Justin awoke still tired, but that changed in an instant when he heard the System’s voice in his mind.
You have reached Level Four. While your journey has just begun, with a courageous heart, the heights you can reach are boundless.
Justin felt that call to adventure even now, despite the dangers he knew lay ahead.
As a Level Four Socialite, you have one Attribute Point to distribute.
Justin, at least this time, felt no temptation to put the point elsewhere. He locked it into Charisma.
Your Charisma Attribute is now: 15.
Onward, Brave Adventurer, to glory and victory!
Justin felt the System depart with a frown. Where was his new skill?
But then he remembered: new skills were only unlocked for every prime number level, and every five levels. This would be his first level up with no new skill to show for it.
It didn’t feel great, but at least his Charisma was 15 now, 16 when including the stat boost from his cane.
He realized that despite being Level 4, his Charisma stat was likely to exceed most classes in this world, at least for those who didn’t place a focus on it. It should make the social aspect far easier, at least when he wasn’t directly at odds with another Charisma-based class.
He summoned his character sheet to review it.
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Justin Talemaker
Class: Socialite
Level: 4
Experience to Level 5: 839/420 (Level-up available!)
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Power: 10 (+1)
Coordination: 10
Endurance: 10
Intellect: 10
Perception: 10 (+1)
Charisma: 15 (+1)
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Skills:
(Level 0) Epic Barb: Obsolete.
(Level 1) Poison Barb: You know precisely what to say to cause emotional damage to someone, stunning them temporarily. If your barb renders them speechless for at least three seconds, the cooldown immediately refreshes. (Cooldown: 10 minutes)
(Level 2) Dazzling Display: Once a day, strike a pose or make a gesture that immediately captures the attention of those nearby, momentarily distracting or captivating them. The strength of this skill scales with your Charisma Level.
(Level 3) Dandy’s Swagger: Perform a captivating strut that immediately fills you with confidence and swagger! This skill boosts allies’ Charisma by +2 and makes neutrals treat you as if you have +2 Charisma for one minute. Hostiles take a -2 Charisma penalty for one minute. This strut can halt conversations and cause enemies to hesitate, with this effect becoming more likely at higher Charisma levels. (Cooldown: 30 minutes)
(Hidden) Gentleman’s Rebuff: Instinctually block the first hostile attack directed at you once per day by any character or creature up to Level 12.
Basic Cane Proficiency: Gained upon Core-Binding your first cane. 2.5% increased damage with canes.
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Equipment:
Weapon: Cane of Valoria: +1 to Charisma and Perception. Confers hidden skill “Gentleman’s Rebuff.”
Accessory: The Ring of Hygiene: Once per day, become perfectly clean and groomed to your exact specifications.
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Justin closed his sheet. There was truly nothing new to see aside from the Attribute increase, and of course, the amount of experience he needed to reach Level 5, which he should get after his next sleep. Now, Justin knew exactly what Eldrin meant when he said the first level-ups came quickly. It seemed the amount of experience was increasing, roughly, by a factor of 1.3 each time.
Assuming Justin could keep himself alive, he’d reach Level 5 and even 6 in no time at all. Plus, at his next level up, he had his first party skill to look forward to, which would provide a boon not only for himself but for the entire group, not to mention an upgrade to his cane competency.
There was something else to keep in mind, too. Though he’d used Gentleman’s Rebuff early this morning, because of the level up, it seemed it was once again available to be used, should he need it.
And something told him he’d probably be needing it.
Justin rolled over to find that Lila was also waking up. No doubt, she was Level 4 too.
“Coordination again?” Justin asked.
She shook her head. “Endurance this time.”
“Whoa. Don’t go too crazy!”
“This Vault has me scared,” she said. “Please tell me you put your point in Power or Endurance this time.”
Justin felt unsure of himself for a moment. He’d locked it into Charisma without hesitation, but maybe Lila was right. They had a Level 13 Vault ahead of them, after all.
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“Charisma,” he admitted. “I just can’t help myself.”
“You’re going to get yourself killed. Plus, Endurance will make travel all the easier. I can carry more stuff now!”
“Great! Would you mind taking the cook pot for me?”
“Ha. Hilarious, Justin.”
For the first time, Justin realized that both Alistair and Eldrin were gone.
“Checking out the Vault,” Lila said, before he could ask. “I think they’re wanting to get started.”
“It’s decided, then?”
“Seems like it. All out of options.”
Justin supposed that was true.
He and Lila ate quickly, also packing the supplies the monks must have dropped off. That Justin hadn’t even noticed their coming only spoke to his exhaustion.
Once packed, they headed through the chapel, which was still unnerving, even with Alistair’s light spell he’d set to floating in the nave. He wondered if the rate of deterioration had been hastened by the proximity of the Vault. Four months was not nearly enough time for things to look this bad.
Justin and Lila went down the steps, finding both the Paladin and the Ranger just a few feet away from the Vault entrance. Both of their expressions were quite severe, more so than Justin would have expected, even given the situation.
“Something wrong?” Justin asked.
The two exchanged a glance before Eldrin addressed Justin. “It would be easier if you just stood close to the Vault yourself.”
Justin and Lila looked at each other before approaching. As soon as Justin did so, the Vault description appeared before him.
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Vault Discovered: The Crypt of King Alaric
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Recommended Party Level: 15
Average Party Level: 10.75
Risk Level: Extremely Dangerous! Your party is significantly beneath the recommended level. Catastrophic consequences, including severe injury or death, are highly probable. Proceed with extreme caution!
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Description: The Crypt of the High King Alaric, within the famous and beautiful Catacombs of Highcliff, has been corrupted by the dark rituals of the Cult of Morvath, the God of Death
Once a place of rest for the beloved King, a renowned and powerful Life Mage, the crypt has become a haven for death and darkness. The cultists have summoned demons from the Netherrealm while twisting King Alaric’s spirit toward unwholesome ends.
To clear this Vault, you must defeat the Cultists, allowing the King's spirit to rest easy. The challenges within will test not only your strength but your resolve to confront your deepest fears and the vilest sorceries.
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Rewards Upon Completion:
—Experience: Scaled to party member level and individual contribution.
—Guaranteed Silver-Level Item: For each party member.
—Chance for a Platinum-Level Artifact: For one party member.
—Treasure: Ten gold crowns, to be divided amongst the party.
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Do you accept the Vault’s challenge?
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Justin stepped back, his face pale. “Recommended Level 15? What the hell? I thought it was supposed to be 13!”
“It changed overnight,” Eldrin said somberly.
Alistair was still quiet, still not having spoken. Justin had never seen him so solemn. It was easy to see he had been weighing the pros and cons of entering versus turning back, perhaps for hours.
“I have another level up,” Justin offered. “Lila, too. If we rest here another day, get our bearings, we might enter the Vault in a better position. I stand to unlock Improved Cane Competency, not to mention my Level 5 Party skill.”
“The risk is too great,” Alistair said. “We’re likely to wake up and discover this Vault is Level 17. Perhaps even Level 20 or more.”
“It’s growing exponentially,” Eldrin said. “As you said last night, Alistair, it would seem the gods are playing with us.”
“We have no choice but to enter,” he whispered. “No choice. A Level 20 or more Shadowblade and all his classed followers, all knowing exactly where we are. Or the trials of a Level 15 Vault. The answer is straightforward, but it’s not easier to decide.”
“We must prepare ourselves as best we can,” Eldrin said. “I have some potions that can help edify Justin and Lila and improve their survivability. Combined, they’ll increase Endurance and Power for a short time. They can use it if we ever get into any dangerous situations.”
“Those kinds of potions aren’t cheap, Ranger. But I fear we have no choice.”
Eldrin reached into his pack, producing several vials and handing them out to both Lila and Justin. “Only take it if you absolutely need it. The gray one, Ironroot Essence, will boost your Power by 2 for five minutes. The red one, Heartwood Elixir, will boost your Endurance by the same. You will have one of each. It’s all I have.”
Justin nodded. “Thank you, Eldrin. I’ll put them to good use.”
Lila nodded. “I’m scared, but I have my knives and my new amulet. Both should come in handy for this Vault.”
Everyone was silent as they watched Alistair, who still seemed at war with himself.
“I fear most for the safety of you three. Nothing here should trouble me, but the challenge is to get through while losing no one. Even I could become quickly overwhelmed if caught unawares.”
“Not too late to turn back, if you judge it best,” the Ranger said. “It is at least day now. That should provide some shield against the undead out on the open road.”
“Nay,” Alistair said. “We are here, and we have no choice. The strength of this Vault could easily become overwhelming, threatening not just the Church of Light, but all of Highcliff. It is our duty to clear it before it can become an even greater threat.”
“Not to mention the rewards,” Lila said. “Let’s not forget that.”
“Aye, a consideration, to be sure,” Eldrin said. “I’m surprised a Platinum-Level Artifact is being offered at a Level 15. At most, you’d see a gold at this Level, and rarely at that.”
“Maybe the gods are trying to tempt us,” Justin said.
Eldrin grunted. “I wouldn’t put it past them.”
“And a guaranteed Silver-Level item to boot, not to mention the gold,” Lila said. “I say we go for it.”
Justin wondered at Lila’s confidence, but if last night was any sign, money was a huge motivator for her. Which made sense, given her debts.
“Plus, Alistair has bonuses against the undead,” Justin added. “I’m with Lila.”
Alistair let out a breath. “The wise know that the inexperienced speak loudly, for they have not yet faced the trials that temper steel into strength.” He turned to face Justin and Lila, his blue eyes haunted. “We must proceed with caution and resolve.”
“Lead the way, Alistair,” Eldrin said.
The Paladin took in the entire group. “This will be our most difficult trial yet. Follow every order without question. Not only do our lives depend upon it, but perhaps the lives of hundreds of residents of Highcliff, unaware of the danger. Our High Cleric friend did a foolish thing by not nipping this in bud, reputation or not, and now he’s in a terrible bind. We must always remember: reputation is dust when considering the lives of the innocent, who hold the sacred spark of Life gifted by the Creator.”
The others nodded solemnly. Justin realized there was no one better into this Vault.
“We’re right behind you, Alistair,” he said. “We’ll do everything you say.”
Alistair gave a curt nod. “That is well. My first order is, stay behind me. Eldrin, you bring up the rear. Let’s approach. When ready, accept the Vault’s invitation.”
Lila gave a firm nod. “Without risk, there is no glory nor gain.”
Justin nodded, trying to feel as confident as her, but he couldn’t kid himself. This one would be a doozy, and that was putting it lightly.
As soon as he was about five paces from the Vault, a System alert notified him.
Welcome back, Brave Adventurers. The Crypt of King Alaric lies within. Do you accept the Vault’s Challenge?
Justin clutched his cane tightly, hesitating only a moment before giving his mental assent. As soon as he did so, the stone door was thrown back, revealing a long, decrepit staircase descending into darkness, the only illumination being various, magically lit candelabra placed at irregular intervals within alcoves in the walls. A cold, dry wind, smelling of must and decay, escaped into the chapel.
You have accepted the Challenge of The Vault of The Crypt of King Alaric. May courage be your guide and your resolve your shield.
Good luck, Brave Adventurers...
As one, the party of four entered the Catacombs of Highcliff.