Eventually a sense of clarity settled over me.
I decided to visit the Data Forge first to use my 20 Crystals. Depending on how I invested them, it would free up room that would prove useful during my impending shopping spree. As it stood now, I wouldn’t even be able to regain my full Energy at the next refresh. I was a mere 4 metabytes away from maxing out my expanded cap.
I accessed the powerful machinery in the Forge and selected the Convert option.
[Deposit Crystals for Conversion]
I converted 10 Crystals into value, which I then assigned to Storage, bringing my regular cap to a round 300 and my expanded cap up to 320.
Next, I decided to Fuse my recently acquired Jiangshi data card onto an available skill slot. Sure, it was a context-specific skill, but under the right circumstances I could regain Energy without having to rest during a cycle change. Unfortunately, I would only be able to regain 10 Energy per use per Cycle, until I increased my Adeptness stat.
The chief problem of economics. Unlimited wants, limited resources.
But I knew someone who had seemingly limitless resources. The leader of the Serpents. I saw that vault, overflowing with Crystals. The very idea made me salivate. But no matter what I wanted to give Fancy Jack the opportunity to look at the manuscript pages first. I might be able to learn something useful.
And what would I do with a hefty Crystal payday? More Essence and Resistance to keep me alive and healthy. Adeptness to improve the utility of my special skills. Speed of movement and Agility to dodge and maneuver. Perception to detect threats and opportunities in my surroundings and Persuasion to bend those surroundings and others to my will. Protocol to master the higher functions of the metaverse and unlock a greater repertoire of opportunities. And finally, Probability, so that terrible things would stop happening to me with such high regularity.
I selected the Fuse option on the panel, followed by the Skill suboption.
[Insert a Data Card in the indicated depository]
I did so, placing then observing the slowly spinning rectangular prism infused with the decaying and ancient colors of the titular undead creature.
[Uncommon Data Card - Jiangshi (Skill) detected]
[Deposit Crystals for Fusing]
I deposited my final 10 Crystals and rested my palms on the white handprint patterns on the surface of the podium. I steadied myself.
[Begin Fusing process?]
As before, an experience both painful and psychedelic unfolded, wherein the Crystals and data card were consumed by the machine and my palms and forearms glowed white hot. A swirl of cascading light pierced my chest and a deep and stinging chill fell over my heart. I remembered distinctly the feeling of the Jiangshi draining my lifeforce away, and an image of its dead face with a yellow hanging prayer scroll flashed in my mind’s eye.
I winced, but the image was gone.
[Skill Fusing successful.
Jiangshi skill fused to open skill slot.
2 / 4 skill slots assigned.]
As with the fusing of the Clurichaun skill, I could visualize four shifting cubes within me. Skill slots. Two were gray and dim. The other two were bright with purpose–the power of the defeated entities subsumed within me.
I briefly checked my Skills menu.
[SKILLS
* Clurichaun
* Jiangshi
* {empty}
* {empty}]
If needed, I could rearrange the order of the skill slots. Not that it seemed to matter. Through sheer force of will I could activate whatever skill I wanted, so long as I had the Energy or met the requirements. This new Jiangshi skill required no Energy at all but, like the vampiric creature from which it originated, required a kill.
With the Crystals spent, I was at 286 metabytes out of 300 / 320. So even if I regained my depleted Energy my storage account would not be full. This helped me strategize my next purchasing decisions.
Time to put this 5% ‘friends and family’ discount to work.
My next stop was the Armory, which was its usual buzzy hive of Volunteer commerce. I gave a lazy half salute to Colonel Peacekeeper as I perused the wares on display. So many diverse and unusual pieces of armor. So many diverse and unusual means of destruction. Glancing about, I wondered how many other shoppers in here had earned a special discount courtesy of the Round Table.
There was a certain piece of armor I had my eye on for some time. And now I had extra Crypt to burn. But not seeing it in any of the rotating displays, I scrolled through the sales kiosk until I found it. It was listed at its full price, not on sale. But I wanted it.
[Armor: Tactical jacket
Armor Type: Body
Cost: 2000 Crypt]
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
I already had the black boots and pants to match. Tactical clothing–collect the whole set! Once you go tac, you never go back.
I highlighted the jacket to read the full description.
Armor Type: Body
Cost: 2000 Crypt
Level: 1 of 10
Frequency: Uncommon
Defense Output: 30
Details: A type of jacket designed for use in military, law enforcement, and other tactical situations. Made from durable materials and features a variety of pockets and compartments for storing gear. Also features reinforced elbows and shoulders, and VELCRO patches for attaching morale patches or identification.
Properties: Storing - when equipped, this armor increases memory space by 20 metabytes.
Size: 30 metabytes]
Yes. It would require 30 metabytes of storage in exchange for 30 defense output, but would increase my soft storage cap by an additional 20. Well worth it, in my estimation, and I could easily wear it over my ballistic vest.
This would bring my total combined armor rating to 70, although I understood that, practically speaking, those defenses depended on what part of my squishy body was hit. My head was completely unprotected at present. Hmmm. I guess that is where the Resistance stat comes in handy–raising my overall durability regardless of individual pieces of armor. That or a good helm.
Next, I searched for some of the ammo carrying accessories I had seen in Purgatory. I quickly located the ammunition belt.
[Accessory: Ammunition belt
Cost: 500 Crypt
Frequency: Basic
Details: Standard black belt with twelve loops for individually securing cartridges in .22, .38/.357 or .44/.45 caliber.
Size: 10 metabytes]
And it was only 500 Crypt! The ammo kiosk had the gall to charge me 800 for the same item. Count me in, and add in two extra rounds to replace the bullets I buried in the minotaur’s head.
Finally, I needed to upgrade my melee weapon. I was carrying the same starter dagger I picked up during orientation. It was small and {basic}, meaning I could never upgrade it or fuse it with any data cards. As much as I despised the man himself and what he used the weapon for, I thought of Little Scumbag’s hunting knife.
But walking through the Armory and scrolling through the kiosk, I saw no sign of it. I approached Colonel Peacekeeper, bracing myself for his larger-than-life persona.
“A day without blood is like a day without sunshine. Hoo-ah! Can I help you, soldier?”
▶ I’m looking for a hunting knife. A particular one. A ‘hybrid hunting knife.’ Do you carry it?
“A Hybrid Hunting Knife you say?”
▶ Yes.
“A fine weapon and tool! So versatile! With its premium, stainless steel 6-inch blade with curved spine, it is designed to be equal parts hunting knife and boning knife!”
▶ That sounds like the one.
“Designed to withstand the elements with built-in corrosion resistance, the Hybrid Hunting Knife is the perfect companion for the outdoors gourmand and sportsman!”
▶ I’m convinced!
“Laser-fabricated from sheets of chromium-infused high-grade steel with a carbon fiber handle, it even comes in different colors. Orange! Camo Green! Stylish and deadly!”
▶ Okay, okay. Do you have it?
“Negative! It is currently off rotation.”
Dram it!
▶ Do you… do you have any other knives I could look at? I need to upgrade from my basic push dagger.
“Well why didn’t you say so, soldier? I have a couple {common} options here that fit the bill!”
Colonel Peacekeeper raised a metal green finger and opened two shimmering menus in the air before me. He pulled up two melee options in particular.
[Weapon: Bolo knife
Weapon Type: Melee (slashing)
Cost: 500 Crypt
Weapon: Mark I trench knife
Weapon Type: Melee (piercing / bludgeoning)
Cost: 500 Crypt]
I highlighted both to access the details. The rotating 3D images of the two weapons looked interesting enough. The first had a wide, curved blade, like a smaller version of a machete. The second was more of a narrow dagger, but had a spiked knuckle guard attached to the hilt.
Both would have longer reach than my push dagger, and would not be saddled by the Basic property.
[Weapon: Bolo knife
Weapon Type: Melee (slashing)
Cost: 500 Crypt
Level: 1 of 10
Frequency: Common
Damage Output: 20
Details: A versatile tool originating in the Philippines with a heavy, curved blade, ideal for agricultural work, chopping thick vegetation, and self-defense.
Size: 10 metabytes
Weapon: Mark I trench knife
Weapon Type: Melee (piercing / bludgeoning)
Cost: 500 Crypt
Level: 1 of 10
Frequency: Common
Damage Output: 20
Details: A fearsome World War I weapon featuring a double-edged dagger blade and a distinctive ‘knuckle duster’ handle for close quarters combat.
Size: 10 metabytes]
I did some quick math. 2,000 for the jacket, 500 for the ammo belt, 20 to refill my revolver, and 500 for a new blade added up to 3,020. With my 5% discount that should be… 2,869 Crypt, leaving me with 3,961. Plenty to keep the spending spree going over at the Supply Depot and still have a financial cushion left over.
But which knife would be the better replacement? Although it had served me well, I wouldn’t hesitate to drop that push dagger down the data recycler for something better.