With the sudden onslaught of kobolds abated, Will's heart pounded in his chest. He glanced at Maddi, her face flushed with the thrill of battle, and then to Jacob, whose eyes still held a spark of mischief despite the chaos. The ever-stoic Herc, weapon at the ready, scanned their surroundings for any further signs of trouble.
Just as they began to relax, a grating notification popped up.
New quest: Name the Pug
Reward: +5 XP, bonus fan engagement.
Will stared at the pug, currently chewing on the remains of a kobold. It was scruffy, tenacious, and immensely brave. Just like them. He turned to his companions, a grin beginning to spread across his face. "Hey, gang," he said, an idea forming. "I think I know what we're going to call our new team member..."
"Let's call him 'Ripper'", said Will, pointing at the pug, who seemed to happily acknowledge the name by wagging his tail and letting out a triumphant bark. A chuckle spread amongst the group, lightening the tension that had hung in the air moments before.
Quest Completed!
Name the Pug: Ripper
Reward: +5 XP, bonus fan engagement
As the team celebrated the brief moment of peace and their new member, Ripper, Will pulled up his level screen.
Name: Will McAfee
Level 1
Exp 15/200 to next level
Health: 10/10
Mana: 0/0
Stamina 10/10
Body (Strength 7, Grit 6, Dexterity 5)
Mind (Int 6, Resilience 7, Survivalist 6)
Social (Charisma 3, Insight 3, Charm 4)
Skills available 1/1
- Identify.
+1 stat point to allocate.
Will stared at his stat screen, his forehead creased in thought. He had earned a free point to allocate, but the choice was a difficult one. His strength had been instrumental in the recent battle, but he also recognized the importance of dexterity in avoiding those deadly kobold jaws.
"Maybe I should boost my Strength," he mused aloud, glancing at the claymore that lay beside him. It was his primary weapon and boosting his strength could increase his damage output in future battles.
"Or perhaps Dexterity," he continued, remembering the close shaves he'd had with the kobolds. Being nimble on his feet had saved his skin more than once.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
He looked to his friends for their input, his eyes settling on Ripper who was now gleefully gnawing on a kobold bone. The pug's tenacity and fearlessness stirred a thought within him. "Or maybe I should invest in Grit," Will finally said, his voice growing more confident. "It's not just about being strong or fast. It's about being able to take a hit and keep going, just like Ripper here."
No, he paused. The sensible choice was certainly Grit but he knew what he wanted, what would keep driving him to greatness. If this was the end of the world he would only live with purpose if he could throw magic around. That would keep him sane.
Deciding to allocate his stat point to intelligence, the stat most associated with 'magic' Will paused.
Could he just put the point in mana directly? What if mana was an attribute like all the others?
He selected the option of mana and brought it to 1.
A warm sensation coursed through his body. He looked down to find a faint glow emanating from his hands and a feeling of power coursing through his veins. His heart pounded with excitement and a touch of fear. He had taken the first step into a world he had only dreamed of, and there was no turning back.
Stat Update:
Name: Will McAfee
Level 1
Exp 15/200 to next level
Health: 10/10
Mana: 1/1
Stamina 10/10
Body (Strength 7, Grit 6, Dexterity 5)
Mind (Int 6, Resilience 7, Survivalist 6)
Social (Charisma 3, Insight 3, Charm 4)
Skills available 1/1
- Identify
"Magic, huh?" Jacob said, a smirk crossing his face, the glow of power fading away. "I guess there's a first time for everything." Will grinned back, the glow in his hands fading.
Taking a deep breath, Will held his hand out in front of him, trying to focus on the strange new sensation that filled him. His fingers twitched involuntarily, his heart pounding as he tried to tap into the new power he felt coursing through his veins.
"Alright," he said, forcing himself to take another breath. "Here it goes." His eyes were locked onto his hand as he muttered a command, a word that seemed to resonate with the power inside him, "Ignite!"
But nothing happened.
There was no brilliant flash of light, no sudden surge of heat. In fact, his hand was as cold and normal as it had been before. He tried again, this time focusing harder, pouring all his will into the command. Again, "Ignite!"
Still nothing.
A sound of frustration escaped his lips, his hand falling to his side. He felt a wave of disappointment wash over him, the brief thrill of power fading as quickly as it had come. A glance at his companions confirmed what he already knew. There were no magic sparks. No fire. No...anything.
Jacob flashed him a grin. A winsome grin. The sort of grin that didn't have the crooked tooth from that fight he'd gotten them both into in grade 7.
'You put your point in charisma didn't you.' Will said pinching the bridge of his nose.
Jacob shrugged. 'Come on...tell me you didn't think about it.'
Maddi looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
He looked at his hands again, the echo of power a distant memory. "I guess it's not as easy as I thought," he admitted, forcing a smile. Despite the setback, he wasn't about to give up. After all, he was a beta tester - and he had a new world of magic to explore.
With newfound resolve, Will led his team through the streets, heading towards the university. As they walked, Will couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched. He glanced up, his eyes catching a fleeting movement on the rooftops. A shadow, darting out of sight as quickly as it had appeared. He squinted, trying to make out the figure, but the distance and the dim light made it impossible.
"Guys," he whispered, not taking his eyes off the rooftops. "I think we're being followed."
Jacob and Maddi looked back at him, intrigue and caution etched on their faces. Ripper growled ominously, his small frame bristling with tension. They fell into a protective formation, their eyes scanning their surroundings while they continued their trek towards the university, every shadow a potential threat.
As they rounded the corner, the sight of the university hit them like a punch to the gut. The once grand gate that marked the entrance to the sprawling campus was split open, its wrought iron twisted grotesquely, a testament to the brute force that had been used against it. Beyond the broken gate, the usually bustling university grounds were eerily silent, a disquieting stillness that sent shivers down their spines.
An odious miasma permeated the air, its origin indiscernible but its effect instantly recognizable. It was a stifling, cloying heaviness that seeped into their pores and turned their stomachs. The air seemed to pulse with a malevolent energy, a corruption that tainted the once hallowed grounds of the university. They could almost see it, a faintly shimmering haze that hung in the air, a visual manifestation of the wickedness that now encroached upon this bastion of knowledge and learning.
"Something’s not right," Will murmured, the ominous atmosphere stirring a sense of dread within him. His companions nodded in silent agreement, their eyes wide and alert. They knew that the university held the answers they sought, but now, it seemed those answers were shrouded in a wicked miasma that promised danger and uncertainty.