It took Terry and his group about three days to get to Albert Lea, Minnesota. Having to stop during the middle of the day to keep the fatigue down and avoid heat stroke, not to mention the times they had to stop and fight creatures. Terry had to have killed over a hundred of them, ranging from levels six to sixteen. Making his stats look like so:
Name: Terry Roth
Unassigned Skill Points: 16
Level: 18
Health: 920
Mana:890
Stamina: 860
Race: Human, Male
Pets: 3/3
Class: Battle Necromancer (Apprentice, Unique)
Strength: 80
Constitution: 92
Agility: 82
Intelligence: 89
Wisdom: 90
Charisma: 63
Luck: 68
Non-Class Skills:
Sneak 12 Sword Mastery 21
Commanding Roar 1 Bow Mastery 12
Abilities:
Connection to the Universe Resurrection
Class Skills:
Summon bone weapon 4 Summon minion 4
Summon bone armor 2 Increase minion health 2 (Passive)
Elemental bone infusion 1 Summon minion army 1 (Passive)
Corrosive coating 1 Summon goliath minion 1
Leech life 2 Slowing curse 2
Leech life compression 2 Slowing curse extension 2
Minion leech life 1 (Passive) Slowing curse AOE 1
Party leech life 1 (Passive) Slowing curse reversal 1
Spells:
Apprentice Heal 18 Apprentice firebolt 24
Apprentice ward 17
When Terry saw the golden arches come over the tree tops in the early dusk light, a little hope sprung up in him. The last few days had been rough, having to camp out in the open and keep watch. Resting during the day had helped some, but he was getting tired. When they finally got to the ramp that led to the truck stop, they could see cars in the lot and on the road. It looked like a ghost town though with how silent it seemed. They hurried down the road as the sun faded from view.
Terry stopped just outside the building as he thought he saw movement inside. Pulling out his sword and getting his minions ready he knocked on the door. Not hearing anything at first, he tried again and tried to open the door, it was barricaded from the inside.
“Hello? Anyone in there? We just need some shelter for the night.”
“Do you really think someone is in there?” Tamara asked.
“I think so. I thought I saw movement and the door is barricaded from the inside. Plus, I’d rather not have to break the door down if I don’t have to.”
“Yeah, it would be nice not to have to keep watch for a bit.”
“No kidding.” Terry said and knocked on the door again. This time he definitely saw someone inside. “I know someone is in there, I can see you. We just want shelter.”
“Go away.” Someone shouted from inside the building.
“No, we’re not going away and I will break this door down if I have to.”
Terry heard some mumbling coming from inside and then saw someone reveal themselves and come towards the door. Moving things out of the way they unbarricaded the door and opened it. Standing in front of Terry was a girl no older than sixteen. She had long brown hair and brown eyes standing at about five-foot two.
“Fine, you can come in and stay the night but you have to stay away from the rest of us.” She said and looked at Terry’s minions. “They have to stay outside though.”
Terry turned and looked at the creatures, one was a purple fox with three tails and the size of a saint Bernard and the other was a red and black scaled kobold that was about four feet tall with a three-foot tail ending in spikes. “That’s alright, they’ll stand outside and guard the place for us.”
“Whatever, just get in here so I can barricade the door again.”
Gesturing for the group to go inside Terry ordered his minions to watch for anything coming towards the building. He took one last look around and went inside with the rest of them and then helped the girl re-barricade the door. Moving over to where the girl indicated he joined his group.
“Would it be possible to get some food or something to eat?” Terry asked the girl before she turned and left.
“I thought you just wanted shelter?” She replied.
“We do but if you have any spare food it would be much appreciated.”
“I’ll ask but don’t get your hopes up.”
“That’s all we ask, thank you.”
Terry watched the girl go and then turned back to the group, watching as they settled down and got comfy. He went and looked out the windows and watched as the darkness set in. Terry wanted both his minions to be watching out for things, but he also didn’t trust the people inside that much either. So, he had his fox make sure to keep an eye on the inside and warn him if anyone came near them as well as keep an eye looking out.
Terry sat down in the corner facing into the store, looking around his group was laying down and relaxing, as much as they could. Before he knew it, his eyes were closed and he had already drifted off.
Terry woke up from a prick in his mind from his fox minion, meaning something was coming. When he opened his eyes, it was still dark out though with the moonlight he could make out someone coming towards them. They stopped in front of him and it was the girl from before. She looked down at him and then out the windows, he could see her face fall at what she saw.
Terry felt the vibrations first and when he stood up, he looked out the window as well and what he saw made his face harden. He thought he could at least rest for a night but no, the world just didn’t want him to. Standing up he went and woke Tamara and Izzy up, pointing out the window he watched their faces fall as well.
“Looks like we won’t get to fully rest tonight.” Terry said to them and then walked to the barricaded door.
“They won’t be able to get in if we just stay quiet.” The girl whispered.
“This has happened before?” Tamara asked.
“A couple times, yeah. They usually just pound against the walls for a couple hours and then they leave.”
“No one has tried to fight them off?”
“None of us are high enough levels or have good combat classes to even think about fighting them off.”
“Well we do have combat classes and we’re going to take care of them.” Terry said and started to take the barricade down.
“No!” The girl almost shouted and tried to stop him. “They’ll get in.”
“No… They won’t, we won’t let them. And you can barricade the door when we go out.”
The barricade came down and Terry opened the door and the three of them stepped out into the night, his minions gathering around him. Drawing their weapons, they moved out away from the building about ten feet and casted their buffs and waited for the monsters to reach them. It felt like an eternity waiting for them to get there but they didn’t want to wander too far away from the building.
As the monsters came into view Terry readied his sword and started casting his firebolt. Lighting up the night his firebolt streaked across the air and slammed into the lead monster. It was a troll about seven feet tall, and from what he could tell it had green skin and orange hair and it was pissed. He continued to shot his firebolt at it as it continued to run towards him, the rest of the group getting ready for the tidal wave of monsters. As the front line of monsters got within striking distance of them, Terry cast is AOE skill and slowed what monsters down that he could.
Terry ducked under a swing from the troll and sliced into the monster’s thigh before blocking a swipe that it took at him. Luckily his corrosive coating stopped the trolls accelerated healing from kicking in and he scored another hit on the troll’s stomach. The troll kept swinging at him and he almost got hit a couple times but with his enhanced stats it was somewhat easier to dodge.
After Terry took the troll down, he moved onto the next monster, and then the next. They fought for what seemed like hours, but was probably no more than thirty minutes. When they finally killed the last monsters, they took a look around and saw the carnage that was their fight. Going around to the bodies they looted them, not getting much for items but got some crafting things.
Taking the time to move as many corpses as they could off to the side, so hopefully nothing would come to scavenge too closely to the building. After that they made their way back inside, Terry’s minions staying outside like before. The people inside coming out of hiding as the group moved away from the door.
“Thank you for that. They have been a nuisance from the beginning.” An elderly man said as he came up to Terry.
“You’re welcome.”
“We’ll give you some food for what you’ve done.”
“That’s very kind of you, though if we could get that in the morning, I’m kind of tired after all the fighting.”
“Oh, sure sure. Rest well then, we’ll talk more in the morning.”
With that Terry and the other two moved over to where the rest of their group was and settled back down to get what sleep they could. He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes, thinking about how much the world has changed in just a week. Except he’s been happier in that week than he ever felt back in the old world. Finally feeling the darkness creep up and slip into his mind he fell asleep to the sounds of everyone’s breathing.
The next morning when Terry woke up the sun was already up and shining. He stood up and stretched, rubbing his eyes and looking around, he saw the rest of the group up and about and the other people moving about as well. Reaching into his backpack and pulling out something to eat, he made his way over to the elderly man.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“Morning.”
“Ah, good morning to you as well, did you sleep well.”
“Well enough.” Terry said and started eating what he had grabbed. “Hopefully having that horde taken care of will help you guys out. Has anyone tried venturing out towards the town or looking for any other survivors?”
“I’m sure it will help out. And a couple people did in the first couple days but since they haven’t come back no one else has ventured out.”
“Well, you may want to think about it, since you’ll run out of food eventually and you should try and level up while you can. Maybe now that the horde is taken care of there will be more single monsters that you guys can take care of.”
“You’re right, of course but for now though we have plenty of food and water.”
“Well, just something to think about then.” Terry said turning and looking at his group. “We should really get on our way though; we still have a lot of ground to cover.”
“Ah yes, of course. Let me get you some food for the road.” The man said, then turned around and left Terry standing there alone.
Turning around and heading back towards his group, Terry went up to them and told them what the old man had said. After about ten minutes they gathered their things up and got ready to get back on the road. As they gathered at the door to leave, the old man came up to them with a couple bags of food and drinks for them.
Saying their goodbyes and everyone thanking everyone, the group left and started back up the road. It was still early morning and the sun was shining down with a lite breeze blowing to help keep them cool.
As they walked down the road Terry took the time to check his stats and realized he had leveled up a couple times since they fought the monster horde. He was now level twenty, making his stats look like so.
Name: Terry Roth
Unassigned Skill Points: 8
Level: 20
Health: 1000
Mana:1010
Stamina: 960
Race: Human, Male
Pets: 3/3
Class: Battle Necromancer (Apprentice, Unique)
Strength: 92
Constitution: 100
Agility: 94
Intelligence: 101
Wisdom: 98
Charisma: 67
Luck: 72
Non-Class Skills:
Sneak 12 Sword Mastery 23
Commanding Roar 6 Bow Mastery 12
Abilities:
Connection to the Universe Resurrection
Class Skills:
Summon bone weapon 5 Summon minion 5
Summon bone armor 3 Increase minion health 3 (Passive)
Elemental bone infusion 2 Summon minion army 2 (Passive)
Corrosive coating 2 Summon goliath minion 2
Leech life 2 Slowing curse 2
Leech life compression 2 Slowing curse extension 2
Minion leech life 2 (Passive) Slowing curse AOE 2
Party leech life 2 (Passive) Slowing curse reversal 2
Spells:
Apprentice Heal 18 Apprentice firebolt 24
Apprentice ward 17
As Terry looked at his stats, he hoped that the luck stat was something that actually helped him, seeing as how it was getting higher with each level. He was also excited that he could have another minion now too. That would definitely come in handy as the monsters seemed to be getting higher in levels as well.
When the group stopped to take their afternoon break, Terry and Susan took out their bows and practiced with them. Over the last few days Susan had been taking some shots at monsters as they charged towards the group. She had been getting better from it but Terry still wasn’t sure she was ready to be in a battle just yet.
Bradley, the boy thief, had also been training some with Izzy, the guard. They had wanted to try and get stronger after the first day of Terry being the only one that could fight against the monsters coming for them. So, the days continued like that, Terry and Susan would practice with their bows and Bradley and Izzy would practice with their daggers.
It took them about three days to get close to Minneapolis. As they got closer, they had to start being even more careful because the sights they saw scared even Terry. There were columns of black smoke all around and roars as well, yet they couldn’t see anything. They did hear plenty of screaming and yelling, mostly from humans Terry figured.
“Are you hearing that?” Tamara asked as they heard the first high pitched scream echo around them.
“What the fuck was that?” Robert, the fisherman asked.
“Someone screaming, probably running from a monster.” Terry replied
“We should try and help them.” Sam, the seamstress, said.
“Are you kidding me?” Izzy said. “Do you know how many monsters were in Des Moines? There’s probably that many plus more around here. We would get slaughtered.”
“As much as I hate to admit it, I have to agree with her. We’d be no match for that many monsters, even with Terry.” Tamara chimed in.
“Look, anyone that wants to go and try and save those people is more than welcome to go but know this, I won’t be going with.” Terry said.
“But…but.” Sam stammered.
“It’s just the way it is. I can’t save everyone. At least not yet.”
With that the group moved on with Sam lingering a while longer than the others. Terry looked back at her and could see that she was hating that she wasn’t able to help the people. They took their time moving through the suburbs of Minneapolis, only fighting creatures when they had to. The creature’s levels had gone up as well so Terry was working harder to fight them. The one good thing was that he wasn’t the only one fighting them now, Tamara and Izzy were helping out as well. And Bradley and Susan helped out when they could and helped protect the group when they couldn’t.
Making their way up highway 494 took them longer than Terry would’ve liked, but to keep themselves hidden it was a must. As they made their way up the highway, they ducked into underpasses and bridges when they rested, at least two people would keep watch at all times, as they were still hearing screams and roars. Terry took most of the watches and slept the least, he knew the others were starting to get capable but he still wanted to be ready if anything should pop off.
When the group finally got to the 494/694 merge, the group was dead on their feet. At least now that they were getting out of the bigger suburbs though they should be able to rest a little better. If it weren’t for Terry’s minions though they would all be sleep deprived even more so than they were already. It took them another three days or so to even get to Albertville, killing a more mobs of monsters as they walked on, getting Terry to level twenty-two. He put five points into strength and agility and ten points into constitution, cause having more health is always good.
As the group was making their way past the Albertville mall, they heard a scream pitch out from nearby, making them all turn, because they hadn’t heard as many screams since leaving getting onto the 694 highway. When they turned to see where it was coming from, they saw a group of people running down the road towards the mall. The group was being chased by a group of monsters that, from the distance, looked like giant stick bugs. And there were a lot more of the bugs than there were of the humans.
“Are we going to leave them too?” Sam asked sarcastically.
“No, we can help them. Just because we had to leave some people doesn’t mean we’ll leave everyone and you could’ve stayed and helped them if you really wanted to.” Terry snaps back.
“And what could I have done? I don’t have a combat class.”
“That’s my problem? You think just because I have a combat class, I’m supposed to help everyone I see.”
“No but you could’ve at least tried.”
“And I would’ve most likely been overwhelmed and killed if I had, then where would you be?”
“Stop arguing you two. We better move before those people get eaten.” Tamara said stepping between the two.
Terry scoffed, turned and started jogging towards the group being chased. He looked back and noticed that Sam was the last to get moving. They jogged down the ramp and then turned right on the road, they were still about a half mile away from the group being chased. When the group being chased got closer to the mall they turned and started running on the sidewalk in front of the shop doors. Terry could see them trying each door, which only slowed them down and let the bugs catch up to them faster and If they made it to them it would be close.
The group finally found a door that was open and they all rushed into the store, closing the door just as the first bug got to it and started hammering on the glass. It was only about thirty seconds before Terry and his group finally got to the bugs and laid into them. Terry cast his slowing curse AOE on the bugs first, catching most of them in it. Susan started shooting the ones in the middle with her bow while Bradley, Izzy and Tamara spread out on the right side, with Terry and his minions taking the left. The group made short work of the bugs and when they were finished and the rest of them were going around looting, Terry went up to the door and knocked on it.
“Hey, you in there, it’s safe to come out now.”
Terry waited a minute, then pounded on the door again. Cupping his hands, he looked inside but didn’t see anything moving. Whatever, he thought and walked away and started looting his bodies, summoning weapons as he went. When he finished looting, he went back to the door, knocking once more. When no one came up again he tried the door but it wouldn’t open. So, turning he started back towards the highway.
“What are you doing?” Sam scoffed.
“We saved them, that’s what you wanted isn’t it?”
“Well, yeah but what about now? We can’t just leave them.”
“I knocked on the door and said it was safe to come out. No one did. They don’t want to come out, that’s their choice. They’re at least safe for now.”
“Well, I’m not leaving them to their fate.”
“Fine, then stay with them.” Terry said and started towards the highway again.
Not looking back Terry kept walking, and whoever followed, followed. It wasn’t his job to babysit these people, especially if they didn’t want to come out. He was really starting to dislike Sam too; she was going to get him or someone else killed if she kept acting the way she was. When he got to the ramp leading up to the highway, he glanced back to see who was still following him, to his surprise Sam was at the back. Rolling his eyes, he started up the ramp, they were getting close to his place and he wasn’t looking forward to what he’d find when he got there. He hadn’t been able to get a connection with either Pumpkin or Bella for a couple days now.
They didn’t make it to Monticello before dark but it wasn’t too much later when they did. As they got to the first exit and looked over the town, it was dark except for some fires spread around the town. Terry didn’t like the look of it but they were so close now. They walked down the ramp and came to a stop light, looking both ways they crossed the road and continued into the Target parking lot. Going up to the doors and looking in he didn’t see anything; it was completely dark. Pushing on the doors to open them they walked quietly inside and he drew his sword, just in case. Luckily, they had some lighters that helped light the place up, if only a little bit.
Terry knew the place, to the left were the registers and to the right was the produce and food isles. Staying to the right he led the group to the food isles so they could replenish their stores. He led them to the isle with canned goods, since they would last the longest. He loaded his bag of holding up with some more food than his backpack and just in case someone tried to steal their food. When they had loaded up as much as they could he led them back out the way they came. Then started back up the road to his place, it was only about a mile to his apartment but it seemed like it took them hours to get there.
When the group go to his building, a three-story white apartment building, there were no lights or anything on in the windows, that they could see. There were garages on their right that they skirted around and got to the main entrance. Luckily Terry still had his keys but with it being night out they decided to just stay I the entry way and go check it out in the morning.
Terry took the first watch, which allowed him to sneak into the building after everyone was sleeping though he left his minions to guard them. He snuck up the stairs going to the third floor, using his lighter to light the way a bit he slowly made his way down to his apartment, 308. Taking his keys out and unlocking the door, he cracked it and the stench that hit him made him recoil and almost slam the door shut. He took a minute to take a few deep breathes and then inhaled deeply before opening the door, going in and closing it. With his lighter he could make out a little of the place, though it mostly looked the same but it was kind of a mess.
To the right of the door led into the dining area and the kitchen, which was strewn with items that had been on the counter and table. Making his way through the mess he came upon a giant feline body the size of a tiger. Squatting down he held the lighter above it and looked at it, it was white with brown and black spots. Holy shit, it’s Bella Terry thought as he stroked the cat’s body, feeling bad that he hadn’t been there for them. He closed his eyes and reached his mind out for his resurrection ability and cast it, watching as a faint golden light surrounded her body and after a couple seconds faded away. He watched as she took a breath and lifted her head, he stroked her a few times and she purred, even though it was weak. He pulled out some meat he had saved just for this reason and put it in front of her, then walked over and grabbed a dish, pulled some water out of his bag and emptied it into the dish. He brought the dish over to her and set it down next to the meat, splashing some of the water into her mouth, her tongue lapping it up.
Terry stayed like that helping her drink some water and then tearing some meat off and putting it in her mouth while she slowly chewed. After about five minutes of that he remembered he had a heal spell and quickly cast it on her, watching her as the magic seeped into her. He quickly cast again and again watching her get better with each casting. After he used all his mana to heal her, she tore into the meat much better than she had before. He pulled another piece out and left it for her and then he went and looked for Pumpkin.
Terry found Pumpkin laying on the bed under the blankets. He threw the blankets back and stoked his fur before casting resurrection on him. When he saw the cat’s head move and his lungs fill, he started casting his heal on the cat. After emptying his mana on him as well, he put some meat in front of him and then went and got a dish to put some water in. Letting them eat and drink their fill he went around the apartment and opened the windows and balcony door to let the stink out.
After about thirty minutes the cats were doing much better and even walking around some. Terry made sure to pet them and play with them some before telling them he would be back when the sun came up and would get them out of there soon. Once he was done with them, he made his way out the door and locked it again, then headed back down to the entry way and quietly got back to the group.
Terry stayed up the rest of the night and thought about how things had changed in just a few weeks. With his higher stats he was able to get by on less and less sleep, which came in handy for when creatures attacked the group. The others seemed to be needing less sleep as well but still not as little as him. So, when the sun started rising up, he got the group up and ready. Everyone was getting better at getting up so it didn’t take them long to get ready and moving.
The group entered the building and swept it one floor at a time, checking each apartment as they went. Luckily, they didn’t find any monsters but they did find some dead animals, cats mostly. By the time they got to Terry’s apartment everyone was sick of the smell and wanted to get out.
Terry unlocked his door and opened it, the smell was still stronger, but not as strong as when he opened it the first time. When he walked in Pumpkin was the first to come around the corner and pounced on him, scaring the rest of the group, Tamara and Izzy drawing their weapons.
“Stop!” Terry’s muffled shout escaped from under the giant cat.
“Ah, are you alright?” Tamara asked warily.
Terry pushed the big cat off him and got up. “Yeah, he was just excited to see me is all. Guys this is Pumpkin and that’s Bella.” Terry pointed at the big white cat coming through the dining area.
“Aww, so cute!” Susan squealed and wrapped pumpkin in a hug, then grabbed Bella when she came close and hugged her as well.
“I’m surprised they’re still alive after all this time,” Izzy said.
“Yeah, everything else in this building was dead, how did they survive.” Richard said.
“I don’t know how they did it, I’m just glad they’re alive.” Terry replied.
“Well now that we found them, can we get going. This smell is getting to me.” Sam butted in.
Terry took a few minutes to gather up a few clothes and some items he wanted, notebooks, pens, rope, some oils, you know things that might be useful. After he was done, he got Susan off the cats they went down stairs and outside. The group was outside and Terry was leading them towards the highway that will lead them North. When they got to the intersection, there was a Holiday store across the street that looked like it was trashed and dark. The group had enough food to last them a few days so they didn’t bother to stop and restock. Instead they turned North and headed to Big Lake.