Sitting in the living room was slightly disconcerting do to the fact that Jack had no way of knowing if while he healed back up to full heath if a monster would burst in with a horde behind them. As long as Jack stayed calm, he would be fine, Checking his wounds Jack looked down to see that they were nearly gone even the would-be scars seemed to fade away at a visually impressive speed.
Looking around the room there was a total of three doors one led back towards the dining area that he killed those few zombies the one just off to its right on a different wall Jack suspected led him back to the hallway by the staircase that he came down which would make sense due to the size of the rooms. Lastly was the wall beside the chair that he was sitting in making it the obvious route to keep exploring, still resolute as before Jack thrust himself forward. He knew those zombie undead bastards would taste the cold hard steel of his blade no matter how they found themselves there.
Getting up Jack double checked his gear and made sure nothing else was damaged in the process of his previous fight, after all it did no harm to make sure that everything was all good to go. Jack sidled up towards the door as was now the standard operating procedure that Jack played by, placing his ear up to the door he listened hearing there was no immediate noise on the other side of the doorway Jack gently leaned pulled back the door as he peered inside.
What surprised Jack wasn’t that there was a huge damn library in this place but that it was this huge. This was easily a two-story library with easily over 1 thousand books lining the walls, Mirroring the look of the library he had seen on tv of the Abby of St. Gall once on one of those old travel destination shows. It was beautiful and large this place would have to be owned by only the truly wealthy. Looking around the room Jack could easily see the time spent on this room the master craftsmanship that came with all the dark wood that lined all the walls and bookshelves that stood taller than Jack by twofold. The room was rather long and had what looked like to be a second story by the walkway and what looked like to be an internal staircase in the room that spiraled upwards.
Looking around Jack couldn’t see anything that moved though from his position he was in an indented alcove and had to move outward to see what was truly around each corner. Pulling his sword free Jack started to walk to his left making sure to first check each bookshelves alcove to ensure there were no surprises. Once he was sure there were no more surprises on the first level Jack checked around the room this time using his inspection skill, it pinged off a few things netting him a total of one silver and 20 coppers for his efforts which was a huge boon as that meant either more potions or to save up for an enchantment of some kind. Slightly kicking himself for not even asking Tokhta about his prices on those for even basic enchantments, though maybe light armor would be on his list of requirements once he had entered the shop again.
Sighing was all Jack could do after all there were things to do, and he couldn’t be twiddling his thumbs around all day, no Jack had to get moving. Though just as Jack looked outside one of the vast windows that decorated this beautiful room he paled, due to Jack always having seen out the front of the window Jack had seen a vastly open with some gardens on the grounds, but they looked dead and free of all life. But now dropping to the ground and out of sight Jack could see that it wasn’t the case there were hundreds of undead millings around outside with what looked like to be several undead that led them pointing them out was easy due to the almost human like appearances of there visage though their eyes were pitch black like the void. Seeing as they easily walked around and talked to the other zombies like a drill Sgt would talk to recruits made Jack balk at this.
Checking behind himself to make sure he was still clear Jack continued to watch, the last thing Jack needed was for some zombie to get the jump on him. Looking back outside Jack saw that they were almost strategically hiding behind the building or at least trying to stay out of sight, if Jack had gone outside as soon as possible its likely he would be swarmed by these simple yet obviously not so simple creatures and torn limb from limb. Glad he had seen this before attempting the outside world. Jack knew he was not going to go outside at least not until he was stronger no matter how long that took Jack knew he would have to work hard and grind up enough experience inside to level up. Also, hopefully the zombies didn’t come inside which made Jack wonder why even hide what would be the point of hiding than just swarming the inside of the manor.
Crouching this time Jack crept his way towards the staircase as the last thing he needed was to be seen, applying his stealth skill helped ease Jack into the shadows a little easier as not to get spotted. Climbing the steps was difficult in such a crouch with his prosthetic leg it was made easier by the agility but made sense that still was a bit cumbersome as it didn’t bend or move like a normal leg did.
Cresting the top of the staircase Jack was Greeted by something absolutely unexpected, that is saying something since he was in a dungeon with zombies and gore filled beasts wanting to eat him. But sitting on a huge old brown leather sofa was a man, but not quite a man he was an older gentleman that was flipping through a book, what was freaky was the man was slightly transparent.
Before Jack could back up down the staircase a voice spoke which made him freeze.
“Boy you can come out of your stealth it is far too low for me to be fooled by it, you may as well come over and sit down I will not bite mind you as I am a ghost it would be fairly hard to touch things that aren’t of my realm.” The man motioned towards a leather chair that sat just off to his right and waited for Jack to comply.
Thinking this over quickly he figured since this creature didn’t attack right away it might be something like Tokhta was so deactivating stealth Jack made his way over to the proffered seat by the much older man than he had first guessed. Sitting down and nodding respectfully to the man Jack waited surly this man wanted something so he would wait for the guy to speak.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Ahhh thank you for sitting down, few adventures would entertain the idea of sitting down with a ghost, as we are normally seen as malevolent spirits. Though I came about being a ghost in a ghastly way and was able to save my humanity, this is also the same reason why those pests outside seem to still flutter and swarm but can never enter my home. Boy I need your help, and no its not to turn me back human which I would always love but to avenge my family.”
Jack was a little taken aback by how proper the old man sounded like a proper English gentleman old and wizened by his days but with the exuberance of younger man. Deciding it was best to hear the man out after all its not everyday one speaks to a ghost “So let’s say I help you get your revenge what does that entail? Mind you I am curious and its not that I will take your request, but I will listen to it and if I can help, I will try my best to do so”.
The man smiled softly at Jack like an older grandfather seeing a new grandchild for the first time, the smile lasted but a moment before it turned into a bittersweet smile. “Long ago at least for what it seems this realm was not all doom and gloom as you may as well see. But it was a realm like any other I was the lord of this manor and in my youth, I was bestowed this title by my lord Duke who sought to raise me up and take over the title of Baron in growing this region up. As the years went on, we went from a small barony in the middle of nowhere to one of the main exporters of wines as the climate here allowed the best production of an ice wine variant. This allowed my small provincial region to grow from a small Barony into a large and the most profitable one, needless to say this prosperity did not last long. While we still produced the wine there were always those who wished that upon themselves to have what others have built. That is went the undead raids began, which seemingly came from no where we fought them of valiantly my well-trained guards fought hard to protect the lives in the valley though their personal strength wasn’t enough for the hordes that awaited us one evening.” The man pausing a moment in contemplation on how to best continue the story.
Sighing the old man continued looking years older than he once had “That night was a night I never wished to see nor hear ever again. I was in the manor house when we first saw the flames of the town off into the distance and not just one fire, but hundreds of houses set ablaze lighting up the night sky. My men and I rushed towards the town with all expedience but the undead where everywhere that’s when I saw it though. A damnable lich he was reraising the dead of the towns fold, men, women, and even children faced this face to act as the undead army. We were pushed back to the Manor which we sent word of the fortify as best as we could. Finding out families safe at least we surprised our fore from behind being able to land a killing blow to the lich. Though not without cost, I had been significantly weakened in this fight slowly dying when the lich cast a hex on myself causing me to return to life as a ghost to watch as my realm burned around me so that I couldn’t affect anything. Especially when it come to the hordes waiting for my family to slowly starve inside the manor, the food ran out no matter how they rationed. So, they had to go outside and try to make an escape towards the Dukes estate, needless to say my family didn’t make it far they were attacked and torn limb from limb there bodies were hung in the gardens so that I could see what they had done to the family.”
The older man slumped down in his chair further seemingly out of all steam, Jack could only imagine the pain he had gone through as his family though had passed away had gone so peacefully not starved than slaughtered like wild beast. No, this man had been through so much and on top of that seemed to have been raised up to a position of nobility that must indicate some level of great skill.
Looking at the man he would like to help but had yet been given the task of how to avenge his family it could mean many things “Excuse me Sir you have yet to explain how I can help you in this? What task would you ask of me to do?”
The main jolted up at hearing that “Ahhh well yes, though First you should know my name as I am sure the system would love to grant you a quest and Id rather you know my name then have it given by the system so haphazardly. My Name is Lord Gallen, and I am the lord of what is left of this humble manner, my request is for you to kill all the vile creatures left in and on my estate. Though seeing your level, it will be a very hard quest for you though I may not be able to help you fight the enemy of my people I can offer you a great reward if you are able to complete this.”
Congratulations player Jack Rickson you have been offered your first quest and not just any quest but a unique one at that! The quest demands that you kill all vile creatures within the manor as well as the estate. Once quest has been completed you will be given a notification indicating that you have successfully completed all objectives and to return to the quest giver to receive your reward.
Quest: Unique
Level: Hard (Variable on level)
Seeing the man watch his as he read over the notification already accepting the fact that Jack would refuse, but Jack didn’t plan on refusing now hearing the story of the old man this caused Jacks heart to burn with rage at these vile creatures. The last thing that Jack would have done was leave the quest after all he swore, he would kill all these creatures. Smiling at the older man Jack replied, “Lord Gallen you should fear not, I will accept your quest though I make no promises of actually completing it, but to help you in such a way I would be more than happy to help.”
Leaping to his feet the man smiled as if his grandson has won first place in a triathlon as a great accomplishment, though Jack new it was just that this man was probably rejected several times by many adventures who were probably far stronger than he was individually or never was even allowed to speak to them as they passed through. Seeing the old man smile as he could see a wetness forming in the mans eyes Jack spoke up “Like I said I will try my best, but any help would be greatly appreciated if you can give it?”
Seeing the old man nodding along he replied “there is many zombies still left in the house and you must slay them as they were once my family they no longer are if you could give them a quick death that would be appreciated, this will also allow you to level to 10 easily which is the true hallmark of an adventurer I can’t give you many details about level 10 besides classes are important and you will be offered classes based on actions you have taken up until this point. There are many types of classes but the range from basic, common, uncommon, Unique, rare, epic, legendary, and mythic. Though all or most people even adventures never see past common classes to receive a unique class, or a rare one is considered strong potential. Though to select a class just based on the level of that class is a bit wrong. You must select the class that you connect with the most as this class through advancement will allow you to level it up through the ranks as you level up your person.”
Nodding along Jack thanked the old man before heading back down the staircase and towards the door, he still had much left to explore before going outside to defeat that horde. Time to grind up some experience.