[Basic Perception Tea] = Cocoa Leaves (+1, 0.3-0.6kg) + Sugarcane (+1, 0.1-0.2kg) + Sage (+1, 0.05-0.1kg) + Lavendar (0.2-0.4kg) + Water (Fresh, 0.5-1L) + [Cauldron] (Any, 370-380°K)
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Darkness. The great equalizer.
Coughs echoed throughout the black miasma where Jay’s smoke grenade had once been. Rain continued to fall from above. Jay lunged for his scimitar and shield before it could clear.
Work was still to be done, and only precious seconds remained before the diversion dissipated.
With a [Leap], Jay launched into the jungle nearby. Despite the shock, disorientation, and the Voidstorm’s chaos, his heightened perception gave him a general idea of where the other ambushers lay. Amadi stood in the center with two of his friends, but an additional two bandits stayed in the jungle nearby, bows locked onto them.
Jay landed directly next to one of them.
The bandit gasped seeing Jay appear so close, and he accidentally launched his loaded [Triple Shot] prematurely, a trio of arrows zipping by.
Jay [Slashed] in retaliation, the pig iron tip cleaving through the leather cloak of his enemy.
The bandit tried to [Dash] away, splattering through the mud, but Jay’s superior reflexes gave him the edge. His [Leap] broke the distance, and another set of [Slashes] took his boots head-on.
Snap.
Blood exploded from the Wound Jay inflicted, but he wasn’t done. He bent low and activated [Rend], aiming for the midsection. His enemy screamed as a line of scarlet got drawn upon his chest.
Snap.
Snap.
Even with underleveled weapons, the synergy of his skill affinity bridged the gap, and his opponent’s light armor could not withstand the abuse. Another mere untalented swing was all he required to finish what had been started, shattering his enemy’s bow and knocking him to the ground. He gasped in pain.
But all of this focus had its cost, and that came a second later.
A ray of hot agony tore through his chest, an arrow easily cleaving through his metalplate coat and soft flesh beneath. He watched powerlessly as it soared into the jungle behind, tearing through a palm like it was made of paper.
Jay twirled just as another arrow soared overheard. The other archer had been watching the confrontation while focusing on his [Sharpshooter] hit. The second Jay slowed down, he’d made himself a target.
The bandit grinned and prepped another shot. The arrow came seconds later.
With a snap of Kevin’s roundshield, Jay slipped into [Trace].
But the shield did not protect him. Instead, Jay watched without words as an arrow tore through a solid inch of copper plating, through the pig iron plate in his gloves, through the sinew between the bones in his forearm, and out the other side before losing enough momentum. A regular, unadorned arrow tapped his damaged coat, disintegrating it on contact.
Snap.
And his enemy already had another arrow ready.
Jay [Leaped] before it could land. It shattered into a boulder as though it was made of clay.
How the hell was that possible?
More of these devastating arrows came, but this guy must have only been using [Quickshot] by the rate he could aim and fire. Jay zipped sideways with all the speed his legs could manage. The arrows continued to reign devastation against all it hit.
Jay studied the arrow in his arm, pinning him to his shield. Can’t have this slow me down. He [Leaped] behind another boulder for cover, gripped the tip, and clenched his teeth. If this thing was as heavy as he thought it was, then he was about to be in a world of hurt.
But it was not. Jay managed to rip the arrow from his wounded arm without batting an eye. It shattered like any other copper-tipped arrow with a hardwood base.
The boulder he’d taken for cover did not fair so well, exploding as another of these death beams passed inches from his head. Jay reflexively skipped back and ditched the shield altogether.
He chewed his lips. What was going on?
Then he figured it out.
Another arrow came a moment later, but Jay didn’t attempt to block or dodge. Not this time.
He [Shirked] it aside with ease, the arrow no more than a fly to get swatted out of the way.
Jay gleamed. This was about to get messy.
He barreled straight for this archer. His enemy grit his teeth as Jay [Shirked] his projectile aside. More [Quickshots] came, but each met the same fate, those supercharged arrows destroying everything but where Jay stood.
He continued to rush forth with a grin. The bandit’s jaw dropped as he realized he could not stop him.
Like everything else, Jay had invested some time into figuring out how bows and arrows worked. His latest skill selection had unearthed the concept of “special ammo,” and one stood out in his mind’s eye, more than the others.
[Hardshot Arrow] – A projectile type that pierces more effectively than normal, requiring upscaled [Arrowheads] to be produced.
Because his opponent had an Expat Core tuned to Bows, he could produce significantly more of these arrow types. Jay hadn’t realized how devastating the advantage could be until this fight, and there was no denying how easily this could kill him.
But because these same arrows were based on piercing damage, [Shirk] worked as the ultimate counter. They could simply be batted aside instead of getting blocked or dodged, negating any power they could inflict.
And this revelation gave him more than enough time to reach his opponent.
The [Slashes] were quick and precise, sundering the bandit’s leg armor before he could [Dash]. A [Rend] brought him down completely.
Snap.
Snap.
Snap.
The bandit gasped once before passing out, splattering into the jungle mud.
Jay breathed deep, his muscles frayed from leveraging so many skills in such a short time.
But before he could stop and [Recover], a holler rang out from the open field where he had started.
Kevin had only downed one of the three men. Amadi and his last goon managed to pin him between, however. Even with his spear and shield skills and the bonus vitality running through his veins, it was not enough to take them both at once. His armor had shattered and the blood poured from a half-dozen Wounds as he tried to stave off a killing blow.
And Jay saw nothing but red. No longer was it just his friend-turned-tenuous-ally fighting back a pair of bandits, but Jay under the thumb of forces greater than himself. He could see Natura’s demons where Amadi and his friend stood, using the weight of their numbers to wear someone better down.
It was bullshit! Pure, unadulterated injustice levied against a man who was just trying to live in peace. Who wanted nothing more than to see tomorrow.
Jay’s body moved of his own accord as he flanked Amadi’s ally. Before he could be seen coming, Jay unleashed a flurry of [Slashes].
Sparks flashed like lightning as his pig iron scimitar clashed with the heavy copper plate armor that this guy wore, but with the strength that his combination created, it was enough to break through.
Snap.
Copper dust drifted through the windswept clearing, but his opponent was not defeated yet. A heavy swing from an axe was enough to send Jay back.
Snap.
His leggings shattered against the abuse, blood bursting where his thigh took the other hit.
But before Jay could lose control completely, he dipped low with a roar. The axe swung pitifully overhead.
Giving Jay enough time to land his finishing blow. The scimitar’s blade curled behind his back as he prepared the [Rend]. A ray of silver light flashed through the air, the sword hacking right into his unprotected torso. The scream came a second later, blood exploding from this injury.
The bandit fell without another word, limbs twitching from the shock.
Jay should have stopped there. He should have taken the win for what it was.
But he couldn’t… Something in him screamed to see this injustice purged. This power vanquished for good. He could not bear to see this sniveling shit get to see tomorrow after doing everything in his power to end their own. A shrill, primal ululation erupted as his burning rage could no longer be contained. This had to end!
Jay raised his cutlass high, muscles bulging with a vindictive fury that he did not know he possessed. His defeated enemy’s pupils quivered against what was about to come.
The [Power Attack] was more than Jay needed to break the helmet, eviscerating everything beneath.
The bandit went limp.
Jay exhaled, his fingers quaking over what he’d just done, the blood of his murdered enemy slick against the hilt of his blood.
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What the hell had gotten into him?
Amadi fell with a yelp, his own body finally giving way to Kevin’s onslaught. Kevin dropped to a knee and coughed blood, but he did not collapse completely. Jay was right behind him, his adrenaline finally giving out, replaced by the weight of sedation still in his veins.
But it was over. Even if he passed out a second after, his enemies were more wounded than him. No one was strong enough to continue this fight.
They’d won.
Clapping echoed out from nearby. Jay winced through the pain and looked for the source.
Viktor grinned like a madman from atop a nearby tree, the swirling clouds of the Voidstorm in the backdrop. His face darkened under shadows as he stared down his nose, like an artist watching on as his puppets dance.
“What a fight!” he called out. “Really gets blood flowing, no?”
Jay wheezed, the pain and fatigue preventing him from doing much else.
He leaped into the clearing and marched forth. The storm grew in intensity, raw torment matching his growing zeal. The downed Expats shuddered as this indomitable force drew close.
Viktor held a hand to his ear. “Hmm? You seem to be having much difficulty speaking, Jay. What is problem? As I see it, you two defeated five adversaries. Impressive!”
Jay turned onto his side, his chest still numb. “When did you get here?”
“I come when I come, and go when I go. It is the nature of life…” He turned to the dead man. “And of death too. Wouldn’t you say? Much beauty has been created here today.”
“How the hell can you say that right now?”
Viktor watched Amadi with admiration. “That man has been painting a tapestry of blood across this island. Him and his comrades pushed their strength to see everyone else beaten into subjugation so that no one could do the same to them… It was simple, crude, but effective. A way to bring stability in his own way, yes?
“And yet, you managed to overcome his trap. Where all others fell to the power of their sleep poison ambush, you rose to the occasion. Not just through some cheap trick, but through pure, raw strength.” He clenched his fist. “How can you claim that this is not beauty? The strong bludgeoned the weak into submission, only to become weak themselves. One of them even lost his life. A man with purpose, with history, with dreams of his own. Now, no more than broken bones and shattered organs. All thanks to you. Do you see now?”
In a way, Jay could. He’d felt something the moment he drove his blade down. Not just of mere survival, or relaxation by knowing he’d survived.
No, this was different. A rush. A primordial release. An appeasement of caveman DNA. Like that first moment when he’d burned down his base to defeat Natura’s army, Jay had tasted a form of victory he’d never seen before. One that burned the blood in his veins.
The muscles in his cheeks twitched, ever-so-slightly into a smirk. This was a true win. Fighting monsters could never be half as satisfying as this. Because unlike these inhuman creatures that he could not relate with, there was a commonality between him and his victim. An unavoidable evidence that both had started in the same place, yet only one had come out on top.
And with that realization, something else fell into place. Jay had wanted this too. Deep down, in the pit of his stomach. He’d always yearned for a chance to unleash this creature inside. To prove his supremacy against one of his kind.
Was this how murder was supposed to feel?
But still… As Jay gazed upon his work and saw Kevin watching him with a muted disgust, that feverish glee gave way to sudden revulsion. His stomach twisted into knots, and he could no longer contain himself.
He turned away and vomited, bile mixed with blood
Viktor patted his head. “There, Jay. Do not concern yourself too much. It only gets easier from here.”
His chest tightened, his heart skipping a beat. There it was again. That hint beneath his words. Almost sympathetic.
Viktor walked to Amadi next. A volley of hail pelted their clearing, lightning flashing above.
“What are we to do with you?” he asked. “Misha and I have been waiting, yet so much of our requests were never fulfilled.”
Amadi held up a placating hand. “There is no need for further violence here. We are all on the same side, yes?”
That seemed to amuse Viktor. “Oh?”
“But of course! What do you think would have happened, had I not stepped in? An entire island of murderers, who hated your guts, would be rallying against you as we speak. But we managed to keep the peace, did we not?”
“Yes, you did. It has been pleasant week for me.” Though his tone did not change. “Although, not at night. Did you think I would be unscathed from your collaboration?”
Amadi winced. “A small price to pay for your security, yes? Mop these children up, and we can go back to before. I will protect you from the others, and I will think of a way to prevent Rule 5 from affecting you.”
Jay winced. “Amadi… Don’t bother. It’s over.”
“Stay out of this,” he hissed. “Me and the boss man are having a chat.”
“No, you aren’t. It was over for you and your friends the second you formed this ring to shake everyone else up. He only let you get away with it for so long because it was to his benefit. But that doesn’t change the underlying facts.”
Amadi scoffed. “What ‘fact’ is th–”
Viktor silenced him, his palm planted against his face. Before Amadi could even cry for help, Viktor slammed his skull against the ground.
Bones crumbled into brain, and Amadi was no more.
“There’s only room for one on the throne,” Jay said.
Viktor went through the rest of the clearing from there, killing the others in the group. As if swatting down flies, his face remained calm and his attacks proved efficient. Even as the conscious ones tried to plead for help, Viktor put them down without mercy. The others simply died without ever knowing it had happened.
And then, he went a step further, taking their Guides from those dead bodies and opening to the first page before hacking out the segments for Rule 4 and tossing it into his coconut necklace like trophies.
All while Jay could only watch, the Wounds and lingering sedation locking him in place. Kevin had passed out, somewhere between the shock and pain.
Viktor turned and grinned. “See? Easy.”
Jay’s stomach churned, not just from the brutality, but from the mix of relief and shame. Even if all he’d done was defend himself, five people had just lost their lives in the blink of an eye.
Yet Viktor only grinned wider. “Do not fight it, Jay. This is your beast within, the animal that all humans keep buried in their hearts. A desire to kill. A desire to maim. That primordial rejection of life itself. The Wyrms understand this. That is why we were chosen for this mission. They think to harness our fury against their enemy.”
He leaned low. “But beasts cannot be contained, Jay. We kill, we maim, we slaughter what gets in our path. That is our true nature, and you will never be free so long as you cling to this fantasy of your own self.”
Jay grimaced. “Why the fuck do you care about what I think so much?”
His eyes twinkled, hinting a spark of life. “You remind me of someone I once knew. Perhaps you will fair better than him before the end.”
The Voidstorm’s hail gave way to a bout of rain again, but a sudden chill pervaded the valley. The low growl came moments later.
Jay didn’t need to turn to know what had come.
Viktor tsked. “Misha, what took you so long?”
Steam rose wherever the rain fell, Misha’s ice-hide melting and freezing in a constant cycle. It shrugged against the rain, almost painfully.
Viktor stroked its chin. “Don’t worry, we’ll go back home soon. But first, some unfinished business.”
He pulled off the quill and ink.
Jay stared blankly. “You can’t be serious…”
He shrugged. “Consider this free win. Those fools seem to have left more than enough in their carts to sate Misha’s needs, and there is less than a day before I must kill someone for failure.” He looked around. “And I see no one else. You don’t want to die, do you? Or, what of your friend?”
The implication was clear enough. Slowly, painfully, Jay rose again to his feet, ignoring every instinct that screamed to fight back against impossible odds.
This was all a game to Viktor. The lives lost, the suffering inflicted, even the resources taken. None of it mattered. He just wanted to see them squirm under his thumb.
And Jay could not get out of it. There was no strategy, no scheme, no clever plot to get out of doing Viktor’s bidding. Not right now. He could kill all of them without batting an eye, and this island was too fucking small to hide forever.
But as Jay loaded the food into Misha’s basket, he had one thought left.
This beast would not be contained forever.
Name: Jay Reis (Copper Age)
Vitality – 54/99 (Wounded+2)
Hunger – 62/72
Thirst – 18/24
Fatigue – 8/36 (Sedated+1)
Sanity – 74/100
Main Crafts: Alchemy 2, Armor Crafting 2, Base Building 3, Cooking 2, Jewelry 2, Medicine 2, Tailoring 2, Tool Crafting 3, Vehicles 1, Weapon Crafting 2.
Weapon Crafts: Axes 5, Bows 6, Clubs 5, Daggers 5, Spears 5, Swords 9.
Armor Crafts: Heavy Armor 5, Light Armor 5, Medium Armor 8, Shields 6.
Sub-Crafts: Curved Swords 3.
Character Skills:
[Forbidden Knowledge]
Armor Skills:
Heavy Armor: [Push], [Stampede]
Medium Armor: [Recover], [Leap], [Waterform], [Quickstep]
Light Armor: [Dash], [Feather Fall]
Shield: [Brace], [Track], [Break]
Weapon Skills:
Axes: [Chop], [Whirlwind]
Bows: [Sharpshooter], [Longshot], [Scattershot Arrow]
Clubs: [Bash], [Paralyze]
Daggers: [Slice], [Flourish]
Spears: [Thrust], [Sweep]
Swords: [Power Attack], [Slash], [Rend], [Shirk]
Armor:
[Pig Ironplated Hat] (Affinity+2), (Hardened+4), (Reinforced+1)
[Pig Ironplated Leggings+1] (Affinity+2), (Hardened+4), (Reinforced+1)
[Pig Ironplated Shoes] (Affinity+2), (Hardened+4), (Reinforced+1)
[Silver Amulet]: Socketed with [Chipped Tourmaline] (Tempus)
[Silver Ring]: Socketed with [Chipped Ruby] (Ignis)
[Silver Ring]: Socketed with [Chipped Ruby] (Ignis)
Weapons:
[Pig Iron Scimitar+3] (Affinity+5), (Hardened+2), (Reinforced+2), (Stable+4)
[Treated Bow]: Socketed with [Chipped Ruby] (Ignis)
[Basic Leather Quiver]: Contains 17 [Silver-tipped Arrows] (Elemental+2), (Stability+4) and 3 [Scattershot Arrows] (Elemental+2), (Stability+4)
Tools:
[Copper Knife+3]
[Copper Axe+3]
[Copper Hammer+3]
[Copper Pickaxe+3]
[Copper Shovel+3]
Boons:
[Minor (Speed)] (x3)