Three skill stones appeared, and a huge monster core was formed. There were some claws and teeth, but not nearly enough for three huge slobbering mouths. Two Potions formed. A Health Potion, and a Bone Mend Potion. The claws, teeth and potions were stored.

I pick up the first Skill stone. I appraise the first stone. Oh, you underhanded, conniving, god’s forsaken Trial. What in all the gods’ names am I going to do with the Acidic Poison Saliva skill? Well, I suppose I can give someone the kiss of death. You, you... “That’s not a reward!” I yell.

I am probably lucky there is no response.

I store the stone. Maybe somebody will buy it.

I felt a sense of resignation when I appraised the next stone and discovered that it was a Paralysing Howl. Why did I bother?

My eyes lit up at the third stone, and I learned it right away. Mana Syphon was a fantastic skill. It would only syphon small amounts of mana in the low levels, but it would become a fantastic source of mana during extended fights while depriving my enemy of mana.

I might as well see if there was anything in the core. I didn’t expect there to be. My rate of skills from cores is only three, from probably close to a thousand kills. Minor Regeneration was the big one, but Cat Reflexes is also amazing. Death resistance was also useful and kept me alive.

This core had a skill as well. I was quite amazed at that. It would also be a useful skill. It was a defensive Skill, Toughened Skin. At level 1, it made my skin slightly tougher, but at level 10, it was probably going to help my skin be like bone like Ugly’s. I hope I don’t lose all my hair like it did.

A chest had appeared in the centre of the vault. It looked more like a coffin. I assume this is the ‘Optional’ Quest reward. I limp over. I am just tired. No, I am exhausted. This needs to be over, and I don’t know how to make it be over.

I opened the coffin. Inside was a complete set of fancy armour. It was gold, jewel-lined, and full metal plate. It was obviously not meant for battle. The helmet had a funny shape, and then I realised it was designed for the Crown to fit over it. It was a five-piece set: helmet, Chest piece, legs, boots, and gauntlets. It is enchanted. I am never going to find a buyer for this, but I guess I can melt it down. Fuck you, too, Trial.

I leave it in the coffin for a minute as I get out the two pieces of armour I am more interested in.

Bone and Leather Jerkin. Part of the Armour set, The Dance of Death 4/5.

+1 Strength, Self Repair, +10% Armour.

Bone and Leather Helmet. Part of the Armour set, The Dance of Death 5/5.

+1 Wisdom, Self Repair, +10% Armour.

The style and design are similar to the other armour pieces. They have the same dark brown leather and black trim. The bone plating is very clever and doesn’t restrict movement. The helmet almost acts like a hood and folds down onto the jerkin. It is a separate piece, and the bone cleverly folds down. There is padding on the inside as well. The Jerkin has a lot of pockets and places for knives and potions. This is a great armour set, not like the gaudy monstrosity in the coffin.

Then there are the set bonuses because the armour is complete.

The Dance of Death Set bonus: +2 Agility, +2 Constitution, +10% Critical Damage

This is what great armour should be.

When I defeated the Orcs, I got the Storage Ability Stone and the crown. I searched the Coffin for an amazing ability stone. There was no amazing ability stone, but I did find two free Skill Points. I guess that was OK.

My Storage was pretty full, but I reached in and stored each piece of the Monarch’s Armour. Once I had stored the last piece, I got a notice.

Special Action:

Storage Level 5, 1 Armour Set, Over 20 armour pieces.

Storage now has an Armour Storage Chest.

I checked, and all the armour pieces were now separated into chests and now have a separate space. This includes the hide armour I had been looting. I noticed the chests had cleaning function but no repair function. The cleaning was really good and the cost of using the Chest was more than half the normal cost of Storage, and it was faster. I guess that comes from the organisation.

Then another Notice.

Special Action:

Storage Level 5, 1 Weapon Set, Over 20 weapons.

Storage now has a Weapons Locker.

This must have been waiting for Storage to get to Level 5. I guess the weapons set was Bloodrage and Bloodrend. All the weapons were separated into the weapons lockers, which also had a cleaning function. This freed up a lot of space in the Storage.

Then I got another notice.

Special Action:

Storage Level 5, More than 1 Ability Stone, Over 20 skill or spell stones.

Storage now has a Skill Cupboard.

All my skill stones were separated out and stored in the cupboard. This helped organise the space really well, and the mana cost went down for retrieving things from all these spaces.

Wow. I wonder what other functions this Storage Skill could have.

Then I got another notice.

Quest Complete.

Monarch’s Raiment

You have retrieved all ten items of the Monarch’s Raiment.

Collect your Reward.

I looked around, and there was another chest there. It was a lot smaller than the coffin.

Then I stopped. That quest notice is wrong. There are not ten items. I have only collected eight items. There are five pieces of armour that I have just collected, and then there is the Crown, the Ring, and the Vestments or Cloak. Why would it say ten when there are only eight?

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Then, I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. I looked at Lightreaver and Shadowbane. Did I soul bond two pieces of the Monarch’s Raimant? Oh, I am so dead. If anybody finds out, I am so, so dead.

These are items from an Al’rashian Monarch. They are not a forgiving people. In fact, the monarch of the kingdom I am escaping is straight-up vindictive. That is why I am escaping the Al’Verren Kingdom. It wasn't even that good a loot that I stole.

If it ever gets out that I have the raiment of an ancient Al’rashian monarch … I am so dead. I will head out into the wilds, get everything broken down, and sell the gems and metal separately. I will still be rich, plus I will be alive to enjoy being rich. Lightreaver and Shadowbane will stay in disguise, and if I am near any Al’rashians, they can stay in my storage. There is no way I am getting rid of them. They are a part of me now.

I move to the chest. There are ten stones—ten free skill points, one for each item of the Raiment. That is a very rich reward. My mind goes to some of the ten-point skills I saw. I could get Ethereal Shadow with this, but I don't need it now with the lesser Shadow Phase. I have twelve points now. I am sure I can find something interesting and powerful. I probably need something I can use to hide.

I get up and find the spatial backpack that was ripped off my back. The strap is broken, but it still functions. I wander through the vault and find a few small pieces that I collect to sell.

I spent some time resting. I need to get out of this trial. How do I get out and end this nightmare? I have finished the quest, but that didn’t end it. I am tired. I am exhausted. I have no idea how long I have been here, but it has been a long, long time.

I checked my status. I have the XP to level Spectral Slayer, but I need to kill some more monsters. Ugly counted for a large number of kills toward the skill, even though it was only one monster. It must be based on level or something. I can use the XP to level Thief, and then I will have enough left over to do it again with just a few more kills. Thief is considerably cheaper to level than Spectral Slayer, even though it is a higher level. That is one of the differences between a Specialised Class and an Advanced Class.

I level Thief and put the attributes to Agility and Dexterity. I wonder if there is an Advanced Class for Thieves? There probably is. I wonder what the criteria are for getting it. I certainly don’t want another Slayer-type class.

I checked my full status.

Classes/Attributes

Name: Marvin Omma Age: 24 Race: Human Level: 22 Sub Level 8 Class: Spectral Slayer 4 / Thief 18 Profession: Performer 6 / Wardweaver 2 Health: 700 Stamina: 700 Mana: 500 Strength: 35 Agility: 45 Dexterity: 45 Constitution: 35 Intelligence: 50 Wisdom: 37 Perception: 2 Free Attribute Points: 0 Free Skill Points: 12

Skills

Precision Throw 4 Thrust 7 Crushing Blow 1 Parry 4 Holy Strike 6 Create Dart 2 Chop 2 Slash 4 Block 1 Bloodletting 2 Long Slash 2 Quick Strike 5 Basic Shield 1 Shield Bash 1 Create Arrow 1 Shadow Phase 3

Techniques

Razors Edge 4 Grappling 4 Basic Axe 5 Basic Blunt Weapons 2 Blade Storm 2 Steel Serpent 4 Basic Archery 1 Basic Spear 1 Purifying Dance 4 Basic Unarmed Combat 10/Max Basic Small Blades 10/Max Basic Longsword 10/Max

Movement Skills

Quick Hands 6 Climb 7 Ambidextrous 3 Acrobatics 4 Free Runner 4 Cat Reflexes 5 Steady Footing 3 Light Speed 4 Charge 2 Stealth 10/Max Dash 10/Max Dodge 10/Max Clever Hands 10/Max

General Skills

Riding 8 Appraisal 6 Identify 8 Detect Traps 10/Max Disarm Traps 10/Max Create Trap 5 Animal Care 4 Sewing 5 Harvesting 3 Butchering 1 Weave Ward 2 Unravel Ward 1 Throwing 10/Max Pickpocket 10/Max Lock Pick 10/Max

Armour

Light Armour 4 Medium Armour 4 Death Resistance 3 Toughened Skin 1

Mana

Mana Disruption 5 Mana Strength 4 Mana Sensitivity 8 MicroMana Manipulation 5 MacroMana Manipulation 2 Mana Web (Sensing) 2 Mana Syphon 1 Mana Manipulation 10/Max Mana Control 10/Max Vision Observant Eye 7 Spectral Vision 4 Mana Sight 2

Abilities

Light Manipulation 8 Minor Regeneration 2 Storage 5 Shadow Manipulation 2 Farsight 1 Map

Charms

Spark 4 Self-Clean 7 Self-Dry 4 Trim 5 Mend 1 Trickle 1

Spells

Burning Light 3 Copy Image 4 Flash 7 Project Image 7 Animate Image 5 Cutting Light 3 Shadow Cloak 1 Eclipse 2

There have been major changes in the trial here.

This place should be safe for a couple of hours, so I barricade a locker off and bunk down for a nap. That will help my mental wellbeing. Then i need to find and exit. I am certainly avoiding any boss fights at all costs, and I will fight to avoid them. I am not doing this again.

My latest theory is that I need to find the exits. My Manaweb should help with that, and I will concentrate on spreading it out wide. There might be something I can do, but with my 12 points to help, there might be some sort of divination-type skill. I am happy to spend the points to get out of here.

But first, I need some sleep.