on the second floor of the town hall. By some means the room was more of the size of a suite and didn''t really make sense given the building layout, but I wasn''t an engineer or a construction foreman back on earth so who knows. Bram and I have a long-drawn-out conversation that had lasted hours about anything I would find out about the system, and I felt immensely better about my situation now. I was pissed when I found out that he was the "Curse" behind the ring and that he''d been here as long as I had, but over the information he shared that rage had died down. The only real concern I did have was my class choice coming up, but with enough funds I could change it eventually. Bram reminded me of my system credits I got along with the chests I first received and when I selected them, they automatically deposited into my mark. With my newly acquired funds I went back to Cooper and got a full set of undergarments, including a long sleeve cloth shirt for under my armor. I didn''t really care for the idea of wearing something called stockings, so I got the linen trousers instead. Plus, I was fairly sure the stockings were meant for under armor since they were so thin and uncomfortably tight looking. After the clothing was out of the way and only spending 120 of the credits I bought the travelers boots, short spear, a waterskin and one major health potion. I was out of money all over again, but I also felt a million times better about the situation.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    I pushed the door open, balancing the weight of my newly acquired gear, and found Bram lounging in his usual lazy fashion, sprawled across the bed like he had any right to it. It was an odd sight, considering he didn¡¯t have a physical body, yet somehow, he managed to project an aura of sheer entitlement.


    ¡°You know,¡± I said, dropping my things onto the small table near the window, ¡°you could at least pretend to be helpful while I¡¯m out spending every last credit trying to keep us alive.¡±


    Bram didn¡¯t even open his eyes. ¡°Helpful? I¡¯ve been immeasurably helpful. People would kill for the amount of information I gave you today."


    "Yeah, and thanks for that. Now we have to go to the capi-" A loud banging sound interrupted our discussion. We quickly looked at each other and sprinted outside. It was night already, the moons giving us just enough light to see. I turned towards the south gate and noticed one side was completely off its hinges and the other was hanging from the top; I withdrew my spear through the ring and looked around. There was no one in sight, Bram appeared to my right with a slew of curses.


    "Go take a closer look." I told him as my eyes never seemed to stop scanning the area.


    Sneering up at me but fighting the urge to rebuke he descended the steps from the town hall and went towards the gate. Not wanting him to get into any real danger I quickly followed behind him. Keeping my eyes on Bram but also looking at the nearby houses nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The doors were all still shut and there was no further damage outside of the gate. When we got to the gate, I looked for the old gate guard. His table and chair were smashed to pieces, my heart skipped a few beats as I noticed a slumped form ten feet away from the table.


    "Shit! Bram will a major health pot work on him?" I stumbled while running towards the body. Getting closer revealed it was not the grizzled old man but a goblin with sword and shield. "Scratch that. We need to find him but first we need to warn the others inside."


    "They went further south Liam. One of them has a mount so likely the chieftain is with them" peering at where he was pointing there were large, furrowed claw marks in the road leading south. "They were in a hurry to leave, but why?" asking Bram but then a loud, ear-splitting cry was heard within the town, and we turned to find its source. A plume of smoke rose near the center of the village, lit by a flickering orange glow.


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    "Fire," I muttered, dread pooling in my stomach. "Damn it, they sent a group inside while we were distracted at the gate."


    Bram floated to my side, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the scene. "Typical goblin tactics. Divide attention, sow chaos, and attack from the least-expected angle. Sloppy, but effective when the defenders are unprepared."


    I spun toward the town, gripping my spear. "We have to stop them before it spreads. If they torch the whole village, there¡¯s no way we¡¯ll recover."


    "You focus on the fire," Bram said. "I''ll keep an eye on the outskirts, if they¡¯ve left any surprises, someone has to make sure you don¡¯t walk into them blind."


    "Be careful," I muttered before taking off toward the smoke.


    As I ran through the narrow streets, the crackling of flames grew louder, mingling with panicked screams and the sounds of clashing metal. Rounding a corner, I saw a cluster of villagers desperately trying to douse the fire with buckets of water from the nearby well.


    At the center of the chaos, a group of goblins was attacking anyone who got too close. They were smaller than the one I¡¯d seen near the gate but no less dangerous. One of them shrieked as it lunged at a man carrying a bucket, knocking him to the ground before turning its beady eyes on me.


    Without hesitation, I leveled my spear. "Come on, then," I growled, taking a defensive stance.


    The goblin screeched and charged, swinging its crude weapon in wide, clumsy arcs. I sidestepped its first swing, jabbing forward with the spear and catching it in the shoulder. It yelped and stumbled back, but before it could recover, I thrust again, this time striking true. The goblin crumpled to the ground, lifeless. This new spear was amazing, exactly what I needed to counter the little bastards.


    Eyes darting towards the remaining group, doing a quick head count there were six of them. Charging forward before any more of them attacked the defenseless villagers, two noticed right away, while the others were too occupied with watching the fire burst free towards the nights sky.


    I met the two head-on, the first one darting ahead of the other with surprising speed. Both were armed with the same crude daggers as the rest. Charging with my spear outstretched, I aimed for the faster goblin''s torso, but it ducked low, effortlessly evading the strike. Reacting quickly, I swung the spear to the right, hoping to at least graze the second one. It wasn¡¯t quick enough. It raised its arm in a futile attempt to block, but my spearhead sliced past it, and as it leaned forward slightly, the blade found its mark, burying deep into its neck. The first goblin was on me swinging his dagger, I dropped my spear taking a chance with hand to hand, knowing from my previous encounters I was stronger than them. Swiftly I took a step back as the dagger would have hit where my hip was if I hadn''t moved. The goblin put all of his weight into the strike throwing him slightly off balance, which was a life ending mistake. I shot forward with a twelve to six elbow to the top of his skull, the goblin staggered heavily as I muffled a cry from hitting my funny bone. Mentally swearing to never do that move again, no matter how cool it looks. Then the goblin dropped to the floor, and the pain subsided, "maybe just once more" I mentally thought to myself.


    Too occupied with my own fight I didn''t realize that the gate guard had taken up arms with the other four goblins. Happy to see him I fought the urge to call out to him while he was in the heat of battle. Fighting with myself if I should help him or go see how Bram was doing, it only took a couple seconds to decide. I ran forward grabbing my spear off of the dirt floor in the process. The loud cries and shouting from the villagers helping mask the sound of my footfalls. Taking the first goblin by surprise as my spear head pierced through his back and out of the front of his chest. I yanked the spear out having to put my foot on his back to fully dislodge it. As that happened two of the other goblins turned to see me. The uglier one of the two lunged towards me, the damned thing had a septum piercing hanging from his nose. Trying to catch his wrist as he swung his blade wildly towards my thigh was a mistake. He tossed the dagger from one hand to the other just before I was able to grab his now empty hand. An earth-shattering pain came from my right hip as I suddenly got heavier. The goblin had stabbed me and then took advantage of my position. He was now on my back with his feet interlocked across my midsection. I pulled on the one arm I had now in both hands, but he was determined, striking me in the side of the head over and over again. Getting desperate I heaved his left arm putting every bit of strength I had into it. I felt a popping sound and the arm went limp as he cried out scrambling off of my back. During his descent he kicked the dagger that was embedded into my side free, causing another wave of agony wash over me.


    I glanced at the guard to make sure he was still in the fight with me, he was but barely... He had a dagger sticking out from his thigh as he was wrestling one of the goblins, the other one was sneaking in blows where he could, trying not to get caught. I rose to my feet shakily, snapped my eyes towards the ugly goblin where he was crawling towards his dagger. Not giving him the time to wield himself, I stepped towards him, summoning my club as I did. The pain shooting up my right-side was bearable, but it still hurt, radiating with each step. The goblin must''ve felt my footfalls through the ground because just as I reached him, he turned towards me. Panic took over his facial expression, his eyes restlessly darting side to side, swinging my club back and that''s when he spoke.


    "I... Help..." It screeched in a guttural nasally voice. I hesitated for a second, but that was all. Bram had told me what happened to his family and that was unforgivable. However, I did make his death instant in painless as my club smashed through his head and its contents burst out like some sort of sick firework.


    Turning towards the guard I found him back on his feet and ambling towards me.


    I locked eyes with him and spoke... "What the hell happened?"

 Chapter 8: Class Selection

    The gruff old man took a minute to respond as he stared at me while pulling the dagger out of himself. "I... I''m not exactly sure, the attacks started as normal, but then a goblin charged at me on a warg, I barely got my spear up in time to get the bastard. The beast could have easily killed me, but once his rider fell it took off. Then the gates slammed open from some sort of magical spell. I came inside to see if we had any infiltrators, that''s when I noticed these sneaklings starting a fire over at that house." He motioned towards the still smoking house, the villagers have done well to put out the wildly burning flames. While we were caught up looking at the smoke, Bram had returned.


    Out of habit I spoke out to him as the guard turned thinking I was talking to him I corrected myself "Did you... Never mind." Bram started laughing as the guard responded.


    "Okay then, I think I will be returning to the gate, or... you know what I mean." he said slowly turning and limping out towards the town opening. I went and grabbed my spear and then turned towards Bram.


    "Did you see anything?" I quickly asked Bram again. "Nothing beyond your favorite Abertrox''s ." he said grinning.


    A thought occurring to me, so I asked it "Was the bigger goblin outside the chieftain? The guard mentioned how he was riding on a warg."


    "Nah, that would be a warrior-class greenskin. A chieftain would be far larger and far more cunning than that little bugger. Besides, I¡¯ve been thinking... This attack doesn¡¯t add up. Why send only sneaklings? Something¡¯s off. You should go find the head lass and have a word with her. I suspect she hasn¡¯t been entirely honest about what¡¯s going on here."


    Bram¡¯s words settled heavily in my mind as I turned toward the town hall steps, suspicion growing with every step. He had explained earlier that goblin reproduced at an insane rate, with some clans numbering in the thousands. This paltry attack barely scratched the surface of what a real goblin raid could look like. Something bigger had to be at play.


    The wound throbbed as I pushed against the heavy door, each attempt weaker than the last. Bram stood at my side, shaking his head, but offering no help. Gritting my teeth, I gave one final push and managed to swing the door open.


    The sight inside stopped me cold.


    Renna lay sprawled on the marble floor, a dark pool of blood spreading beneath her. Panic overtook me as I darted toward her, kneeling at her side. Her lifeless blue eyes stared into nothing; their piercing intensity dulled by the inevitable glaze of death. I gently laid her head back down, a hollow ache forming in my chest.


    ¡°Damn it...¡± I whispered, my voice trembling as I scanned the room.


    Bram vanished without a word, presumably searching for clues¡ªor so I hoped. My own attempts were futile. There were no tracks leading from Renna¡¯s body, no obvious signs of a struggle nearby. Whoever had done this had been clean, methodical.


    This wasn¡¯t an opportunistic attack... it was an execution.


    My eyes wandered towards the counter Cooper usually manned, but no one was there. Where the hell is he? I thought to myself, I turned towards the second story steps and started going up them as Bram had returned from further back on the first floor. "He''s in the cellar messing with the glyphstone console. It controls the town overview. I believe he is taking control of the town. Hurry it up, we have to stop him." I never heard Bram speak so fast, as I turned back down the steps and followed quickly behind him.


    The cellar door was already slightly ajar, a faint blue glow spilling out into the hallway. I shoved it open and descended the narrow stone stairs two at a time, Bram hovering just ahead of me, his movements almost jittery with urgency. The air grew colder the further down we went, carrying a faint hum that set my teeth on edge. At the bottom, the room opened up into a surprisingly spacious cellar, its walls lined with shelves holding dusty scrolls and jars. In the center of the room stood Cooper, his back to us, illuminated by the pulsating light of the Glyphstone Console.


    The console itself was mesmerizing: a waist-high slab of stone, covered in glowing glyphs that rearranged themselves in hypnotic patterns. Above it, a shimmering 3D projection of the town hovered, showing every building, every street, even tiny glowing dots that I realized represented the townsfolk. Cooper had his hands planted firmly on the stone, his fingers digging into the runes as though he were pulling power directly from it.


    "Cooper!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the cellar walls.


    He flinched but didn¡¯t turn around. ¡°Liam,¡± he said, his voice calm but strained. ¡°This town¡¯s been dying for years. Renna wasted our resources on luxuries while the people suffered. Now, I¡¯ll fix it. I¡¯ll make things right.¡±


    Bram scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. ¡°By seizing control? How noble. Tell me, Cooper, is your plan to ¡®fix things'' or crown yourself king of this miserable dump?¡±


    Cooper finally turned to face us, his expression a mix of defiance and desperation. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand, outsider. This town needs strength, real leadership, not someone like Renna. She was bleeding us dry, and now she¡¯s gone. It¡¯s my turn.¡±


    The glyphs on the console flickered, and the projection above shifted. Buildings highlighted themselves one by one as if Cooper were selecting them. ¡°You think you can just walk in here and take over?¡± I asked, gripping my spear tightly.


    ¡°You¡¯re too late, Liam,¡± Cooper said with a grim smile. ¡°The console recognizes authority. I¡¯ve already begun the transfer. Once it¡¯s complete, the town is mine.¡±


    Bram muttered in my ear, ¡°You can stop him, but you¡¯ll need to disrupt the process. Get him away from the console... forcefully, if necessary.¡±


    I stepped forward, my heart pounding. ¡°Cooper, step away from the console. We don¡¯t have to do this.¡±


    His eyes narrowed. ¡°I¡¯m afraid we do.¡±


    And just like that, his hand shot to his side, drawing a short blade that glinted in the glyphstone¡¯s light. I sprang into action spear shooting forward with an unbelievable speed, his sword smacked away the tip with a metal clang that reverberated down my hands, instinctively dropping the spear in the process. The huge man dove at me easily taking me to the ground, I tried fighting and refusing his wishes, but he ended up in a full mount position above me. "You aren''t going to stop me. Quit while you still live." His voice enraged dripping venom, as he reached, his bear paw like hands around my neck fully interlocking his fingers at the back of it and squeezed.


    Blackness danced at the edges of my vision, as I struggled to breath, my heart throbbing throughout my entire body. Soon the darkness took over most of my vision as I tried swinging my arms weakly at his body, trying to roll or do anything to gain leverage and stop from passing out, but it seemed useless against the giant. Before I knew it my eyelids refused to stay open, I fought them but... His grip loosened slightly just enough for me to breathe again, I took a huge lungful of air and started coughing. Blood now flowing quicker to my head, a realization dawned on me, as I mentally cursed my stupidity. Looking into Coopers eyes I saw he was having a mental battel with Bram. Not knowing how long I had, I summoned both of the stone daggers I had gotten from the first goblins I had ever faced, I just started stabbing anywhere I could reach. Instantly gaping wounds appeared all over Coopers body, his legs, chest and lastly his throat. Blood poured freely from the man as he fell backwards off of me and onto the floor. Taking a few seconds to catch my breath I looked at him and said, "It didn''t have to end this way." there was no reply as he held the wound at his throat, struggling through his last death throes.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    I stood up and shakily got to my feet and headed straight for the glyphstone console. I reached out to touch it, but a system message came through as I did.


    "Congratulations, would you like to take control of the town? yes, or no?"


    Bram appeared next to me with mixed emotions about taking the town under control. Well, I could be projecting a bit, I personally thought it was a waste of time, we had a huge quest hanging over our heads at the moment and have gotten nowhere with it. After a few more minutes of arguing back and forth with Bram, I decided against taking control of the town, but then against my own doing I mentally confirmed the prompt.


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    The moment I confirmed the prompt, against my own better judgment, mind you, the glyphstone console flared with light, sending out waves of warmth that wrapped around me like a suffocating blanket. A new system message appeared before me, translucent and glowing:


    "Town Control Accepted. New Lord Appointed."


    My jaw dropped. ¡°What the hell, Bram?! I didn¡¯t even-¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t look at me like that,¡± Bram interrupted, his smirk as infuriating as ever. ¡°You were the one who thought about it hard enough for the system message to linger. And, might I add, your internal monologues are louder than a goblin marching band.¡±


    I groaned, rubbing my temples. ¡°This isn¡¯t how this was supposed to go! We have bigger things to deal with than managing a town. What am I even supposed to do now?¡±


    Bram shrugged nonchalantly, leaning against the air as if it were solid. ¡°Well, congratulations, Lord Liam. You¡¯ve inherited a quaint, broken-down village that just got attacked by goblins and has an empty treasury. Sounds like a dream come true.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget the dead leader,¡± I muttered under my breath, glancing over at Renna¡¯s still form. The sight of her brought a heavy weight to my chest.


    The glyphstone console pulsed again, and a new set of options appeared in front of me:


    Town Overview


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    <li>Building Repairs</li>


    <li>Citizen Assignments</li>


    <li>Treasury Overview</li>


    <li>Security and Defense Upgrades</li>


    <li>Town Improvements</li>


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    I stared at the options, a headache already forming. ¡°Great. Now I¡¯m responsible for all of this.¡±


    ¡°Look on the bright side,¡± Bram said, his tone way too cheerful for the moment. ¡°At least you can assign someone else to fix the walls while you figure out what¡¯s next.¡±


    I scrolled through the menus, overwhelmed by the sheer number of problems that needed fixing. The treasury was nearly empty, with barely enough credits to repair the damaged gate, let alone bolster defenses or rebuild the town. There was a list of citizens, most of whom were marked as ¡°unskilled¡± or ¡°unemployed.¡±


    ¡°Fantastic,¡± I muttered. ¡°This is a disaster.¡±


    Bram laughed, clapping me on the shoulder. ¡°Welcome to leadership, kid. Now, are you going to pout about it, or are you going to show this village why they accidentally elected the most underqualified lord in history?¡±


    I glared at him, but deep down, I knew he had a point. I¡¯d stumbled into this, but now I was stuck with it. Taking a deep breath, I turned back to the glyphstone. ¡°Alright,¡± I said. ¡°Let¡¯s see what we can do to keep this place from falling apart.¡±


    The first step? Fix the damn gate. Luckily there was a builder amongst the citizens, so I queued the gate construction immediately leaving only 150 system credits left in the treasury. I knew what I was about to do next was a bad idea, but there was no use in holding it off any longer now. I threw open my system menu and got another slew of system messages.


    Congratulations, Descender Liam you have leveled up, from defeating the following:


    1x Human Merchant level 12 (3,000 exp)


    5x goblin sneakling (3,750 exp)


    6,750 experience earned


    Loot acquired:


    5x goblin meat


    16x leather


    1x unbound system mark


    1,400x system credits


    "Wow." I muttered shocked by just how much experience the sneaklings were worth, that and the amount of system credits I had earned. I hurriedly accepted the loot and pulled out my system mark to verify the funds would be deposited. Luckily it shone bright acknowledging the transfer than I tried something else. I pressed my mark against the unbound one and then felt a warm sensation coming from mine and another system message popped up:


    You have successfully absorbed an unbound System Mark. Your existing System Mark''s tier has increased.


    Current Tier: 3


    Credit Capacity: 46,000 of 250,000


    The mark in my hand pulsed faintly before settling back into its usual, muted glow. I stared at it, feeling a strange connection to the item as if it were now more attuned to me. Bram peeked over my shoulder, his spectral form flickering as he examined the mark.


    ¡°Congrats, you¡¯re officially carrying a fancier coin,¡± Bram quipped, smirking. ¡°What¡¯s next? Gunna add some sparkles to it?¡±


    Ignoring him, unintentionally this time due to the fact that I was now rich. Sure, I''d probably put most of it towards the town, but I felt I could buy my way out of anything. Minutes later, I turned my attention back to the system menu. My newfound experience had launched me up two whole levels, and I was eager to see what options awaited.


    Level-Up Notification:


    You have reached Level 6! Please allocate your stat points and select a class.


    The system interface expanded, displaying my current stats:


    Stats: Health: 30 (Con x2) / Stamina: 30 (End x2)/ Mana: 30 (Intel x2)


    Strength 5 (+5) 10


    Dexterity 5 (+5) 10


    Endurance 14 (+5) 19


    Constitution 14 (+5) 19


    Intelligence 12 (+5) 17


    Wisdom 5 (+5) 10


    Charisma 5 (+5) 10


    I had 10 points to distribute. After considering my recent struggles, I dumped four into Constitution, four into Endurance, and two into Intelligence. The changes were subtle but immediate¡ªI felt a bit sturdier, quicker, and sharper.


    Then came the big decision: my class. The interface displayed four options based on my actions and choices so far.


    Class Choice Available:


    Woodsman


    Primary Stats: Endurance, Constitution


    Abilities:


    True Shot: A simple ranged attack with a bow that will land with additional damage (10-minute cooldown)


    Forage: Collects basic supplies and ingredients from the environment within a radius of 30 feet. (1 hour cooldown)


    Set Trap: Places a simple trap to damage or slow enemies. (1 hour cooldown)


    Rune Initiate


    Primary Stats: Intelligence, Constitution


    Abilities:


    Rune of Light: Creates a glowing rune that illuminates the area.


    Rune Spark: A weak elemental attack.


    Defensive Sigil: Temporarily boosts the user¡¯s constitution.


    Spearman


    Primary Stats: Constitution, Endurance


    Abilities:


    Piercing Thrust: A focused attack that deals bonus damage to armored foes. (5-minute cooldown)


    Sweep Strike: A wide attack to hit multiple enemies. (1 minute cooldown)


    Brace: increases damage against charging enemies and doubles damage for mounted enemies. (5-minute cooldown)


    Rogue


    Primary Stats: Endurance, Intelligence


    Abilities:


    Quick Step: A short burst of speed to evade attacks or reposition.


    Survey: Reveals hidden enemies or traps in the area.


    Poisoned Blade: Coats weapons in a weak poison for added damage over time.


    Having trouble with it, I remembered something Bram had told me. "Beginning classes I only made to help you survive long enough until you get to a specialization or have enough credits to change it. The most powerful hardly ever rose to the top without changing their first class. Just choose the one that will fit with you the best in that moment." Biting my tongue and balling up my fists, I selected Spearman.


    Information flooded my mind, conflicting and chaotic at first as I processed the new skills and techniques. The world seemed to slow down, and for a moment, I thought I was drowning in knowledge. I could feel my grip tighten on the spear, my stance shifting as my muscles automatically adjusted, guiding me into a more balanced position. A flood of memories replaced the confusion, showing me the fundamentals. The way to properly grip the shaft, how to angle the spear for maximum reach and leverage, the rhythm of the thrust, the subtle movements for a controlled, deadly strike. It was like I had always known, but now it was real, a part of me. I staggered for a moment, shaking my head to clear it, the echoes of the new information still rattling around in my skull. Since there was enough room, I decided to activate an ability to see it in action. I tried piercing thrust on the wooden pillar off to my side. The spear felt like it wanted to jump from my hands as it shot forward, striking true and burrowing deep into it, almost going all the way through. The only downside of the skill was the cooldowns, but there might be a way to circumvent that in the future. Bram was in the corner of the room seething at the fact that the quest with Renna didn''t go through even though we completed it. I guess when a quest giver dies the rewards go with them. I just left him to his sulking.


    Proceeding to the console I opened up the treasury menu first and saw that I could transfer my credits as well as withdraw any. Next, I opened up the town upgrades category and sifted through it, a lot of the upgrades were expensive, but totally worth it for the townsfolk. Bram chimed in on a suggestion "You should start with the indoor plumbing, mana generators, and the basic mana barrier from the security category. That''ll make the peasants swoon over you." Begrudgingly I listened to him and transferred the credits to buy that much for them plus fixing the house that got burnt down. The cost hurt my very soul, but I wanted these people to feel safe again. 35,000 credits later most of the cost came from the mana barrier and the instant build cost, hopefully the people of Hillgrove wouldn''t freak out.


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 Chapter 9: Subclasses?

    After leaving the town hall, I went to check how the state of the things outside were. Everything was how I had left it; goblin bodies were still littered out front and dawn was approaching soon. I did see that a man was working on the front gate, while the guard was sticking his hand through the mana-barrier like he''d never seen one in his life. Mentally communicating to Bram I found out that it was very rare for towns this small to have anything close to it. Checks out, I guess, with work to get done I decided to do the dirty work of dragging the goblins bodies outside the wall. Not before shouting after the guard to help me with the process.


    -------


    For the first time since coming into this new world, I had got some much-needed rest. I ate the last of the coco might meat and chased it with lots of water, thankful for the new indoor plumbing. I had spent the morning with Bram scouring the town interface trying to figure out a way we could keep upgrading the town with exported goods. The only thing the town seemed to export were eggs, abertrox meat, and a variety of crops. We desperately needed some artisans or smiths to increase our potential here. Weighing our options we decided that we would need a couple of carpenters to make and design goods to sell, since wood in the area was abundant. We also decided to improve on the farming sides of things and ended up purchasing another system upgrade to help in the farms.


    Farming Constructs


    Farming constructs are Golem-like creatures that run off of ambient mana. They plant, harvest and irrigate crops, upgrades are available to use them with livestock.


    Cost: 5,000 system credits per construct.


    We bought two of them to free up the farmers so they could focus more on the eventual increase in livestock we were going to get. With all of that done, Bram and I went to the tavern to hold the meeting with the townsfolk to let them know of the unfortunate news of Renna and Coopers passing.


    Walking into the tavern this time was a definite improvement from the last time. Everyone was smiling and talking freely happy with the turn of events that they woke up to, I overheard a woman tell her husband "I can''t believe she actually did it. I thought she was stuck up just like her parents, but she actually cares about us." she told him elated about the system upgrades to their house no doubt. This was going to be harder than I thought, I contemplated letting Bram take the wheel and handle the public speaking for me, but I eventually mustered up the courage. With a nod towards the barkeep, I spoke


    "Excuse me..." mild chattered continued to fill the tavern but the nearest to me looked over their shoulders. "EXCUSE ME, People of Hillgrove!" That did the trick, I moved a little so that everyone could see me. "I am saddened to inform you that last night during the raid that Overseer Renna Venstar was murdered." Murmurs and shifty eyes filled the tavern, but I continued. "I found Cooper with a bloodied sword standing over as I went to go inform her of the raid. In his anger he told me that he was tired of dealing with her and had personally visited the goblins and paid them to cause a distraction so he could end her life. I walked into the mess, and he thought it would be best to end me too. Fortunately, enough he underestimated me and he himself died at my hand." There was an uproar I couldn''t tell if they were pissed at me or at Cooper but seeing that I hadn''t moved and had more to say they settled back down.


    "I wanted to be as transparent as possible; I did accept the role of Lord or overseer of this town and wanted to let you all know that I will be improving the way of life for everyone here. I started last night by spending 30,000 credits to give everyone access to mana generators and plumbing inside their homes. I also just bought two farming constructs to help our farmers so they could better focus on livestock. I did this in hopes that one day we could grow this ''backwater town'' as some would call it into a thriving city!" The crowd of people started roaring in agreement. My charisma stat must have put in overtime because even Bram was cheering despite no one hearing him but me, which made me laugh.


    A young woman approached introducing herself to me as Maribel. She was hesitant at first but came around and finally let me know what she was after. "I know with the loss of Cooper the town will be at a loss without a merchant. If needed I could fill this role for you."


    I raised an eyebrow, studying the young woman before me. Her posture was a little stiff, as if unsure whether she should even be speaking to me, yet her words were clear and confident.


    "With Cooper gone, the town will need a merchant to manage our resources through the system," she continued, her gaze flicking nervously between me and the others around the tavern. "I¡¯ve traveled to a few towns before, and while I don¡¯t have much to offer right now, I know how to navigate the system¡¯s trade interface. I could manage the town¡¯s supply chain and help keep our stocks flowing."


    I took a moment to process her words, unsure whether she was genuine or simply seeing an opportunity for herself in the wake of the chaos. She was young, but her proposal was practical, and Hillgrove could certainly use someone skilled in managing resources through the system.


    "You said you¡¯ve traveled before?" I asked, curiosity piqued. "Where are you from?"


    "Just north of here, a small settlement called Larksbury. It¡¯s quieter, but I¡¯ve worked with the system¡¯s trading features before¡ªbuying, selling, and managing inventory through the interface. I understand how to optimize the system¡¯s resources to get the best deals for the town, and I could help us keep our town stocked without relying on outside trade."


    Her offer was compelling. In a town that was just starting to rebuild and improve, having someone who could manage the system''s inventory and trade functions would be a huge asset, especially with the limited resources available.


    But there was still something in her tone that made me wary. Was she just ambitious, or did she have an agenda?


    "Why Hillgrove?" I asked, cutting to the chase. "After everything that¡¯s happened, why come here?"


    She hesitated, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her coat. "I¡­ I want to make a difference. I¡¯m tired of moving from place to place, always feeling like I¡¯m just passing through. I think Hillgrove has potential, and with the right management of the system¡¯s resources, it could thrive. I¡¯ve seen how the system can improve lives, and I want to help make that happen here."


    Her sincerity seemed genuine, but I had to wonder if there was more beneath the surface.


    I thought about it for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, Maribel. I¡¯ll give you a chance. If you¡¯re serious about helping, we¡¯ll need you to manage the town¡¯s inventory, optimize our resource flow, and ensure we¡¯re getting the best value from the system¡¯s trade options. But understand this, you¡¯ll be working for the town, not just for yourself."


    She visibly relaxed at my words, a smile breaking across her face. "Thank you, Lord Liam. I won¡¯t disappoint you."


    That conversation spurred something in me, and I decided right then I would need a town council to help manage what was to come. Passing that information along to Bram he looked at me amongst the chaos and nodded. He would be taking notes on who among the townsfolk were most influential and trustworthy, we would meet back up tonight at the town hall for a debrief.


    -----------


    I excused myself back to the town hall to dive deep into the system interface again. Something came available to me since unlocking my class and I was interested to see what options I could have.


    Class menu:


    Class: Spearman


    Primary Stats: Constitution, Endurance


    Abilities:


    Piercing Thrust: A focused attack that deals bonus damage to armored foes.


    Sweep Strike: A wide attack to hit multiple enemies.


    Brace: Reduces knockback and increases damage against charging enemies.


    Subclasses: none (12 available) + (One available per 25 levels gained)


    I clicked on the plus sign to see what was available I was not disappointed.


    Alchemist


    Masters of potions, elixirs, and transmutation, capable of creating substances that heal, harm, or enhance.


    Runesmith


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.Specialists in the ancient art of inscribing magical runes onto objects, imbuing them with unique properties or spells.


    Tinkerer


    Engineers of magic and machinery, blending arcane energy with mechanical inventions to create wondrous devices.


    Blacksmith


    Forgers of exceptional weapons and armor, with the ability to work rare materials into legendary artifacts.


    Enchanter


    Channelers of magic who bind enchantments to items, granting them enhanced abilities or supernatural traits.


    Jewelcrafter


    Crafters of ornate jewelry and gemstones, often embedding their creations with protective or offensive magic.


    Leatherworker


    Experts in transforming hides into lightweight armor and gear, often infused with natural or spiritual energy.


    Weaver


    Artisans who weave textiles imbued with magic, creating cloaks that conceal, garments that protect, or tapestries that tell the future.


    That was a great deal of information to take in, but I kind of felt something tugging towards me since discovering it in the system shop. I decided to listen to my gut and selected alchemist, it would hopefully save me credits in the future, hell depending on what I could find around here maybe I could even earn some. The class also came with a skill I instantly wanted to max out.


    Herbalism


    Assists the user with the correct way of harvest herbs and other materials for alchemy as well as highlights any useful ingredients in the area (Area is dependent on skill level.)


    Skill experience: 0 of 100


    I was really debating to find out what would happen to Bram if I got further than 100 yards from him, but I stamped the temptation out knowing that tomorrow we were probably going to see where the passage glyph could take us. That would be after selecting the town council to handle things while we were gone. The longer I thought about the council the more of an urge I had to ask Maribel to be on it. She would be the head of trade, so it wasn''t the worst idea. Not wanting to think anymore I dove into the systems menu further until Bram returned later.


    ---------


    By the time Bram had returned I was doing a deep dive into the system store I only had 1,000 system credits available to me, but a new spear was calling my name.


    Blackened Iron Long Spear


    (A six-foot-long spear with a blackened iron tip for increased piercing damage)


    Rarity: Uncommon


    Attack: +12-20


    Special: Strength stat increased by 2 while wielding


    Cost: 750 credits


    Leather Skull Cap


    (Provides little protection, possible to stop a glancing blow.)


    Rarity: Common


    Armor rating: +2


    Cost: 100 Credits


    I bought it and the leather skull cap leaving me with 150 credits to spare. Then I went into the sell menu and sold off the leather and goblin meat I was holding on to, just netting me a little more than 50 credits. All in all, not a bad trade, I noted while wielding my new spear in hand.


    "Okay, Bram, what did you find out? Thanks for doing it, by the way. I figured it would be the fastest way to find some trustworthy people."


    Bram grunted, his tone dripping with reluctant amusement. "From what I learned, you want Tabitha, Clint, and Jackson. Tabitha is Gregory''s wife¡ªstunning lass, no idea what she¡¯s doing with that lump. But she¡¯s got every farmer''s ear, probably because she has the highest level among them. Her father was some bigwig for one of the smaller cities¡¯ livestock trade. Makes her practically royalty around here."


    He moved on with a casual wave of his hand. "Then there¡¯s Clint, the handsome grump, or the barkeep, as you¡¯d know him. Solid pick. He knows everyone¡¯s business: their problems, their quirks, and he clocks any new face in town faster than you can say ¡®trouble.¡¯ And finally, Jackson, the amazing builder. A man after my own heart. But, between us," he added with a smirk and a wink, "I actually create wonders, unlike him. Still, the people love the guy. He¡¯s got their admiration, which could be useful."


    "Great job, Bram. I''m impressed."


    I paused, thoughtfully tapping at the imaginary system store screen. "I¡¯d like to add Maribel to the mix. She¡¯s going to handle the town¡¯s trade while we¡¯re gone. Any thoughts?"


    In my head, Bram responded, but I instinctively smiled at Maribel in the real world as though she¡¯d spoken. Bram chuckled, probably picking up on the disconnect. "Yeah, solid choice. Trade is important. We might also want to set up an administrator to access the Glyphstone console, though limited access would be best. They¡¯d still be able to handle repairs and slap on minor upgrades if needed."


    "Yeah, we are going to need that as well. All right let''s go inform them that we plan on meeting in the morning."


    --------------


    Everyone showed up way earlier than expected. I was still sleeping when someone came pounding on the door. "Shut it off, Bram" I muttered through the pillow I was still drooling on.


    "Get up ya fool, todays the day we can finally leave this place and scour this planet."


    Annoyed as ever with him, I shot to my feet and answered the door still battling my tiredness I stubbed my toe on the leg of the bed. "Son of a fluffy monkey sucker." I fell to the ground knowing in this sick twisted world the damned thing broke off and blood was rushing out of it. That''s of course when that someone barged through the door.


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    "Is everything alright? I heard you through the door and..." Maribel''s concerned voice trailed off as her eyes darted between me, sprawled out on the floor clutching my foot, and the faint smear of blood pooling on the wood.


    I groaned, half from the pain, half from the sheer embarrassment of it all. "Yeah, peachy. Just a slight disagreement with the bed. It''s winning."


    Maribel''s lips twitched, clearly fighting back a laugh. "Do you, uh, need help?"


    "Only if you can replace a toe," I muttered, dragging myself upright and glaring at Bram, who was absolutely no help, floating in the corner and grinning like he''d just won the lottery.


    "Should I get the healer?" Maribel asked, still standing awkwardly at the door.


    I waved her off, hobbling over to grab the nearest piece of cloth to wrap my foot. "It''s fine. Just... give me a minute. Why are you even here so early? I thought we agreed on meeting later."


    "We were supposed to," she said, hands on her hips now, "but everyone showed up early, and I figured you''d want to know before the whole town riots in anticipation. They''re all waiting for you at the square."


    "Right... The square..." I sighed, shooting a glare at Bram. "Great timing as always."


    Bram smirked. "Not my fault you decided to spar with furniture. Go on, hero, your adoring public awaits."


    Maribel looked between us, clearly not understanding half the conversation but smart enough not to ask. "Do you want me to stall them?"


    "No, I''ll be fine," I said, pulling on my boots, though the act sent a fresh wave of pain up my leg. "Just give me five minutes."


    "Alright," she said, glancing at my poorly wrapped foot one last time before heading back out.


    As the door shut behind her, I turned to Bram. "You could¡¯ve at least warned me."


    "Where¡¯s the fun in that?" he replied, looking far too smug for my liking. "Besides, you¡¯re the lord of this place now. If you can¡¯t handle a stubbed toe, what hope do you have out there?"


    "Remind me why I haven¡¯t figured out a way to exorcise you yet," I muttered, limping out the door.


    "Because deep down, you¡¯d miss me," Bram called after me, his laughter echoing in my head as I made my way to the square to face whatever chaos was waiting.


    Half surprised the whole meeting at the town hall was a bash. Tabitha, Clint and Jackson probably told everyone that they were summoned by the lord to be taken into some town council, of course things were never simple. Hobbling down the steps to the first floor and out the door, I found everyone in town was waiting outside the steps. Not really prepared for that, I mentally cursed while clearing my throat and coming up with something on the fly said.


    "Good morning, all! I wanted to inform you that Maribel will be stepping up to become an administrator for the town!"


    The crowd¡¯s cheers grew loud at the announcement, their faces lighting up with relief and hope. I stood there for a moment, letting their enthusiasm settle before raising my hand to quiet them again. Bram muttered something sarcastic in my head about how I was starting to enjoy the spotlight, but I ignored him.


    "Thank you all for gathering here today," I began, trying to project confidence. "This town has been through a lot, but we¡¯re on the path to something greater. To make sure we stay on that path, I¡¯m establishing a town council to help guide Hillgrove in my absence."


    I paused, letting the announcement sink in before continuing. "This council will consist of four members, each bringing their own strengths and expertise to ensure our success. First, Maribel will oversee trade and manage the system shop, ensuring the town continues to grow and thrive economically."


    Maribel stepped forward briefly, offering a small wave as murmurs of approval rippled through the crowd.


    "Next, Jackson," I said, gesturing toward him. "As our sole builder, his skills have earned him immense respect among you all. He¡¯ll make sure our town¡¯s infrastructure remains strong and ready for growth."


    Jackson gave a humble nod, his face calm but clearly pleased by the recognition.


    "Then there¡¯s Clint," I continued, spotting the barkeep near the edge of the crowd. "He may not be the most respected, but he knows everyone and every rumor in town. That insight will be invaluable for keeping us informed and connected."


    A few people chuckled, but Clint took it in stride, tipping his head with a smirk.


    "And finally, Tabitha," I said, meeting her gaze. "She¡¯s not only Gregory¡¯s wife but also the one all the farmers turn to for guidance. Her knowledge and influence will ensure that our agricultural efforts remain strong and sustainable."


    Tabitha gave a small, graceful nod, her presence as poised as ever.


    "As for me," I said, stepping forward, "I¡¯ll be leaving Hillgrove temporarily to handle matters outside the town, challenges that could benefit us all in the future. While I¡¯m gone, trust in this council to lead wisely, and support them as you¡¯ve supported me."


    The crowd erupted into applause, their confidence tangible. Maribel stepped forward to address them briefly, her voice calm but determined.


    "I¡¯ll make sure Hillgrove continues to grow stronger," she said, her tone steady. "With the council working together, we¡¯ll build a better future for everyone."


    The cheers swelled again, and I felt a flicker of pride, though Bram couldn¡¯t resist muttering, "Touching. Let¡¯s just hope they don¡¯t burn the place down while you¡¯re gone."


    Ignoring him, I took one last look at the gathered townsfolk, then turned my thoughts to the preparations for the journey ahead. Hillgrove was in their hands now.


    Walking back into the town hall, I mentally spoke to Bram "So... I was thinking, I know you need quests to level, but I really have a hankering to kill some greenskins."


    Bram turned to me and shouted "YEEEEEAAAAHHHH!!" I''ve never seen him so Enthusiastic.

 Chapter 10: Silent Pursuit

    My thought process behind killing the goblins was simple. The coins weren''t going anywhere, and I needed to level as fast as possible. Well, I didn''t know the coins weren''t technically going anywhere, but the only issue I remember Nexa bringing up about them is something about non system integrated beings using them and since we were obviously on a system integrated world, we were good. Or so I hoped. With the gear all sorted and packed into the ring besides my armor and new spear we set off to hunt down some goblins. I''m sure my gamer logic is taking over, but at this point I needed any edge to find the coins, and this made the most sense to me, plus 750 experience a mob wasn''t anything to scoff at. We followed the barely visible trail that left south out of the town left by the warg.


    We followed the trail in silence at first, the dense forest swallowing the sound of our footsteps. Despite Bram¡¯s occasional quips, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this was the right move. It wasn¡¯t just the experience¡ªthough the prospect of 750 experience per goblin was enticing, it was the practical need to gain any advantage I could. I needed stronger skills, better reflexes, and gear upgrades, and the goblins would provide all of that.


    As we pressed on, I noticed subtle signs of their passing, broken branches, faint footprints, and discarded scraps. It was a breadcrumb trail leading me straight to my targets. My gamer instincts were in overdrive, but they had rarely steered me wrong before. I started moving at a quicker pace at the clear signs of the footprints, hoping we would be able to catch up to them before they got to close to their main camp.


    <hr>


    An hour into jogging through the dense forest, I finally slowed to a stop. The signs of movement¡ªtrampled grass, disturbed undergrowth, and the occasional claw mark on tree bark¡ªwere growing fresher. They weren¡¯t that far now. Judging by the tracks, it was a small party of goblins, likely scouts or a raiding group.


    My grip on the spear tightened as my eyes darted between the shadows of the trees and the gaps in the canopy. The midday light filtered through in patches, casting dappled patterns that played tricks on my vision. Every rustle of leaves or snap of a branch set my nerves on edge, but I couldn¡¯t afford to let my guard drop.


    Bram floated beside me, uncharacteristically quiet, though the smirk on his face suggested he was more amused than concerned.


    ¡°You think they¡¯ve noticed us yet?¡± I whispered, still scanning.


    ¡°Not unless they¡¯ve developed eyes in the back of their heads,¡± Bram replied nonchalantly, though his gaze flickered to the shadows ahead. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, Liam. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll make a very dramatic entrance when the time comes.¡±


    Ignoring his jab, I crouched slightly, lowering my profile as I moved to a thicker patch of brush. The goblins couldn¡¯t be more than a few hundred feet away now. Every fiber of my being screamed caution, but I forced myself to stay focused. This wasn¡¯t just a hunt, it was practice, survival, and progression all wrapped into one.


    The wind shifted, carrying the faintest trace of something foul: the stench of unwashed bodies and decaying meat. Goblins. They were close. My heart began to pound as I readied myself for whatever was about to come.


    Stalking them for a little while longer while gaining ground, I noticed that they never checked behind them. That would be a mistake I would capitalize on, the smell got increasingly worse the closer I approached them, but I fought through it. When I was within 40 feet from there back line Bram scouted ahead to get a count for me.


    "Fifteen of them, you should of went with the woodsman class, this would have been easy, Thwap, run, repeat." He chided while shooting an imaginary bow.


    Pulling out my other spear out, he gave me an idea worth trying even though he was trying to be a prick. Stalking forward quicker than the little things walked, I was surprised when a screen appeared.


    "Congratulations, you have learned the passive skill:


    Stealth level 1, experience: 25 of 100"


    Description: Every level increase in the passive skill stealth will improve your chance of remaining undetected by 2%


    I scanned over it quickly and closed it. A smile growing across my face. Bram had mentioned that skills were a thing, but I didn''t know you could gain them with practice. I thought they were purchased. This made things a little more interesting, I continued stalking and checking my experience every 5 minutes. Only spending 15 minutes doing it, not wanting to waste too much time and on the fifteen-minute mark the skill reached level 2.


    Deciding to attack, I moved within ten feet of them, with both spears in hand, I clambered a few more feet before tossing the shorter spear in the middle of the pack. Hitting a goblin center mass and watching him drop as I sprinted to the back line and activated Sweep Strike. The ability was impressive, the spearhead skipped across the three goblins lower stomachs making them instinctively clutch their new wounds as their organs spilled from their bellies. Four down and eleven of them to go, luckily, I didn''t see any ranged combatants, they were armed with a variety of weapons though. All of a sudden, I was getting bum rushed from the rest of them, running off the dirt path and into the bushes alongside it, I swung my spear out wildly. Trying to at least catch some of the closer goblins. It didn''t work out how I planned, but it did create a few more feet of breathing room for now. If they were smart, they would''ve tried spreading out and surrounding me, but for whatever reason they huddled in one mass trying to overwhelm me head on.


    Keeping the lunging goblins at a distance with my spear, I saw something interesting going on within the back of the group. The tops of the goblins heads were vanishing from my view. Shit, are they retreating? I thought to myself, hoping if they were they wouldn''t come back with reinforcements.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    I was currently facing four in the front, swinging my spear at any that started to come to close. There were three in the second row eagerly snarling waiting for the front row to overwhelm, but I saw something peculiar in the mass in front of me. It took a moment to process what I was seeing. The goblin in the back wasn¡¯t just trying to get ahead, it was actively taking down its own kind. The snarling, eager mass in front of me didn¡¯t even seem to notice their own falling to the ground, clutching their ruined legs and howling in pain. Finally, Bram decides to join in on the fun. I said thinking to myself.


    The treachery created enough chaos in their ranks to give me an edge. I used the confusion to thrust my spear forward, catching one of the front-row goblins in the shoulder. It screeched and stumbled back, creating a brief gap. I stepped forward, using the reach of my spear to keep the others from closing in. Four were left standing by the time they found out what was happening, two of them turned around to face the Bram possessed goblin and that''s when I thrusted out again, catching one straight in the chest, quickly withdrawing letting the blood rush out of its ruined it let out a broken cry and fell forward. The other one used that moment to pounce at me swing its blade through the muscle of my calf and out the other side. I didn''t let him cherish the satisfaction of actually wounding me as I grabbed him the waist and suplexed him on the top of his head, snapping his neck in the process.


    Wincing through the pain from the dagger handle lodged in my calf, I bent down, ripped it out, and stifled a cry in the process. I saw Brams''s goblin not looking too good as the others finally got him on the ground and were swinging wildly at him. Out of nowhere the goblin on the left grabbed his dagger and stabbed the one on the right through its throat. The goblin looked down at his hand in shock not believing he could have done such a thing. Then he looked back to Brams''s possession and stabbed it in the chest over, and over again as that would somehow forgive what he had just done. I was hobbling over while he started stabbing and punched my spear through his back, a loud squelching sound breaking through as I ripped it back out. "Huh, that''s a new sound." I said aloud embracing this new bloodthirsty side of me. I continued the onslaught walking alongst the goblins crawling through the dirt, leaving blood trails from their ruined legs. Stabbing through each one of them as I did.


    <hr>


    When I was going through the after-skirmish report, I saw that these goblins had actually shown the levels they were, not like the others I had faced within the town. I quickly asked Bram mentally about it while he surprisingly enough was somehow spitting on the goblin corpses. I let out an audible "Huh." at the sight not thinking it was even possible.


    "After reaching class selection your menus system is able to present more information to you. It''s a simple matter really, the more you level up the more... Was it... Uhm... Well, you get the point. Really your eyes are able to perceive more of the system or whatever."


    Seeing that he was absolutely clueless on the matter I just returned to the action report:


    "Descender Liam you have slain the following:


    6x Level 5 Goblin Skirmishers for 22500 exp


    3x Level 7 Goblin Sneaklings for 15750 exp


    1x Level 6 Goblin Spearman for 4500 exp


    3x Level 3 Goblin Trainees for 4000 exp


    For a total of 46,750 experience, Level ups available."


    "Damn, that''s a big jump in experience, but the way the leveling seems to be working, I''m going to need it desperately. Doubling the cost of experience to level is outrageous." talking to myself, hoping that the experience to level would change. Looking over my stat screen I continued with the same survival strategy I was going for:


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    Name: Liam Thompson


    Level: 8


    Race: Human (Earth Variant: Humans are known for their physical and mental capabilities which make them a well-rounded race. +5 stats per level increase.)


    Class: Spearman


    Primary Stats: Constitution, Endurance


    Abilities:


    Piercing Thrust: A focused attack that deals bonus damage to armored foes.


    Sweep Strike: A wide attack to hit multiple enemies.


    Brace: Reduces knockback and increases damage against charging enemies.


    Subclass: Alchemy


    Titles: Descender (+5), Lord of Hillgrove


    Experience: 24,450 of 32,000 exp to next level


    Renown: 500


    Achievements: Iron Stomach (Con Threshold)


    Skills: Stealth level 2, Herbalism level 0


    Stats: Health: 50 (Con x2) / Stamina: 42 (End x2)/ Mana: 44 (Intel x2)


    Strength: 10


    Dexterity: 10


    Endurance: 21


    Constitution: 25


    Intelligence: 22


    Wisdom: 10


    Charisma: 10


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    I had decided to increase my Constitution by 6, intelligence by 3 and Endurance by 2. As soon as I closed the menu and took a long breath, a sensation started to burn inside my chest. I looked down at it in fear I had been hit by an arrow or some other weapon, but there was nothing there. The pain rapidly grew to an enormous height, and I keeled over, screaming out in pain. Then seconds later it was gone. Sweat covered my bright red face, as I slowly slid my hands forward collapsing on to the dirt path. Bram stood by my side throwing questions at me in a rush, which made me feel kind of good that he cared somewhat for me.


    "What the hell did you do now?" Bram demanded an unknown number of times.


    "I just got done assigning my stat points when....


    A system message appeared in my vision.


    "You have met your first stat threshold for Constitution. Choose your rewards from the following:


    1. Iron Stomach: Immunity to basic poisons and the ability to consume otherwise inedible substances for sustenance.


    2. Unyielding: Chance to resist knockback or stagger effects in combat.


    3. Increased Health Regeneration: Natural recovery speed improves."


    I eyed over the choices and having a difficult time deciding, I felt like I healed pretty quickly over the few fights I''ve been in. I haven''t really come across anything poisonous as of yet but being out of food right now and being able to eat whatever I wanted out here in the wilderness to count towards sustenance was a pretty decent choice. Unyielding was nice, but if you had a party or a team to work with to have all sides covered. If I got that now I would still be swarmed by enemies, and they''d just cut me down. After the internal battle happening in my head, I made my decision, chose Iron Stomach and closed the window.


    Next up was the loot:


    "You have received the following:


    14,000 system credits


    20x Goblin Meat


    50x Leather"


    Knowing I couldn''t afford to leave anything behind anymore, having others to take care of now. I started gathering everything that I could pick up. It took a while but altogether there were twelve daggers, two bronze short swords and one spear that couldn''t be worth much given the state of the shaft. It had a staggeringly long crack down the center of it, I decided to leave it behind not only because of the condition, but my ring was packed full.


    "So... You want to keep going and see what we could find out here, or head back and teleport somewhere to look for quests?" I asked Bram not really caring one way or the other.


    "Well seeing as the ring is full and I can''t help carry the trash you insist on bringing with us, I say we return and visit Maribel" He shot back and wriggled his eyebrows while mentioning Maribel.


    "It''s not even like that, sure she''s cute, but I have priorities." I instantly regretted what had come out of my mouth as Bram looked at me wide eyed and mouth open.


    "Shit." I just started walking back towards town.

 Chapter 11: New Town, New Problems

    It didn¡¯t take long to get back to town, where I sold off the goblin loot, netting another 1,600 system credits. For some reason, the system paid anywhere from 90 to 120 credits per weapon, even if they were of terrible quality. I wasn¡¯t complaining¡ªit added up fast.


    Still, I needed a better way to carry gear. My current ring was nearing its limit, and with how quickly things piled up during combat, upgrading storage seemed like the smartest investment. Opening the system store, I browsed the available options and was immediately greeted with a staggering list of enchanted gear, most boasting extradimensional storage magic. Unfortunately, even the cheapest of them made my credits feel like pocket change.


    Letting out a deep sigh, I glanced around and spotted Maribel she was digging though the counter shelves for something. I didn''t even think they had anything in them but shows how much I know about system ran stores, I guess.


    "Maribel!" I called out, jogging over. "I need your help navigating the system store. There¡¯s too much...stuff, and I don¡¯t know what¡¯s worth it or a scam."


    She raised an eyebrow, smirking. "You''re asking me, the merchant, for advice on shopping? I''m flattered, Lord Liam."


    "Yeah, yeah, rub it in," I muttered, handing her the interface. "Just help me find something decent without bleeding me dry."


    She scanned the listings with practiced ease, tapping her chin. "Alright, let¡¯s see what we can do. Extra storage items are tricky, but there are a few mid-tier options that won''t completely bankrupt you. Ever consider a storage satchel instead of a ring?"


    I paused. "A bag? Won¡¯t it get in the way?"


    "Not if it¡¯s enchanted properly," she replied, scrolling through the options. "Ah, here¡¯s one! A Mana-Woven Utility Satchel, holds about three times what your ring does, adjusts its weight to stay light, and self-repairs minor damage. It¡¯s only...7,500 credits."


    "Only?" I groaned, looking at the listing. Still, it was far better than the five-figure prices I¡¯d seen earlier.


    Maribel grinned. "Think of it as an investment. You¡¯re planning on bringing back more loot, right? This¡¯ll pay for itself in no time."


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, I mentally hit the "purchase" button. "Fine. But if this thing breaks on the first outing, I¡¯m sending you the bill."


    "You¡¯re welcome," she said with a wink, handing the interface back.


    The satchel appeared on the counter, so I walked up to inspect it. The bag was made out of some sort of grey leather material, with a black clasp on the front and one shoulder sling. Grabbing it and looking inside I saw nothing, not even the bottom of the bag. Reaching further in, I realized the power of spatial magic as my whole arm up to my shoulder disappeared. "Whoa, that''s pretty neat..." grinning, I slipped it over my shoulder, and it attached to my hip with an audible popping sound. After rolling around a bit on the granite floor, the bag didn''t move off of my hip at all. Now that my shoulder was sore from that stupid bit, I decided it was time to go check out the passage glyph.


    Bram ushered me along a corridor across the room the Glyphstone console was in, and then we started descending down a narrow staircase. It barely had enough room to have two people walk side by side. The way was lit by some intricately designed wall sconces with blue flames, they wavered back and forth quite a bit as if they were eager to be extinguished. Upon reaching the bottom we ended up in a barely lit cavern with what seemed to be a hastily written ritual embedded on the floor. The only other thing besides that were a few more sconces and a marble pedestal.


    Walking over to the pedestal expecting a book or some sort of mystical device but there was nothing but a shallow indentation in the surface, roughly the size of a large coin or medallion. I furrowed my brow and looked to Bram for an explanation, but he was busy inspecting the ritual on the cavern floor.


    "Doesn''t seem like your usual teleportation setup," he muttered, crouching down and tracing a finger over the etched runes. "This is...sloppy, rushed. If I didn¡¯t know better, I¡¯d say someone was trying to jury-rig a system connection down here."


    "System connection?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.


    "Yes, you know, using the system''s magic without proper integration. Like taking apart a clock and hoping you can use the gears to build something completely different. Dangerous stuff, trust me, it''s kind how I landed here with you." he said, standing and brushing his hands off.


    I turned my attention back to the pedestal, running my fingers over the smooth indentation. "So, what goes here? A key? A medallion?"


    "Could be anything," Bram replied, glancing around the cavern. "Though if this is tied to the system, it might require a specific item...or even someone with a high enough standing."Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Like a lord," I muttered under my breath.


    Bram snorted. "Lucky you."


    I hesitated, then reached for the unbound system mark I¡¯d picked up earlier. It wasn¡¯t much of a stretch to imagine it fitting into the pedestal. As I placed it into the groove, the mark began to glow faintly, and a soft hum filled the air. The flames in the sconces steadied, burning a brilliant azure.


    Bram stepped back, his hand twitching nervously. "Uh, you sure about this? Jury-rigged systems can be...unpredictable."


    "Too late now," I said, watching as the glow spread from the pedestal to the ritual on the floor. The runes flared to life, casting eerie shadows across the cavern walls.


    The air grew heavy, and a low vibration resonated beneath our feet. The pedestal''s surface rippled like water, revealing an inscription that hadn¡¯t been there moments before:


    "Speak the name of your destination."


    Bram let out a low whistle. "Well, looks like you¡¯ve activated it. Question is...do you know where you want to go?"


    "Larksbury." saying barely above a whisper, it was the only settlement I knew of besides this one.


    The darkness swallowed us whole, thick and suffocating, as if the air itself had been drained from the cavern. The glow of the runes and sconces vanished, leaving an oppressive silence. Then came the pain. It started as a low hum in my skull before erupting into searing agony, like molten iron coursing through my veins. My scream mingled with Bram¡¯s, creating an echo that seemed to reverberate endlessly in the void. My knees buckled, and I hit the cold stone floor, clutching my head as if I could physically hold myself together. Bram''s form flickered like a distorted image; his sharp, menacing grin replaced by an expression of raw pain. ¡°What the hell did you do, Liam?¡± he managed to growl through gritted teeth, his usual sarcasm replaced by genuine panic.


    ¡°I just...¡± My voice cracked as another wave of pain surged through me. ¡°I just said the name!¡±


    The agony peaked, and then, as suddenly as it began, it stopped. The darkness lifted, replaced by a swirling vortex of light and shadow that seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction. The floor beneath us was gone, replaced by a shimmering, translucent surface that felt both solid and intangible.


    Bram staggered upright, his form stabilizing but visibly shaken. ¡°That...wasn¡¯t normal.¡±


    ¡°You think?¡± I snapped, still gasping for breath. My body ached, my vision swam, but I managed to stand, wobbling like a newborn giraffe. Before either of us could say another word, a deep, resonant voice echoed through the space, vibrating in my chest like a drum.


    ¡°Unauthorized activation. Entity recognition: Descender. Destination approved. Proceeding with recalibration.¡±


    Bram froze, his ears flattening against his head. ¡°That...does not sound good.¡± The vortex began to twist and shift, forming what looked like a doorway made of pulsating energy. It loomed ahead, ominous and inviting all at once.


    I glanced at Bram. ¡°Recalibration? What does that mean?¡±


    He shook his head, his usual smug confidence nowhere to be found. ¡°No idea. But it doesn¡¯t sound good.¡±


    The doorway pulled at us, a force like gravity dragging us closer. I tried my best to resist, but it was useless. ¡°Larksbury better be worth it,¡± I muttered as we were yanked through, the vortex swallowing us whole.


    The last thing I heard was Bram¡¯s dry laugh. ¡°If we survive, you¡¯re buying the drinks.¡±


    <hr>


    We arrived 10 feet from the surface of the ground and were unceremoniously dropped in a water trough for Abertroxes. Things happened then that will give me nightmares for many nights to come. It included a human mouth, tentacles and lots of vomit... We eventually got out of the pen and observed the settlement before us. It looked to be one step away from being called ruins. I initially thought the town of Hillgrove was small, but this place only had about 15 buildings and no defensive walls.


    "Where is everyone?" talking to Bram as we continued walking down the only road in the village.


    He let out an over dramatic sigh "Give me a second."


    We made it about halfway through the small village as Bram entered one of the small houses with a half-rotted thatch roof. This place is either abandoned or something is really wrong... As I reached for the door of what I assumed was the town hall, it burst outward with a sudden crash and a tall figure filled the doorway, tall and imposing, already lunging at me with a sword. I barely leapt back and evaded most of the blow besides a shallow cut to my forearm, I fumbled withdrawing my spear, cursing at myself for not having it ready in the first place. His movements were unnervingly smooth as he fully emerged from the shadows, my heart stopped. It was a massive orc, towering in at least 6''7" and his muscles looked as if they were going to break free from his dark green skin at any second. My mind raced on what to do, I did the only thing I could think of and called for Bram through are mental link.


    "Bram get your ass over here now, we are in trouble." I called out to him internally with a panicked urgency


    Taking steps back with my spear aimed towards the orc,


    "We is a lot of people." he chided I could hear the grin growing on his face.


    The orc smiled menacingly as if he heard what Bram had said.


    "BRAM! I''m not fucking around. Theres an orc!" I yelled no longer caring


    The orc swung again aiming to break my spear in half, I withdrew it and tried slashing the spear at his neck. He evaded it by rolling his neck, my spear had come within an inch of his throat. He took a step forward at the same time now within four feet of me. I took several lunges back to gain distance, but he pressed on. I had to keep swinging my spear wildly at him, while moving backwards to keep out of reach.


    "Bram where the hell are you?"


    "I found something intriguing, give me a minute." he responded


    "I''ll likely be dead by then this thing is smarter, stronger and more evasive than anything I''ve fought."


    There was no response, as the orc battered my spear to the side and jumped into swinging range. I let go of the spear and rolled forwards going underneath of his sword, barely missing his strike as I summoned my smaller spear. I lurched back as it appeared in my hand reversed, the spearhead piercing through his furs and into his lower back. He let out a deep guttural yell, as his whole body was engulfed in a red aura. Still facing away from me he reached back and pulled the spear out of himself.


    Berserkers Rage, I know exactly what that was. Unarmed and defenseless, I did the only smart thing I could do in that situation. I turned and ran.

 Chapter 12: The Survivor

    I darted around the side of the shattered building, my lungs burning as I pushed myself harder. Behind me, the orc''s heavy footfalls thundered, each step a reminder of the massive beast closing in. I rounded the corner, scanning frantically for any sign of Bram. Where the hell is he?


    Then I spotted it: a broken window leading into a dimly lit house. I dove through without hesitation, landing hard on the creaking wooden floor. As I scrambled to my feet, the smell hit me¡ªrotting flesh.


    Slumped against the far wall was a grotesque, decayed corpse clutching a small vial in its bony fingers. I froze, recognition washing over me.


    "Bram?" I whispered, horrified.


    His spectral voice came from nowhere and everywhere at once. "Surprised? I had to improvise. Grab the potion and keep moving, genius!"


    I snatched the vial, my heart racing as the sound of splintering wood came from the window behind me. The orc was already breaking through. Without a second thought, I sprinted to the front door and flung it open, practically falling into the street.


    The orc roared behind me, smashing through the window like a battering ram. I stumbled, catching myself just in time to grab my spear. My hands worked frantically, uncorking the potion and splashing some onto the tip. The acrid scent stung my nose, but I didn¡¯t have time to think.


    As the orc charged, I made a split-second decision. With a desperate yell, I hurled the rest of the vial at him. The glass shattered against his chest, the liquid spraying across his fur armor and exposed skin.


    A sizzling sound filled the air, followed by an inhuman scream. The orc¡¯s skin bubbled and peeled as the corrosive potion did its work. He staggered, his wild swings becoming erratic. His blade flew from his hand, clattering uselessly to the ground.


    Seizing the opportunity, I lunged forward, driving my spear into his thigh. He bellowed in agony, collapsing to his knees.


    "He''s done for," Bram said, materializing behind the writhing orc. "That concoction will finish him off in a few minutes."


    I stood there panting, watching the orc''s hands claw at his burning flesh.


    "Not bad, huh?" Bram continued, clearly proud of himself. "Found an alchemist''s hut, possessed a body, and whipped that up in no time. Widow maker bark, snakeweed pulp, and manchineel sap, rare stuff around here."


    I glanced down at the twitching corpse of the orc, its skin now peeling away in sheets.


    "Explains a lot," I muttered, gripping my spear tighter.


    Not wanting to drag out the process any further, I walked up to the orc and thrusted the spear at him. It took several hits for the body to finally lay still, but I knew it was over from the screen that appeared.


    Congrats you have slain your first Orc, wherever there''s one, there''s more.... Usually.


    Experience gained: 26,000


    Loot gained:


    Orc ears x2


    Iron scraps x2


    Leather x 5


    Knowing I had enough to level, but deciding against it for now, I closed out of the menus and bent down to loot the body.


    Orcs weren¡¯t exactly known for their riches, but I wasn¡¯t about to leave anything valuable behind. As expected, most of what I found was crude mostly destroyed shoddy armor, and a bone necklace, but then a notification lit up my vision.


    New Quest: Shadows Over Larksbury


    Objective: Uncover the fate of Larksbury, rescue any survivors, and eliminate the orc raiding party.


    Reward: 50,000 system credits, unique item drop, 30,000 experience and Increased Renown.


    Bram whistled low beside me. "Well, looks like we''re not done here. Hope you''re ready to play hero, Liam."


    I wasn¡¯t sure if it was the promise of the amazing rewards or the weight of responsibility, but something in me clicked. "Let¡¯s start with the town," I said.


    We spent the next hour scouring Larksbury, moving through the eerie, abandoned streets. Most of the houses were ransacked, their doors smashed in, and furniture overturned. Bram kept his usual banter going, but even he couldn¡¯t hide the growing unease.


    ¡°This place is like a ghost town,¡± I muttered, kicking aside a broken dagger.


    ¡°Ghosts would be more pleasant company,¡± Bram quipped, his voice uncharacteristically subdued.


    Just as we were about to give up, a faint sound broke the heavy silence, a muffled whimpering. Bram and I froze, exchanging a glance before following the noise. It led us to a partially hidden cellar door behind one of the larger houses. I carefully pried it open, and inside we found her... a young girl, emaciated and trembling.


    She flinched at the sudden light, her big brown eyes wide with fear. Her dark skin looked pale, almost ashen, from too many days without sunlight.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I said softly, crouching down to her level. ¡°We¡¯re not here to hurt you.¡±


    It took some coaxing, but she finally whispered her name: Emilia. Through halting, tearful words, she explained what had happened.


    ¡°There... there weren¡¯t many orcs,¡± she said, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°But they were strong. Too strong. They took the villagers, all of them. My aunt hid me in the cellar before they came. She said¡­ she said not to come out, no matter what.¡±


    Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Bram, ever the pragmatist, spoke up. ¡°We can¡¯t leave her here. The first stray orc that wanders back will finish what the others started.¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    I nodded. ¡°We¡¯ll take her back to Hillgrove.¡±


    Our first stop was the town hall to see if the passage glyph was intact. No luck, the Pedestal was smashed beyond repair. Bram cursed under his breath while I tried to think.


    ¡°System shop?¡± I suggested.


    It took some digging, but under the miscellaneous tab, we found a solution: a Portable Waystone that could teleport a party to any nearby settlement within a 100-mile radius. The catch? It cost a whopping 8,000 system credits.


    ¡°Steep,¡± Bram muttered. ¡°But better than trekking through the wild with her.¡±


    Reluctantly, I confirmed the purchase. The credits drained from my balance, and the waystone materialized in my inventory.


    ¡°Ready?¡± I asked Emilia, holding out my hand. She nodded hesitantly, clutching a small, tattered doll she¡¯d been hiding.


    Activating the waystone, I felt the familiar pull of system magic as the world around us blurred. A moment later, we were standing just outside Hillgrove¡¯s gates. Emilia clung to me, her tiny frame trembling.


    ¡°Welcome to Hillgrove,¡± I said softly. ¡°You¡¯re safe now.¡±


    <hr>


    Taking the young Emilia in tow, I headed straight for the town hall. The moment we entered, Maribel¡¯s gaze locked onto us, her eyes widening with shock and recognition. She shot to her feet, her usual composure giving way to genuine alarm.


    ¡°Emilia?¡± she gasped, rushing over to us. ¡°What happened? Where did you find her?¡±


    Emilia shrank behind me, clutching at my tunic with trembling hands. I knelt down beside her, keeping my voice gentle. ¡°It¡¯s okay, you¡¯re safe now,¡± I said before looking up at Maribel.


    ¡°She was hiding in a cellar in Larksbury,¡± I explained. ¡°The orcs raided the town. She said her aunt hid her away before...¡± I hesitated, unwilling to finish the grim thought in front of the child.


    Maribel¡¯s expression hardened, her hands balling into fists. ¡°Those monsters,¡± she spat under her breath. Then, softening, she crouched down to Emilia¡¯s level. ¡°Sweetheart, it¡¯s Maribel. Do you remember me? I used to visit Larksbury to trade with your aunt.¡±


    Emilia peeked out from behind me, her wide eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Slowly, she nodded.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Maribel said, her voice warm and soothing. ¡°You¡¯re so brave, Emilia. I¡¯m so sorry about your aunt, but I promise you, you¡¯re safe here now.¡±


    Turning back to me, Maribel straightened. ¡°Thank you for bringing her here, Liam. We¡¯ll make sure she¡¯s cared for. But... what of the rest of Larksbury? Were there any other survivors?¡±


    I shook my head grimly. ¡°We didn¡¯t find anyone else. The orcs took the villagers, those they didn¡¯t kill outright, anyway. There¡¯s a quest tied to it. I¡¯m supposed to uncover what happened to them, but I needed to get Emilia to safety first.¡±


    Maribel nodded, her face a mixture of sorrow and determination. ¡°Do what you have to. If you can save them, Liam, do it.¡±


    ¡°I will,¡± I said firmly. ¡°But first, Emilia needs a place to stay and someone to look after her.¡±


    Maribel¡¯s lips curved into a small, reassuring smile. ¡°Leave her to me. I¡¯ll make sure she¡¯s safe and cared for.¡±


    Bram¡¯s voice echoed in my head as he observed the scene. ¡°Touching, really. But we¡¯ve got work to do. Don¡¯t get too soft on me, hero.¡±


    Ignoring him, I turned back to Emilia one last time. ¡°Stay strong, Emilia. I¡¯ll make sure those orcs pay for what they did.¡±


    Her tiny voice barely reached my ears, but her words stuck with me: ¡°Thank you.¡±


    As Maribel took her by the hand and led her away, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. There was still so much to do, but for now, I had a lead and a promise to keep.


    I stopped by the shop and sold what little I got from the orc which brought me back up to 10,000 system credits, not really wanting anything we exited the town hall, stopping by the tavern for a quick bite. Telling myself that the meat in the stew was venison, I quickly garbled it down.


    After the quick break I still had something in my arsenal I had yet to try, so we went back out the town gate and down by the creek where I had first met Bram... Well, in his incorporeal form anyways.


    We made it out just in time to see the evening sky to start changing colors indicating sunset was in full swing.


    "What are we doing out here?" Bram said annoyed per usual. "I thought it was hero montage time?" as he mock boxed an invisible enemy


    "It will be, I just thought we needed an upper hand on the upcoming fight."


    Activating the herbalism skill felt like flipping a switch in my brain¡ªand my vision. Suddenly, the world around me lit up with vibrant hues emanating from the plants. Each color seemed to radiate meaning, though I¡¯d need time to decipher them all.


    Curious, I approached a rather plain-looking bush, its leaves glowing a soft green. It was about hip height, unassuming in every way except for the strange ripple effect my touch caused as I ran my fingers along its surface.


    ¡°Ah, someone¡¯s finally decided to be useful and pick up a worthwhile subclass,¡± Bram chimed in, his tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°I almost feel proud. Almost.¡±


    I rolled my eyes but kept examining the bush.


    ¡°Though,¡± he added with a sudden sharpness, ¡°if you enjoy keeping your blood inside your body, I¡¯d suggest you stop fondling that particular shrub. It¡¯s called Snakesbane for a reason.¡±


    Pausing mid-stroke, I glanced at him. ¡°Snakesbane?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he said, voice rising like a pompous professor mid-lecture. ¡°Its leaves are used in potent toxins. Fun fact: even a trace amount on your skin could make you wish for a swift end. You¡¯re welcome.¡±


    Jerking my hand away like I¡¯d been burned, I sprinted to the nearby creek and scrubbed furiously at my palm, the cold water biting against my skin. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have said that sooner?¡± I growled, glaring in Bram¡¯s direction.


    ¡°Where would the fun be in that?¡± he replied, smirking as he floated lazily nearby.


    Shaking off my irritation, I returned to the bush with a more careful approach. I opened my satchel, unclasped its cover, and gently guided a small branch into the opening. With a quick snap, I broke it off and let the poisonous piece tumble into the spatial storage.


    ¡°See? Progress,¡± Bram said approvingly, though I could hear the grin in his voice. ¡°Now, let¡¯s hope you don¡¯t accidentally poison yourself before learning how to make an antidote. That¡¯s where the real entertainment starts.¡±


    I ignored him, already scanning for the next plant. If this skill was going to help me survive, I needed to master it, and quickly.


    <hr>


    Over the next hour, I went through the forest collecting anything within reach. The colors didn''t sway my choice in the matter as I harvested away like a mad man, it was like having a manic episode and the only way to kill the mania was harvesting everything in the vicinity. My herbalism level had reached level six which made my senses even better, or at least it felt like it.


    I was jogging to the last one before heading back to the town, it was dark outside under the canopy of trees. This plant was projecting a yellow aura, and I found it quite pleasant. It was the first one I had seen with that color, the plant itself reminding of dragon''s breath from back home.


    I knelt over and gently began to remove the soil from around the flowers base down to the root system. Slightly tugging on the base to remove the plant, it broke free, and I put the plant in the satchel and wiped my hands off on each other.


    Quest Received:


    "You have stumbled upon a relic of the old world. Protect it from those who would exploit it. Optional: Find a way to restore its power to its original purpose.


    Rewards: Contingent on quest completion."


    "Bram, do you know what that was?" I asked curiously and explained the quest to him.


    "Broken gears Liam, we have to get back to town now and transplant that! It''s native to this planet and could hold world-changing effects."


    <hr>


    Speeding through the forest we made it back to town and went behind the town hall. We dug a hole wide enough and loosened the soil to help the root system spread. Slowly removing the plant out of the satchel, I gingerly put the plant in the hole and filled it back in slowly. Patting the topsoil down, I pulled out my waterskin and poured a little on it.


    "It''s crooked." Bram guffawed


    I just rolled my eyes ignoring him. I grabbed the base and repositioned it when a bright light pushed out and encompassed us both. After a few seconds it dimmed but never went out.


    We walked back into the hall and told Maribel to schedule a council meeting for the late morning and we went off to bed. Tomorrow we would be hunting orcs.

 Chapter 13: Solarheart lily

    I woke in the middle of the night covered in a cold sweat and an ever-looming dread hanging over my head. The feeling of something terrible waiting to happen to me, hiding in the darkest corner of the room waiting, biding its time to strike when I least expect it. My breath hitched in my chest as the panic and anxiety grew to an overwhelming level. My heart raced burdened and uneven. Sitting up with my hands over my knees, I finally steadied my breathing enough to attempt sleep again. I laid back down and within seconds, I was out again.


    <hr>


    I awoke in a less-than-pleasant mood, given the circumstances of the midnight panic attack. Shit just happens sometimes; I was hoping now I was away from my old life, it would have gotten easier. Well, on the bright side, at least I didn''t have a sleep terror episode; those were a million times worse. Rolling my neck as I sat up in bed, I was greeted by an unexpected cheery Bram.


    I cocked an eyebrow at him "What the hell has got you in such a good mood?"


    "Don''t spoil it you twit, get your clothes on and come to the back." His smile vanishing


    Groggily waking up and throwing on my clothes and armor, I ran downstairs and left to the back. It was still early morning, and the sun had just finally chosen to be seen


    "Holy shit, what happened?" I was surprised by the flower that we planted last night. It seemed to be triple in size and the once-yellow flowers had changed. Each flower had different colored petals; the bush it now was had side shoots growing berries of some sort.


    "I think it is the soil here in Hillgrove, that or the mana being produced by the generators we bought. I was thinking you should harvest a flower and a berry each. Take it to the system store and see if it''ll recognize it for you.


    I walked up to the bush and followed his orders; he hadn''t led me wrong yet. I ever so slightly plucked the smallest flower and pinched off a berry. Rushing back inside, opening up the system shop, and selecting the sell category, my heart started skipping as it was revealed:


    Solar Heart Lily:


    (This mystic rare bush thrives in mana-rich environments and is known for producing both beautiful flowers and small sought-after berries.)


    The flowers themselves can be used to create major health potions when ground and mixed with water; only one petal is needed to craft a potion.


    Cost: 3,000 system credits


    Solar Heart Berry:


    Many people highly desire this small berry from an extremely rare bush.


    Each berry holds enough power to bring whoever ingests it into the next threshold of any chosen stat. Be warned, use at your peril.


    Cost: 75,000 system credits


    I blinked at the screen, my brain scrambling to process what I was seeing. My heart pounded as I read the description over and over, willing it to make more sense. "Bram, we have an issue," I said, my voice low and steady despite the storm raging in my head. "The berries from that plant... they''re not just valuable. They''re extremely rare. They can push someone through any stat thresholds... This is bad; what do you recommend?"


    Bram''s voice echoed in my mind, cold and calculated. "First rule: Do not under any circumstances sell them. The moment even a single one of those berries hits the system store, it''s over. You''d paint a target on this town so big you might as well hang a welcome sign for destruction."


    I swallowed hard. "You think it would be that bad? We could use these credits to streamline the growth of the town."


    "Listen, you could do it and we would all be dead within the next day. People would try to destroy kingdoms just to get the chance to look at one of those things. Could you imagine the kind of beings that would track us down when one of them is sold through the system market? They could snap their fingers and the whole town would become a barren wasteland."


    A chill ran down my spine as I imagined the chaos that would descend if the secret got out... "So, what the hell do we do, Bram?"


    "We keep this quiet... So quiet you could hear a gnat''s fart from a mile away. Harvest all of it and keep it in your spatial bag; we keep it as a last resort."


    Letting out an enormous sigh, I went back out to the plant and harvested everything from it. The plant resembled a dried-up carcass once I was done, over the beauty it once held. I grabbed what was left and yanked as hard as I could, ripping the whole plant out of the ground. Taking the north entrance out I went west to the river and threw the plant into it. I grew increasingly anxious imagining the repercussions of the plant''s proximity to the village. I felt terrible, knowing that the panic attack I struggled with last night had to have been tied to it. Calming my mind took longer than usual, but with a quick breathing technique and correcting my posture, I strolled back into town, acting as if nothing was amiss.


    The town council meeting started without any local issues besides Tabitha (Head of Agriculture) needing more abertroxes to fill the pastures. The chicken count was steady and on the rise, which would mean more fertilizer to expand the farmland. Things were looking good except the System shop didn''t trade living creatures, which means they would have to set up a trade route of some kind. There are traveling merchants that visit the area twice a year to sell goods, mostly oddities and foodstuffs. If we wanted to grow the livestock now, we would need to send a caravan of our own, which would take a month to the nearest city.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Letting out an exasperated breath and running my hand through my unkept hair, I said, "I will be leaving to handle the orc raiding party. This matter could wait until then. It shouldn''t take longer than a couple of days. Maribel, you are in charge while I am away." I spoke clearly and concisely. Not wanting to cause any more outbursts, I stood up from the chair and started the descent to the passage glyph.


    <hr>


    We materialized in Larksbury and the eerie silence was the warmest welcome we could hope for. The village road stretched east to west, a narrow dirt path lined with empty homes and shattered remnants of once-happy lives. Starting with the eastern road, we saw no visible tracks that suggested that the orcs left or came this way. Running through the abandoned village, which honestly only took ten seconds at most, the weight I felt of what happened here bearing down on me with every footfall. Broken shutters creaked in the wind and most of the doors were shattered, barely hanging by their hinges.


    Bram appeared next to me as I reached the western road, the ever-present snark absent from his tone. "They came in and out this way and headed into the forest. We have to hope it''s not too late once they return to the camp... because then, It''ll be too late..."


    Giving him a sharp nod, we took off, cutting through the trampled bushes and broken branches, leaving an easy trail to follow. Sprinting through the woods, a sickening feeling grew in me the deeper I went. Was I making the right move here? One orc was nearly enough to end my life without the help of Bram. I bit the bullet here; I should''ve chosen a ranged class. These thoughts came rushing through the front of my mind as I kept sprinting. Apparently, the orcs lacked stealth, or perhaps it was the prisoners they were escorting.


    Sometime later, I stopped to catch my breath and take a slosh out of my waterskin. The air slightly turned during my run here as if it too were against my chase; it had gotten heavier and thicker with moisture. Not quite so bad as the beach I landed on, but still the change was noticeable. I wondered if this forest would eventually give way to a swampy region, but given the last area, the transition happened instantly. Not given much thought to it, I put away the waterskin and continued the chase.


    The run had been exhausting, and I would need an adequate break before too much longer. Under the dead branches clung with moss and the overcast skies; I couldn''t tell how late in the day it was, but I had been running for hours at this point. The ground had slowly become more wet and muddy over time; the track was still easy to follow though. It is as if they plowed through everything in their path; within the next day I would be upon them hopefully. That also brought another worry, sleeping out here at night. I was unlucky last time, and something ruined my chance to rest. I¡¯ll make the efforts to avoid a repeat occurrence.


    It was quickly getting darker, but the swampy environment had slowly been revealing drier ground with each step; eventually I came across several rock outcroppings where the trees weren''t so thick. Choosing the largest one, I ran up to it and scaled it. This would be the best spot to take a break, it was eerily quiet compared to the audible buzzing sound of the swamp. If only I had the foresight to actually pack rations, this was going to be one helluva trip. I took out the waterskin and took a healthy pull off of it. Then the silence broke, subtlely at first. A low groaning sound that seemed to stretch on forever, I peered towards the near tree line, thinking that''s where I heard the sound coming from. Trying to see anything through the wavering moss that clung to the branches was a pain in the ass. The groaning quickly turned into the sound of scraping stones.


    Bram narrowed his eyes. "Don''t make any sudden movements." He spoke telepathically, "We have company and not the good kind." half chuckling as he did.


    I slowly turned my head left where Bram was looking and that''s when I saw it. It being a four legged monstrosity that I couldn''t even use my game knowledge to describe. It had a glistening canine skull, with moss and smaller branches clung to its body. I tried to pick out more details but the thing was still rising from the ground.


    "Bram, please tell me it''s at least slow." Alarm clearly evident even through my mental voice.


    "How the hell should I know? I''ve never seen anything like that in my life."


    The creature let out another long, rattling groan as it fully emerged from the swampy ground, chunks of mud and tangled roots sliding off its hulking form. Its canine skull tilted unnaturally, empty sockets locked onto me with an unsettling focus. The rest of its body was a grotesque amalgamation of rotting bark, sinewy vines, and pulsating fungal growths that oozed a sickly greenish fluid. Each movement it made sounded like wet stone scraping against itself, and with every step, more of the swamp seemed to cling to its shifting mass.


    I tightened my grip on my weapon, heart hammering in my chest. "Fantastic. Just what I needed¡ªa moss-covered nightmare."


    Bram floated a little higher, watching the beast with a mix of intrigue and concern. "It¡¯s not just moss, genius. Look closer¡ªsee those patches glowing under its ribs? That¡¯s decayroot fungus. Highly toxic. One scratch, and you''ll be seeing colors that don¡¯t even exist."


    "Great," I muttered, slowly inching back toward the other side of the rock outcropping. "And you don''t have any bright ideas?"


    The creature let out a sudden, guttural snarl and took a lumbering step forward, its heavy limbs sinking slightly into the damp earth before it pulled free with a wet pop. Bram¡¯s voice slid into my mind again, casual but urgent.


    "I mean, we could run. Or you could try fighting it, but you don¡¯t have rations, and I¡¯m guessing you don¡¯t have antitoxins either, so..." He trailed off, shrugging.


    I cursed under my breath, weighing my options. The swamp wasn¡¯t exactly full of escape routes, and if this thing was territorial, I¡¯d be running for my life for who knows how long. On the other hand, facing it head-on seemed like a death wish.


    The beast took another step, and I could hear the gurgling of water trapped inside its massive chest. Then, without warning, it lunged, faster than something its size had any right to move.


    "RUN!" Bram shouted unnecessarily.


    I didn''t need to be told twice. I turned and bolted off the rock, hitting the ground in a dead sprint as the monster let out a blood-chilling roar behind me. The swamp blurred past me in a haze of branches and shadows, and I could hear the beast crashing through the undergrowth, relentless and unyielding.


    "Remind me," I gasped between strides, "why I thought... this trip... was a good idea?"


    Bram, effortlessly keeping pace, grinned. "Hey, you wanted adventure. Just think of it as aggressive world-building!"


    I sprinted like never before, gaining as much ground as possible away from that... Thing. The swamp had returned in full, I wasn''t even sure how I wasn''t slipping and sliding on the mud, but I was thankful. Darkness was in full swing, with only one of the giant moons looming overhead. I quickly slid under a fallen log and made the mistake of looking back. The beast was forty feet back and gaining. Rising to my feet scrambling, I took off, within a few feet the ground disappeared and I was tumbling down through some sort of muddy hell hole descending cave.

 Chapter 14: The Cowards Cousin

    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 34.2255%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">


    Congratulations, you have entered a Small Dungeon.


    (You must defeat the first-floor boss to leave this dungeon.)


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I just stared at the screen blinking. I couldn''t tell what I was feeling, Relief? Concern? Pissed? I settled on a mix of all of them.


    "Whoa ho, look out fancy pants. Liam found himself a dungeon; this will be a real genuine test of your growth. That is if you don''t get mauled alive." Bram animatedly said with a grin.


    "Let''s just get this over with, we have people that need saving." I stated, while withdrawing my spear and clenching it.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 38.4428%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">


    Quest Received: Defeat the first floor boss


    Rewards: Unique Loot Chest and 20,000 experience


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Taking a breath in that I instantly regretted, just now smelling the inside of the tunnel for the first time. The nauseating smell of death. My mind swam with horrifying thoughts of the types of creatures that crawled around in this filth. Making me think of the damn thing that chased me towards this hell. Looking around, I saw nothing besides dirt walls and a muddy floor. The sound of water droplets hitting the floor were all around me. Taking my first step into the tunnel, I felt a wave of disgust hit me, probably from the smell of decay getting significantly worse. I continued on and Bram ran off, hopefully scouting ahead and not trying to mess anything up.


    A metallic clang echoed down the tunnel, sending a shiver up my spine. "Bram... Was that you?" I asked continuing forward slowly. The tunnel seemed to stretch on forever, and I could swear the walls were pressing in closer the further in I went. Every step squelched with mud and the acrid smell of rot seemed to burn my nostrils. Another clang rung out, closer this time. I strained my ears, trying to make sense of it. Hammering? Chains? A pick against stone? I wasn''t sure, but I would soon find out.


    Brams voice filled my head causing me to jump "Do you want to charge in heroically or sneak around like a coward?"


    I rolled my eyes, replying, "How about a strategic approach?"


    "Ah, yes, the cowards cousin." He quipped with a laugh.


    Ignoring him, I pressed forward until the tunnel opened into a larger chamber, finally relieving me a little from the claustrophobia. My stomach twisted at the sight I saw before me, rusted cages lined the walls, their bars bent and broken in some places. A quick count told me there were ten excluding, the source of the noise. It became clear as I looked directly at the far end of the chamber. In the largest cage something was banging itself against the cavern wall. The creature inside was a solid mass, but besides that I couldn''t discern anything else in this low light.


    "To your left, dolt. Watch your surroundings!" Bram cut through the eerie silence.


    My head snapped to the left just in time to see a figure a few steps away, shuffling towards me. I launched out with my spear, hitting it center mass. Withdrawing it quickly the figure still ambled forwards.


    "Your gonna have to do more than that to put an undead down. Aim for the head or sever the spine at the neck." Bram lectured, while floating beside me.


    Scrambling back a few feet, I replied, "Why the hell don''t you just possess it and help me?"


    "I certainly could, but I just... Can''t... It''s absolutely disgusting." He shot back.


    The undead lunged towards me, I reacted and leapt back into the tunnel I entered from. Head or spine, I whispered to myself several times.


    Bram smirked "That''s the spirit! Well, not the spirit, that would be me, obviously, but you get the point."


    "Not helping." I snapped, striking forward with my spear, as the undead made a low groaning sound. The tip of the spear struck true this time and actually hit something vital. It pierced through the creature''s temple with a sickening crunch. The undead shuddered violently, then collapsed to the floor like a puppet with its strings cut. I kicked the corpse to make sure it wouldn''t try anything as I stepped past it and back into the cavern. I could see more of them shambling towards me en masse. Nine in total, bouncing ideas around I settled on skirting around the mass and trying to take precision shots with my spear.


    Bram whistled, floating lazily beside me as I moved. "Nine against one, huh? I like those odds, well, not for you, but it¡¯ll be entertaining to watch."


    I ignored him, focusing on the approaching undead. Their shambling, uncoordinated movements should¡¯ve been reassuring, but the sheer number of them made my pulse race. No mistakes this time.


    Keeping a tight grip on my spear, I edged along the cavern wall, my feet carefully avoiding the slick patches of mud and grime. I had to be fast, hit one, move, repeat. If they surrounded me, I was done for. One of them broke ahead of the pack, stumbling toward me with arms outstretched. I jabbed forward, the spearhead slipping into its eye socket and out the back of its skull. It dropped instantly, but the others were closing in.


    Bram hovered just behind me, his grin ever-present. "You know, Liam, this reminds me of an old story- oh wait, you''re too busy not dying. Carry on!"


    "Shut up, Bram," I muttered, pulling the spear free and backing away as another undead lunged. I sidestepped, driving the spear through its neck this time. It gurgled, twitching violently before falling limp.


    Two down. Seven left.


    Sweat dripped down my temple, but I couldn¡¯t stop now. Another undead swiped at me, and I barely managed to duck, my heart pounding in my chest. This wasn''t sustainable. I needed a better plan something faster.


    "Bram," I hissed, risking a glance at him. "Got any actual helpful ideas?"


    "Just keep doing what you''re doing. They are mindless- granted, it''s only a step below your mental aptitude- but they won''t catch on to your patterns." I ignored the light jab and continued on.


    I was really wondering if Bram had lost his mind without having his physical form. There had to be a way I could help him with that. Thrusting out, I had hit another one, but not before one of the undead swiped at my right forearm.


    I staggered back, clutching my arm as a wave of nausea rolled over me. The blackened scratches pulsed with an unsettling heat, and my stomach churned at the thought of what kind of nasty undead infection I''d just picked up.


    "Shit," I muttered under my breath, feeling a cold sweat break out on my forehead. "Bram, what the hell is this? Some kind of zombie plague?"


    Bram, now possessing one undead, turned to me with a disturbingly toothy grin. "Oh, you know, just a little curse, a touch of necrotic rot. Standard dungeon fare. You''ll be fine.... probably." He cracked the undead¡¯s neck with an eerie grace and barreled through the remaining creatures like a wrecking ball.


    I watched a mix of horror and relief flooding me. "Okay, now you decide to be useful?"


    "Well," Bram''s voice echoed from the undead body as he casually ripped an arm off another zombie and used it as a club, "seeing you flail around like a wounded deer was fun for a while, but I figured you''d appreciate the assist."


    I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to focus. The remaining undead were thinning out fast thanks to Bram''s new brute-force approach, but my arm felt worse by the second.


    "Alright, fine," I said, stumbling back toward the cavern wall. "Just- handle the rest while I figure out how to not die from this."


    Bram snapped the head off another creature and turned to me with an unsettling chuckle. "Oh Liam, don''t worry. If you die, I''ll make sure to reanimate you as my personal butler."


    "Not. Helping." I shot back and remembered I had something in my inventory that might help this.


    Taking out the Major health potion I had bought a couple of days agon and downed the entire bottle. The taste reminding me of a slightly carbonated cold medicine that was cherry flavored. Instantly giving me the shivers, throwing the flask to the ground and looking back at the wound. A puss bubble just burst, but besides that, the wound around the edges was slowly healing up. One crisis adverted, now to survive the rest of the dungeon. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Bram was on top of the last undead slapping him in the face while screaming something through the broken jaw his possession now had... I''m pretty sure it was something along the lines of "Who''s your daddy?" I just let out a light chuckle; then it happened. The cage across from us finally fell from the ceiling, as the door bursted outwards.


    As I stepped closer to the cage to analyze what kind of foe we were going to be facing. I stopped; it was a human... Or so I thought before its body jerked in a sharp, unnatural motion, as its limbs started to twitch around like a tangled puppet. Squinting at it I saw the patchwork flesh, stitched together in a grotesque mockery of life. A clawed arm was attached to one shoulder jointed in different spots than it should be. The other arm looking more familiar lay limply at its side.


    Stepping closer, the face was the worst part. It was a half-decayed human visage, mouth stretched into a perpetual grimace. Its eyes were mismatched one was large and terrified while the other was sunken and glazed over as if it was dead. Then it shuddered and spoke... Well, tried to, but a garbled sound escaped its throat...


    Brams''s figure appeared beside me and whistled softy. "Yikes. Someone''s been playing mad scientist here. This poor guy looks like he lost a fight against a sewing machine."


    The creatures head snapped towards us, its mismatched eyes locking onto me. Then it whispered, a chorus of overlapping voices speaking in broken, fragmented words...


    "Help..me..Kill... run... escape... No... Nooo...."


    A cold chill crept down my spine


    I squeezed the shaft of my spear... "Bram... What the hell is this thing?"


    Bram fearless as ever, hovered closer, inspecting it with a morbid fascination, almost making me believe he could be a necromancer himself. "Oh, I''d say.... A bit of everything... Just enough necromancy to keep it screaming inside, nasty stuff."


    The hybrid lashed out suddenly, shaking the bars slightly "Help... or .... Die..." it shrieked, its voices overlapping in a painful cacophony.


    The monster slowly slid forwards out of the cage, I went to take a step back but stopped myself. I would be on the advantage this time, I quickly activated piercing thrust aimed right at its skull. The spearhead hit the beast dead center of its forehead snapping his neck backwards. I withdrew the spear along with a mix of grey and brown brain matter, flicking it off and striking again at its torso. I landed the hit, but the clawed arm shot forward and sliced deeply into the meat of my shoulder, wincing heavily I pulled the spear out of the creature. The body fell forward... Dead.


    "Huh, I thought that was going to be a lot harder." I said aloud. The body spasmed, and I leapt back... Cautiously.


    Bram floated beside me, eyeing the twitching corpse with an amused smirk. "Oh Liam, you never say things like that. It¡¯s practically begging for trouble."


    I tightened my grip on the spear, watching as the creature''s body jerked unnaturally on the ground. Limbs twitched, the mismatched eyes rolling wildly in their sockets before snapping to focus on me. A low, guttural wheeze rattled from its throat, and then... it started moving again.


    "No... not... done... yet..." it gurgled, voice layered with agony and something far worse- determination.


    "Great," I muttered, stepping back and gritting my teeth against the searing pain in my shoulder. "Why won¡¯t this thing stay down?"


    Bram hovered above it, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Well, it is made of spare parts. Maybe it¡¯s got more than one brain rattling around in there. You might need to..."


    Before he could finish, the creature''s torso suddenly snapped upright, its stitched-together form trembling with unnatural energy. Its clawed arm shot forward again, and I barely twisted out of the way, feeling the wind from its strike rush past my face.


    "Kill... you... kill... me..." it wailed, lunging with renewed vigor.


    "Alright, that''s it!" I shouted, thrusting my spear into its chest again, but this time twisting deep. "Bram, any brilliant ideas that don''t involve me getting sliced up?"


    Bram shrugged. "Oh, I dunno. Ever thought about aiming for that creepy stitched-up heart in the center? Always a classic."


    Glancing down, I spotted the grotesque lump beneath layers of rotted flesh, pulsing erratically, black veins webbing outward like cracks in glass. With a deep breath, I drove my spear straight into it, feeling the sickening pop beneath my grip.


    The creature let out a strangled screech, its entire body convulsing violently before collapsing in on itself. The body started to smoke before being engulfed in a raging blue fire, in the next few seconds the only thing that remained was a pile of ashes.


    "That kinda reminds me of you, Liam... Dramatic." Bram said with a smirk.


    I rolled my eyes and stepped closer, something shiny catching my attention amidst the ashes. Walking into the pile I brushed away the soot revealing a palm sized crystal.


    Just as I reached out, a system message blinked across my vision, I instinctively closed it, eager to grab the crystal, but before I could, Bram swooped in and touched it first.


    Only... He didn''t pick it up. As soon as his finger grazed the tough crystal edge his poltergeist form vortexed at a crazy speed into it, he quickly tried to talk to me. One final sentence but the only thing audible from it was "It''s a soul gem, find me-."


    My heart dropped. "Shit, BRAM!!!"


    <hr>


    Panic swept through my entire body, not really believing that he was gone. I scanned my memory quickly with anything that had to do with soul gems, but the only thing that came to mind was one game. A game that I used to play, had soul gems and with them you could enchant gear, but that''s all I could remember. Knowing that Bram couldn''t possibly want to be stuck inside of some weapon or piece of armor, there had to be more to this than what I possibly knew now. I would need to ask someone about it as soon as I could.


    My shoulder felt as if someone took an old rusty rake to it. Looking at the bloody marks revealed nothing more than just that. So, I chose to sit down and go through the system message that had appeared before the entire shit show with Bram happened. Slightly hoping it would give me any answer as to what happened to him.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 57.9886%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">"Congratulations, You have Cleared the First Floor of this Dungeon! Would you like to continue to the next floor? Yes/No?"</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    No, fuck that.


    Your rewards will materialize in the cavern, and a portal will appear to take you outside the dungeon."


    Well, hopefully that creature that was outside lost interest and took off to find something better. I closed out of the menu as a loot chest appeared in front of me. Unlike the two I got from the beach this one was for the good stuff, and you could tell. Getting excited, I threw the lid open to find:


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 48.3374%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">


    Loot:


    Analyze skill scroll: This scroll holds the secrets behind the powerful skill of: Analyze


    Analyze: This skill will let you know a brief description of anything that is inaugurated by the system. The higher the level in this skill, the more information you will obtain.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I instantly picked up the worn piece of rolled parchment and opened it. I could decipher some sort of strange symbol, then my head slammed with new information as I felt the parchment turn to dust in my hands.


    That''s new... I thought to myself, looking down I continued through the rest of the loot.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 99.0268%">


    Bow of the Endless Hunt


    Description:


    The bow is crafted from an eerie blend of Darkwood and bone, its limbs sleek yet gnarled, as if shaped by ancient forces of nature. The grip is wrapped in supple black leather, rumored to be tanned from the hide of a legendary beast. Intricate silver runes spiral along the bow¡¯s length, pulsating softly with a faint green glow, resembling the rhythmic breathing of a predator lying in wait. At the heart of the bow, embedded just above the grip, is ever-shifting emerald that seems to swirl with mist-like tendrils. When drawn, the bowstring hums with a low, resonant vibration, as if anticipating the moment to release its power.


    Endless Quiver: The bow generates spectral arrows made of shimmering green energy; each one infused with the essence of a relentless hunt. Max arrows in quiver is 30. Arrow generation rate is 1 per minute.


    Cursed by the Hunt: The wielder feels an insatiable drive to pursue their targets, making it difficult to rest or retreat once battle has begun. This effect can cloud judgment if not carefully managed.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Holy shit... This is the drop I''ve been waiting for."


    I reached in, grabbed the bow, and sat back down with it, turning it over in my hands with awe. Every intricate detail... the eerie runes, the bone-like curves, felt like it was meant for me. I needed to switch to a ranged class as soon as possible.


    As I started to rise to my feet, something weird caught my eye. Bram¡¯s crystal was vibrating. Slowly at first, but with each passing second, the tremors grew more intense.


    Frowning, I scooted closer, still clutching the bow tightly. The vibrations turned violent, rattling in my palm like it was trying to escape. Instinctively, I reached out and grabbed the crystal.


    The moment my fingers closed around it; a blazing hot pain seared through me.


    I screamed, veins bulging unnaturally as a dark, pulsing energy surged from the crystal and snaked across my arm. It slithered over my skin, an inky black line crawling up to my other hand, where the bow rested. My whole body convulsed, writhing in agony as the two items seemed to fuse their essence into me.


    It felt like an eternity.


    Then, silence.


    The pain vanished in an instant, leaving me gasping for breath. My hands trembled; the bow still clutched tightly. But before I could even process what happened, I heard a voice.


    "Well... that was dramatic."


    I froze.


    "Bram?" I whispered, looking around frantically.


    "No, it¡¯s the other handsome devil trapped in a magical weapon. Who else would it be?"


    I stared at the bow, realization hitting me like a ton of bricks. "Oh, you¡¯ve gotta be kidding me..."


    "Surprise!" Bram¡¯s voice chimed through the bow, his usual smugness intact. "Guess I¡¯m your weapon now. Looks like you¡¯re stuck with me... even more than before."


    ¡±What the hell Bram?! We are a team. We are supposed to be working together towards the same goal. If you can¡¯t even communicate with me about what you are planning to do, how the hell can I trust you?!¡± My temper boiling over, by the end I was outright screaming.


    ¡°Easy, human.¡± Bram said with clear disdain before taking a moment and calming down he continued


    ¡°I would have told you if there wasn¡¯t a risk that the soul gem would have dissipated without another presence inside of it. I had to be quick, and quick I was. I knew you¡¯d know what to do with it, eventually. Though I wasn''t expecting you to get such a fine weapon from this tiny dungeon.¡±

 Chapter 15: The Hunt

    After having a short-heated discussion with Bram, I found out that he wanted to be placed inside of a construct of some kind. The way he described the thing reminded me more of a mech than any sort of golem construct I have seen this far. I really think he was going mad without having his physical form. The only way I''d be able to purchase anything like that was making it to the capital and I would have to sell the lucrative berries to do so. He had a rash thinking style that I would either need to adjust or adapt to.


    Something else started to materialize in front of me, starting as a shimmering black slit and then bursting outwards a few feet. Peering inside shown nothing more than a dark abyss. The outer edges of the wavered with a purple aura.


    Sensing rather than seeing Bram spoke; "You already ended it? We would have got through the second floor with ease. Anyways, check to see if me occupying this bow did anything to the description."


    Interested I looked at the bow in my hand and the description popped up:


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 99.0385%">


    Bow of the Endless Hunt (Soul Bound)


    Description:


    The bow is crafted from an eerie blend of Darkwood and bone, its limbs sleek yet gnarled, as if shaped by ancient forces of nature. The grip is wrapped in supple black leather, rumored to be tanned from the hide of a legendary beast. Intricate silver runes spiral along the bow¡¯s length, pulsating softly with a faint green glow, resembling the rhythmic breathing of a predator lying in wait. At the heart of the bow, embedded just above the grip, is an occupied soul gem inhabited by a gnome who is known for being a minor alchemist and good tinkerer Grand Inventor which is why this bow is now legendary and one of a kind.


    Soul Seeker: This bow is equipped with a soul gem with a bound entity that is a spectral manipulator. With the help of this bound entity it could help guide and manipulate the spectral arrows shot by this bow.


    Endless Quiver: The bow generates spectral arrows made of shimmering green energy; each one infused with the essence of a relentless hunt. Max arrows in quiver is 30. Arrow generation rate is 1 per minute.


    Cursed by the Hunt: The wielder feels an insatiable drive to pursue their targets, making it difficult to rest or retreat once battle has begun. This effect can cloud judgment if not carefully managed.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I could practically feel Bram crossing out some of the wording in my head and replacing it with his usual snark. Despite his antics, the new weapon was going to be a massive help, especially considering the last time I shot a bow was back in high school, prepping for elk season. That had been a total bust, unless you counted the twelve miles of hiking and zero actual elk sightings.


    A flicker from the portal ahead snapped me out of my thoughts. Before stepping through, I figured I should at least give this thing a quick test.


    I reached for the bowstring, bracing myself for a heavy draw weight, but the moment my fingers touched it, the string pulled back effortlessly. No resistance, no strain. Just smooth precision. As the string reached its resting spot, a dark green arrow materialized in place, pulsing faintly with a quiet hum.


    It felt... alive. The subtle vibrations beneath my fingertips sent a shiver through me, like the bow itself was anticipating the shot as much as I was.


    Everything was going great, until Bram¡¯s panicked voice screeched through my head.


    "NO! NOT ME WENIS!"


    I lost it.


    My grip faltered, and the arrow shot loose, flying straight into the cavern wall where it fizzled out into nothingness upon impact.


    Doubling over through wheezes I asked. "Your... Wenis?"


    "Yeah, you ass be careful where you touch, that tickled." Bram shot back at me.


    "Whatever." I chuckled, just remembering something else I asked, "Did you get any levels with completing the dungeon?"


    "Yes, I did I''m level six now, but I didn''t get any class option. I did get a skill choice though. It''s called Spectral Chain it binds an enemy in place for a few seconds, slowing them down. Figured I could at least assist you more with the flailing you call fighting."


    I could feel him chuckling through the bow which was an odd experience. I opened up my own status screen and slammed four points into endurance which put me at that stat threshold and put the last one into intelligence. I confirmed the selection and got hit with another message.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 99.0268%">


    Congratulations, you have reached your endurance threshold please select one of the following:


    Survivor¡¯s Endurance ¡ª Enhances resistance to hunger, thirst, and sleep deprivation by a small amount.


    Pain Resistance ¡ª Reduces the impact of minor injuries and fatigue, allowing you to stay active longer before feeling the effects.


    Lasting Fortitude ¡ª Slightly delays the onset of fatigue, allowing you to maintain peak performance for longer periods.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I know most gamers would lose their mind with the choice I was going to make, but I didn''t know how much longer I would be stuck in this swampish hell until I found the villagers. I selected Survivors Endurance and accepted it. With that I made sure I had everything ready and walked through the portal.


    <hr>


    The transition was a little weird. Taking the first step through felt like floating weightlessly, adrift in an empty void. Then, without warning, gravity slammed back into me, and I stumbled onto the other side. The damp, heavy air clung to my skin, and the distant croak of frogs echoed through the thick underbrush. Mud squelched under my boots, familiar yet unwelcome. I took a moment to adjust, steadying myself after the abrupt transition. The good news? No monstrous beasts in sight. The bad news? We were still stuck in this miserable swamp. The single, oversized moon hung overhead, casting silver-blue streaks across the murky waters. Shadows stretched and twisted with every cautious step I took. I wished the other two moons were out tonight. Their light would¡¯ve made this swamp a little less miserable, but of course, luck wasn¡¯t on my side.


    Besides that, I felt good and could probably run through the night now with Survivors Endurance on my side. Despite the lingering aches from my earlier wounds, my steps felt lighter. The throbbing in my shoulder was already fading, and the scabs felt tight, but solid. I looked around to see if I could find the entrance and before too long, I spotted it and saw my boot tracks in the mud, following it back, carefully to not attract any beasts. It took around a half hour to find the footprints of the villagers and orcs but with that came the fun part... Sprinting.


    <hr>


    After my second break out in the swamp, the night sky had started to lighten, hints of purple and orange creeping along the horizon. Full dawn was only an hour away, and the air carried a damp chill that clung to my skin. I had made good progress, but the swamp wasn¡¯t about to let me leave without a fight.


    The only real threat I¡¯d faced so far was a near-invisible snake, coiled and waiting like a living noose. It hung from a gnarled branch of one of the barren swamp trees, blending seamlessly with the bark. I heard the faint hiss before I saw it, the warning just enough for me to leap back as it struck. Heart hammering in my chest, I yanked my bow free and let Bram take over.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    "Let¡¯s see how your aim holds up, snake breath," Bram muttered, his influence guiding my arms.


    The arrow flew true, smacking into the serpent''s skull with a dull crack. The creature slumped lifelessly, scales shimmering faintly in the dim light. A system notification chimed in my head, rewarding me with a few thousand experience points and a handful of marsh snake scales. Not bad for a close call.


    After that, Bram insisted I slow down. ¡°You¡¯re not a machine, Liam. Even with your shiny new endurance skills, pacing matters.¡±


    I grumbled but listened, reducing my sprint to a steady jog. My lungs burned a little less, and my legs welcomed the reprieve. We still had a ways to go, and I wasn¡¯t about to drop dead before I got there. Or so I thought...


    During the next small break I took, I found that my water skin had a gulp of water left. Cursing under my breath I looked down the beaten path we''ve been following and saw a small trace amount of smoke in the distance. The morning had brought just enough of a blue sky to make it visible; I would catch them within the next hour. I took off with the damp earth squishing beneath my feet the ambition to fill this quest fueling me as I went. Finding this new adrenaline rush, silenced my aching muscles and exhausted lungs.


    Dark scenarios filled my mind as I ran. I imagined villagers, half-alive, shackled together in rusted chains, their bodies swaying with exhaustion as cruel whips cracked behind them. Some, too weak to continue, discarded like refuse, left to be swallowed by the merciless swamp¡ªits murky waters and hungry creatures eager to claim them.


    The second scenario hit even harder. A towering bonfire, its glow a beacon of suffering. Were they burning supplies... or bodies? My stomach twisted at the thought, and that¡¯s when the acrid scent of smoke finally reached me, cutting through the damp, earthy stench of the swamp.


    Before I knew it, I was within two hundred feet of the fire, and everything was out in the open for me to see.


    I crouched low, heart hammering in my chest as I took a quick count of how many enemies, I¡¯d have to put down to save the villagers.


    Eight orcs in total.


    Two were stationed on the outskirts, leaning lazily against their crude weapons, eyes scanning the tree line but clearly bored. Another three stood near a makeshift cage, crudely fashioned from scavenged wood and rope. That''s where the villagers huddled together, wide-eyed and trembling. I could see the fear in their faces even from here.


    The last three orcs were near the fire, tearing into slabs of questionable-looking meat and exchanging guttural laughs.


    I gritted my teeth. Eight orcs. Just me. Bram''s voice echoed in my mind, dripping with sarcasm.


    "Feeling heroic, are we? Or are we thinking about this first?"


    I exhaled slowly, weighing my options. Rushing in would be a death sentence. I''d have to be smart, take them down silently if I wanted any chance at success.


    Sneaking forward from the side of the perimeter guards, cutting through the disgusting swamp foliage, I finally made it with 50 feet to the nearest guard. He had zero clue he was being stalked, as he absent¡ªmindedly picked at something on his right hand. Looking closer, I was distracted as my analyze skill kicked in and showed me more details about the orc:


    Orc Spearman, Level 6


    I was surprised that a text box didn''t appear, but the words faintly showed next to his body. Interested I glanced towards the other one that was off to the right a bit, but the analyze skill wouldn''t activate. Slotting that information away for later, I stalked closer to the orc nearest to me. I heard the whimpering and talking of the citizens of Larksbury, but couldn''t hear clearly enough of what was being said.


    Then a guttural shout rang out coming from an orc wielding a double-sided war axe. He stomped up to one of the women and broke her shackles free, the woman cried out in fear an earsplitting scream drawing my attention. He was dragging her towards the fire.


    Shit, we need to do something now. I pulled back on the bow hurriedly and aimed towards the closest perimeter guard. The arrow materialized and shot forward at an unnaturally fast force. I pulled back again aiming for the other guard and letting that one fly loose too. The guards wavered and stiffened falling against the swamp floor within a second of each other making only a light smacking/ squelching sound in the process.


    I looked down at the bow Holy shit


    "The girl, you dolt" Bram hissed in my head.


    Looking back over at the orcs ensuring my attack was unseen came up fruitful. Not a single one has noticed. Raising the bow again as the orc with the woman in tow was about 8 feet from the fire. I fired four shots in quick succession hoping Bram wouldn''t have a problem keeping up with it. Two of the arrows flew towards the massive barbarian, one hit him squarely in the chest while the other one followed. This one appeared to be doing the same thing until it sharply angled upwards and hit him in the throat. Putting him out of the fight for good.


    The girl scrambled towards the other villagers, but before she could make it to them one of the orcs threw a club at her hitting her in the back.


    The last two arrows I aimed towards the three near the fire didn''t do all that well. One veered off and went into the huge bonfire while the other one hit its target in the thigh.


    Shit. By this point they all knew what was going on and freed their weapons, checking the tree line for their attacker. I don''t know if it was my stealth in overdrive or I had actually hidden myself quite well bracing against a tree trunk on my knees.


    Firing another three arrows in rapid succession, I adjusted my aim, trying to at least get one kill with my own accuracy and without Brams''s intervention. The first arrow whistled through the air, striking an orc with a bronze sword in the chest causing him to falter. The two other arrows ended the lives of the feasting orcs, leaving none by the fire and the two over by the prisoners and makeshift cage.


    The light shimmering off of the arrows alerted the remaining orcs of my whereabouts making it difficult to approach them now without being seen. I slowly inched my way towards the tree line to get a better shot.


    Could you hit them without risking the villagers?" I whispered, keeping my voice low but urgent.


    Bram let out a mental sigh, dripping with his usual sarcasm. "Yeah, sure¡ªjust as long as you don¡¯t go all Robin Hood again, firing arrows like you¡¯re in an archery contest. One at a time, Liam. I can focus on a single shot, but when you start doubling up, it¡¯s like splitting my brain in half. Three? Forget it. So let the first one hit the target before firing again."


    I could feel the heat from the fire reach where I kneeled by a half dead tree trunk. Snapping the bow string back and aiming, I let go and Bram true to his word sunk the arrow right into one of their foreheads. The last orc went crazy as his partner dropped to the ground lifeless, he stirred around before grabbing the chain that linked the villagers together. He reached and grabbed at a young man and put his sword to his throat.


    "Well looks like one of them decided to grow a brain." Bram said


    The orc holding the hostage tried to disappear into the crowd, using the terrified villagers as a human shield. His eyes darted frantically, searching for the telltale shimmer of an incoming arrow¡ªhis inevitable demise.


    I steadied my breath, trusting Bram¡¯s skill, and raised my bow. Just then, a middle-aged woman, emboldened by desperation, lunged at the orc. He reacted fast, driving an elbow into her face with a sickening crack. But in that instant, his sword wavered, no longer poised at the man¡¯s throat.


    Now.


    I released the bowstring. The arrow sliced through the air with a sharp hum, a streak of energy speeding toward its target.


    The orc barely had time to lift his sword again, preparing to drive it down into the fallen woman, when the arrow struck home. Instead of piercing, it burst into a wave of shimmering spectral energy, engulfing his skull in a crackling haze. His body tensed, his sword clattering to the ground as he staggered back, then dropped to the floor.


    I sprinted over to the huddled villagers, slinging my bow over my shoulder and raising my hands to show I meant no harm. Their eyes, hollow and sunken, barely registered my approach. They looked half-dead, but the moment they saw me, a flood of voices erupted, questions piling on top of each other, frantic and desperate.


    I lifted a hand, signaling for silence. The noise died down, but their wide, pleading eyes remained fixed on me.


    Through the exhaustion, the relentless running, and the constant fighting, something ugly coiled in my chest. These people had no idea what I had been through for them. No idea how I pushed myself to the brink to save them. And yet, here they were, squabbling over food and water, hands reaching out like I owed them something.


    I hadn''t eaten in... I couldn''t even remember. My stomach twisted in on itself, a dull ache I had long since ignored. And still, they begged.


    My hands clenched into fists at my sides, anger simmering beneath the surface. It boiled over before I could stop it, seeping through my mental link with Bram.


    "Whoa there, champ," Bram¡¯s voice echoed in my head, his usual snark softened. "Breathe. They¡¯re scared, not ungrateful. You''re running on fumes, and it''s making you think worse of them. Just... take a second."


    I exhaled sharply, forcing my shoulders to relax. He wasn¡¯t wrong, I took a moment and spoke out to them. "Who here is the leader?" All eyes shifted over to the unconscious woman who tried to save the young man from the orc. I cleared my throat "Alright then, does anyone know where the nearest town is?"


    A gaunt man with wiry muscles and a tattered cloak stepped forward, his face etched with exhaustion and wary hope. ¡°Nearest settlement?" He pointed off into the distance. "Would be Thormer, but it¡¯s a good days walk from here... if we were in better shape.¡± He glanced around at the ragged group, lips pressing into a thin line. "These people won''t make it any further without food, water and proper rest."


    I pinched the bridge of my nose, forcing back another wave of irritation. "Great." My mind raced through the options. With my endurance and a little luck, I could make the trip alone and bring rations back but leaving them here... that didn''t sit right with me. Another thought hit me; Why would the orcs travel so far to capture humans when there was a closer town nearby?


    "Those of you that could defend yourselves take up the weapons from the orcs and stay here. I will be back before nightfall." I spoke out to the survivors and then turned, sprinting off towards Thormer.

 Chapter 16: Starborne

    Just like that I picked up another sprinting side quest, or I guess it''s still a part of the same quest. Damn it, they better factor this bullshit in when it comes to the rewards.


    I had been sprinting for hours by this point, and the swampy earth was finally giving way to firmer, drier ground, a welcome change. The scenery, though, remained largely the same. Gnarled trees draped in moss loomed on either side, and the endless chorus of croaking frogs and buzzing insects still grated on my nerves.


    Along the way, we ran into a small pack of lizard-like creatures. I knew they were kobolds from my old life, judging by their small stature and crude weapons. Dispatching them was swift and efficient, with Bram guiding my shots. I got an arrow stuck in my shoulder but pulling the arrow out with through gritted teeth and then chewing on some of the Solarheart petals remedied the injury almost instantly. The most difficult thing with that encounter were the Assassins that had some sort of limited invisibility skill, but with Bram guiding the shots made their abilities worthless. After that skirmish, I read over the menus took the time to level and I pocketed a nice pile of credits for the trouble. My status menu was filling in nicely:


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 99.0268%">


    Name: Liam Thompson


    Level: 10


    Race: Human (Earth Variant: Humans are known for their physical and mental capabilities which make them a well-rounded race. +5 stats per level increase.)


    Class: Spearman


    Primary Stats: Constitution, Endurance


    Abilities:


    Piercing Thrust: A focused attack that deals bonus damage to armored foes.


    Sweep Strike: A wide attack to hit multiple enemies.


    Brace: Reduces knockback and increases damage against charging enemies.


    Subclass: Alchemy


    Titles: Descender (+5) Lord of Hillgrove


    Experience: 40850 of 125000 exp to next level


    Renown: 500


    Achievements: Iron Stomach (1st Con threshold) Survivors Endurance (1st End threshold) Arcane Insight (1st Int threshold)


    Skills: Stealth level 4


    Herbalism level 6


    Stats: Health: 50 (Con x2) / Stamina: 42 (End x2)/ Mana: 44 (Intel x2)


    Strength: 10


    Dexterity: 13


    Endurance: 25


    Constitution: 25


    Intelligence: 25


    Wisdom: 10


    Charisma: 10


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Reaching the intelligence threshold made me wish I actually spent more credits on spells especially with the last option.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 99.6247%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">


    Arcane insight


    Gain an intuitive understanding of magical forces.


    Allows you to identify and analyze magical objects, runes, and enchantments with greater accuracy.


    Grants passive awareness of nearby magic sources.


    Tactical Foresight


    Predict enemy movements and potential battle outcomes with eerie precision.


    Provides a chance to anticipate an enemy''s next move based on their stance and actions.


    Increases accuracy with ranged attacks due to better trajectory calculations.


    Focused Casting


    Your spells land with pinpoint accuracy and precision.


    Increases spell accuracy, making it harder for enemies to dodge.


    Reduces the chance of spell failures or backfires.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    All that took us to where we are now. I have been staring at the options for a while now and Bram was getting beyond annoyed with me.


    "Are we planning to grow roots here? Pick something and let''s keep moving before the swamp decides you''re part of the ecosystem." Bram said


    I let out a deep sigh and picked the one that would help the most in our current situation. Arcane Insight.


    "That''s a fool''s choice." Bram shot at me.


    "Yeah yeah." I replied as I took off in a dead sprint again.


    Another hour or so later, the dead, horrible swamp finally vanished behind us, giving way to a vast expanse of rolling hills covered in lush, green grass. The stark contrast was almost overwhelming. I staggered to a halt, letting out a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I was holding, and dropped to my knees. My fingers ran through the cool, dew-kissed blades of grass, the fresh scent filling my lungs, washing away the heavy, stagnant stench of the swamp that clung to my clothes.


    A laugh bubbled out of me, half delirious, half relieved. ¡°Finally, Bram, we¡¯re out of that shit hole.¡± My voice cracked, raw from exhaustion and the countless muttered curses I''d thrown at the swamp.


    Bram¡¯s chuckle echoed in my mind, low and mocking. ¡°You¡¯re forgetting about the return trip already?¡±


    I groaned, flopping onto my back, staring up at the sky that stretched endlessly above me. The morning sun, finally free from the thick, choking canopy of the swamp, bathed the world in a golden hue. Wisps of clouds drifted lazily, as if they had all the time in the world.


    "Just let me enjoy this for a few seconds." I muttered while stretching out, tempted to take a quick nap. I let me eyelids shut for the briefest of moments and heard yelling in the distance.


    "FUUUCCKK." I yelled out the moment of respite not lasting long. Slamming the bottoms of my hands against the grass.


    "A Heros job is never done" Bram quickly filled in after my outburst.


    "I didn''t sign up for this bullshit though." I muttered before getting up and walking towards the source of the yelling.


    <hr>


    A few hills over, toward the supposed location of Thormer, I spotted a dirt road cutting through the rolling landscape. On it, a creaky old cart rumbled along, drawn by a massive six-legged beast with a hide like cracked stone. Its heavy breaths puffed out in rhythmic huffs, plumes of dust rising with each lumbering step.


    Atop the cart, a man sat, reins slack in his hands, his eyes scanning the horizon. But what made my stomach knot was the figure sprawled out on the dirt path ahead¡ªa woman, motionless. My instincts kicked in as I slowed my pace, unslinging my bow. A quick glance revealed another man, standing on the far side of the cart, a spear leveled with deadly intent.


    "Ready, Bram?" I whispered, my grip tightening.


    ¡°Sure thing, hero boy,¡± Bram¡¯s voice hummed in my mind, laced with anticipation.


    I didn¡¯t hesitate. The bowstring thrummed under my fingers, and in the blink of an eye, an arrow flew. The man atop the cart let out a sharp yell of surprise, clutching his arm as my shot found its mark. The commotion sent a ripple of movement through the cart, two more men I hadn¡¯t seen scrambled from the back, their weapons glinting in the morning sun.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Of course, there¡¯s more of them.


    I cursed under my breath but quickly nocked two more arrows, carefully spacing the shots just enough for Bram to work his magic. Each release was met with a satisfying dispersal of lights and colors. One arrow struck true into the thigh of a charging bandit, sending him sprawling, while the other punched into the shoulder of the man with the spear, making him stagger back.


    With the immediate threat disrupted, I picked up my pace, jogging down the hill, my bow still at the ready. My eyes flicked between the woman on the ground and the remaining threats. She hadn''t moved an inch. My gut told me this wasn¡¯t over yet.


    "Keep your eyes open, Bram," I muttered.


    ¡°Oh, I am. And you¡¯re running straight into a mess, by the way.¡±


    I ignored him, heart pounding as I closed the distance, ready for whatever came next.


    I popped off two more shots to the remaining threats as I ran down the hill towards the still woman. They both fell and didn''t move after that. The man with the reigns, dropped them and held his hands in the air. I knelt near the woman and flipped her over. She was still breathing faintly but had a lump forming on her head.


    "Can you take us to Thormer?" I asked the man on the cart still looking over the woman. When I didn''t get an answer within the next couple of seconds I looked back and as I did a pain erupted from my back as he stood directly behind me.


    instinctively rolled to the side, gasping as the pain radiated through my back. My fingers scrambled in the dirt, grasping for my bow, but the man was faster, his boot slammed down on it, pinning it to the ground.


    "You made a mistake stopping us," he repeated, his tone as cold as the steel dagger in his hand.


    I gritted my teeth, my mind racing. The dull throb in my back told me he''d cut deep, but not deep enough to cripple me. Yet. I kicked his knee with all the force I could muster and heard an audible popping sound come from it as he fell back and away. I quickly snagged the bow and while laying down pulled back on it, thanking who ever created this thing for it to have practically no draw weight. The arrow rushed forward hitting the man in his other knee as he fell back against the cart. The blade he had held launching from his hand as he started screaming out in pain. Gritting my teeth, I got up off of the dirt and hobbled towards him.


    The dark cloak the man was wearing did little now to hide the leather armor he was wearing. He was definitely with the others I had killed. I slung my bow and withdrew my spear in one steady motion poising it at the man''s throat.


    "How far is Thormer and in what direction? Don''t fu-" The man disappeared right in front of me. I stored the spear and unslung the bow preparing to let loose an arrow...


    "Theres no point, he''s gone. Remember you aren''t the only one with access to the system store, genius." Bram snapped before continuing "You make for a poor interrogator. Honestly, I shouldn''t be that surprised." Bram chuckled in my mind. "You should probably start chewing on one of those petals, you''re losing a lot of blood."


    Looking at the blood soaking the right side of my pants, I pulled out a petal and started chewing on it. The pain lessened enough that I could move more freely so I went to go look at what these dead ruffians had on them. They all had moderately good weapons, well nothing compared to my bow, but two steel short swords, and an exact copy of the spear I owned. I found portable way stones on all three of them and the man wielding the spear had an interesting looking ring. Inspecting it closer with analyze I found what I was hoping for, another spatial storage. Accessing the inventory of the new ring I found the following:


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 99.8378%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 100%">Inventory:


    2x Tier 2 System Marks


    6x Minor Health potions


    4x Major Health potions


    3x poison antidote


    50x Leather


    12x Travel Rations


    4x Sleeping Bags


    4x Water skins


    1x Cooking Pot


    1x Skillet</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Holy shit, these will definitely come in handy for the survivors. I took out the system marks and scanned them across mine holding my breath while doing so hoping I just become super wealthy. That hope was dashed, but 42,000 system credits between the two was nothing to scoff at. I would now have enough to get everything the villagers needed to get the hell out of the swamp, as soon as I found Thormer that is. Slipping the ring on my other hand and taking out one of the minor health potions I went back to the still woman. I uncorked the potion and grabbed the back of her neck and slowly started to pour the potion down her throat, hoping at least some of it went down.


    She was still unconscious but breathing more steadily.


    "Fine. Let¡¯s just get to Thormer." Speaking to no one in particular


    I climbed onto the cart, settling the woman against the side and securing her with one of the sleeping bags from my pack. The reins lay loose in the driver¡¯s seat, and the six-legged beast snorted, pawing at the ground.


    "You¡¯re going to behave, right?" I muttered to the creature. It gave a low grunt, which I took as reluctant agreement.


    With a firm grip on the reins, I urged the beast forward. The cart groaned as it began to move, rolling over the uneven dirt road. The hills stretched out before me, bathed in the soft golden light of the rising sun.


    "Alright, Bram," I said, my voice steady but tense. "Let¡¯s find Thormer and finish this."


    "And maybe next time, try not to let someone stab you. Just a suggestion."


    "Noted," I muttered, focusing on the road ahead.


    <hr>


    After another hour of travel, a weird sensation in the pit of my stomach gnawed at me and a faint light headedness came out of nowhere. Confusion swept through my mind until I remembered my new threshold ability Arcane Insight. Somewhere up ahead on the road was passively drawing me nearby. Over the next crest on the road, it became clear what had been pulling at me. The barrier of the large town of Thormer. Stone walls at least forty feet high surrounded the small city and in the center of the town, walls almost twice the height surrounded some sort of manor. The city itself sat in the center of a valley with a base of a mountain on one of its sides. It was all laid out in front of us from how high up we were. We still had another hour of travel before we made it outside the gates. The smell of mountain cookfires and evergreen trees were heavy on the breeze towards us, making it feel far more inviting compared to the death stench of the swamp.


    On our way to the gate the woman finally gained enough consciousness to be aware of what was happening. Her voice was silky smooth with a hint of an accent.


    "Who are you...?" She said weakly but loud enough for me to hear


    "Oh sorry, I thought you would need better treatments before waking again, the name is Liam, I ran into you being robbed, I believe." I said rushed but still trying to be as soothing as possible.


    The woman shakingly sat up running one of her hands over her head and wincing.


    "Oh, I got something for that." I pulled a major health potion out of my new ring and tossed it back to her. Totally forgetting the fact that she was currently still dazed and confused. She looked up at me, just as the potion hit her point blank in the forehead.


    "Sorry" and "Fuck" were simultaneously said.


    Brams''s laughter ravenously echoed in my head...


    "Uhh... So, what''s your name?" I asked trying to change the topic as fast as possible. It was returned with a glare, and a sharp "Emilia." She uncorked the potion and drained it with what looked like a practiced ease. Her green eyes locked onto mine and she spoke again. "Sorry, my name is Emilia I am a traveling merchant in this area and am not fond of getting struck in the head with random objects."


    Bram cut in "Shes slowly getting used to it though! Haha!" I expected that response from him, but it still caused me to smile slightly which Emilia definitely saw with the glowering I got in return. I corrected my facial expression, vanishing the smile.


    "Sorry again, I know you have been through the ringer today, but perhaps you could assist me with something? It''s nothing crazy; I just need information on some items." I asked


    "Sure, but once I answer three questions my debt is repaid to you." She responded.


    "Fair enough, do you know of any item that will let me transport a large group of people to a nearby settlement? Also, I am need of a class change, what would be the best way to go about this? lastly, I need a powerful and dexterous vessel in which a soul gem could be attached." I asked without stopping, knowing exactly what I needed. Well except for keeping anonymity when selling on the system shop, but I thought that would raise too many questions and concerns. I didn''t want to deal with any of that at the moment, I trusted Maribel more for that kind of question.


    I turned back towards the road; I could feel the confusion with her answer knowing that all the people on this planet knew the answer to the questions I asked "Well it sounds like you would want a Glimmerstone. It would open a portal, but it will only stay open for a minute before crumbling to ash." She blew out moving a blonde strand of hair that fell in front of her face before continuing. "It''s quite simple to change your class. You will need to buy both a Class remover token and the token of the class you want to change too. It can be quite expensive, but given the questions you have asked I believe you could afford it. She cleared her hoarse throat and continued hesitantly "Your last question is more difficult; many races have come up with their own way to handle this situation. Before I continue though I must warn you that it is cruel to keep your loved ones locked away in a soul gem. They will slowly start to lose their mind, with that said I would recommend either the Ganthorian Gnomes vessel or the Huilarians synth prototype. I will not tell you more as you can see both at a system store, though I doubt Thormer will have a high enough system level to look at either."


    I wanted to ask her what the hell a Huilarian was, but I was out of questions so instead I thanked her for the advice and information. I turned as a guard yelled out to us from outside the barrier shimmering blue barrier, "Do you have the clearance to enter?" He asked intently


    "Uh..." I started to stay while stopping the beast by pulling back on the reigns. Emilia popped up from the back as soon as we came to a full stop and responded "Halfred, you know very well I have clearance, now let us through, you old goat." The guard flustered by her response or presence, instantly ushered us through while slapping something on the side of the cart. "Sorry Miss Emilia, it will not happen again." He stammered out.


    "This is where the tricky part starts." Bram mentally said.


    Ignoring him, as Emilia stepped over the seat to sit next to me. I asked, "Who are you again?" Trying to hide any nervousness from how the guard acted with her.


    She looked over at me with a grin and said "Emilia Starborne, of the Starborne Commerce Guild."


    The only response that came to my mind was a mind boggling "Ah." I did not know the implications behind a Commerce Guild, but I knew it had to do with trade. She was probably some rich daughter of the owner and all my mind could come up with was ah. I could see my head rolling down the city square steps now, or my bloodied body falling from the top of the imposing great stone wall in front of us. She must''ve noticed my gut clenching nerves and patted my arm that still held the reigns, "Don''t worry, you did save my life remember?"

 Chapter 17: A Really Good, Bad Idea

    I let out a deep breath, I didn''t realize I was holding in, as Emilia just chuckled. The guards at the gatehouse waved us forward. I was too busy gawking at their magnificent heavy armor to notice Emilia pulling on the reins in my hand. I looked at her with uncertainty. I let go "Sorry." peering up at the gate walls. I saw a few archers watching from above.


    "Keep your eyes forward, dolt. Don''t draw attention to us. "We still don''t know anything about Emilia''s attackers," Bram shouted in my mind. It made me wince. I looked back down through the gate as we passed through.


    In the busy city of Thormer, the crowds were disorienting. People moved in every direction. The streets buzzed with energy. Merchants shouted from their stalls, selling everything from exotic spices to crafted trinkets. Townsfolk hurried in and out of the multi-story buildings. Their footsteps echoed off the worn cobblestone roads. The air was thick with chatter. People struck deals, then laughed or vented.


    Guards stood still at key points, watching the crowd for any trouble. Despite the crowd, I was relieved. The air wasn''t as foul as I''d feared, thanks to the city''s plumbing. It spared my nose from the stench I''d grown used to in the wilds. My senses were assaulted by something more tempting. A vendor to my left had an array of cheese wheels that nearly made my mouth water. But it was the rich aroma of roasted meats and fresh herbs that drew me in.


    As we rolled deeper into the heart of the city, the towering stone buildings finally gave way to an open city center. A grand marble statue stood in an ornate fountain. It depicted a warrior battling a fearsome beast. Cobblestone paths spiraled from the fountain. They were bordered by lush green grass. It provided a rare, serene moment amid the chaos.


    It was only then that I truly took in the diversity of the crowd. My gaze swept over the bustling square, and I spotted races I had only read about in my old life. Small, stout figures with oversized feet moved deftly through the crowds, halflings, no doubt. I made a mental note to keep an eye on them; their reputation as thieves and rogues wasn''t exactly unwarranted. Wait, was that racist? I grimaced at the thought, shaking it off quickly.


    Nearby, tall, slender figures glided through the streets with grace. Their pointed ears confirmed their elven heritage. They were breathtaking in a way that made it hard not to stare. Dwarves with thick beards and booming voices bartered at the stalls. Gnomes darted around with an excitable, almost infectious energy. Among them were even more alien-looking species, their features and clothing utterly foreign to me.


    Thormer was truly a melting pot of cultures and races. I was drawn out of my amazement when we came to a jarring stop. "We''re here." Emilia said in a cheery voice. I didn''t know if I should be alarmed by how cheerful she was, but I finally got up and stepped down to the cobble road. I let out a much-needed stretch and then saw the building she was ushering me towards. While all the other buildings were of grey or white stone, this one was made of dark onyx. It reflected the chaos of the center around it. I followed up the steps closely behind Emilia awkwardly as my sore ass muscles started protesting the climb. "We do have villagers surrounded in the wilderness counting on us, you better get a move on.'' Bram annoyingly reminded me.


    I let out a quick short exhale and whispered to Emilia. "I do have a pressing matter I need to attend to, unfortunately."


    She turned and smiled as we entered through the double doors. A bulbous man, adorned with an absurd amount of jewelry, greeted us. "Ah Emilia, my sweet. How I have missed you!" He embraced her, Emilia pulled something from behind her back smoothly and hugged the man back. She hid it in the palm of her hand. She squeezed against the man tightly, plunging a dagger deep into his back many times in quick succession. Blood spurted aggressively from the man''s wounds as he screamed out in pain, falling to the ground awkwardly while looking at us in horror.


    "What the fuck was that, Emilia? I half screamed and leapt back away from her. She spat on the man before replying. "This is my no-good cousin Aymir; he hired those assassins. This petulant asshole was my only competition." She let out a shaky breath. "It was my last test to prove I had what it takes to be the successor of my father. An unguarded merchant trip to the nearest town like the old days. My father is stuck in the past, but I had succeeded with your help. So, I thank you and owe you a proper reward." She gave me a small smile before turning back to the dying man on the blood-soaked marble floors. "This is more than you deserve." She whispered in his ear before kicking his head hard enough to hear a loud snap. Then there was silence while she beckoned me to follow her to the second story.


    Bram chortled "I think something is wrong Liam... I am scared but oddly turned on."


    That small comment helped relieve the uneasiness growing in my chest, if only slightly. I took a deep breath, plastered on a faint smile, and followed Emilia closely through the hall on the right.


    Out of nowhere, a slender man stepped into our path from the shadows, his movements so fluid it was as if he had emerged from the stone itself. His sharp, angular features and quiet demeanor reminded me of a snake waiting to strike. He leaned in toward Emilia, his voice low and deferential as he asked if she required anything.


    ¡°Take care of the mess downstairs, wrap the body and throw it in the cart¡± she said curtly, waving him off without breaking stride.


    The man bowed slightly, melting back into the wall like smoke dissipating into thin air.


    We continued forward, and my attention was drawn to two imposing figures standing guard at a nearby doorway. Both were clad in black metal armor that seemed to drink in the light, their intimidating presence unmistakable even in the chaos of Thormer''s streets. They stood on either side of a large arched doorway, their postures unnervingly still and disciplined.


    Each held a glaive, a polearm with a wickedly sharp, curved blade that gleamed even in the faint light of the hallway. The weapons seemed designed for intimidation as much as lethality. Their polished armor bore intricate etchings of some crest I couldn¡¯t quite make out from this distance, but the aura they projected was clear: these weren¡¯t just any guards. These men were here to make a statement, unwavering authority, swift punishment for any who dared challenge it.


    For a moment, one of the guards turned his helmeted head toward me. I could feel the weight of his gaze, even through the narrow visor slit. A chill ran down my spine, but I kept my composure and walked on, pretending not to notice.


    Emilia didn¡¯t even glance their way, moving with the air of someone accustomed to being in command. It wasn¡¯t lost on me that her authority carried weight here. I kept my mouth shut and my senses sharp, following her lead.


    This city wasn¡¯t just bustling, it was layered with invisible threads of power, alliances, and danger. I wasn¡¯t sure yet which one Emilia was tied to, but I hoped she wasn¡¯t leading me straight into something I¡¯d regret.


    We passed through the towering double doors the guards flanked, and I was immediately struck by the grandiosity of the study beyond. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined the walls, each packed with dusty tomes, scrolls, and strange artifacts that hinted at centuries of accumulated knowledge. A balding man sat hunched behind an ornate oak desk, scribbling fervently with a quill. He didn¡¯t so much as glance in our direction as we approached, his focus entirely consumed by whatever task lay before him.


    Without breaking stride, Emilia veered toward a nearby bookshelf, her fingers deftly pulling out a thick manuscript as if she¡¯d done it a thousand times before. The adjacent bookshelf groaned, swinging inward with a faint click. A hidden passage.


    She gave the concealed door a gentle nudge, and it swung open to reveal a darkened corridor of patchwork stone masonry. The opulent marble of the study vanished behind us as we stepped into the stark, cold passage. My breath hitched the moment I realized we were descending.Stolen story; please report.


    My heart began to race. This wasn¡¯t just some casual detour¡ªit felt calculated, ominous. Was this the end of my journey? Was she leading me into some dark pit where I¡¯d never see daylight again? The sound of our footsteps echoed off the damp stone walls, every step driving my imagination to darker places. My palms itched, ready to summon a sword at the slightest sign of danger. The only weapon I had for a close encounter such as this.


    We reached the bottom of the staircase, and Emilia paused for just a moment. That single second stretched unbearably long, my nerves bristling with anticipation. My fear spiked as she turned toward me, her green eyes glinting in the dim light.


    And then she smiled.


    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived!¡± she announced cheerfully, A grin appearing on her face that seemed quite psychotic.


    "Bram, we need to get the hell out of here." I thought to him. The bow thrummed against my chest as he replied.


    "Easy, let''s see how this turns out. Could be striking gold here. Calm your nerves." He said soothingly which was odd coming from him.


    Despite my best wishes I listened and stepped through the door right behind Emilia. I didn''t even have the time to take in the room around me before a booming voice emerged from the other end "EMILIA! My lovely daughter, where have you been? I''ve been worried sick; you were due back this morning." A barrel-chested man with a shaved head asked with concern.


    "I just arrived father, had a rough exchange with Merchant Delron at Raven Ridge. It was quite time consuming, but he finally gave in." She said ending with a beaming smile.


    "Well, I wouldn''t expect less coming from you. You''re the most cutthroat merchant in the guild." giving an approving grin before eyeing over towards me. "Ah, and who is this?"


    "This is Liam, Father. There was an incident on the journey back; Aymir led an attack with four hired assassins."


    "WHAT!? That little... Fuck, did he harm you?" He rushed to Emilia, grabbed her shoulders, and peered into her eyes. "I will maim him and throw him out this minute." His anger grew. "I did my no-good brother a favor by taking in that runt after his passing. But this is unforgivable."


    Bram spoke in my head, "She''s leaning pretty hard into the daddy''s little girl act."


    Emilia responded. "No father, I have already handled it." I was knocked unconscious when Liam here." She moved her arm to point towards me, "killed the assassins and Aymir." The big man''s gaze met mine and my heart flopped down to my stomach. An eerie silence filled the room; I don''t know if it lasted seconds or an hour, but Emilia broke it. "We brought the body back for burial."


    He cracked a smile and stepped towards me; hand outstretched. I reached for his hand. But he grabbed my forearm, pulling me off balance. "The name is Orin. It''s nice to meet you, Liam." He let go and continued, "I am indebted to you for saving my Emilia." He leaned in, whispering in my ear, "You get 100,000 system credits spent now," and he slipped a system shop disc to me. He walked off nudging Emilia by the arm and guided her to sit down at his ornate desk. I stood there and just opened up the disc and started perusing the system shop. It cost me 27,000 credits to get supplies for the villagers stuck in the swamp.


    The glimmerstone itself was a whopping 25,000. I thought the cost of rations and waterskins was a little much, but there wasn''t much I could do about it. I backed out of the consumables. My eyes almost popped out when I saw the Transportation tab was unlocked. I immediately clicked on it, finding different tiers of transportation. Tiers 3 and 4 were still locked to me unfortunately. I scanned through tier 1 only finding a bunch of different carts, wagons and at the very bottom some sort of steam punk wagon. Clicking on that one revealed that it didn''t need a beast of burden to pull it. But it did need a steady supply of coal to keep the engine going. Two bars filled the empty space beside the image. They showed the durability and speed. The list included the fuel type at the bottom. The cost of the wagon came in at 42,000 but before purchasing, I needed to see that tier 2 list.


    Going through the Tier 2 inventory was a little weird at first. There were certain vehicles that appeared organic looking. My head was starting to hurt just by trying to understand what I was looking at. Four boulders with logs on top of them with a pedestal at the very top. The speed was slower than the steampunk wagon, so I scrolled to the bottom. That''s when I found it... Ever since I was a little kid watching the first six movies on repeat. I''ve always wanted to know what it felt like driving one of these things. Now it has finally come full circle. The amazing Huilarians had out done themselves. What materialized from the system store was an honest to God, speeder. Of course, it wasn''t called that but instead was referred to as the CRZR-2600. I would just call it my cruiser, selecting it brought up more information.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">


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    Huilarian CRZR-2600 Speed: Moderate, Durability: Light to Moderate, Fuel: Ambient Mana


    A marvel of arcane engineering, the Huilarian CRZR-2600 is the pinnacle of fuel efficiency, seamlessly harnessing the very essence of the world around it. Equipped with cutting-edge mana recyclers, this sleek machine siphons ambient energy from the air, converting it directly into pure thrust for a smooth, near-limitless ride. Whether gliding through bustling city skylanes or navigating the open expanse, the CRZR-2600 ensures you stay light, fast, and always in motion.


    Effortless power. Infinite style. The road is yours.


    Cost: 110,000 System Credits


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I instantly went to go click on purchase and a whole other menu appeared asking about additional features including different design packages, anti-theft and enhanced part systems. I hovered over the anti-theft option.


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    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 99.0268%">CRZR-2600 Anti-Theft upgrade package comes with a Phantom Lock Token. Giving the owner a 100% guarantee from thieving scoundrels.


    Phantom Lock Token will dematerialize your CRZR-2600 and store it inside the soul bound token until you resummon it at a later time.


    Cost: 30,000</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I needed it. I added the upgrade to the cart as well and then started to walk over to Orin so he could confirm his part of the payment. After a couple of steps, I paid more attention to their conversation and heard Emila say in a hushed voice "I understand father, we need to pull Hillgrove into the fold, but I haven''t heard from Cooper in days now. I''m starting to worry if Renna caught on."


    I fought the urge to widen my eyes and froze in place as Orin replied, "We need to remain anonymous; we will talk later."


    What the fuck is going on? I asked Bram while looking like I was scouring the system shop.


    "Hell, if I know, but they are a commerce guild. Maybe it''s not as bad as you think? What if by the fold they mean trading partners?"


    "Oh yeah that''s exactly what''s going on, I''m not mentioning a single damn word."


    When I looked away from the hologram, the dad/daughter duo were staring at me. I gave them my best ''I wasn''t eavesdropping smile'' and put the disc on Orin''s desk. "I''ll pay for the rest myself. Thank you, Orin." I said giving him a slight smile and a curt nod.


    "Ah, I used to have one of these back before Emilia was born." He touched his mark to the shop disc. "They are unwieldy at times..." I could see something spark behind his eyes and I knew it was bad for me whatever it was. "Liam, have you heard of the town Hillgrove?"


    "Can''t say I have, but I did run across an abandoned village on my journey here.... Larksbury was the name." I said partially lying through my teeth.


    "I will pay for this in full and upfront if you can take an oathbound quest from me." I was intrigued by the offer, but something in my gut was writhing. "I''ll take the quest." his system mark flashed as the payment went through.


    I transferred the goods to my satchel while he continued "Liam swear to me that you will complete the favor I am about to ask" his tone coming off lower and sinister.


    Bram, should I go through with this?


    "Eh, they didn''t have oathbound quests back in my world. Must be a fully integrated perk. Life''s always fun when you''re spontaneous." I could feel his mocking tone, but with no other option I answered Orin, "I swear."


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    <tbody>


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    <td style="width: 100%">


    Quest Accepted:


    Orin Starborne has issued an oathbound quest to you. The following conditions have to be met or you will face dire consequences.


    Infiltrate the town of Hillgrove and by any means necessary convince the town leader to open trade relations with the Starborne Commerce Guild: 0/1


    Kill the town merchant Cooper: 1/1


    Rewards: None


    Failure: A permanent -10% stat reduction in all stats.


    </td>


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    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Welcome Liam, I knew I could count on you." The big man stood up towering over me giving me a wide grin.


    Don''t piss yourself, everything will be fine.


    I just smiled back at the man while my mind reeled at the implications of this quest. I was not willing to be strong armed from some Guild Owner. Thinking of anyway to get out of this, while Orin and Emila started talking again. A few moments went by, and something just clicked in place. I don''t know if it had something to do with Renna being brought up, but I do remember the quest she gave us.


    I have a bad idea


    Yeah, well you are full of those. Whatever it is leave me out of it.


    Are you sure? It''s definitely one of my worst ideas.

 Chapter 18: Vanrik

    I was currently flying through the swamp back to the villagers. The cruiser was faster than I expected, making it a pain in the ass to dodge all the dying trees around me. Emilia was nice enough to give me a crash course on how to handle the machine. That''s where that relationship would end though. Watching her kill someone in cold blood and try to blame me for her actions. Then having her father put me in a locked quest where I had to do the same thing to Cooper or face the repercussions. I just didn''t like their style of doing things. Plus, there was no way in hell I could take the negative to my stats. I''d have to do something really risky. So, I did. The only hang up was I needed an upgraded system mark to take full advantage. I bought the upgrade using Orin''s shop disk.


    "I thought I gave you a job, boy." He yelled with disdain as spittle flew from his mouth... Those words still replayed in my mind even now.


    I promised him the quest would be completed within a week. Then sold Ten of the Solar Heart berries through his shop disc.


    Bram was livid that I did it at first... Well, he still might be, but he sure wasn''t letting me know. Now that we were out in the open, he hadn''t said a word.


    The evening sky was starting to darken completely by the time I made it back to the villagers. Luckily the tree was still smoldering by the time I arrived. Giving me somewhat of a direction to head towards. When I came to a stop, I almost went flying over the handlebars, but I quickly recovered from it. At first, I didn''t see anyone, which made me throw the cruiser into the phantom lock token. Then the older man with the cloak stepped out from behind a tree.


    "Thank the gods you''ve returned. We thought all hope was lost." He hoarsely said. Hopeful faces started popping out from everywhere in the swamp as people came out of hiding. They looked bad. I pulled out everything I looted and bought from the journey and passed it out. Many of them wept as they tore into the rations or guzzled down water. The scene moved me. My feelings surfaced, and a deep sadness washed over me. These people had lost everything, homes, possessions and even family. I would make this right. I walked up to the hunter who was currently drinking and told him to get the villagers prepared to leave. I also told them that they had a choice. They can return to Larksbury and fix the damage from the orcs. Or they could go to Hillgrove and start anew. I quickly told the villagers that I was their new lord. We planned to expand Hillgrove for everyone''s benefit. After a few minutes of talk, most people decided on a fresh start at Hillgrove. With that I grabbed the glimmerstone out of my satchel and tried activating it.


    Shit, nothing happened. My eyes widening and my heart clenched as I hit tapped, prodded and hit it a few times like that would magically fix the damn thing. "I''m not helping you on this one." Bram cut into my thoughts with his usual snark. "It''s pretty simple." Of course he chose now of all times to be an asshole. If he wanted to be petty over the berry incident fine, but he could at least think about the innocent villagers. I gave him the opportunity to listen to the plan and he turned me down. I smacked it along the surface, harder this time and yelled out "Activate, you stupid thing." That did something. The sphere started to vibrate slightly, faint pulses of energy spewing out of it. I dropped it and stood up. I backed away slowly from it when a deep voice thrummed in my mind "Select town destination." I waited a few seconds and said "Hillgrove." There was a bright wide encompassing of all colors then a portal was opened a few feet from the glimmerstone.


    "Alright everyone, follow my lead."


    I took a couple of steps towards the portal when I heard something out in the distance. A low, distant rumble rolled across the sky like an avalanched buried in the clouds. My heart rate instantly spiked as the sound grew deeper and vibrated through the ground and rattling my chest. It felt as if the air itself was being crushed by an invisible weight. More than worried I started ushering the villagers through the portal. Most of them were able to make it through before the vibrations got heavy enough to shake the ground like an earthquake. The last one though was the hunter, just as he made it through a shadow fell across us, blotting out the sun. I looked up and my breath hitched realizing now what could be in Tier 4 of the transportation tab. A colossus of metal and darkness sprawled across the sky just over Thormer''s distant landscape.


    Holy Shit. Not taking another second to stare at it, I hurled myself through the portal. The weightlessness of the portal took me. Right when I got used to it, I crashed hard on the ground jarring my shoulder into a stone floor. The Larksbury residents stood all around me. Taking a look around I verified we were in the bottom floor of the Town Hall. I gathered the group around and headed towards the steps to ascend towards the first floor. Bram had decided to talk while I did so.


    "What the hell did you see, Liam?" Bram must have felt my fear and panic through our link.


    "I''m not one hundred percent sure, but it looked like some sort of massive spaceship."


    "That is by far one of the worse outcomes. I told you not to flaunt the goods Liam. Now we are both screwed. You need to give the council the credits and we need to get to the capital as fast as possible. Finding my coin is the only way we could get off this rock fast enough to maybe avoid instant death." Bram rambled on with urgency.


    That being said I quickened my pace and started taking two steps at a time. Thankfully Maribel was at the shop counter by the time we made it to the front of the town hall.


    "I don''t have time to explain everything. Where''s your system mark?" I said hurriedly definitely not winning me any brownie points.


    She looked worried and it only worsened by the time the Larksbury survivors caught up to me. She lifted her mark up and asked "What''s going on lord? Where are we going to house all these people?" I backtracked. Without answering any of her questions I ran to access the town overview myself. I took the steps three at a time down to the cellar and accessed the overview. I pulled up the town upgrades menu and found a couple things I queued for instant building.


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    Instant Building Queue:


    Multi Story Communal Hall:


    This building comes with all upgrades the town has already purchased. This four-story building has enough room to house over 100 people. There is access to 60 Private bedrooms and 20 small suites for families. There is also 4 shared bathrooms on each floor. As well as a communal gathering space in the main entry.


    Cost: 85,000


    Artisans Hall:


    This building holds the key to any crafters heart. Within its 12,000 square foot area it has a predetermined location for every crafter, smith, artificer and alchemist. It also comes with a library filled with selections of books on the many fields of subclasses one can take.


    Cost: 125,000


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I wanted to leave this place with strong foundations for future potential. I didn''t want it to look like an outside force was involved. I took out my mark and paid the total. It came to about 300,000 after the extra expedited cost was added. Hopefully this would be enough for them, I closed the menu and ran back upstairs where Maribel was waiting. Before she could start asking a bunch of questions, I gave her a quick run-down of everything. She was rather furious by the end of my ranting, her eyes piercing into me like daggers. Her mark was shaking in her death lock grip and before she could say anything I moved. Touching my mark to hers I transferred another 200,000 credits. Her jaw practically dropped to the floor and all hostility from her wavered for a few seconds. I bolted towards the cavern before getting to the stairs, I turned and shouted towards Maribel. "You''re in charge now. If anyone comes, you never met me."The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Making it to the passage glyph, I felt a deep concern that the thing would have the same results as last time. "Bram, do you have the name of the capital?" I asked, completely forgetting to ask Maribel while I was up there.


    "You know, as much as I want to see you go back up there and do the walk of shame, I can''t. The name of the capital is Vanrik. Don''t gamble; it''s how I lost the coin in the first place." He said half embarrassed.


    I just shook my head at the response and activated the pedestal.


    Descender, please state the location you wish to travel to.


    Bram cut in, "Wow, it learned manners; that''s new. Before we get a move on, try something new at the capital, yeah? Exude some confidence and lean on the Descender title heavier it might help... Or paint a massive target on your back, but trying never killed anyone... Well, it has but you get what I''m trying to say."


    I let out a deep sigh and said, "Vanrik."


    A black wave of energy shot through the cavern and soon encompassed everything. The weightlessness of going through a portal hit me, but there was no pain this time, which I was thankful for.


    Actually, feeling the ground beneath my feet after going through a portal was a nice change. The futuristic suits of armor and the men within them were not. Looking around further, I was in some sort of mana shield or prison depending on how you saw things. Aside from the men, the room had no other occupants, and the brightness was overwhelming. The white walls and floor made things worse. They reflected bright light from the ceiling in every direction. Two of them turned with what looked like rifles on their backs. For the first time, I realized they were talking to me. I brought both my hands up to show that I was unarmed. Bram''s words from earlier replayed in my mind; I decided to try something out.


    "I am a Descender, brought to you from the Goddess Nexa." Two guards knelt and bowed towards me without delay, taking that as a good sign. I said, "She feels a disruption in the threads. I''m here to support Vanrik in the upcoming battle." My voice was calm and deep, aiming to project confidence. Holy shit, Bram was right; I should''ve tried this in the villages. I let out a deep breath and started to notice another guard making a wheezing sound through his helmet. He locked eyes with the kneeling guards. Then, he slung the sci-fi rifle over his shoulder. It finally clicked what he was doing. It was laughter; I realized it a few seconds too late as he unholstered a pistol at his hip and shot me a couple of times. A sharp pain rippled throughout my body as I started convulsing. What felt like a million volts poured through every fiber of my being. My teeth gritted hard enough to notice the taste of blood through the pain. Then, after a few moments in that hell, unconsciousness took me.


    "Liam, get your ass up," Bram hissed at me. Fluttering through my eyelids, I awoke in complete darkness. The only sign I was awake was the sound of water droplets on the floor, along with Bram''s annoying voice. My hands were bound together by some sort of soft material that would not separate. I strained against them but yielded no results. It reminded me of the elastic workout bands people worked out with. The guards must not see me as a threat or were lazy because I felt the bow and satchel still on my person. Little did they know I had an actual Bram on my side. "Alright, I''m up," I said in a faint voice.


    "I got the capitals mixed up."


    "YOU WHAT?!" I snapped at him before regaining composure of myself. "Bram what do you mean you got the Capitals mixed up? Is the coin even here?" Worry started to take hold.


    "Well, yeah, the coin is here, but Vanrik is definitely a godless city. They gave up on worshipping the higher-ups ages ago," he said, chuckling to himself as if he found it absurd.


    I closed my eyes; this little asshole is going to get me killed. I took a minute to calm myself and responded.


    "Alright Bram, thanks for fessing up, but how the hell do we get out of this now? Can you like get out of the soul gem and go find a guard to possess or something?"


    "I could find a way out, but you need to think for yourself. That¡¯s how we got into this mess."" So... I refuse to do that."


    "I''m trapped here, Bram; what the hell am I going to do?!" I said, with my anger flaring up again.


    "Something stupid, no doubt. Now quit your yapping and let me think."


    Why the hell did I have to be stuck with the most annoying person ever? He reminded me of a frat boy that got cut loose to the wilds of adulthood. Unlike a frat boy, Bram had rare moments when a tiny spark of wisdom appeared. That was until he reverted back to being a smart-ass all over again. This was the world''s way of punishing me for not getting my anger in check sooner. Pair the guy with anger flare-ups with a constant nag. It makes sense when you think about it. I noticed something while reflecting, so I looked closer. It seemed to be a tiny light source growing brighter, headed in our direction. I spotted a guard in tight metal armor as the light drew near. He looked like one of the guards I had seen earlier. The light itself seemed to be floating in the air next to him. Around the light, I could tell that we were in some sort of medieval dungeon. Rusted iron bars between stone walls were easy enough to pick out. He was a couple of cells down when two words came out of my mouth that I wished hadn''t.


    "Hey fuckface!" Bram shouted through me. The guard swung in my direction without delay and unholstered his pistol.


    "Bram, you sack of shit," I muttered through gritted teeth, closing my eyes and waiting for the shock to come. A few moments went by and nothing happened. When I opened them again, Bram was doing jazz hands from the possessed guard. "TA-DA," he said, a broad grin spreading across his face as he reveled in his own cleverness.


    "You''re a dick... Can you please unlock the cell now?" I asked, mock pleadingly.


    "Stand back," Bram said as he pulled the handle sheathed on the opposite hip of the shock pistol.


    "I''m the idiot, but you''re the one that''s going to cut through metal ba... WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" I yelled out with wide eyes.


    Bram pulled out the sword. He clicked something on the pommel. The blade transformed into a bright, shining laser in an instant. He zigzagged the blade through the bars with ease and a little over-the-top fashion. The bars fell to the floor. In one smooth motion, Bram turned off the blade, sheathed it, and bowed to me.


    "Oh, come on, anyone could do that with a damn plasma sword!"


    Bram moved back into action, freeing me from my bindings and tossing me the shock pistol. I then assisted him with putting his possession into the bindings. A quick shot of the shock gun, and Bram left his possession behind. Bram mentioned a few days ago that much of the multiverse is confusing. He said you could lose your mind searching for answers. He gave me a piece of information I still use now. If it doesn''t make sense, chalk it up to "System Fuckery." Those two words had put most of the questions I had on the back burner or to keep pushing forward to figure out the answer myself, but now... Shifting from a fantasy world to a high-tech one was tough to grasp. Getting access to the cruiser should have set off more warning bells. I didn''t know that I''d be facing people with actual laser rifles so soon. I needed to find someone with a system shop disc in this city to even the playing field.


    "You''re thinking too loud again, dolt. If you forgot let me remind you, you have a spectral bow. It''s pretty much on the same "field" as laser rifles, if not better. I''m more surprised by the fact that you hadn''t asked how I was able to get out of the soul gem, but whatever... Let''s go find this coin before we die." Brams''s voice filled my mind, and I thought I could feel a bit of hidden sadness in it.


    "Sorry Bram, thanks for saving my life yet again." I said out loud just above a whisper, feeling pretty guilty for not caring about his hard work.


    "Eh... It''s fine, don''t go getting all soft on me now. Get it together we got shit to do, before the guard wakes up." He rushed out while phasing back into the bow.


    Glad that the awkwardness of that conversation was over, I hesitantly reached out for the light.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 99.0268%">


    Prismark


    A sleek, polished sphere that uses refractive technology to create a customizable aura of light. Its internal AI adjusts its glow based on user preferences.


    Would you like to steal this Prismark from Private Melroy, Yes/No?


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "You should really get into the habit of using your analyze skill before touching random things. It''s common sense." Bram annoyingly reminded me. I just acted like I didn''t hear him but stored that information for later. I confirmed the prompt, and we were off searching the area for an exit.

 Chapter 19: Nowhere To Run, Part 1

    Ten minutes of searching through the floor led us to nothing, at first. We found out that this floor was a wide rectangular shape with just corridors with no prominent entries or exits. The passageway had to be hidden, but we had no way of knowing where. The guard could wake up at any minute and It wasn''t until we heard a low wheezing sound and remembered there had to be more prisoners locked down here. Trying our luck with that also took longer than what I would''ve liked. The first person we came across was so close to death, I instantly got sick to the stomach just looking at him. The bones of his body were poking and bulging out of his skin everywhere. The skin itself looked as if it hadn''t seen sun in an eternity. I walked up to the bars and decided to use analyze on the man.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 99.0385%">


    Name: Jaffrah Tharonus


    Level: ???


    Race: ???


    Class: ???


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Well, that sure as shit isn''t helpful. "Jaffrah, you still alive?" I asked barely above a whisper. I didn''t get a reply back; however he lifted his head just enough that his mismatched eyes shone through his long greying hair. One eye was solid black as if there was nothing there at all and the other was a bright blue color. I didn''t know what it was, but something about this man told me he was worth saving.


    "Looks like he still has some life left." Bram echoed in my mind full of laughter. "Jokes aside make him swear and let''s be on with it."


    "What do you mean by swear?" I asked cocking an eyebrow


    "Grant him his freedom, but only on the condition that no harm from him comes to your person. Make the failure of the quest, death."


    "I can''t do tha-"


    "Liam, we''ve searched this place high and low. This man has been here a long time, he has to know where the exit is. I know it''s against your ''morals'' to put someone into a situation like that especially after the whole shit show at Thormer. This is our one shot out of here and plus he''s on deaths door anyways not like he''s going to reject the offer.


    <hr>


    "I decline." Jaffrah hoarsely whispered out then cleared his throat and continued. "Could you sweeten the deal? This tower is heavily guarded and it''s going to be hard to leave without a fight."


    "What do you have in mind? Credits? Gear? Weapons?" I asked rushed.


    "If I am going to be Oathbound to you I''m going to need something far greater than that. I need you to take my oath in return. My oath would be a small matter to yourself, it would just require the death of my brother, that is all. Can we come to terms?" Jaffrah spoke with renewed vigor.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 99.0268%">


    Oath Arrangement:


    Jaffrah will accept your terms of leading you out of the dungeon and in city protection though at a price. After being betrayed by his younger brother and pinned in the dungeon for life over a treasonous act. He asks in return that you dispose of his brother and enact his revenge.


    Do you accept this oath arrangement? Yes/No?


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I read over the prompt a couple of times feeling a bit better about this one compared to the one I took from Orin. My gut was sending me alarm bells, but before I could ask any questions Bram cut in.


    "Accept it Liam. We will deal with the consequences later if we have to. We need to go."


    I fought an internal battle a couple of more seconds before adding one more line and then I mentally selected ''yes''. I felt a small tug, feeling like a cramp about to form near my naval and an instant rush of chills washed over me. A new screen appeared displaying the results:


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 99.0268%">


    New Oathbound Follower:


    Jaffrah has accepted your terms and both of you will remain oath bound until each of the quests are complete. After the completion of quests terms could be renegotiated to remain oathbound or to sever the link. The choice is yours.


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 99.0268%">


    New Quest Received:


    Help your Oathbound follower Jaffrah enact revenge on his brother: 0/1


    Rewards: Jaffrah may remain an Oathbound follower or become a potential ally


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I decided it would be best to analyze him again to see if any new information was revealed.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 99.0268%">


    Name: Jaffrah Tharonus


    Class: Harrowed One (Unique)


    Level: 38


    Race: ???


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "I''m glad he''s on our side," Bram reveled, an unusual excitement in his tone. "Do you know how rare it is to get a unique class? It''s practically unheard of."


    That sent an inkling of fear twisting in my gut. I didn''t have time to dwell on it. I summoned the plasma sword from my pack, its blade flaring to life with a low hum. As I carved through the thick metal bars, molten droplets hissed upon the stone floor, the heat momentarily warping the air around them.


    I stepped inside the cell, placing a hand on Jaffrah¡¯s shoulder before slicing through his bindings. His arms fell limply against me, weak from however long he had been imprisoned. I lowered him carefully to the ground, resisting the urge to rush. He hadn''t been free in who knows how long¡ªthe least I could do was let him take a moment.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    I pulled a waterskin from my pack along with some dry rations, handing them over. He took them with trembling fingers, devouring the food in near silence while I reorganized my storage rings, clearing space in the first minor one. By the time he finished drinking, a bit of color had returned to his face.


    I tossed him the ring. "Here. A mana, stamina, and major healing potion inside."


    Jaffrah uncorked each in turn, taking a short pull from them before stashing them back inside. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and let out a small belch. Then, with renewed energy, he pushed himself up.


    "Let''s get to it."


    We walked in tense silence through the dimly lit corridor, the air thick with dampness. Jaffrah moved with newfound strength, but I still caught a slight tremor in his steps.


    ¡°You alright?¡± I asked, keeping my voice low.


    His mismatched eyes flicked toward me. ¡°I spent years in that cage, expecting to die. Now, suddenly, I¡¯m free.¡± He exhaled slowly. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ surreal.¡±


    I nodded. ¡°Freedom¡¯s strange like that.¡±


    Bram scoffed. ¡°Can we save the soul-searching for after we¡¯re not about to get executed?¡±


    Jaffrah let out a quiet chuckle, the first hint of real emotion since we met, and I was taken aback because he had definitely heard Bram. That was new and must have something to do with the fact that they were both tied to me now.


    Then the moment shattered, distant footsteps echoed down the corridor.


    ¡°Do you know the way out?¡± I hissed, gripping my bow in my hand ready for whatever would come.


    In a far graver voice, he said, "We will need to go through them to get to the exit."


    The escape was far from over. I handed him the shock gun which he tossed to the ground before saying "I have no use for such mundane things and do me a favor, extinguish the light."


    I stashed the floating orb in my satchel just as three prismarks rounded the corner, and six guards in total, weapons raised. Even if Jaffrah insisted on fighting unarmed, I felt good about our odds.


    I drew my bow, pulling back as a flickering green arrow materialized. Jaffrah glanced at me, shaking his head as he began conjuring something between his hands. I ignored him and let the arrow fly.


    Too short.


    For a split second, it seemed like I had miscalculated. But then Bram surged power into it, and the arrow shot forward with violent speed, slamming into a guard¡¯s chest. He flew back, crashing into the one behind him like a set of falling dominoes.


    Then all hell broke loose.


    Blazing beams of energy streaked toward us, crackling through the air. The walls exploded under the assault, sending shards of rock flying. The corridor filled with the deafening whine of charged weapons discharging in rapid succession.


    Jaffrah and I hit the ground, pressed against the cold stone.


    Between his outstretched hands, something pulsed, a swirling mass of darkness, its colors shifting between blood-red and sickly green. I had no idea what he was cooking up, but I didn¡¯t want to be anywhere near it.


    A guard¡¯s voice suddenly cut through the chaos.


    ¡°STOP!¡±


    One last energy blast fired, then eerie silence settled over the battlefield.


    Jaffrah didn¡¯t hesitate. He hurled the dark mass, straight at the ceiling.


    I turned to him, furious. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m not trying to be a dick, but did you forget how to aim?¡±


    He didn¡¯t answer. Just raised an eyebrow and gestured toward the guards.


    I glanced back. The mass had latched onto the ceiling above them, spreading like a living thing, tendrils of shadow unfurling across the stone.


    And then it began to drip. The lead guard turned around at the first scream of his men being liquified alive. Whatever the hell the magic was I never wanted to touch it accidentally. Even from this distance I could see the advanced armor they were wearing melt and infuse into their skin. The untouched guard went in to try and rescue his dying men, but he too became under attack from the spell. Their terror filled screams were unreal and I didn''t really feel much from killing a human yet, but this felt like some sort of sick torture to me. Thirty seconds later there was nothing left of them or the ooze. The only thing I got from that small skirmish was a new fear of being melted alive.


    We rounded the corner, passing the cell where I had previously restrained the guard. But instead of stopping, we continued a few more cells down until Jaffrah turned toward the wall. Confused, I watched as he ran his hands over the stone, poking and prodding with deliberate intent. After a few moments, something clicked. The wall split in half, revealing a brightly lit, hidden chamber. Intricate runes carved into the floor pulsed faintly with dormant magic. Without hesitation, we stepped inside, and the wall sealed shut behind us, closing us off from the outside world.


    Jaffrah led me to the center of the teleportation circle, his fingers trailing wisps of cold blue energy as he murmured under his breath. The magic drifted downward, settling over one rune, and instantly, the entire circle flared to life, the symbols glowing like beacons. Before I could even brace myself, the world twisted, the ground vanished beneath my feet, my stomach lurched, and in a blink, we reappeared in the same chamber where I had first arrived.


    Four guards stood in the distance, chatting idly, their postures relaxed. My muscles tensed. If they were the same ones from before, we were going to be screwed. No sudden movements. Just act natural.


    That hope shattered the second Jaffrah summoned his magic.


    Two dark green javelins, so deep in color they were nearly black shot forward, striking the first two guards before they could even turn their heads. They crumpled instantly. The other two barely had time to react before my arrows hit home. One of them, I realized, I had landed without Bram¡¯s interference. A small victory, but there was no time to dwell on it.


    As I approached the fallen guards, something caught my eye. Jaffrah¡¯s spears didn¡¯t simply vanish upon impact like my arrows did. Instead, they seemed to be absorbed by their targets. The bodies twitched as the last traces of the magic seeped into them then, disturbingly fast, they began to age. Skin withered, flesh shrank, and bones cracked as if decades passed in mere moments. By the time they hit the ground, what remained of them was barely more than dust.


    A chill ran down my spine. If they hadn¡¯t died instantly, the agony would have been unimaginable.


    Jaffrah, unfazed, started stripping the armor off of one of the guards I shot. "You need to do the same if we are going to survive this." His voice barely above a whisper and for some reason sent a cold chill up my spine. I did as he told me knowing what he had said to be true. I quickly realized that the armor was attached to some sort of black stretchy interlacement of durable fibers. Expecting the armored body suit to stink because there was a distinct lack of airflow between the fibers, I was surprised by the lack of smell. Jaffrah had already stored his prison rags in his ring and quickly started getting dressed. I followed suit and by the time we were finished, Jaffrah melted the bodies down just like he had before. Leaving no trace of the previous guards behind. We continued out the advanced airlock door that hissed when it opened and checked around for anyone else. A slight rumble feeling was felt through the metal floors like the building itself had a slow beating heart. The ceilings in this building stretched a good thirty feet up, which made the interior echo loudly as our feet hit the ground.


    We eventually came across a corner with a dead end in the direction we were headed, slowing to a stop. Jaffrah looked towards me and nodded. "We continue on, I''ll do all of the talking if we run across anyone." I just nodded in confirmation as we rounded the corner. I froze for a slight second not expecting what lay out before us. Two guards stood there and between them was a giant 15-foot mechanical machine. It was bi pedal and just from the first look I could tell it was definitely a mech.


    "Things just got a whole lot worse." I thought to Bram.


    He was quick with a response "Do not by any means destroy the mech. I''ve read about these; it''s actually made by my race and sold through the system store." He rambled on and on in my head telling me the best ways to take one of them down without affecting anything vital. I took mental notes here and there but hopefully it wouldn''t come to a straight on fight. We continued to walk towards them for what felt like an eternity until finally, a womans voice coming from the guard on the right spoke out to us. "You guys figure out where Melroy went?" She asked


    Luckily Jaffrah was quick with his words and instantly thought of a reply. "You know how he is with the prisoners; damn fool was shocking the new one repeatedly." My heart rate skipped a few beats not recognizing the voice of the person I stood next to. I knew it was Jaffrah, but his pitch and resonance were completely different. I refocused as the woman replied while throwing her hands up from her side "I don''t understand why he gets the roaming patrol even though he constantly does this shit."


    We took a couple of steps forward in unison as something changed. A red triangular beam launched towards Jaffrah coming from the mechs hand.


    "Scanning protocol initializing... Clear, Welcome Sergeant Briggs." A robotic voice escaped out of the mech; I looked over at Jaffrah as the beam cut off.


    Knowing something bad was about to happen as the beam returned and started to scan me.

 Chapter 20: Nowhere To Run Part 2

    The red scanning beam shone brightly a foot in front of me. This scan felt like it was dragging out for eternity and the light hadn''t even hit my feet. A cold sensation came over me as a chill ran up my spine. Thoughts furiously slamming into mind of a way out or to stop the mech from revealing the truth, the scan was up to my knees now and at any moment something could go very wrong. An ear-splitting alarm rung out grabbing everyone''s attention, thankfully even the mechs as he stopped his scan.


    We were still about forty feet away from them as a voice muffled the alarms through some sort of intercom system. "Warning, this is not a drill. A prison break is in progress. All staff and faculty sweep your areas and close in on the holding zone." The voice was urgent and full of bass demanding what they said to be followed with utmost care.


    The alarm¡¯s deafening wail sent the room into chaos. The two guards snapped to attention, momentarily forgetting about us as they turned toward their earpieces, listening for further instructions. The mech, mid-scan, paused as its glowing red beam flickered and dimmed. A faint hum came from deep within its metal frame, processing, recalibrating.


    Then the prison itself shifted.


    A deep, guttural grinding noise vibrated through the floor, and the slow, rhythmic pulse I had felt earlier grew stronger, like the building itself was reacting. Heavy blast doors slammed shut in distant hallways, and the overhead lights flickered as the entire facility switched into full lockdown mode. A series of automated turrets hissed down from hidden compartments in the ceiling, scanning for movement.


    And then came the screams.


    Somewhere deeper in the prison, something had gone very wrong. A distorted voice crackled over the intercom again, this time less controlled: "Containment breach detected. Lethal force authorized. Repeat, lethal force authorized!"


    A metallic clank echoed as the mech fully reactivated, its scanners shifting from us to the now-active security measures. Its heavy frame shifted into a defensive stance, prioritizing the greater threat. The guards hesitated, exchanging looks before one of them barked, ¡°We need to secure the lower levels! Move!¡±


    I didn¡¯t need Jaffrah to tell me twice.


    We backed away slowly, then turned and ran. The sheer scale of the prison became even more apparent as we sprinted down the impossibly high-ceilinged corridors, the echoes of distant combat following us. Gunfire, inhuman roars, and the unmistakable sound of something breaking free. Whatever had been locked away in this facility wasn¡¯t just prisoners like us, it was something far worse.


    Jaffrah led the way, weaving through the maze of hallways with precision. Either he had been here before, or he was reading the facility like a man who knew how prisons were built. Either way, I wasn¡¯t about to question him.


    Bram¡¯s voice rang in my head, surprisingly calm despite the chaos. "See? Told you the mech wouldn¡¯t be your biggest problem."


    I bit back a retort and kept running.


    The escape route was just ahead, a maintenance hatch near one of the ventilation shafts. Jaffrah threw out a quick burst of magic, the red bolt forcing the lock open, and we both scrambled inside. The second we shut it behind us, the noise outside became muffled, though the distant rumbles still shook the walls.


    Breathless, I looked at Jaffrah. ¡°What the hell was that back there?¡±


    He just shook his head. ¡°A distraction. One we needed.¡± But I could see it in his eyes. He had no idea what had been released either. That worried me. Jaffrah continued to move through the tight corridor. Metal pipes lining both walls with the odd flashing light here and there. I couldn''t tell if we were moving deeper into the prison or on our way out, but we pressed on. The rumbles in the walls died down eventually Jaffrah took it as a good sign, but with how the guards reacted I had a really bad gut feeling.


    Jaffrah pressed forward, his pace steady but tense. The corridor seemed endless, metal pipes hissing softly as they vented bursts of steam. The dim, flickering lights cast long, shifting shadows along the walls, and with every step, I felt like something was watching us.


    The deeper we went, the more unnatural the silence became. The distant rumbles had faded, but in their place was something worse absence. No more alarms. No voices. No footsteps. Just the rhythmic clank of our boots against the grated floor.


    My throat was dry. ¡°Are we getting closer to an exit?¡± I whispered.


    Jaffrah didn¡¯t answer right away. His fingers grazed the wall, tracing something carved into the metal marks I hadn¡¯t noticed before. Deep grooves, uneven, like something had scraped along the surface in a wild, erratic pattern. He pulled his hand away quickly, wiping his palm on his stolen armor as if touching it had made his skin crawl.


    ¡°We keep moving,¡± he muttered, his voice quieter than before.


    I didn¡¯t like that answer.


    We turned a corner, and I felt it, instant wrongness. The air felt thicker here, heavy with something I couldn¡¯t name. The lights above flickered more violently, and between each flicker, it almost felt like the space ahead of us shifted. I knew that was impossible. The walls weren¡¯t moving. The pipes weren¡¯t bending. But my brain insisted something was off, like reality itself had a slow, uneasy breath.


    Then, the sound started.


    Not a growl. Not a hiss. Something worse.


    A slow, wet dragging noise, like something slick being pulled across metal. It was faint, just at the edge of hearing. Once I noticed it, I couldn¡¯t unhear it.


    Bram¡¯s voice tickled at the back of my mind, uncharacteristically careful. "I don¡¯t know what that is. And I don¡¯t like not knowing."


    Jaffrah must have heard it too. He froze mid-step, his posture sharp, listening. What disturbed me more was what I saw in his expression, uncertainty. For the first time since we¡¯d escaped, Jaffrah didn¡¯t look like a man with a plan.


    I swallowed hard. ¡°Jaffrah?¡±


    His eyes flicked to me, then past me, down the corridor we had just come from. He leaned in close, voice barely above a breath. ¡°Don¡¯t stop moving. And don¡¯t...¡±


    The lights went out. Total darkness. Somewhere, in that black void, I heard the wet dragging sound change. It was closer.


    Have you ever been so scared that you couldn''t move? Frightened beyond belief, as if the whole world stops and the only thing you have to face is the fear that is causing you to become eerily still. You feel as if a slight incorrect move could be your last. If you do one thing instead of another your entire existence would be gone within a flash of your eye. This is exactly how I felt in this moment. The sound grew nearer with each passing breath I took. "Grab the prismark and throw it behind you, dolt!" Reaction took over and I did just that. Reaching into my satchel and releasing the orb with a fast pitch behind me.


    It just reached the corner where it connected to a true monstrosity.


    The impact was immediate. A sharp, crystalline crack echoed through the corridor, followed by a brief pulse of light from the prismark¡¯s release. For a split second, the darkness peeled back just enough to show what had been lurking behind me.


    I wished it hadn''t.


    It was wrong.


    Not just in the way all monsters are wrong, claws, teeth, unnatural proportions. No, this thing felt like a mistake in reality itself, something that shouldn¡¯t exist but did anyway, like a glitch in the world given flesh. Its shape wasn¡¯t constant; it rippled and bent, as if my eyes couldn¡¯t quite decide on what I was seeing. I caught glimpses of too many limbs, a mouth that moved without opening, and a set of milky, sightless eyes that locked onto me the instant the prismark shattered.


    A sharp inhale, a sucking, gurgling sound that sent a fresh wave of terror through me. Then it moved. Not with a lurch or a step, but a shift, like it was skipping space itself. It went from lingering at the corner to being right there, not even a breath away. I stumbled backward, tripping over my own feet. My mind screamed at me to act, but my body was sluggish, fear still anchoring me in place.


    "RUN, YOU IMBECILE!" Bram roared inside my head.


    Jaffrah had already bolted ahead, but he turned sharply when he noticed I wasn¡¯t right behind him. ¡°Move, damn you!¡±


    The creature¡¯s form wavered again, its limbs contorting in ways that defied logic, its milky eyes reflecting the dim, flickering light. Then... It twitched. A single, minuscule movement, barely noticeable.


    I ran.


    My legs burned as I tore through the corridor, breath ragged, heartbeat hammering in my skull. Behind me, the air popped, a warping, unnatural distortion that told me it was moving again, closing the distance far too quickly.


    Jaffrah led the way, yanking me toward an emergency panel. His fingers flew over the controls, muttering curses under his breath. The bulkhead door ahead started grinding open, painfully slow. Behind me, the wet dragging sound was gone. Nothing but silence. And that was worse. I turned my head just slightly, heart lodged in my throat. The thing wasn¡¯t chasing. It had stopped in the middle of the corridor, twisted limbs hunched, head tilted, as if it were¡­ watching. As if it were waiting.


    The door behind us screeched open, and Jaffrah didn¡¯t hesitate, he shoved me through first.


    We barely made it inside before the door slammed shut behind us. Only then did I let myself breathe. But even as I sucked in shaky gulps of air, my gut churned with unease. Because that thing¡­


    It could¡¯ve caught us. I was sure of it, but it didn¡¯t. It let us go, and that scared me more than anything else. "Oooh, that was... EXCITING!" Bram yelled out in my head.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    I turned to look at Jaffrah but noticed he was looking off into the distance. Yes, we made it! A wide smile fell over my face. We still had to get on the outside of the ginormous walls, but I felt a lot better about our odds from out here.


    Jaffrah still hadn''t said anything which I thought was odd given the amount of time he must have sat down in that dungeon for. I walked up to him kicking up some sand as I did. We were in some sort of desert the heat and ugly sand reminded me of home.


    "Are you doing alright?" my voice creaking and sounding a bit uneven. A long moment past before he looked in my direction while taking his helmet off.


    "It''s been quite some time since I''ve been outside is all." His voice faltering, I fully expected him to break down, but he continued "This place has... changed, from what I remember the-" distant sounds of laser rifle filled our ears as he looked around to assess where the noise was coming from. His head moving back and forth as his eyes went wide. He turned and sprinted away before yelling back "Ruuun!"


    I turned to Jaffrah, but something about the way he stood, stiff and unmoving, made my stomach twist. He wasn¡¯t looking at me. His eyes were fixed on the horizon.


    We made it. The realization finally settled in, and despite everything, a grin spread across my face. We still had to get past the enormous outer walls, but compared to where we had just come from, that felt like a much easier task.


    Jaffrah, however, didn¡¯t share my relief.


    I walked up beside him, kicking up sand with each step. The heat was already settling into my armor, the thick desert air clinging to my skin. Something about this place gnawed at me, the endless dunes stretching far and empty, yet feeling watched.


    ¡°You alright?¡± My voice cracked mid-sentence, the dryness in my throat making it uneven.


    Jaffrah took his time answering. His hands trembled as he finally pulled off his helmet, letting the scorching wind hit his face. His eyes darted over the landscape, something unreadable flickering behind them.


    ¡°It¡¯s been¡­ a long time since I¡¯ve seen the sky,¡± he murmured. His voice wavered, and for a brief moment, I thought he might break down right then and there. But instead, he swallowed hard and continued, his tone quieter. ¡°This place has changed. From what I remember, the-¡±


    Pzzzt!


    The distant crack of a laser rifle split through the air. Jaffrah¡¯s head snapped toward the noise, his eyes going wide. He spun in place, scanning the dunes, his breathing suddenly shallow. Another shot rang out, closer this time. Then, without warning, he bolted. ¡°RUN!¡± he shouted over his shoulder.


    Instinct took over before I could even think. My legs burned as I sprinted after him, the shifting sand making every step a battle. Behind us, more shots fired, closer, faster. Above the howling desert wind, just barely audible, came another sound. Not the rifles. Not the shouts of soldiers. Something else. A warbled, gurgling hum.


    The monstrosity had made it out of the bulkhead somehow. I wasn¡¯t sure if it was chasing us or turning on the guards firing their rifles. All I knew was that I had to keep running.


    Jaffrah reached the wall ahead of me, moving with the kind of urgency that suggested he had a plan¡ªat least, I hoped he did. He scanned the massive structure, fingers brushing over the surface before abruptly sprinting along its length.


    He¡¯s looking for something.


    I forced my burning legs to move faster, lungs straining against the dry air. Jaffrah skidded to a stop and pressed his hand against the wall. A faint shimmer rippled outward, revealing a translucent keypad embedded in the metal. His fingers flew over the numbers, trying one code, then another, then another. Nothing.


    I turned, scanning the dunes, my chest heaving. No movement. No flickering limbs. No twisted figure in the distance. Nothing. The creature was gone.


    My pulse pounded in my ears. ¡°What the hell happened to that thing? Where did it even come from? Do they have enough manpower to put it down?¡± The questions tumbled from my mouth, my brain barely keeping up with them. Jaffrah let out a sharp breath, his patience snapping. ¡°Enough! I am trying to keep us alive. Questions later. Right now, shut up and watch my back.¡±


    I swallowed hard and nodded, gripping my weapon tighter. Because whether it was the guards or that thing, something was coming. I wasn¡¯t sure which one scared me more.


    Jaffrah worked feverishly, his fingers flying over the keypad, inputting what seemed like random codes. Each failed attempt sent another ripple across the interface before it faded back to neutral.


    A low tremor ran through the sand beneath my boots.


    I froze.


    Slowly, my eyes drifted to the right.


    Another one.


    It was massive, its grotesque form barely visible against the heat distortion rising from the dunes. It moved with an unsettling, lurching grace, limbs shifting unnaturally as it rounded the far side of the building.


    Three hundred yards.


    Too close.


    My grip tightened around my weapon, my pulse hammering. ¡°We¡¯ve got company,¡± I hissed through gritted teeth. ¡°Whatever you¡¯re doing, do it faster.¡±


    Jaffrah didn¡¯t look up. ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡± His voice was tight, controlled¡ªbut I could hear the tension in it. The creature let out a deep, reverberating hum, low and unnatural. The sand vibrated beneath me again.


    Two hundred yards.


    My breath hitched. I swallowed hard and readied my weapon. We were running out of time.


    One hundred yards.


    A new noise appeared, a faint humming, that turned into an ear wrenching metal scraping against metal. I reopened my eyes to see the beast no more than fifty yards away start to shy away because of the fluctuating sound. Almost as if it was hurting causing harm. I get that the noise was insufferable, but not as bad as the commotion the beast went in. It flailed itself left to right against the sandy ground. I looked back to see that a small door was screeching open, the hole wide enough for us to get through so I jumped in. Expecting Jaffrah to follow, I was surprised when he hadn''t. I hurriedly got to my feet to see what the hell he was doing.


    He was frozen. Finger and hand still outstretched like it was ready to punch in more numbers. "Hurry the hell up man, we don''t have the time for this." I shouted at him while grabbing his wrist. That did something at least. He snapped back to reality rushing into the narrow gap and turned around to start the closing sequence on another console inside this room. I could still see the monster outside thrashing around and decided to analyze it.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 99.0268%">


    Test Subject X-21


    A half-breed born from the worst of human science and the cold indifference of the system. A failed experiment? A cruel joke? No one knows for sure. What is known is this: if you encounter one, there is no escape. It does not lose. It does not stop. It does not forget. Reports describe its form as shifting, its movements erratic yet terrifyingly precise. It does not kill for sustenance. It kills because it was made to. If you see it, do not run. It won¡¯t matter.


    Nothing will save you.


    Level: Unknown


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Everything stopped. My heart. My breath. Even the creature¡¯s violent thrashing.


    The system message lingered in my vision, those ominous words burning into my mind:


    "Test Subject X-21."


    A cold wave of dread crashed over me. My hands trembled as I forced myself to look up. The hidden metal door, the only thing separating us from that thing, had stopped screeching, but it was still closing. Too slow. Way too slow. With the speed it had, it could make it through before the gap sealed completely.


    Then it moved. A single step forward. My heartbeat slammed back into motion, a violent drum in my chest. The creature was gauging the distance. It knew it had time. It wasn¡¯t panicking. It wasn¡¯t desperate. It was just... waiting. A sharp nudge to my shoulder jolted me out of my frozen trance.


    "Freedom is just beyond this door," Jaffrah said, his voice clipped, tinged with irritation. As if that thing wasn¡¯t right there, considering whether we were worth the effort of chasing.


    I swallowed, throat dry, and forced myself to move. The second control panel flickered as Jaffrah worked. Another hidden door groaned in protest, the metal screeching as it began to slide open.


    Then two things happened at once. The creature lunged.


    A twisted, gnarled limb shot through the first door just as it was about to close. The impact made the entire structure shudder. The metal buckled slightly, and for a terrifying moment, I couldn¡¯t tell if it was from the sheer force of the thrashing or if it was actively forcing its way through.


    The screeching intensified. The second door was still opening, too slow, every second dragging out like a nightmare.


    I turned back just in time to see another limb press against the closing door, claws digging deep, holding it open. It wasn¡¯t going to let us leave.


    Jaffrah cursed under his breath. ¡°Move!¡± My legs wouldn¡¯t listen. Because I knew. This door wasn¡¯t going to hold. If we didn¡¯t make it through the second door now, we wouldn¡¯t be getting through at all.


    The door was tight against my rib cage, swearing under my breath as I pushed with my hands on the outside of the doorway. I heaved against it one final time and fell to the ground, making it through. I breathed deeply as I rolled over and saw Jaffrah throwing a dark ball of energy towards the monster, just before passing through the doorway. As he worked on closing the door I witnessed the spell wash over the test subject. It froze for a second and then....


    It laughed.


    Not a human laugh. Not even a creature''s natural sound. It was a broken, warped distortion, like static from a dying radio, twisting and crackling in a way that sent ice through my veins.


    Then it moved.


    Not forward, not towards us, but backward. Just a step. Just enough to let the spell seep into its form, to let it settle, like it was absorbing it.


    Jaffrah swore, his fingers flying across the control panel. The door groaned, gears grinding as it struggled to seal.


    The monster twitched. Then again. Its gnarled limbs jerked in unnatural, stuttering motions, as if it was being rewired by something unseen. Then the spell, whatever it was meant to do, began to peel away. Not dissolve. Not dissipate. Just... unravel, like threads unwinding from a fabric, until the energy Jaffrah had thrown was returning to the air around it.


    "That shouldn¡¯t be possible," Jaffrah muttered under his breath.


    "What did you hit it with?!" I demanded, scrambling backward on my hands.


    "A paralysis spell!" he snapped, still hammering at the controls. "It should¡¯ve frozen it in place for at least a minute!"


    The creature let out a sound, not a roar, not a screech. A deep, rattling exhale. Like it had been holding its breath.


    Then it took another step forward.


    The door was only halfway shut.


    "Move, move, move!" Jaffrah shoved me forward, his patience snapping. I scrambled to my feet as he threw another spell, this time, not at the monster, but at the door itself. Dark energy crackled along the edges, forcing it to slide faster.


    The monster didn¡¯t panic.


    It didn¡¯t rush.


    It simply watched.


    The gap was closing. Almost there. Almost safe.


    Then, just before the door sealed completely, the creature tilted its head. The jagged, too-thin silhouette of its face pressed just close enough that I could see it through the narrowing slit of space.


    And then...


    It smiled. The door slammed shut.


    Silence.


    My breath came in ragged, uneven gasps. Jaffrah exhaled sharply and leaned against the panel, muttering something in a language I didn¡¯t recognize. I swallowed. My mouth was dry. My body refused to move.


    Because I knew... I knew.


    That thing... let us go, and I had no idea why.


    Knowing distance was the key I searched through my bag and found the Phantom token and summoned my cruiser. This desert sun was a cruel mistress, and I wouldn''t want for anything more than to be stuck in a forest again with its calm temperate climate.


    I looked over at Jaffrah and asked, "You know how to drive one of these?"


    Jaffrah gave me a look that was equal parts confusion and exhaustion. "Drive one of these?" He scoffed, stepping closer to inspect the cruiser. "I was locked in a dungeon, not a racing circuit."


    I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Right. Of course."


    That meant I was driving.


    I wasn''t exactly thrilled with that, either. The last time I had to drive under pressure, I almost flew over the handlebars. But standing here, baking in this cursed sun while an abomination played mind games behind us wasn¡¯t an option.


    I swung my leg over the seat and powered it up. The cruiser hummed to life beneath me, its energy core sending out a faint, cool vibration. I looked over at Jaffrah again, debating whether I should offer him a spot behind me or just gun it and let him figure out his own transport.


    Before I could decide, he placed a hand on my shoulder. "Go. I''ll follow."


    I hesitated. "Are you messing wit-?"


    Then he vanished.


    I barely had time to process it before a gust of wind shot past me, a shimmer in the air revealing a streak of dark energy darting ahead. Jaffrah was flying. Of course he was. Mages.


    Bram sighed in relief. "Thank the gods. I really didn''t want to be smashed against another dude at high speeds."


    I rolled my eyes and kicked the cruiser into gear. The wheels lifted, hovering just slightly above the sand, and with a sharp jolt forward, I sped off after Jaffrah.


    The desert stretched out before us, an endless expanse of heat and shimmering air, but I wasn¡¯t fooled. The real danger wasn¡¯t behind us anymore.


    It was watching.


    Waiting.


    And I had a feeling this wasn¡¯t over yet.

 Chapter 20.5: Nexa

    The Goddess Nexa sat at a luxuriously grand table she had conjured out of thin air, its edges woven with golden strands of reality itself. The chair beneath her was sculpted from pure celestium crystal, a material so rare that entire civilizations had waged wars over fragments of it. To her, such things were mundane now. Trinkets. Fleeting distractions.


    But even with all her power, she had royally screwed up.


    A sensation, one she hadn¡¯t felt since before her ascension, coiled within her, gnawing at the edges of her divinity. Ever since her conversation with that human, Liam, it had only grown stronger. She should have forgotten him already, should have dismissed him as yet another mortal caught in the weave of the System. And yet¡­


    She could do nothing as Earth, his home was slowly being inducted into a rival System. The moment it happened, Liam would know. Once he knew, he would have to return to that world, to fight, to survive an apocalypse engineered by powers beyond his comprehension.


    A strange heat stirred in her chest, something close to anger, no, something worse. Concern. A dangerous thing for a god to feel.


    With a flick of her foot, she pushed away from the table and sent it hurtling into the void. It spun through the cosmos at immeasurable speed, carving through the very fabric of space like a blade through silk. A moment later, it was gone.


    Her fingers flexed at her sides. She could start threading new planets and galaxies into her master¡¯s fold, expanding the reach of the System she served. But to act so recklessly would disrupt the balance, overburden her domain, and most dangerously draw the ire of her master.


    Master¡­


    For now, she would watch. And wait.


    But when had waiting ever been enough?


    Restless, Nexa rose from her seat, her celestial robes billowing as she moved toward the great tapestry of fate. Her fingers traced the intricate weave, following a single thread... Liam¡¯s. A mortal bound to her System, tethered to destiny by choice and by force. He was supposed to be safe under her guidance.


    Yet as she peered closer, a chill unlike anything she had felt in eons settled into her bones.


    The thread was no longer as she had last seen it, once woven in a vibrant dance of red and blue, its fibers pulsed with something unnatural. A deep, abyssal black had begun to coil around it, threading itself into the very fabric of his being like a slow-working poison.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Her breath caught.


    No. Not this. Not him.


    Nexa¡¯s hands hovered over the corruption, her mind racing through ancient knowledge and forbidden truths. She had heard of these before, whispers of legend, of anomalies sent not to kill, but to erase. A punishment dealt only by her master; an executioner¡¯s blade wielded when rival Systems dared to rise unchecked.


    And now, that blade had touched Liam.


    Her fingers clenched, a silent fury blooming beneath her skin. She could not touch it. To unravel the anomaly would be to unravel him, and not even she held the power to separate the two without consequence. He was marked. Doomed.


    She swallowed hard as a single thought took root, a thought that made her celestial form waver for the first time in centuries.


    Was this her punishment?


    A test of loyalty? A quiet warning from her master that she was stepping beyond her place?


    Her mind reeled as she recalled the decree, the doctrine etched into the very foundation of the System:


    <hr>


    When a rival System grows too powerful to infiltrate or corrupt, I will resort to a method that is both precise and devastating, unleashing anomalies that erase key figures and disrupt the System from within.


    These anomalies are not mere creatures; they are cosmic aberrations, fragments of broken realities, corrupted data from failed Systems, or entities that should never have existed. Their very presence warps the fabric of whatever world they touch, making them the perfect tool for surgical destruction.


    Identifying Key Figures: I pinpoint the architects of the rival System¡¯s power: Ascended Champions, high-ranking administrators, System-bound deities, or even the System¡¯s governing intelligence itself.


    Summoning the Anomaly: Unlike a direct attack, which could trigger System-wide defenses, I instead summon an anomaly and redirect it toward the target. This is done with subtle energy manipulations, carefully disguised as natural disturbances in the cosmic framework.


    Corrupting the System: Upon arrival, the anomaly does not just kill¡ªit erases. Those caught in its grasp are not merely destroyed but removed from existence, their influence, memories, and even their achievements scrubbed from reality. In some cases, it rewrites history, making it so they never existed at all.


    Forcing a Collapse: With its key figures erased and its fabric weakened, the rival System begins to collapse on itself. Planets governed by its laws fall into disorder, its rules become unstable, and eventually, its governing intelligence is forced into shutdown. Then and only then will we take them and make what was theirs... Ours.


    Those of you who think you may take planets, galaxies, and universes into our flock without my knowledge¡ª


    Will be replaced.


    Will be erased.


    That is all.


    - Master


    <hr>


    The words burned in her mind, but none of them answered the question clawing at her insides.


    Why Liam?


    Why now?


    Had another System declared war, using Liam as a pawn? Or¡­ was this the Master¡¯s will? A silent rebuke of her interference?


    Nexa exhaled sharply, straightening.


    No.


    She had threaded Liam into the Master¡¯s System herself. She had chosen him. He was hers.


    And if this was a test, then she would not fail.


    With a flick of her wrist, the grand celestium chair she had conjured shattered into stardust. It no longer mattered what she had planned. What mattered now was Liam, and the war that had already begun.