[Yay, we won! We won!] Zapper was still prancing about, having the time of his life. He leapt onto another ledge, then glanced back at me. [C’mon, other dog! Let’s go tell everyone the good news!]
[Sure thing, Zapper.] I concentrated on what lay ahead, leaping carefully, keeping an eye out for any more lightfall plants. Luckily, it seemed most of them had retreated deeper into their alcoves. Or maybe they only existed for the boss fight. I certainly couldn’t spot many signs of them on our way out.
Which was good, because my mind was still on the revelation that Zapper’s near-death experience had bestowed upon me.
[And you’re certain?] I called after him. The little dog turned back again and cocked his head.
[About what, other dog?]
[About—oh, never mind.] As usual, he had forgotten our conversation moments after we’d had it. As he bounded ahead, I turned inward to my own thoughts.
According to Zapper, he had used a single core to heal himself. An uncommon core. In hindsight, it seemed obvious, but... it had never occurred to me to use anything other than a common for healing. After all, what was an uncommon going to do that a common couldn’t, heal me more?
Based on the glow that had surrounded him, apparently so.
He was still emitting a fair bit of white light, proving more than adequate to see by. Which might have mattered, if we both hadn’t been able to see in the dark already. Still, he seemed pleased by the change, for however long it might last.
I, however, wanted a bit more information.
A moment later, we reached the summoning chamber again, with little to greet us besides the star-shaped platform and five now-empty bowls. I glanced at them momentarily, but since it seemed as if their purpose was concluded, returned my attention to more immediate matters.
[Hold up, Zapper. Now that we’re back on solid ground, I want to try something.]
[Okay!] The other dog dropped on his haunches across from me and set to gnawing angrily at an itchy spot on his belly. The sight, accompanied by a soft growl that I wasn’t even certain he knew he was making, was enough to get my tongue lolling again.
Just as quickly, I shook my head to clear it, then concentrated on the task at hand.
I opened my inventory, scanning over my current possessions.
-Inventory-
(78) Common Cores
(1) Uncommon Core
(1) Red Quality Loot Box
(1) Blue Quality Loot Box
(10) Waterproof Matches
(1) Trip Mine
(4) Safe Zone Generator
Static Field Generator (lv 10)
Wand Of Float (lv 5)
The two loot boxes called to me, and it took all my willpower not to open them on the spot. However, Zapper and I had agreed to wait and do so back with the others, so they could have a chance to see firsthand some of the rewards our night of hard work had earned us.
Instead, I concentrated my attention on my sole uncommon core. I wasn’t particularly injured at the moment, so this was a bit of a waste, but part of me had to know before we went any further. Was whatever happened to Zapper repeatable?
I activated the core, directing it towards myself, and held my breath.
It worked. As the core winked away, a new message appeared in my vision.
You have been granted the following random blessing: Limber (6 hours)
A timer appeared in my upper vision, slowly counting down from six hours. At the same moment, a small jolt ran through my muscles, suddenly giving a boost to my flagging energy reserves. I started walking with a spring in my step.
[Did it work?] Zapper asked excitedly. He started jogging along beside me, his little legs pumping.
[I think so. Hold on, let me verify.]
With that, I pulled up my interface. After a minute or two of hunting around, I found what I was looking for.
-Conditions-
Blessings: Limber (6 hours)
Boons: *None*
Miracles: *None*
Diseases: Rat Rot (28%)
Curses: Potion Fatigue (30 Days)
Blights: *None*
Reading the blessing’s description, it seemed this ‘Limber’ was granting an extra +5 to both my Speed and Agility. That was something I certainly could have used before fighting the wall-climbing boss, but it was still a welcome discovery.
Of course, even had we known about this beforehand, who was to say I would have gotten that specific blessing? The message had said it was random after all, and mine certainly differed from Zapper’s. There was no glow, at the very least.
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
Still, I intended to enjoy the extra movement for however long it lasted.
Right before I closed the Conditions window, I noticed the line under curses. Potion Fatigue? What was that about?
A moment of concentration, and additional information bloomed in front of me.
Potion Fatigue (Curse)
Time Remaining: 30 Days
Seems as if someone has imbibed one too many potent potables. And by that, I mean delicious, delicious alchemy, that which grants mankind powers never before seen upon this planet. Through your lust for power, you have delved too deep, and now are paying the price for it.
While Potion Fatigue remains in effect, imbibing any additional potions will result in the following conditions: -10 to all stats (1 hr), Poison (5 m), and Confusion (5 m).
What the heck? I recalled that the description for the chameleon potion had mentioned ‘potential side-effects’, but this seems... excessive. I’d only drank the one!
After a bit of conversation with Zapper, I confirmed he had the same curse, which pretty much proved that it had come from the potion. Well, whatever. The only other potions we even had were his elemental resistance, and I thought the odds of needing those any time soon were likely to be small.
My curiosity finally sated, we set out for the exit once again. It was debatable which would be faster: backtracking our way through the tunnels, or attempting to scale the rift. In the end, I opted for the safer route. We likely had the dexterity to make the jumps needed, but why risk it? Personally, I’d stared death in the face enough for one night.
Besides, the hours of quiet padding along in the dark gave me time to focus on other things.
First, my stats. I had five points available thanks to defeating the boss and reaching level seven. I spent a bit of time looking over my numbers, but ultimately applied all the new points to Power, just as I’d initially planned. That brought me to a total of twenty-eight, only 2 away from being able to finally use the Static Field Generator.
Even if it didn’t prove worth the trouble, the extra hitting power was bound to come in handy.
Then, as a final action, I used three cores to raise my Second Chance dog collar to level twelve, as high as I was able to take it. Soon as I did, I opened the description, not expecting to see much but hopeful regardless. Imagine my surprise when I saw what greeted me.
Triple Chance Dog Tag
Level 7
Everybody deserves a second (or a third!) chance, whether that be a family adopting an older dog from the shelter, or a pup who charged a line of lizardmen without considering their ranged acid attack. Tags like this are made for both situations. Once attached to a collar, this tag will automatically negate the first TWO lethal strike you receive per day.
Note: This tag has already been attached to a collar and CANNOT be removed.
Not only had the ability FINALLY upgraded (and to a whole additional save!), but the name had changed as well. I’d never seen that happen before. Though given the benefit I’d just received, I certainly wasn’t going to complain.
Those tasks complete, I studied my full interface, reveling in the improvements (temporary that some might have been, they were still satisfying to see).
Name: Bubba
Race: Canid (Advanced)
Class: Wildling
Level: 7
XP: 200/4,500
-Equipment-
Collar: Worn Leather Collar (lv 5) (+3)
Tag: Triple Chance Dog Tag (lv 12) (+5)
Left Front Leg: Wand of Stupefy (lv 8) (+5)
Right Front Leg: Wand of Stupefy (lv 8) (+5)
Left Back Leg: Bracelet of Minor Replication (lv 10) (+5)
Right Back Leg: Bandana of Cleverness (lv 9) (+5)
-Racial Skills-
Skill 1: Night Vision
Skill 2: Enhanced Smell
Skill 3: Song of the Night
Skill 4: Pack Loyalty
-Class Skills-
Skill 1: Claw Slash 4 (56%)
-Stats-
Power: 28 (+5)
Speed: 10 (-5) (+5)
Agility: 20 (+5)
Presence: 8 (+5)
Mind: 23 (+18)
Points Available: 0
We emerged from the tunnel to find the Foodmaxx just as quiet as it had been before. No more golems prowled between the shelves, which meant the entire place was ours to pick over. As Zapper dashed towards the exit, I wondered idly if we’d be able to convince Crunch to move in here for a while. Sure, there was no fresh meat left, but the dry goods alone could keep us fed for a week, maybe two.
I’d have to discuss it with our leader. Assuming he wasn’t angry at me for violating his rules. Assuming he didn’t simply exile me from the pack entirely.
Of course, if he did, there was nothing to stop me from simply coming back here and camping out. By myself, I bet I could make this place last for months. Or... if not months, than at least several very satisfying, full-bellied weeks.
Blissful thoughts of delicious food kept me buoyed all the way through the dark streets. In the distance, there was a gray light on the horizon, the precursor to the coming dawn.
Another beautiful day in front of us, full of possibilities.
Then the taco shop appeared. I came to a halt, and Zapper, who was halfway across the street already, paused and turned back.
[What’s wrong, other dog?]
[Don’t you see that?] I jerked my nose in the direction of the immense split that ran down the intersecting road, the two sides of the street now separated by a good dozen yards, at least. It had missed the taco shop, but only just barely.
[I told you I thought the rift went in the direction of our friends,] Zapper noted. Then he wagged his tail. [But it looks like they’re fine. See?]
A tiny shape had appeared inside the taco shop’s doorway. Leeli. Had she just awoken, or was Crunch maintaining watch rotations, despite my assurance that the safe zone would protect them?
Well, it didn’t matter now. As we crossed the street, Leeli trotted out to meet us.
[Am I glad to see you!] She said, looking me up and down. [When the ground started shaking and tearing itself apart, I thought, ‘here comes that big quake my owner always talked about!’ Looks like you survived it alright, though.]
[Yeah, it wasn’t an earthquake,] I said. [We’ll tell you more about it inside. Is everyone else okay?]
[Benjamin’s fine. Crunch is... well, the Captain is the Captain,] Leeli said matter-of-factly. I knew exactly what she meant. Somehow, I doubted even a falling building would be enough to defeat our illustrious leader.
[I’m fine, too, friend!] Zapper said with a bark. The sound echoed up and down the empty street. [Were you worried about me too?]
Leeli studied Zapper coolly for a moment before saying, [Yeah. Sure.] Turning back to me, she added, [Captain’s been keeping watch for you through the night. You best come in and talk with him.]
[I fully intended to.] I moved past her and slipped inside the shop. [Something tells me we’ve got a lot to talk about.]
[More than you know, Bubba.] Leeli’s words followed on my heels. [More than you know.]