Attack Lvl 15
1. Canines Lvl 1
2. Claws Lvl 15
1. Sharpness Lvl 5*
1. Serrated Edge
2. Convex Edge
Shaggy stared at his choices after Evolving the sharpness on his claws. He had come out of the last few fights with sixty points in his Werewolf tree. Thinking about the few times he could not cut through things, he upgraded his claws sharpness and got two more choices. Choices that were apparently about the type of edge to his claws. Trouble was, he did not know what either of them meant.
He was pretty sure a serrated edge knife had jagged, tooth-like protrusions along its surface. It made ripping and sawing easier, and with his strength would probably do a lot of damage. But the convex edge was the one tripping him up. He had already used over twenty points getting his Sharpness up to level five and he still wanted to look over his General Evolution Tree. He was about to bite the bullet and choose one when a gunshot drew him out of his menus.
Looking around, he saw the cart and Lackeys they were taking toward the north wall supply point. Vlad was up front, leading the way, but was now turned around, looking back. Shaggy followed his gaze and found Vick with a smoking rifle. The brown-haired man was standing there, smiling, as he checked his work. Shaggy checked his pack mate’s sight line and found a broken Bladeling. The grey alien Arklot had brought along, Tornk, grunted.
“You keep shooting them and the rest of us won’t have a chance to shine.” Tornk rumbled in his deep voice.
The stone-skin alien rumbled when he did everything from moving to whispering. Shaggy figured it was just an affectation of his species. Vick scanned the surroundings before he shouldered his rifle and smiled.
“Hey, not my fault that the rest of y’all use those archaic swords and such. God gave us the greatest invention to destroy our enemies from afar.” He patted his rifle affectionately.
Shaggy chuckled dryly and looked at his two pack mates. Both Vick and Sybil were the two gun-toting members of his new pack. Sybil preferred to carry two pistols and spray and pray, while Vick was the sharpshooter. Vick got a chagrined look on his face as he caught Shaggy’s eye.
“Not meaning you, boss.”
Shaggy waved him off. “You ain’t wrong, Vick. I could probably do with a long range option at some point. But for now, my claws have kept me alive pretty well.”
“No offense, boss. But I think that crazy rapid healing of yours has kept you alive longer than those claws.” Sybil joked.
“Point taken.”
Their group started moving again as they all kept an eye out for more Bladelings. Shaggy was about to go into his menus again when he saw Vlad give him a look. He and his vampire wannabes were toward the front of the cart, and they were pulling for now. They had agreed to swap for the trip back. The Lackeys weren’t pulling fast, but they were making good time. Shaggy jogged to the front of the short cart and walked next to his friend.
“That Tornk guy isn’t wrong. How are the others supposed to get experience if your boy is sniping all the robots that get close?”
Shaggy shrugged. “You want him to let a couple through so we can have a good dust-up? I could ask him to cool it. But, really, these guys have been fighting Bladelings all day, right? They should have it down pat.”
Vlad rubbed his chin and nodded. “Yeah, but any experience is good experience. Remember, they have levels like we do. Well, probably not exactly like we do, but you take my meaning.”
“Fine. But let me get through my Evolution stuff first. I’ve got to look up the difference between a serrated and convex edge for my claws.”
Vlad raised a black eyebrow. “One is jagged, the other is a very sharp edge.”
“Oh well, that simplifies the decision.”
“Going with the convex?”
“Yeah, serrated sounds fun, but the thought of sawing my arms through a body is a bit much. I just want my claws to be very sharp. Sharp enough to cut through anything.”
“Well, your enhanced strength is going to help with a lot of that too, you know.”
Shaggy nodded, but he was already back in his menus raising the Convex Edge option to level one. Just as he predicted, the serrated option went red as he made his choice. That was another option that was now gone for him. He wondered if he could take the damn glaring red option off. But he left it for later. He still wanted to go through his General Tree.
Lycanthropy Mutation Tree
* Attack Lvl 15
* Canines Lvl 1
* Claws Lvl 15
* Sharpness Lvl 5
* Serrated Edge
* Convex Edge Lvl 1*
* Bone Claws
* Defense Lvl 10
* Tough Bones Lvl 3
* Utility Lvl 15
* Partial Transformation Lvl 5
* Limb transformation Lvl 4
* Regeneration Lvl 25
* Limb Regen Lvl 2
* Pain Suppression Lvl 3
Points: 28
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Thinking things over quickly shaggy dumped the rest of his points into Regeneration. It had been a while since he had put anything into it and the ability was taking a lot of points. But it was pretty much his bread and butter. It is what had shaped his character in-game so far. So best to keep it topped up.
With the full twenty-eight points put into Regeneration, Shaggy squeezed out a level from the ability. He was really going to have to focus up on it if he wanted the next Evolution Cell. Which wouldn’t come until the ability was level fifty-five. He grit his teeth and looked at his General Tree.
General Tree
* Toughness Lvl 20
* Thick Skin Lvl 15
* Skin Resistances Lvl 5
* Skin Durability Lvl 1
* Reflexes Lvl 20
* Quick Hands Lvl 10
* Manual Dexterity Lvl 2
* Mind Lvl 20
* Enhanced Focus Lvl 3
Points: 120
Now this tree was easier for Shaggy to manage. It was taking longer to raise things, but it was a much simpler Tree. At least, that’s how Shaggy thought of it. He looked at his options before deciding that the first that needed to go up was his defense. Shaggy thought he was pretty good at getting out of the way, but for when he wasn’t, a good defense was crucial. He immediately dumped points into it, watching as the level slowly ticked up. The point conversion was still a pain, but he had enough to get him a new evolution at least.
Toughness Lvl 25*
* Thick Skin Lvl 15
* Skin Resistances Lvl 5
* Skin Durability Lvl 1
* Dermal Armor Lvl 0*
Points: 54
Shaggy felt his eyebrows go up as he stared at his new option. He glanced down at his shredded and broken Ifirt armor he had gotten from the Professor. The armor was on its last legs and he could really do for an upgrade. Looking at his point total, he winced as he hit the mental button. His points started decreasing, and he watched his new Dermal Armor ability until finally it leveled up.
* Dermal Armor Lvl 1*
Points: 32
Shaggy could feel himself get bulkier. His armor fit a little tighter and his arms bulged slightly as his skin got slightly darker. Whatever type of armor his skin had become, it also made him slightly more board-chested. It felt like he was wearing armor in a fantasy game. He twisted and moved as he tried to get used to his new armor. It would take a bit, but he figured it was worth it. He glanced back at the Tree as Vick’s gun went off again.
General Tree
* Toughness Lvl 25*
* Thick Skin Lvl 15
* Skin Resistances Lvl 5
* Skin Durability Lvl 1
* Dermal Armor Lvl 1*
* Reflexes Lvl 20*
* Quick Hands Lvl 10*
* Manual Dexterity Lvl 2
* Mind Lvl 20*
* Enhanced Focus Lvl 3*
Points: 32
Shaggy thought about his decision for a few seconds before he split his points between mind and reflex. He already got a new ability, so he could try for another or make himself better overall. He went with the overall option. With sixteen points in each, Shaggy thought they would equally go up in levels, but again the games point-system did its nonsense.
* Reflexes Lvl 23*
* Quick Hands Lvl 10
* Manual Dexterity Lvl 2
* Mind Lvl 21*
* Enhanced Focus Lvl 3
Shaggy just shook his head. The point system was just crazy. He really didn’t want to think about it too much, but every time he put points into something, it made itself apparent. Sighing, he closed out his windows and slowed down till he was alongside Vick. His new bulkier frame took some getting used to, but the game system was helping him slightly. Probably making sure he didn’t fall on his ass.
He briefly thought about checking his skills, but he shook it off. He figured all that was better left to itself until he needed to make a choice. It was pretty immersion breaking when you kept looking at the behind-the-scenes stuff going on with your character. The Evo Trees were different as those were about how he would grow. But the skills? That stuff was all about the background stuff he could do.
“Hey, Vick, give it a rest for a bit. Gotta give Vlad’s vamps something to nibble on.”
Vick smirked, but nodded as he slung his rifle back around his shoulder. Shaggy turned to Sybil, who had been listening, and she, too, holstered her pistols. Shaggy glanced at Arklot and Tornk. Arklot had his silver sword and looked apprehensive, but Tornk looked the happiest Shaggy had ever seen him. Tornk popped his knuckles and started looking around for any threats. Shaggy also waved a hand at Vlad, who nodded back at him. They each got their teams ready for close-combat as they continued northward.
Shaggy held back as the others engaged the few Bladelings that came across them. Tornk was a machine, destroying things with his bare hands. While Arklot inexpertly swung his sword at the charging robots. Luckily, the robots were pretty easy to dispatch. Vlad’s crowd fell upon the few errant robots with daggers and their fists. It took longer, but the whole crew seemed happier to be doing something as they all moved forward.
Vlad and Shaggy stayed out of things, but kept an eye out for anything more dangerous. Vick choose to remain in the background, but Sybil charged in a few times, using the butts of her pistols as cudgels. Between them, they probably made a good dent in the local robot population. Vlad and Shaggy figured it counted as their good deed for the day. But soon they noticed a distinct lack of robots in the surrounding area.
Shaggy had Vick stop helping with the cart and get back to over-watch. He didn’t think they needed it, but he figured it was better safe than sorry. Vlad had said it was because they were getting closer to the Quinica’s tunnel, but Shaggy wasn’t too sure. The Space-Vamps hadn’t been too keen on taking care of their territory so far. But maybe they valued their tunnel to the surface more than the local population. Shaggy could see that.
It was another few minutes of silent walking before unfamiliar sounds broke through the air. Shaggy was surprised at the sounds of an obvious crowd of people coming from ahead of them. The small collection of metal huts blocked his view, but the obvious sounds of people arguing and talking couldn’t be mistaken. The cavern wall arched over their heads and Shaggy could just make out the top of a large, dark tunnel.
Their group broke through the collection of houses and into a small dirt clearing. People were milling about as others collected their goods from the back of trucks. Nearby, people offered their services as carriers, while others sold cheaply made carts. Much like the one they were using. Even more people were shouting at the pale-skinned Quinica, who were standing guard near the various kinds of trucks arranged around the front of the large tunnel entrance. Vlad immediately flitted forward to get a sense of the situation. Shaggy had the rest of the crew pull up to a spot and watch the surrounding crowd.
Shaggy caught several Aliens and Mutants watching them and making note of their empty cart. He wasn’t sure if they were going to be a problem, but he thought it best to mark their various scents on the air.
They only had to wait a short while before Vlad was back and ushering them toward the front of the mass of people. Shaggy raised an eyebrow in question as they pushed and shoved their way forward.
“These people are demanding supplies to help rebuild the local area. The robots did a number on things and people want to rebuild. But the Quinica weren’t having it. You gotta go through the proper channels if you want materials.”
“Sounds like a powder keg,” Shaggy said as he elbowed past a shouting alien.
Vlad nodded. “Yeah, which is why we are going to grab our shit and go. We don’t need this headache.”
“You’re aware some people are going to make it our headache, right?”
“They way we are armed will deter a few, but yeah. Getting back is going to be fun,” Vlad said, smiling widely.
Shaggy smiled as they finally got to the front of the mass of people. A Quinica was standing there with a clipboard and looked ready to ask them a question. But Vlad just waved at him and they were waved forward. The Quinica guard went back to staring blankly at the crowd as they yelled at him. Shaggy looked around at the few other Quinica standing in a line in front of the crowd. They were obviously ready to defend their trucks and shipments. But none of them were truly armed. Thinking back to when he tussled with them, Shaggy didn’t think they needed to be.
Vlad lead them toward the back of an old army-style covered truck and the few Quinica standing near the back of it. Vlad’s crew adjusted their cart so they could toss their shipment into the back of the wooden push cart. Shaggy sighed and looked at the truck the Quinica were using.
“Hey!” He shouted at one of the pale Space-Vamps. “How much to just take the truck? We could return it in a few hours after we drop off our stuff.”
The four Quinica turned as one toward him and stared. Shaggy stared back, waiting for an answer, but one never came. Soon the Quinica chose to ignore him and went back to staring at the crowd blankly. Shaggy harrumphed in anger and was about to ask again, when he decided against it. They didn’t need the trouble. Especially with the shit time they were going to have getting out of there.
Once they had finished loading and strapping down the few crates Mr. Blue and Petra had ordered, Shaggy and Tornk spun the cart around as Sybil and Vick got behind it to push. Vlad and his wannabe vamps took up defensive positions around the cart and they marched forward. Unfortunately, the crowd remained in their way.
“Through?” Shaggy asked Vlad.
“Through.”
Shaggy turned to Tornk and grinned. “Hope you can keep up.”
Tornk snorted. “How fast can you move with those short legs?”
Shaggy grunted angrily and rushed forward, using the cart’s front handle to drag it through the dirt. People started shouting louder and Shaggy was sure he even heard a few screams. But he ignored it as he charged forward. He smiled as he noticed Tornk slip a few times as he tried to match pace with Shaggy. The stone Alien was strong but not very light on his feet, apparently. Shaggy’s smile was wiped from his face as a knife swung out from the crowd and jammed itself into his chest.
He felt the knife get turned aside by his new dermal armor and, with a thought, he shifted his hand and flicked his claws at the arm holding the knife. A loud scream went up from the crowd and the knife’s owner went down, clutching at his severed arm. Shaggy gave the crowd a glare and went back to pushing the cart. A few gave them a wide berth, but Vlad and his crew still had to push against the crowd until they finally broke away and back down the way they had come.
Shaggy glanced around and noticed that Sybil and Vick were no longer pushing the cart. The pair had their guns out and were watching their surroundings. Shaggy was about to say something when he realized he was actually fine pulling the cart. Tornk was helping, but he felt he could take the thing the entire way home. Even with it loaded as much as it was.
“Getting back is going to be fun,” Vlad said from nearby.
Shaggy looked at the scent trails he had marked from the crowd. A few were moving about behind them as they moved. Shaggy nodded at his vampire friend and pushed the cart a little harder.
“Yep, we are going to have a few roadblocks in our path. But I’m sure we can handle it.”
Vlad nodded as they all jogged along with the cart. Tornk swearing under his breath at the pace Shaggy was moving.