Caster glanced to the south of Casterville.
Is that a farm? Oh! Those are the animals that we bought back in Hale's Pass! Good to know Abel got back safely. Hey, now that we have plants, animals, shelter, water, and guards I guess this place can start taking care of itself all on its own without me - as long as there's not a grumpy Lord around.
Quest "Evolve Casterville from a village into a functioning small town" Complete! Reward: 5 Levels! Choose Stats To Increase!
Nice!
[Vitality] +3!, Attunement, Strength, Dexterity, Arcane, Faith, [Occult] +1!, [Luck] +1!
There's just something so aesthetic about rounding two skills off at 10, and another at 5. Caster smiled to herself in silent gratitude for the symmetry.
I guess from here on out I should focus more on Vitality and Occult. My Arcane will level itself, so if I have more HP for survivability and Occult for utility, I think my build will round itself out over time pretty well, all according to plan. Oh, who am I kidding? I still have barely any idea how all this stuff works. Elenore the first showed me the basics, but there's gotta be more to it than just shooting a laser beam every once in a while. I've really got to get a teacher!
"Welcome," Caster turned back toward Casterville's gates. Standing there was Liacster and Sherman.
Long time no see mayor Sherman! I should... no. I think it'll be better if I keep my identity a secret for now. As long as they don't try to fight Griffin, I might be able to salvage something from this situation.
"I'm mayor Sherman. I'm the ward of this village, and head of the city council." Sherman spoke to Griffin.
Griffin finally turned back toward the city, leaving his pouty stance.
"So, you've decided to kneel before the Flame of Ambition. Wise." Griffin growled.
Liacster and Sherman shared a quick glance that revealed their true feelings about this new annoyance, but neither said what they were really thinking.
Sherman took another step forward and stopped as he stood less than a pace away from Griffin. He spoke clearly to the Lord of Ambition, his voice didn't carry the slightest mite of fear.
"We are a peaceful people, and this township's inhabitants are kind. If you are here to claim Lordship over our little land, then we will not raise our arms against you. You overpower us a hundred to one. We only ask you to hear out our council's requests and that in return for our willing cooperation, you do not harm those who live here." Sherman spoke with even more elegance than usual.
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Smart thinking, Sherman! They don't know I'm right here, and like he said, there's no way they could beat Griffin even if they all attacked at once. Wait, what about Elenore? How strong is she anyway? If she's anything like her grandma, I wonder if she might be strong enough to take on Griffin herself? Maybe I should ask her later. Oh! I almost forgot - I could contact anyone at the Roundtable Mind-Link-Thingy and let them know I have the situation under control and to just let Griffin have his petty victories.
"Hmm. I see. I'll refrain from turning your town into cinders, for now. Where is this 'council', anyway? Huddled together in some mangy hut I assume?" Griffin kept running his mouth while his smug grin never left his face.
"They are eagerly awaiting your arrival at the City Hall that stands in the center of the township. We can arrange a ceremony this night to officiate your Lordship over Casterville."
"That won't be necessary. You can inform the peasants to keep their celebration to themselves."
Ever since we left the carriage, this guy's been a real ass. His true colors are finally coming back I see.
"Very well, my Lord, follow me to the Roundtable." Sherman bowed, then turned back toward the gate. Both he and Liacster led Griffin and Caster into the city.
Oh yeah, the Roundtable! If they're all there, I could send a message to them and explain what's really going on. But... what if that makes them act suspicious and they blow my cover? Worse, what if it gives them the confidence to fight Griffin and Noden? Shouldn't I trust them to keep the situation under control? Nothing's gone wrong so far... ahh! I feel like I've checkmated myself! Damn it, Caster, why did you have to follow Griffin at Hale's Pass!?! I'm just going to have to trust them to not let Griffin get under their skin. If anyone makes a mistake like trying to smack that look off Griffin's face, then this whole place is going up in smoke. I won't even be able to stop him, since Griffin can still summon his father to nuke this quarter of the Badlands if he so much as scrapes his knee apparently.
The town was empty of people now. Despite there being some evening light left, it appeared that everyone had turned in early. The housing buildings were the same as before, but something was different about Casterville. Not the makeshift City Hall in the center, not the walls. Caster racked his brain trying to think of the answer.
The catacombs! Where'd they go? There's no hole anywhere! Did Andre finish them already?
As if on queue, Caster realized their group was passing the burly man who sitting in front of the lefthand housing units. Andre looked up from his seat and paused his rhythmic hammering on a crude bar of steel that sat atop a black anvil for the slightest moment. He looked Caster dead in the eye, nodded, then returned to his work.
Was Andre just trying to signal something to Sherman? No, he definitely nodded at me. But why? Why not Sherman or Liacster? Was he just being polite because I'm a girl? No, probably not.
Just before Caster and Griffin passed the backside of the lefthand housing unit, Abel darted out from around the far corner, carrying something large in his hands, he ran in the opposite from their position.
Okay, what are you guys planning???
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Concept #1: After the Omnicide
(Heavy Reborn as an Overpowered Minion overhaul)
All things end... including our universe.
That is until Carter gets a second chance.
Sent back to the 2020s on the same day the Apocalypse began, it's up to Carter to PvP for survival, min-max every stat, and cheese every World Boss he comes across until he's strong enough to slay the very Gods!
30 seconds remain until The Omnicide wipes out 90% of humanity.
[Start!]
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Concept #2: Don't Give Up, Skeleton! - An Apocalypse LitRPG
(Very similar to #1, but replace Caster/Carter with Spooky)
The Omnicide Light instantaneously wiped out 99% of humanity.
Me? Dead?!? Oh hell no!
Too angry to die, now Spooky lives on as... an Animated Skeleton!?
Waking up in the hellish new world known as 'Perdita', Spooky vows to min-max every stat, scam every noob, and cheese every boss he comes across until he finds answers and gets his revenge!
Let me know what you guys think!