“-thank you.” Gulk the Just finally finished as I stared blankly at the handprint on his face, the only thing left of Grand Gerry the Good in Tarthirious, as it started to fade away to nothing before my eyes.
I’d tried and failed to start up the game at least a dozen times over the two weeks since I went home after Griegs had pulled me out of that warehouse, but I’d finally hit the point where I’d decided that I was going finish the quest… I hoped.
My life was such a mess that I couldn’t even force myself to go to the bank and cash out the gold from my other accounts, all of which I was getting constant email and game notifications for.
What was the point? I had enough money to eat, and it wasn’t like I needed to keep up appearances at work.
Benefits of getting told that my workplace had been declared a prime terrorist target I suppose.
D-Day wasn’t far off, something that I was reminded of every time I turned on the telly or went on the net, but I was struggling to find any semblance of concern within me about my entirely possible deportation. At least if I got deported I’d no longer be the focus of national news, I’d just be another face in the crowd.
Gulk was still waiting for me to talk, fight, or walk away, waiting for me to do anything at all as I stood there staring at him blankly, but I was still having trouble choosing my words.
When I finished that conversation that would be it, I’d go to fight Aldok and I’d lose my last connection to Gerry.
I’d thought about simply abandoning the quest, you know, walking away and letting it sit there like some kind of digital memorial, but I knew there was no way I could do that.
The elevator was broken and the only way out was through.
Besides, I desperately needed the closure, and if all I needed to do that was finish the quest then you can bet your sweet arse that I… was still deeply conflicted about it.
That was going somewhere a lot more profound and confident until I realised that I really didn’t care enough, I was still an empty shell with nowhere to go.
“You’re welcome,” I finally said with a pained sigh, “I trust that you’re completely purified?”
Gulk let out a relieved breath and nodded solemnly, “I am. There are not words that can adequately describe the gratitude I feel.”
“It was truly no problem,” I replied, “are we free to travel into Aldok’s chamber now?”
I was trying my best not to sound like I was in too much of a rush to get away from Gulk but I wasn’t exactly too fussed about hurting his feelings either.
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
“You may, I only ask one more thing of you though, and you are free to decline the request if you so choose.”
“Ask away.”
Gulk hesitated to respond, like the words were physically difficult to mouth out of his mouth, “I ask that you plunge your sword deep into my heart, finish me so that I may go to rest.”
Have to admit, that wasn’t the request I’d expected, but I was more than happy to oblige.
Well, as happy as I was capable of being anyway.
“Have you any final requests?” I asked after drawing my blade.
“Only that you end Aldok’s life swiftly,” Gulk replied with what sounded like genuine sadness, “he was not always the monster he has become, and he does not deserve to be butchered like some kind of animal.”
There was a small part of me that wanted to tell him that I planned on turning Aldok, powerless, over to the thousands he had hurt, but decided against it when I saw the tears beginning to well in his eyes.
“You have my word.”
And with that I brought my sword to a high angle and drove it into Gulk’s waiting chest, piercing him wholly, and watched as, with what little strength he had left, the old magic user grew a smile.
End of Conflict Report:
1x Level 75 Master Necromancer.
+8500 XP.
Level 17 Completed!
Level Up!
Level 18 Progress: 5450/7000.
5 Skill Points awarded.
HP upgraded!
HP: 7000/7000.
Attributes upgraded!
50 Strength
50 Dexterity
50 Intelligence
62(+10) Wisdom
‘By constantly pushing your body to its limits, you have become stronger than a person twice your size and, as such, can now interact with heavier objects and swing your weapons with greater force.’
‘Nimble-fingered with a tight grip, you make for a brilliant thief and archer, with mobility to rival that of the springing gazelle. With your practiced connection between mind and body drawing fruit, you now find yourself able to draw your weapons quicker, and have an easier time with tasks that require attention to detail.’
‘Your efforts in studious activities and ability to be mentally flexible have led to you becoming a scholar of some regard. By focussing on what to learn next, you have opened the door into a world where you find yourself able to understand foreign languages with relative ease, and, with that, convince people to do as you please.’
“Well… that was tiring.” I muttered after reading through the massive blocks of text, before turning to face Vilor and Lyrias with a somewhat stern expression, “Were you aware that Gulk was going to be in here?”
I’d hoped not to sound too accusatory, but the tone had come through anyway, and had clearly insulted Vilor to quite a large degree.
“Are you implying that we hid information from you?” Vilor spat venomously, “What purpose would that ser-”
“Calm yourself,” Lyrias interjected, “she has every right to suspicious. We… I should have known that there was more than one powerful mage in here.”
To be perfectly honest, it kind of upset me that Lyrias had jumped in to protect me and justify my concerns.
It took away my chance to rage-quit.
“What now?” I asked with a sigh, “Should we recuperate, or should we attack Aldok while we still have the element of surprise?”
“I think we should attack,” Lyrias replied, “now that Gulk has been freed, I believe Aldok will quickly find a new way to bolster his defences.”
“Then we attack,” I said boldly, “let’s kill ourselves a necromancer.”