"I should place a bed in here," I said, holding onto a wooden rack and struggling to my feet. After a quick examination, I saw that the wounds I had received were gradually healing. This, of course, wasn't Wolverine's regeneration, but anyway—I could now move.
I sat in the cashier's chair, and rubbed my temples, replaying recent events in my head. My behavior had been careless to say the least, but there was an excuse for this—how was I to know about the cunningness of these creatures?
"An elite with mind control," I thought. "If it wasn't for the Pakhom's gift… damn it! Where is it?"
Momentarily forgetting about my headache, I turned the room upside down, throwing empty boxes and packaging to the sides in a crazed search.
"No, no, no! There's no way I could have lost it! The saber was gone! I must have forgotten it in that damn pavilion. Why did I even go in there?"
Going out into the street, I looked towards the shop that was located next to the bus stop. The pavilion itself was almost completely hidden by a cloud of dense
Active skill book: Chain lightning. Volume 1.
Do you want to learn: yes/no
"Magic?" I was so pleased by the unexpected gift that I almost started to dance right there. "And here is the way to return the saber! Yes, I do want to learn it!"
The book didn't disappear, but the already familiar female system voice rang out in my head:
«Currently impossible. To learn the skill, you must abandon the conflicting skill: Tome of Eternal Life!»
Remove passive skill: Tome of Eternal Life?
Attention: In the case of removing the skill, the body transformation timer will resume.
"NO! What the hell? Why can't I learn magic???"
My sorrow knew no bounds. I felt like a diabetic, in front of whom they wave a huge candy in a shiny wrapper: you can hold it, but you can't eat it.
I gathered my few belongings, grabbed some food and water just in case I needed them, and stuffed the traps in my backpack.
"It will be necessary to come up with a better way to carry them around."
Frustratedly, I summed up my mini-adventure: lost the saber, the shield and almost died; got a useless book in return. I should check whether mana has regened enough for a new "aegis."
“Status.”
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So, there is enough mana for it, but what's that, a new stat? Oh, right, I now remember that when I freed myself from the illusion of the elite pine cone, there was an announcement. So now I should be able to resist the skills of this wooden egg?
Maybe I can actually recover Pakhom's saber and get rid of the Elite. I hope nothing happens to it in a day, because I do need to prepare. Picking up a couple of carts left next to the hardware store, I started moving back to my home.
Before reaching the turn, I heard a wild dog squealing and barking. Fuck, I completely forgot that I was supposed to bring them something to eat. After all, I never met even a single altered creature on the way back home.
“Where do these creatures roam when they are needed?” While I was thinking about how to slip by unnoticed to my supplies of bones, the animals barking changed - from winded up, it became rather shy. Intrigued, I looked around the corner of the house - well, of course, they lured guests in here!
Over there, a pack of dogs led by their burly leader fought their futile battle against half a dozen ugly creatures.
The vile creatures moved absurdly on four limbs - they had slightly mutated human arms and legs, inchoate and inactive chelae sticking out of their shoulders. The head of the creatures was deeply embedded in the body and it was practically nonexistent. Sharpened bones protrude from their abdomen and chest in all directions. Also, each mutant had a long, pointed tail: it dangled limply on the ground and wasn't used in combat in any way.
Ritual demonid (*)
Level 2.
Orange faction
All of them had the same level, and, despite the clumsy appearance, pressed their opponents, and the latter, surprisingly, desperately resisted, not intending to back away from their territory.
At first, I wanted to ignore their skirmish, but there may not be a better chance to deal with new enemies. Therefore, grabbing up a couple of traps, I rushed to the rescue of the Man's best friend.
Somehow, a couple of them immediately noticed my approach and charged at me, escaping the fight with the dogs. Without delay, I threw a trap under the feet of one of the demonids: one bone spike pierced his right arm, and the second unexpectedly impaled its wide-open mouth. The stupefied creature sprawled on the ground.
You eliminated level 3 Ritual demonid (*), gained 9 experience.
The creature's hind legs and tail still twitched, but the monster itself was already dead. I had to waste quite some time dealing with the second one. That's where the spear would come in handy now... I would just stab his head and that's it!
The creature realized too late that it didn't pose any threat and began to spit at me a whitish liquid. A couple of droplets hit my skin and caused me to feel like I’m burning.
Aqen's body blocked the paralyzing poison.
Aqen's body blocked the demonic infection.
«Wow, this creature has a rather dangerous ability, and that's just one star.»
Dodging another poisonous spit, I delivered a crushing blow. The skull of the creature gave way, and a thick, light green goo came out of the crushed bones.
You eliminated level 3 Ritual demonid (*), gained 9 experience.
After finishing with these two, I looked at how the dogs were doing: It seems that my appearance in a prolonged battle was of great help to them: they also finished off a couple of creatures, but at the same time paid for it with the lives of their several brethren.
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I had already taken a couple of steps towards the remaining opponents, when suddenly a crackling clot of black-and-yellow flame swept past me, scorching my face and part of my hair. A wave of goosebumps swept over my body, and I turned to the side where the projectile had come from. Another fireball flew out from behind the garbage pad; its speed not too high, so this time I easily jumped to the side and stared at a short young girl with a head of fiery red hair.
Acolyte of Reh'dwarh (**)
Level 4
Orange faction
“Die!” Intensely waving her hands, she created a third one and sent it in my direction. Easily dodging, I rushed towards her.
«Isn’t she human? But why then isn't her faction same as mine?»
As soon as I got closer, she started casting a new spell. Spreading her bleeding hands to the sides, she began to slowly bring them closer to each other. On her forehead and temples, I clearly saw swollen thick blue veins, and then there was a pop, and scarlet drops fanned out in my direction. With my right hand, clenching the club, I managed to cover my face, but most of it got on my skin, and the system immediately notified me:
Aqen's body partially blocked the paralyzing poison.
Aqen's body partially blocked the demonic infection.
Deprived of most of my strength, I knelt down, pretending to be completely paralyzed, and watched as the girl, pulling a knife from her belt, walked towards me.
“Bastard!” The girl's voice trembled with anticipation. “I'll make a good little animal out of you!”
The girl tried to slash my neck, but her eyelashes fluttered with overwhelming surprise when I grabbed her wrist. And the next moment my club, with a crunch, landed into her nasal bridge, after which I yanked her towards me and then threw her onto a dusty road. Looming over her, I began to monotonously deliver blow after blow with my club, until the only thing remaining of her face was a bloodied mash.
You eliminated level 4 Acolyte of Reh'dwarh (**), gained 480 experience.
Congratulations! You have reached level 3.
Dripping wet with sweat, I fell to the side; hoarse breaths escaping out of my mouth; heart thumped, no longer holding the rhythm. I felt a painful heat inside, as if the blood was replaced by burning kerosene now pumping through my veins.
“Status!” My voice sounded hoarse. I didn't need to look at the stats; I was worried about my conditions.
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«Huh, I have to endure just a minute longer. And I was afraid I would have to spend two weeks bedridden!»
The seconds passed while I thoughtlessly peered into the status, trying to figure out what these numbers meant. Also, I was very thirsty.
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As soon as the timer hit 0, numbness and all disease-like symptoms immediately disappeared. Standing up, I wiped the sweat off my forehead and looked around. First, according to the rules of any game, of course, there was loot, and here it was in all its glory. Two skill books and a dagger made of blue steel were lying next to the girl's corpse.
Active skill book: Scales of Drakh'nerul. Volume 1.
Passive skill book: Lyssa's body. Volume 1.
I ignored the system's voice and was not even particularly surprised by the notifications. Both skills were inaccessible to me - Tome of Eternal Life, you're some kind of a curse. I would have to come up with something to do with these books.
Putting them aside, I fiddled with the short, slightly curved knife over in my hands. It even had a system name:
Ritual claw.
Passive ability: Victim of an unnamed land.
Description: Steals the essence of the victim's life and transfers it to the bearer of the artifact.
From the contemplation of the prey I was disrupted by the dog pack leader; wounded and tired; he walked in my direction. Taking a look around the area, I saw that out of their twenty brethren, only five or six remained alive. Not knowing what to expect from the slowly approaching dog, I raised my bone club just in case. However, the leader of the pack did not even think about the attack; his gaze was plaintive and pleading.
He lay down on the pavement, showing his bare belly, on which terrible purulent growths were bulging. Intuitively, I understood what he asked for, and, overcoming disgust, lightly stroked the poor fellow. Having concluded an unspoken human-canine alliance, we went about our business: the dog hobbled to his pack to eat the bodies of ugly creatures, and I, throwing the body of the sorceress on my shoulder, went to the carts left at the corner of the house.
Then came the time for the post-apocalyptic routine: unloading gifts from the old world, washing the body from adhering sweat and blood, breakfast with a cat, arranging a room for gutting the corpses, watching the everyday life of cute dogs from the window.
During all these activities, I diligently avoided the thought of what to do with the corpse of a sorceress, and put off making a difficult decision.
I was faced with a dilemma. On the one hand, according to the system, this is the corpse of a monster, a monster from the orange faction, and on the other hand, she remained human until the last minute of her life.
What would I do if it were a six-legged disgusting creature? I would open the body, take it to pieces; I would make a cool weapon out of the bones, and would give the meat, well..., to the dogs, because they, likely, like other creatures, get stronger from devouring flesh.
But another part of me at least did not blame me for the murder - after all, it was self-defense. But when the question touched on the slicing up and using of the human's viscera, it came into violent indignation.
In a gloomy frame of mind, I made circles around the apartment, rustling the polyethylene. In the end, gritting my teeth, I somehow came to an agreement with my inner moralist and set to the damn job.
I did finish the work much faster compared to yesterday's bodies of altered ones. The girl's organs were in their place and in perfect condition. No tumors or other filth. The electric saw worked just as well - it accelerated the whole process, making my work much easier.
I put the bones of the sub-elite aside, and placed the human flesh in a large aluminum basin, carrying it outside. Mutated animals, having barely smelled the blood, ran up to me. I could not watch how animals devoured the remains, and, returning home, I opened a bottle of vodka left by Pakhom in my backpack. A few bitter, barely bearable sips and I fell asleep.
***
Pakhom, Survivors Camp
“Hey, old geezer, come out!” The door opened, and a bright light entered the tiny, dark, windowless room, nearly blinding Pakhom.
A massive figure appeared behind the guy, there was a distinct slap on the back of the head, a scream, and Pakhom heard a second menacing voice:
“Vanyok, how many times have I told you: watch your tongue!”
“Excuse me, Artemy Dmitrievich! This won't happen again.”
“Yes, yes, get out of my sight.”
There was a clatter of feet and the door slammed open.
“And why are you sitting in there? Come here!” A minute later sounded all the same menacing imperious voice.
Pakhom, groaning and holding on to his back, slowly walked out of the dark closet. The room was spacious; it had obviously been a store staff-only room before. Now it was practically empty: a couple of old sofas, folding beds and a table, at which a young boy, by Pakhom's standards, was sitting now. Face elongated, unshaven. He raised his sunken, tired eyes to the old man and nodded in the direction of the chair.
Pakhom, choosing his favorite tactics of the victim, sighed, and sat down.
Oh, why did you imprison a sick, elderly person, Artemy Dmitrievich? I also served in the military, same as you. There must be a group solidarity, well, or, at least, human compassion for the elderly...
The interlocutor rolled his eyes and held out his hand:
“That's it! Stop spouting nonsense! What is your relationship with...,” He coughed and picked up a piece of paper, scrawled over with notes, “Victor Arkadievich Knyazev, and why is there a conflict?”
Pakhom mumbled and gnashed his teeth:
“I have already said everything! This carrion almost killed our entire group, and because of him, that monster attacked us. In return, I only broke his nose, and you put the unfortunate old man in a dark basement!”
Artemy ran his eyes over the paper:
“But Victor, according to the report, having barely appeared in our camp, immediately entered battle with the enemy. He has done well! And not only did you show up empty-handed, you also tried to escort the infected into the camp. You arrange endless squabbles and scandals with our healer here, and also this fight, but the most important thing is the rumors about your friend having an immunity...”
“But it's the truth! He really was bitten, even several times, but didn't turn into the monster!” Pakhom jumped up from his chair and began to gesticulate frantically, spitting. “I personally saw it; you must find him! And-and-and... Or give me some people with weapons, and he will be here tomorrow!”
“Quiet!” The deputy head of the camp hit the table with his open palm and raised his voice. “Shut up! Stop spouting crap! I already have a headache from what's going on the streets. And there's also Alice, who disappeared! So, one more of your antics and you will be thrown out of the camp, alone and without any supplies. That's it. Now go! And I hope to never hear about you ever again.”