I had three notifications.

You have Soulburned [Acquire Class Abilities] for the following Abilities for the Royal Parasite Class:

Parasitic Penetrator

Carnal Cultivation

Carnal Inventory

Parasitic Regeneration

Parasitic Paralyzer

Expel Carnal

Carnal Innoculation

Destroy Carnal Spores

Parasitic Mind Suppression

Psychic Infectious Form

These Abilities remain unavailable until you achieve the Condition of being simultaneously infected by one of each of the nine types of Legendary Carnals.

You acquired Title

You have earned the opportunity to acquire the Skill [Resist Pain]

Will you accept this Skill?

I rejected the [Resist Pain] Skill with a, “Hell no!”

I wasn't training that Skill up from Level 1. I was going to use [Limit Break] to get it at a really high Level.

I started wiping the blood off me with the towel that sadistic women had thrown on my face.

There wasn't to much on the floor and the chair. It was easy to get up.

There were a few bloodstains on my clothes. Maybe I could get Nellamon to [Purify] them for me.

I took a bag out of my [Inventory]. After rummaging around for bit, I had what I wanted. I looked at my face in the mirror. My eyes were still filled with blood. Not much I could do about that. I missed spot on my face so I cleaned that off. I put my stuff away.

I examined the Title.

Your pain resistance is increase by 2%>

Not to bad. I knew it would go up with my Level.

I dropped the towel on chair and went through the door. No one in the bar paid me any attention. I walked to the bar and waited for the bartender to notice me.

She walked up asked, “What can get for you?”

“How much are you Healing potions,” I asked.

“Tier 1 are ten silver. A Tier 2 [Lesser Healing Potion] is ten gold,” she answered.

I guess Harmin was kidding about gold being like silver at Tier 2.

“Let me get two Tier 1 Healing Potions,” I said.

I pulled twenty silver from my [Inventory] and gave it to her.

She returned with two potions. They looked just like test tubes. Each one was bright red. I pulled the cork and I drank one right away. Out of the corner of my eye I could see my Health bar start inching up.

I pulled a bag from my [Inventory]. It was one full of clothes. I wrapped the second potion in a shirt, before putting it back in the bag and the bag back in [Inventory]. I didn't want to be caught with out the ability to Heal again. My only Healing spell was [Just a Fleshwound]. If I cast it right after being damaged it would negate all the damage I had just taken. It wasn't actually a Healing spell. It manipulated probability to adjust reality. It was great for combat, but useless for damage over time.

I called the bartender over again, and asked, “Is there a way out of here besides the elevator?”

She smiled and said, “There's a ladder down through that doorway over there.” She pointed to a door across the room. “The best way down is the chute. Go down that hallway and it's the red door on the left. Four doors past that is the fire pole.”

“Firepole,” is what I heard in my head from the [Tongues] spell, but it's not what my ears heard. They had some other word for it, but my mind only knew what is was going translate to.

I took two more silver out of [Inventory] and put them on the counter. I pushed them at her and started to leave.

“What's this for,” she asked.

“That's for you,” I said,

She smiled and said, “Thanks.”

Maybe tipping wasn't a thing here. That would either save me a lot of money or make me a popular guy.

I went down the hallway to the “chute.” I briefly thought about seeing what the firepole looked like, but I wanted out of this madhouse. I opened the red door she had told me about. The closet of a room was the top of a metal slide. The inside of the “chute room” was a hole in wall opening to a polished metal tube. There was a bar at chest eight across the hole. My best guess was the bar was used to let you swing under it so you could get up to speed and slide down like this was a slide on a playground.

I did just that. The angle of the slide was much steeper than playground slide. I cork-screwed around pretty quickly. When I came out at the bottom, I was still five feet off the ground. My new body, augmented my Levels and stats, had no problem sticking the landing.

I was deposited between the chute and the wall. When I walked out from behind the chute, I recognized where I was. I had originally thought the chute was an oddly shaped, large column. Now I knew better. I made my way back through the crowd to the main entrance. As I passed the stoner who had cast [Tongues] on me, I could see he was with another “customer.” I couldn't help myself and chuckled. It was funny to think about someone else going through what I did.

I traced my steps back to the porter station Meallean had pointed out to me. I need to hire a carriage to take me to my inn.

The carriage cost a silver, and was going to take and hour and half to get to the inn. For a gold I could have flown in minutes. More evidence of how Tier 1 and Tier 2 societies coexisted. There was no rush. I would get to the inn well before noon, when the Karma tour would start back up.

The horse drawn carriage was black with a lacquered finish. The hinges and metal trim were cheap painted metal. The coachman was well dressed. The interior was plain. I would say that it was no frills, but the seat was cushioned. It had a leaf spring suspension, so the ride wasn't unbearable.

I had planned to watch the city on my way to the inn. Unfortunately, I found myself alone. Instead of being distracted by the city, I was distracted by myself. I ended up rehashing what had happened during the Soulburn ritual. The agony of Karmic Backlash was unbelievable. I had felt as if I was on fire. Not 'hot sauce' on fire. 'Battery acid and blowtorch' on fire. Earth has the fire and brimstone of Hell, but that's just allegory. Even if Hell really is awaiting for some people from Earth, there's no way to prove it. The pain of Hellfire is real on Elfandrael.

Celestium mentioned doing [Evil] for short term goals and returning to being [Good]. He never said anything about permanently switching sides and Soulburning new Boons of opposite Alignment. Maybe that was it. You could repent, give up your [Evil] ways, and never get any more Boons. You could go through a series of painful trials, burning away your former self. The third options was go out blazing [Evil] as teaching lesson and resource to others to Level up, and then you'd get a whole new restart in you next life. That's certainly how Celestium described the goblin cycle of life and death. Those three choices brought to mind the principle of it being harder for rich man to enter heaven, than it is for a rope to pass through the eye of a needle. Give up your wicked ways or give up your life.

Was [Evil] Karma sin? Did Soulburning [Evil] Karma make me the irredeemable bad guy? How could the bad guy be the good guy? No, Celestium had told me this was OK. Then it hit me. Gunslingers. There were plenty of gunslingers in the Old West who started out as bad guys and ended up bringing some justice to their communities. They had to carry their past with them, but that was a burden they carried so others didn't have to. Carrying a gun made them a target, and always wary. Just like I would need to be wary of causing harm to people around me with Carnals. I sneered at my bad-ass self. I was a gunslinger.

Then I realized that it would be years before I had the Ability Points to spend on Carnals. Well I wanted to be a gunslinger. In my heart, I was a wannabe. Wait. That came out wrong. I already had a Title for what I was. I was an !

No matter how I felt about it in my heart, in my head I knew I was right. Technically, what I had done was the best choice possible. The third best defense against Carnals was magi-tech. Wearing a magi-meka or just using an Aether construct gave protection against Carnals. If breached or destroyed the construct wouldn't protect you from the Carnal spores. Second best were the Virtues. They didn't actually stop Carnals, only greatly reduced the possibility of a Carnal Infection taking hold. The biggest weakness with Virtues was if the Virtue holder left, so did the protection. The Royal Parasite Class had the Ability 'Destroy Carnal Spores.' Just absolutely end the threat of Carnals. All you had to do was be [Evil] at some point.

Ew. That line sounded too much like I was in a vampire redemption arc. The sparkly kind. Now I really did feel like a wannabe.

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That's how I did feel though. Most of my plans hadn't turned out like I expected. I was powerless in the hands of that psycho woman from the Soulburn ritual. It was probably for the best, but the point is I'm still Level 2. I am not in control any situation. What if I met that psychopath on the streets. It would probably be fine. Most psychopaths can integrate into society. There are plenty of places for them. CEO, politician, dentist.

I need to stop planning and start executing. I had a day off coming up, Celestiumday. Elfandrael didn't recognize anything like the weekend. Everyone took a day off based on their god or Alignment. I need to use my day off to get into the Dungeon. That meant I need to prepare. I should visit the the Guild this afternoon. And do the thing I'd been putting off.

I activated my Astral Grimoire. A golden glowing book floated in front of me. It was more like a stack of papers than a book. It could only hold four spells right now. I got to work inscribing my best combat spell [Local Portal].

I was waiting outside the Gethbenial Inn well before noon. I wasn't staying in the inn proper. I was staying in the servants quarters, which did not have a sauna in the bathroom. Not only was it cheaper, it was easier for Harmin to get the elves in charge of the inn to let me stay. I had checked into the room and changed clothes. The bloodstains were small, but they would stand out. The servants quarters even had a self service laundry station that let me clean the clothes.

I looked up as an aerodynamically shaped vehicle without wings was coming in for landing in the courtyard. The sun was gleaming off it's mirror finish. It had windows all along the sides. This was our transportation. I was going to get to ride in a Magic Bus! 'Too much Magic bus', I sang in my head.

Forna was driving the bus. The elf nodded to me as I boarded. He stared at my bloody eyes for only a second, but didn't say anything. Forna was one of the least talkative guards. I was glad for that today. I sat down in a seat that was on the side of the bus opposite to the entrance to the inn. I looked out over the city. The inn was halfway up the side of the mountain. This was a residential segment, but it wasn't without stores.

I was high enough in the bus to be looking over a short wall that formed the edge of the courtyard, and down into a small public square. It was an open space about thirty strides to a side. Most of the businesses lining the square were restaurants. I saw a tailor and a cobbler as well. The mountain on the other side of the valley was laid out in front of me. Smaller homes and building occupied the lower section. From what I could see of this side of the mountain below me the same style of small buildings was mirrored. At about the halfway point the buildings started getting larger, until they reached the size of huge estates at top. Public squares dotted the cityscape in pattern that was rigidly fixed.

I heard the students start to board the bus behind me. I kept my gaze on the city to avoid showing my eyes. Eventually I heard someone sit down beside me.

Aern'Lenninisal asked, “How did you get Master Meadowwalker to you let stay with us?”

I was dreading this but I needed to get it over with. I turned and told him, “I'm in negotiations with him to keep training with you guys.”

Aern'Lenninisal asked me with great concern, “What happened to your eyes.”

I had been expecting that. I certainly didn't want to announce that I just burned [Evil] Karma into my soul, but I was ready. “Let's just say it was woman.”

I had a moment of happiness when I saw the Karma notice. I was getting the hang of this. Then I heard the audible intake of every elf on the bus. The stink eye from the females was even worse. I'd forgotten these guys were more Dowton Abbey than Jersey Shore.

“A [Chaotic Neutral] woman,” I clarified with disgust heavily laden in voice.

The looks of shock became looks of pity. Tried to seem a little more sad.

Once everyone had gotten over my faux pas, I asked Aern'Lenninisal, “I'm need to go the Guild this afternoon after Questing. Do you want to come with me?”

He shook is head and responded, “There a [Pantry] tasting this afternoon. Don't you want to come? Even if you don't buy anything it's free.”

I shook my head, “I didn't get an invite. Must be because I'm not staying in the main inn.”

I was a little envious. I was already missing the food the Harmin served in his [Personal Palace]. There was a basic Ability anybody could get called [Personal Pantry]. Once you loaded food into it, it would reproduce that food for you, and only you, once day. It wasn't endless food though. The amount and quality of food was limited by things like Level and Class Power Rating. There was a booming business in providing dual portion gourmet food for people to load into their [Personal Pantry]. One portion to try, and one portion to load. Even if I took the Ability at my next Level, I probably couldn't do more than load jerky and water in it.

“Are you sure? I could speak with Master Meadowwalker for you,” he offered.

“I'm fine. I need to get this done,” I said. “Can we me up later to tonight to work on the [Teaching] Skill?”

“Sure,” he said.

Everyone in the bus stopped talking as we took off, because we were all too busy gawking at the city. Our first Quest of the day was visiting the hospital to sit with Carnal victims. The elves had a prepared show. It was the same as the one they put on in Neral City. Apparently each group of elves had a different show. It was one of the reasons cities so readily allowed them to take these Karma tours.

The second Quest of the day was a soup kitchen Quest. I done many of this type of Quests before, but this time it felt different. This time I wasn't having difficulty getting food. I had enough money for a place to stay and to fill my belly. The people in line for food looked rough. Almost every woman had a child in tow. There were even a few young children who seemed to be by themselves. I think my experience with the Soulburn at Enches' temple provided a small change in me too. I enjoyed this Quest. It didn't just feel [Good], it felt good.

My assignment was to make sure the food, plates, and utensils didn't run out as we fed people. I finally got to use my [Inventory] to carry food. While I was waiting around to do things I filled Nellamon up with Chi. He was giving out trays and utensil at the head of the line. He was also giving out [Purify] and [Lesser Heal] to people that needed it. Bonus Karma and XP! Afterward, Selenia, Nellamon, and I teamed up to regenerate the finger of a teenage boy. Thankfully, everybody in the group was willing to wait around for the extra time it took.

On trip back there was more discussion as people had become used to the experience of flying. I listened to Aern'Lenninisal discuss his plans for his [Personal Pantry]. The local delicacy in Everdale was lamb braised in a sweet and sour sauce, which he was definitely going try. I learned Aern'Lenninisal was also not fond of salads and vegetables that the were the culinary norm for elves. Elves ate meat. It was usually over lettuce instead of bread. I kind of got the vibe that he was one of those people that wasn't happy until he found out what made him different from the people around him. It was easy for me to pick up on because I was one of those people too.

The place where we operated the soup kitchen was in the outermost segment of Everdale. Just beyond the city gates the road that wound into the surrounding mountains could be seen. It took several minutes to fly back to the inn because of the distance. After we landed I walked down to the closest porter station in the bottom of the valley. On the way to the Adventurer's Guild I inscribed [Just a Fleshwound] into my grimoire.

I was little surprised when we stopped in front of the Guildhall. When I saw this building earlier this morning, I thought it was an airport or a landing hub. The building itself was only five stories tall, but above it was a superstructure of multiple open floors. There were three floors above the main building separated by thirty strides. Creatures and vehicles of all sizes flew in and out of the superstructure.

At ground level, there were large double doors spaced around the building with one large bay window in between each set of doors. I walked in the closest one. To either side of me was series of chairs. It reminded me the chairs next to the boarding ramp of a plane. There was a series of counters with attendants helping people. They were waving wands over a large, multicolored crystal in front of them.

In between each counter was a set of sliding doors. They opened to a small room. People went in and out. Elevators. They were elevators. There was a winding line in front of each attendant that was just to reach that individual attendant. Just like at an airport. I got in line and waited. It took about twenty minutes for me to reach the attendant.

“Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild, sir. How may I help you today,” She asked is a nasally voice.

It was the same way she had greeted everyone in front of me.

“I want to go into the Dungeon. I heard you have maps and guides. I'd like to get one,” I said. I knew about this because of Celestium.

“What floor and zone, sir,” she asked.

“Level 2. I don't know what zone,” I replied.

“What entrance would you like to use, sir,” she asked.

“I guess...the closest one,” I answered uncertainly.

“What Alignment, sir,” she asked a little impatiently.

“I'm [Lawful Good],” I replied.

“You want to enter the [Lawful Good] Dungeon entrance? Are you seeking a Familiar?”

“No. I just want to Level,” I replied innocently.

“Then you want the [Chaotic Evil] entrance. The map and guide for that area will be ten silver. Do have your entrance license?”

“No, I didn't know I needed one” I said.

“One gold for yearly license. Twenty silver for a monthly license. One silver for a day pass.”

“I'll take a day pass then. I don't need it for today though. I need it for Valoriaday evening until Bestalday morning”

“Day passes don't expire, sir. As long as you don't reach Tier 2. That will be three silver for the day passes. Can I interest you in our premium chauffeur service. We will pick you up and fly you to the Dungeon entrance of your choice, or we can transport you to your home or the hospital from the Dungeon.”

“How much,” I asked.

“One gold per token. The token is good for a one way trip in either direction, sir.”

“I suppose I'll take two.” It was expensive but it would mean could I spend more time in the Dungeon. Plus, what if need to visit the hospital?

“That's one map and guide for Level 2 of the [Chaotic Evil] Dungeon entrance, three day passes, and two Guild Transit Tokens. Will there be anything else today, sir?”

“That's it,” I said.

“I need to see your Adventurer's card to confirm your Status, sir.”

She sighed when I pulled a bag out and started rummaging around in it for my card. I presented it and she waved a wand at it. The wand and the card glowed. She tapped on the crystal in front of her.

“Thank you, sir. Sir, can I get you to agree to following Terms and conditions,” she asked.

Two blue screens appeared in front of me.

The Adventurer's Guild is not responsible for lost on stolen tokens. Transit tokens may only be used to and from the Dungeon, or to and from a Hospital in Everdale City. Using a token to call for transportation to any other destination will void that token and no service will be provided. Standard Guild transit tokens are only valid for individuals and do not allow for physically carrying any Familiar, Summons, or freight not carried in [Inventory]

Do you understand and agree to these terms and conditions?

The Dungeon map and guide you have purchased is the based on information current through at least the last thirty days at the time of purchase. That information may change due to time, unique circumstance, Dungeon Events, or some combination. Dungeon delving is dangerous behavior and the authors and sellers of this guide cannot be held liable for use or misuse of the information contained within

Do you understand and agree to these terms and conditions?

It looked like legalese was the same in this world too. I agreed to both.

“That will be two gold and thirteen silver, sir,” she said.

I put my card and the bag away and retrieved the coins from [Inventory].

“She wave her hands around the glowing crystal in front of her. There was a hum and glow behind her. She reached back and remove several items from a nook.

“Here are you're three day pass tokens. This is your map and guide. Here are your travel tokens. Snap a token in half and your ride will arrive within fifteen minutes.” She craned her neck to look at the head of the line behind me and shouted, “Next!”

I put my new items away, and headed back to the porter station. On the way back home I started studying the map and the guide to make a new plan. A plan that I was sure would work right this time.