Ari’s pile of empty bottles was growing steadily, and he didn’t even look up to acknowledge them when they got back.
From how the others looked on seeing him, they were all equally concerned about Ari, but had no idea what to do next.
With everyone tired and ready for sleep, there wasn’t much conversation before they drifted off one by one.
Gargan was the first to go, but Jake wasn’t far behind. He had enough Wyrdgeld saved up to get his next rank and advance whatever Skills he needed.
As soon as his head hit the pillow, Jake internally triggered the rank up process.
Sufficient Wyrdgeld is present, presenting ascension options for Tier II Rank VII.
You currently have one Trait slots available and one Skill slots available.
At this time, you have unlocked six additional Abilities that may be purchased.
Skills
Lesser Sprint - Common - 100 Wyrdgeld
Lesser Blade Mastery - Uncommon - 200 Wyrdgeld
Puncture - Uncommon - 200 Wyrdgeld
Traits
Lesser Endurance - Uncommon - 200 Wyrdgeld
Lesser Weapons Expert - Uncommon - 200 Wyrdgeld
A Weapon for Every Occasion - Rare - 400 Wyrdgeld
Would you like to purchase or upgrade an Ability?
“Yes,” Jake said, picking his choices from the list available. He didn’t want to use up his last slot on anything right now, so he advanced Delver’s Will to the third rank and brought Infused Strike up to the tenth.
As he did, he felt an odd contraction as a new message appeared.
You have met the Deed requirements to advance Infused Strike, you have three available options
Improved Infused Strike - Rare
Edge Enhancement - Rare
Wyrd Infusion - Rare
Jake hesitated, running his mind over each option and feeling the rough outline of what they gave. It wasn’t as clear as the whispers when getting a Boon, but it was enough.
The improved strike was just that, a straightforward upgrade. Edge Enhancement would focus on cutting, whereas Wyrd Infusion moved away from weapons altogether.
It felt more like a manipulation Skill, one that was used to apply effects to a range of items. Jake guessed that he had met that requirement through how many different weapons he used and how he infused them all.
He practiced his manual infusions a lot as well, though he wasn’t quite as good as Alan. Perhaps this would help with that.
Making the choice, Jake felt the old Skill break down before reforming as the System moved on.
At this time, you have four available Plexus Points.
Boons available to be upgraded
Hidden Fang - 3 Pexus Points
Orchard’s Gift - 3 Plexus Points
Hunter’s Grace - 2 Plexus Points
Shroud of Shadows - 2 Plexus Points
Nature’s Path - 2 Plexus Points
Would you like to upgrade one of your Boons?
“Yes,” Jake said, picking the Hidden Fang Boon. It had been his secret weapon for a while, and increasing its rank would only aid that.
With that final action, Jake felt himself slip into unconsciousness as the System got to work.
-**-
When Jake woke later that day, he felt the usual physical misalignment of a rank up and spent a few minutes going through some gentle exercises in his room to adjust.
Once that was done, he brought up his full status so he could see the changes made.
Name - Jake Khesh
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Patron Deity - The Great Dungeon
Class - Dungeon Noble - Knight
Tier - II
Rank - VII
Dungeon Network - 13
Plexus Strength - Slight
Plexus Manifestations - 7/7
Plexus Points - 3
Traits
Physical - Lesser Noble Constitution (IV) - Rare - Descended from a Noble bloodline, you have a medium enhancement to physical characteristics.
Mental - Delver’s Will (III) - Uncommon - Gird your will, advance endlessly. Provides a small bonus to willpower when delving Dungeons.
Skills
Passive - Personal Plexus (II) - Very Rare - You gain the ability to bind Dungeons and form your own Plexus, with a small increase to the strength of Dungeons that may be bound. Currently, Dungeons up to Tier II can be bound. Doubles the Wyrdgeld cost of advancing in Class Rank.
Active - Wyrd Infusion (I) - Rare - You are able to infuse Wyrd into any item you are touching. The effects of any patterns that you create have a minor boost to their power and stability. This effect remains for a meagre time once you are no longer touching the item.
Bound Items
Wyrd Infusion - Woadheart Ring - Common - The bound Skill now has a minor reduction in Wyrd cost and any effects it generates that increase impact have a minor boost to their power.
Patron Gifts
Passive - Agent of the Great Dungeon (III) - Very Rare - You are bound to the Great Dungeon by blood and Deed. Other followers of the Great Dungeon will recognise you and aid you as they may.
Passive - Sense Dungeon (II) - Rare - As an agent of the Great Dungeon, you are able to passively sense the location of nearby Dungeons in a meagre range.
Passive - Authority of The Great Dungeon (I) - Very Rare - You have the approval of The Great Dungeon and may enact rituals in its name. You gain the knowledge of the Ritual of Castigation. Misuse of this authority may result in its removal.
Plexus Boons
Hidden Fang - (III) - Granted by the Holrswar Murk Dungeon, this Boon allows you to Manifest a dagger with inherent poisonous properties. Using the dagger, summoning it and dismissing it all draw on the power held within it on Manifestation.
Orchard’s Gift - (II) - Granted by the Aptofir Veranis Dungeon, this Boon allows you to Manifest an apple infused with vitality. Ingesting the apple transfers this vitality, healing and sating the hunger of its consumer.
The Mighty Drake - (III) - Granted by the Engans Deja Dungeon, this Boon allows you to Manifest Moby, a mighty drake, to aid you. The Manifestation is consumed in maintaining Moby’s presence, not his actions.
Dauhaust’s Root - (III) - Granted by the Fyardi Veranis Dungeon, this Boon allows you to Manifest a spear which can leech from the blood of the foe. Using the leeching effect, maintaining it, summoning it and dismissing it all draw on the power held within it on Manifestation.
Hunter’s Grace - (I) - Granted by the Kja Ascen Dungeon, this Boon allows you to use a Manifestation to receive a boost to all physical characteristics when hunting your prey. Maintaining the effect draws on the power of the Manifestation.
Shroud of Shadows - (I) - Granted by the Valhol Murk Dungeon, this Boon allows you to become harder to see in dim lighting and darkness. You may also exert the Boon to dim the light surrounding you. Both exerting the Boon and maintaining it draw on the power held within it on Manifestation.
Nature’s Path - (I) - Granted by the Dufsott Murk Dungeon, this Boon allows you to move without hindrance through natural terrain types. Maintaining the effect draws on the power of the Manifestation.
Plexus Development - (VI) - This Boon may only be increased in rank by choosing it at additional Dungeons, but it has no cap on its rank level. Increases Manifestations available by one per rank. Granted by the Herrgak Deja, Julg Ascen, Firva Veranis, Haugask Deja, Wilfek Murk and Ormel Infernis Dungeons.
Deed requirement to increase Tier
1 - 5 Tier II or higher Dungeons bound
2 - Rank X
Requirements to increase to Rank VIII
1 - 920 Wyrdgeld
The biggest development there, despite it being a complete surprise, was the Wyrd Infusion Skill. It had great potential, far more than Jake had been hoping for.
It was unfortunate that he’d lost his offensive Skill, and the new one was at the first rank, but at the rate they were working through these Dungeons, that wasn’t a problem.
The Woadheart ring had reduced back down to common as well, but with some time it would grow back to where it had been.
Jake had a third of the Wyrdgeld he needed to reach the tenth rank, most of which he’d earned in the last week.
The prospect of more strength was tantalisingly close and Jake found himself considering a change of plans. He needed to spend time working on his new Ability and the patterns it mentioned.
Following behind Alan as he called out hidden enemies and tried to exploit their weaknesses wasn’t really going to do that.
Of course, they could take it in turns, as they had before, but Jake had a better idea.
-**-
“Are you sure about this?” Alan asked once Jake explained what he wanted to do. “It seems risky. What if we run into someone?”
“Then we deal with it as we would if we were all together,” Jake said with a shrug. “This is the quickest way forward. You and everyone else can head to the same Dungeon as yesterday, and I’ll go to the undead one and practice my new Abilities.”
Alan still didn’t look convinced, and neither was Netphys, but Gargan spoke up first. “You said you had a new infusion Skill?”
“Yeah, that’s right. It’s about Wyrd usage rather than a specific effect.”
“Then I will come with you. I can practice my own Abilities and help you with this at the same time.”
Jake considered it for a moment before nodding. “Alright, some help with that will be good. I’ll be pushing hard, though.”
“I expected as such. My own focus is on my new Abilities, but I will be there to support you.”
“Alright then, everyone satisfied with that?” Jake asked, waiting for Alan to nod before clapping his hands. “Great, then let’s do it.”