Chapter 29 Crucible Day 42, Fight for the First Ring_Fight. Evolve. Or die...

The Chimeric man still looked restless, but it seemed it had calmed down in the hour he had spent meditating. He had considered waiting longer, recovering more, but he feared the guardian would start searching and he wanted to face it on his terms, with some advantage. If it came to a face-to-face confrontation he would most likely have to flee. Mosh had also considered avoiding the fight and moving into the ring, but surreptitious watching of the Game without his parents knowing had shown that would not work. Until you beat the guardian you were in a mini dimension. You would find nothing, no food, no water. You either fought the guardian or went back.

He readied his spear, his sole remaining point of aether ready to be infused and approached the restless chimeric man. Aether floated around him, leaving him only a shadowy presence in the dimension containing his foe. He readied his aether, pushing it into the spear as he removed Aether Blend, stabbing forward as he did so.

The Chimeric man’s senses were sharper than he had expected. It detected him the moment he exited the aether and managed to twist its body. It was not able to completely evade his spear, but it was turned from an instantly lethal one that would have destroyed its heart, to penetrating its shoulder. It was still effective. The aether allowed the blade to partly enter its flesh and ignore its thick skin. The blade tore through, slicing through muscle and bone, leaving its arm hanging by the grip of muscle and tendon. It roared and jumped back, not even attempting to pick up its oversized axe in one hand. Its head whipped forward, far faster than Mosh had expected and bit down on his arm. Mosh’s scale stopped most of its force, but the fangs did penetrate and Mosh felt a burning as blood leaked from the wound

Damage Taken. Poison applied.

‘Better finish this quick and get back to your world, kid. I would not be surprised if they have healers standing by for when you return, but you need to be alive for them to cure you!’ Midkar’s voice rang, Mosh supposed he was trying to be supportive, but he was just being distracting. He ignored him, maintaining his concentration.

He checked his reserves. He had enough mana for one explosive strike, and his spear skill did not use chi. He needed to find an offensive use of Chi, it seemed obvious to use it for battle, yet somehow he never had! He circled the Chimeric man, and a flashing notification made him aware that he could not delay, poison coursed through his blood

Damage Taken. 5 Body points lost. 5 Soul Points lost. Note: lost points are recoverable until a Tier drop is experienced. Any Tier drop is permanent. Any Tier dropping below Tier 0 will result in death.

Mosh cursed. He had to finish this thing off before he lost everything he had gained! He hoped to act with cautious speed, not undue haste, but he felt time passing

Another notification, another spur to action. The Chimeric man seemed happy to delay. Of course it was, the longer the delay the weaker his opponent became. Mosh feinted a strike to the right, and the Chimeric man moved to parry with its scaled arm. As Mosh tried to turn his feint into a redirected blow, the Chimeric man spun, his foot lashing out. Mosh twisted, moving his body into the kick to absorb it, and felt its leg impact his body. It made him stumble, not much else, but then it withdrew its leg, and scale blades cut into his armour. His armour was thick enough to stop the worst of it and his scales blocked the rest.

The Chimeric man was stunned for a moment, looking at the shredding armour on his side but a complete lack of blood. It pulled its body back along with his leg, his body side onto Mosh with his arm lying against the haft of the spear.

Mosh grinned to himself, he had been planning on an explosive strike, but landing it seemed difficult, instead he would imbue his spear. Even if it was for only a few seconds, the Chimeric man was already touching it and more would not be needed. He pushed his mana in and the flames manifested, spurting from the haft. Engulfing the Chimeric man’s arm and the exposed side of his body. It lasted for perhaps ten seconds, but it made the Chimeric man below scramble to put out the flames. It waved its arm around, trying to extinguish the flames but ended up spreading them. Its head swayed on its long neck and struck out at Mosh. But without the element of surprise, the attack was easily evaded.

Its hisses were frantic, but the flames were not going out. It jumped, trying to evade the flames, and Mosh struck as it landed, his spear slightly off target, but succeeded in gutting it. Blood flowed freely from the large cut, mixed with the foul stench of a perforated bowel. Infection was guaranteed in the future if it survived the fight!

The Chimeric man stumbled, one arm unusable, the other burning. Its eyes were unreadable to Mosh, but he thought they were filled with hate. It struck out continuously, biting and snapping to keep him back. As Mosh watched, its arm was slowly repairing itself, some healing skill at work.

Mosh felt that time was running out. He would soon start weakening, even as the Chimeric man healed and grew stronger, and his Blood Bind skill was useless against poison! He darted forward making numerous small stands and swipes, the Chimeric man nimble evading them when it could, parrying it with its burned arm when it couldn’t. Small cuts and slashes bled, but they were cosmetic, irritants, no new damage of any consequence had landed.

Half, half his points on the two indexes had now been temporarily removed, he had to get it before it grew even further. He stabbed low, aiming at its leg, then transitioned it into an upward slash as moved to evade. His spear cut into It, again over its stomach area, a large x-shaped wound splitting open, spilling its entrails. It hissed loudly, stumbling and tripping on its intestines as it looked at Mosh.

Mosh ignored it, slashing again, aiming at its neck, and sliced deep. Its head flopped and the body fell to the ground. As it did, Silky finally arrived and looked forlorn at having missed the battle.

Bar Nachash was killed. Body enhancement points earned: 5. Body enhancement points needed to next Tier 55/2100.Mana enhancement points earned: 5 Mana enhancement points needed for next Tier 55/3600. Mind Enhancement points earned: 55. Mind enhancement points needed for next Tier: 55/2100, Aether enhancements points gained 5. Aether enhancement points for next Tier 1300/5500. Evolutionary essence gained: 5, Evolutionary Essence to next Tier 5/3750. Evolutionary Potential points gained 5, Evolutionary Potential Points to next tier 1818/6600. Evolutions offered: Prehensile neck, Poison Gland.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Mosh looked at the evolutions, the poison gland almost tempted him, but that probably came with those fangs, and they seemed a vulnerability. He bet to start absorption as another notification arrived

He swiped it away and saw another was waiting, but he returned to absorb the energy before it dissipated, a habit he had ingrained into himself since he had arrived.

’Don’t be an idiot, Kid!’ You will suffer more than you will gain if you absorb now! Get out of here!’

Mosh nodded at Midkar’s words. He knew he wasn’t thinking straight, the poison was affecting his thinking even if it did not state it in the damage messages. He brought up the rest of the notifications

Spear Skill Advance to Tier 2 Level 3

Imbue Mana enhancement advanced to Tier 4 level 9

Congratulations Candidate! You have defeated the First Ring Guardian. Please choose: Proceed into the First Ring or Return to Point of Origin. You will be automatically returned to the Crucible in fourteen days.

It was not really a choice, and the world blurred as Mosh left the Crucible and arrived at the Gate in the Earth Mileu Headquarters in Kalthek. He felt strong hands grab him and hold him upright before the darkness had even lifted, another set of hands descended on him and warmth spread through his body.

Poison purged. Poison damage reversed.

Mosh breathed in relief, he had done it, the poison was gone before there was any permanent damage. He looked up, a familiar kolb smiled in the background, two guards in Earth Mileu uniforms held him up and a healer in a white uniform with the familiar red cross marking of a medic stood to the side. He also observed a group of aliens in the background staring at him intently. He could feel their gaze, their probing and he roared in anger,

“STOP, you have no right to scan me!”

His voice reverberated across the yard and angry Earth Mileu officials rounded on the Galactic Mileu team whose guard contingent took up defensive positions, weapons at the ready. Silky moved to stand before him, an angry, throaty growl emanating from him. He sank to his launches, preparing to launch himself, his fangs bared.

“It is time for you to leave.” Davos’ voice was firm. “You were permitted to observe, not to scan or attack him with your abilities.”

The man in charge of the Galactic Miley contingent wore fanciful robes of the type seen on wealthy merchants or nobles, the crest of a Magistrate on his chest. He looked almost human, but his features were too angular, and he had no ears. Gills fluttered on his neck as he responded with a sneer. “And who will stop me on this world?”

Davos said nothing but stepped back allowing the turrets to turn and concentrate on the man. Those did not seem to concern him, but the two small drones with the red and black crest of the Malthek Consortium that flew into the air and hovered nearby with their gun ports trained on him did. Davos smiled, “Did you know we recently got teleportation platforms and Guild licenses? We thank our three major guilds for being so understanding and merging into one to speed the allocation process and for helping us prioritize our defences. Unless I am mistaken, these drones should be sufficient to deal with you, especially when you are acting in violation of Galactic Mileu legal codes and our Mana contract with the Galactic Mileu. I can incinerate you where you stand and then still demand compensation.” His voice was soft and agreeable but the leader of the Galactic Mileu contingent and his guards paled. They glared at Davos, but they and the rest of their contingent turned and left.

The drama over Davos turned, grinned and bowed to Mosh. “Welcome home Mosh Barmenash, and congratulations on your achievements.” He turned and gestured, “I believe you know Fulan of House Digar. He speaks highly of your family and their hospitality and has volunteered to take you home, another of the Council or I will come to visit and debrief you before you return to the Game. Don’t worry, we will alert you ahead of time, some on returning from the Game are rightfully skittish and do not react well to surprises.” He bowed and backed away, not turning his back, glancing nervously at Silky who remained ready to attack, uncomfortable with the crowd. Davos gave another quick bow as he entered the building followed by the guards leaving only Mosh and Fulan before the gate. Fulan grinned, his bared fangs visible and gestured to a nearby car.

“Shall we or do you want to eat first?” and gestured to the building, “Though I do warn you only the one canteen is open now and the food at this time of night is revolting. Your mother already knows you will be home soon, and I KNOW her cooking will be better!”

Mosh smiled, thinking of his mother’s food and stepped up to the car, a sporty-looking one of the likes he had only seen on the viewer or in the distance when visiting Kalthek. “I’m ready and eager to see my family!”

Fugen grinned as he unlocked the vehicle, stepped up and gave Silky a nervous look, but Silky picked up Mosh’s mood and moved his head to nudge Fugen’s hand and to demand scratches behind his ears, Fugen chuckled and obliged, and then tried to entice Silky to enter who just stared at him condescendingly. Mosh laughed and guided Silky into the back while he took the seat next to Fugen and strapped in.

Fugen glanced over. “Make sure that’s tight, I have emergency authorisation, and the trip is not going to be at the speed limit.” The car rose and Mosh felt the acceleration as he was pushed back into his seat. He gave a whoop and looked back as Silky fell back into the seat with a protesting meow, and the world blurred around them as it sped by.

Barmenash House

Chaos reigned over the house. First the jubilation at watching Mosh prevail, along with the concern at the growing blemish on his arm where he had been bitten. Mich said nothing, not wanting to worry everyone over the possibility of poison, but she prayed for a swift end to the fight. When it was over she breathed a sigh of relief as Mosh confidently entered the gate back home.

Now, Sarah was frantically directing everyone. The house was too small to fit everyone inside, so the various siblings, cousins and grandchildren were being ordered to unpack the tables and chairs for the storage shed, the one with everything for large family gatherings and get them laid out. In the kitchen, pots were already preparing parts of the meal while a large fire had been lit in the barbeque pit and brought to maturity in record time by one of the field hands who had a class with a small affinity to fire, usually used for stopping them or creating fire breaks. The carcass of a whole cow that had been slaughtered earlier in the day for general usage was repurposed and slung on a spit above the fire, the smaller kids taking turns to turn it. It would be some time before it was ready, but the various small dishes and snacks would keep everyone well-fed until then.

The children who were too small to help, with Simo being at an awkward border age but eventually being chased away with Clumsy to be with the other kids, ran in the nearby fields, their shouts and laughter a backdrop to the busy adults and older kids. There were enough that they got everything done in record time, but Sarah’s face dropped then broke into a huge grin as a sports car dropped from the sky, spun to a stop, and Mosh stepped out. She had expected two hours to prepare, it had been barely ten minutes, but that didn’t matter. She sprinted to him, grabbing him around his chest, burying her head into him as she sobbed. She could feel muscle he had never had and the scales on his arms as he hugged her back. They were surprisingly soft, much softer than they looked on screen. Avrami was soon there joining in the hug, and as they walked towards the table the family followed. Both felt Silky insinuating himself into the hug, his body forcing them back though they did not let go.

The family looked on, coming in to greet him and welcome him back, with many a hug and tear. Silky attached himself to Mosh’s side, uncomfortable with so many strangers, but picking up Mosh’s mood and knew these were not strangers, but he would not move away, though the children grew bolder as time passed and tried to entice him with cuts of meat and sweets.

Some of the smaller children looked at Mosh in amazement, and more than one wanted to be lifted to feel his scales, a few stared at him fearfully, not believing it was him. A toddler looked at him and burst into tears, paradoxically running to him at full tilt, only to stop and stare then run back to his mother. He repeated this a few times until he found courage and came close enough to touch. That seemed to calm whatever fear he had and Mosh laughed, finding the honesty of the toddler refreshing.

Other children declared him to be a true dragon, and a round of dragon roars and pretend fire breathing followed as they ran around him until Mosh disappointed them by saying that he was not a dragon and could not breathe fire. It didn’t stop the game, and it continued into the night as food was served. Mosh was ensconced in the central place at the main table and relaxed in the warmth of his family. He laughed as the twins scuttled up, taking their accustomed place on his knees. He was home.

Chapter 29 Crucible Day 42, Fight for the First Ring

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