They examined Kezron’s body, finding only the two bullet wounds, and though one was straight through his gut, he should have survived. Especially considering the superhuman strength and durability that came with raising stats. Bonlanu offered a possible explanation.

“It’s possible that he put most of his free points into Projection, and maybe magical Physique. With how many creatures he was directly or indirectly controlling, I can see few other possibilities. He was powerful when surrounded by minions, but without them, he fell quickly.”

Jared nodded. “I guess that makes sense. Still didn’t expect two shots to take him out.”

He didn’t even have any good loot. Just a handful of Royals in a pouch.

Oh well. I guess I don’t really need loot after the system’s rewards.

He pulled up the descriptions of his new abilities, starting with his Ascended Skill.

Sniper’s Sovereignty (Skilled VIII) – The best snipers are sovereigns over any territory, given sufficient time. In addition to previous effects, you may take time to assess an area. While in the area you have assessed, you gain a bonus to your physical stats depending on time spent evaluating an area this way. This bonus increases per level of the Skill.

Very useful, especially if he knew where he was going to be fighting beforehand. Next up was his new Skill, which seemed very promising as well.

Tactical Reposition (Unskilled I) – Sometimes, during the course of battle, what was initially the optimal position becomes compromised. Drawing on your insight into planar forces, you can spend mana to lengthen the distance of your strides to swiftly move to a more favorable position. Mana cost and distance traveled improve per level of the Skill.

Interesting. He thought he would have been locked out of Skills like this one since he didn’t specialize in the Aspect of the Traveler. Apparently not, it was just more difficult to get them. Finally, there was his new title

Exterminator – Granted for eliminating more than 50% of an infestation threatening the City of Panstrum.

Effect when active: You deal an additional 5% damage to insects and rodents. Useful materials from these types of creatures are more likely to be salvageable.

Effect when inactive: You deal an additional 1% damage to insects and rodents.

Unlike some of his titles, there didn’t seem to be a tradeoff; it was a straight-up boost to his fighting power. Maybe because it was a quest reward the system couldn’t put in its usual monkey’s paw tradeoffs.

They spent a few minutes harvesting the monsters of any usable parts, and Jared made some progress towards the next level of a few of his effects.

Effect Upgraded: Moderate Shadowcurse (500/1000)

Affliction Arsenal (Proficient II)

Effects available (7/12):

* Major Disease (1203/10,000)

* Shadestrider (962/1000)

* Moderate Venom (132/1000)

* Moderate Acid (327/1000)

* Moderate Paralysis (458/1000)

* Moderate Penetration (292/1000)

* Moderate Shadowcurse (500/1000)

He tried feeding the eyes of the monster mothers to the Millenium Eye, but apparently they weren’t far enough removed from the smaller monsters to make a difference.

He pulled up his profile, seeing how he had grown and deciding where to put his free points.

Name: Jared Moore

Primary Class: Afflicting Sniper Lv. 29

Auxiliary Class: High Caliber Ammunition Mage Lv. 12

Ascension: Consolidated

Stats:

Free points: 2 PHY, 2 ALA, 1 PRO

Physique: 33

* Physical: 17

* Magical: 16

Alacrity: 56

* Physical: 28

* Mental: 28

Projection: 26

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

* Evocation: 11

* Manipulation: 15

Skills:

Primary Class (7/10)

* Sniper’s Afflicting Marksmanship (Masterful III)

* Sniper’s Focus (Proficient IV)

* Crude Imbuement (Unskilled III)

* Sniper’s Sovereignty (Skilled VIII)

* Affliction Arsenal (Proficient II)

* Major Disease (425/10,000)

* Shadestrider (560/1000)

* Moderate Venom (132/1000)

* Moderate Acid (257/1000)

* Moderate Paralysis (226/1000)

* Moderate Penetration (172/1000)

* Moderate Shadowcurse (500/1000)

* Big Game Wrestling (Unskilled II)

* Tactical Reposition (Unskilled I)

Auxiliary Class (2/5)

* Create Ammunition (Exceptional III)

* High Caliber Resistance (Unskilled IV)

General (2/5)

* Polyglot (Skilled I)

* Basic Spearmanship (Skilled I)

Titles:

* Spelljammer

* Offensive Powerhouse(++)[Active]

* Eye Hunter

* Naomi’s Savior

* Self-Supplied[Active]

* Titanblood

* Aspect of the Traveler

* Exterminator

His new class gave him 2 PHY, 2 ALA, and 1 PRO per level. He divided the stats evenly in both his PHY and ALA, and placed his PRO point into evocation, as he figured that was what he used to apply effects to his bullets. He also noticed that since he had reached the next Ascension, he had another slot for an active title. He decided to keep it open, and slot either Spelljammer or Exterminator if he came across a situation that warranted it.

When they had harvested anything of worth from the bodies, they headed back to the city. After re-entering, they parted ways, planning to meet back at the Raven’s Rest later that evening. Jared went straight to the Creaky Pauldron, intending to have his armor repaired. Despite its durability, it had taken a beating, and could use some tuning up.

When he arrived, however, he found Sabrine not hard at work at her anvil like the last time, but loading the contents of her store into a large wagon. When she noticed him, she put down the sack she was carrying and waved, heading over to him.

“Hey, Sabrine. What’s all this?”

“Hi! I’m moving!”

Jared chuckled. “I can see that. Where are you going all of a sudden?”

“The money I got for the equipment that you guys bought was enough that I can open up a little shop in Fairbourne! It won’t be much more than a tent to start out, but if I can get even a few clients in the Capitol, I’ll be able to secure myself a place there.” At that moment, she seemed to take in the state of Jared’s armor.

“Oooh, you’ve been in combat? Looks like it was pretty rough. How’d it go? Did my stuff do well? Do you need it fixed? If so, I can probably get it done tonight for a few Nobles. Oh! What about the butterfly girl? Does she need her stuff fixed? How did your weapons work? Do you need anything adjusted?”

Jared held up his hands to stop the flood of words. She spoke so quickly that it took him a moment to parse everything that she had said.

“Yes, we were in combat. Your gear performed brilliantly. I am certain it saved at least my life multiple times. It definitely prevented me from taking any major injuries. But yeah, it does need some repairs. Tonight would work just fine. Eleisa was flying for most of the battles, so she didn’t take many hits. Her armor should be fine. As for our spears, I couldn’t be happier, and I think that Eleisa feels the same. If anything, I don’t deserve a weapon that good, with my current Skill level.”

Sabrine beamed as her creations were praised. “I’m glad you like it. If you leave your armor with me, I’ll fix it up overnight and you can come get it tomorrow morning. Shouldn’t cost more than a few Nobles.”

Jared nodded. “I think I’ll do that. Here’s your payment and a tip for excellent craftsmanship.” He tossed her a pouch containing his portion of Kezron’s loot. There were only five or six Royals worth, but he figured that would be more than enough. She grinned as she caught the pouch, making it disappear into a pocket.

He removed his armor and left it with her for repairs, then headed back to the Raven’s Rest.

He found Eleisa by herself, sipping a drink, seemingly lost in thought. She looked up as he approached, and her wings twitched, her ears flattening against her head for a moment. He had gotten better at reading her foreign body language recently, but he wasn’t sure what that meant. Fear? Apprehension? He didn’t think it was a positive emotion.

He sat, examining her face, but she had schooled her expression. After a moment, she met his eyes and spoke.

“There is something I wish to discuss with you, but let us wait until Bonlanu joins us. What I have to say would be best not repeated if possible.”

“Okay… What’s this about?”

She fidgeted in her seat, her wings quivering slightly. “There are some things about myself that I wish to communicate. I would likely have not survived to achieve the Consolidated Ascension without you. I believe I owe you some answers.”

Jared nodded. He was curious what she had to share that would give her such anxiety. They idly chatted for a few minutes while waiting for Bonlanu to arrive. When he did, Eleisa requested that they move to one of their rooms, as she didn’t want anyone to overhear their conversation.

They went to Eleisa’s room, and she sat on the foot of her bed. She sat there for a few moments, appearing to gather her thoughts, then began speaking. “You both know that I have been… reticent to share about myself, and there is a good reason for that. It is well known to many that my people are at war. What is not known is that we are losing. Every year, the Council is forced to give more ground, our enemies drawing ever closer to our heartlands. I, as well as my siblings and cousins, have been sent out to grow in power and gather trustworthy allies to assist on the warfront. The very survival of my race is hanging in the balance, and one strong push could spell our doom.”

She looked Jared in the eyes, then Bonlanu. “Jared, we have been working together for much of the time I have been in human lands, and I have come to trust and rely on you. Bonlanu, you are one of the Groveborn, renowned as guardians of the world.”

She clenched her hands, bowing her head, as if it was a struggle to say the next words.

“Will you help my people?”