“Others?” Darian repeated.
“They’re friends of the alchemist,” Fria explained. “Held prisoner like him.”
“And you freed them?” With the condition she was in, Darian figured there had to be more to the story.
“I didn’t.” She crossed her arms. “We ran into Jorg and Carver in the fort. They destroyed the Nether Gate while you dealt with those men. They’re the ones who freed the rest of the prisoners.”
Dealt with. She makes it sound so casual. “I suppose I should be thankful they destroyed the gate, but Jorg…”
“Don’t worry, he and Carver trounced off not long after the sun rose. They’re headed for the Nether Gate in the west. Good news is Jorg doesn’t think you and the undead are allies anymore.”
“But he still thinks I’m some abomination to be purged?”
She nodded. “In a sense. But he agreed to keep all purging halted until the necromancer is dealt with. Though we decided to keep the two of you separate, just in case.”
Darian dug his boot into the ground. “I don’t know, Fria. Being around people. I know you said I can get better, that I can control this thirst. But isn’t this too soon? What if I lose control? And my need for blood and my aversion to sunlight, what will these new friends of yours think about that?”
She shrugged. “You’d have a point if these were regular folk, but lucky for you, they’re a rather…colorful bunch. You’ll see.” She motioned for him to follow. “And if you don’t like them or start to feel uncomfortable, we can leave. But you have to at least try. You won’t get any better hiding in the woods.”
Darian looked down at his bloodstained chainmail. “If you’re sure…”
“I am. Now c’mon, we’re burning starlight.”
Darian gave Zan a defeated glance and then the two of them followed Fria deeper into the forest. He opened his menu as he walked, inspecting his class selection screen. I gained another class level, but what do I put it in? Putting more levels in warrior would start to unlock advanced martial classes like Berserker and Vanguard. But level four for warrior only came with extra stat increases and no new skills. Spellblade’s level two spell [Frost Touch] wouldn’t be good against the undead, but if…when he fought more people, it could be useful. I should probably start being more selective with these. All the classes he could see maxed out at level ten, but so did his race level. So, if level one hundred is the max, I can only complete nine classes in total. There was also his quest reward for destroying all the Nether Gates, the unique class [Blood Squire]. It didn’t take a genius to guess the class would probably synergize with his vampire abilities.
His magic damage scaled off his Arcane stat, but his race level hadn’t increased that when it went up. But he did like the utility of having offensive spells, plus [Arcane Blade] was his most damaging ability. But what’s the right choice? Ultimately, he decided to put his level into Mage. A level there would give him the spell [Flame Spear]. He couldn’t be completely sure, but that had to be the spell both Valmier and Adenion used against him. It hit hard, but importantly exploited one of the undead’s weaknesses. [Flare] and [Shard] were too weak to offer Darian much ranged firepower, but he hoped this new spell would give him more options.
----------------------------------------
Mage Lv.3
* Fortitude: + 3
* Arcane: +3
* Skills: Flame Spear
----------------------------------------
Are you sure?
(Yes)(No)
----------------------------------------
He hesitantly hit (Yes).
----------------------------------------
Flame Spear
Range: 120 feet
* Damage: 15
* Damage Type: Magical/Fire
* This spell hurls a spear made of fire at the target. The spear takes at least (1) second to prepare and then will automatically be thrown. This skill can be used once per day plus half the user’s Fortitude attribute (Current total uses: 11). The skill receives (Half Arcane) damage modification (Total Bonus: 9).
----------------------------------------
Character Sheet
Name: Darian
Total Level: 9
Current Class XP 84/300
Current Race XP 61/75
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Race: Lesser Vampire
Race Level: 2
Class Level: 7
HP: 168/180
Attributes
* Strength: 27
* Dexterity: 28
* Constitution: 36 (Receiving +12 from magic items)
* Perception: 28
* Fortitude: 21
* Arcane: 18
[Unique Skills]
[Racial Skills]
[Class Skills]
[Triumphs]
[Traits]
----------------------------------------
After he dismissed his character sheet, a new notification appeared.
----------------------------------------
New class unlocked: Necromancer
----------------------------------------
I guess I received that for hitting mage level three? But he didn’t remember it being a branching option from mage. He was about to investigate further when he spotted light ahead.
“And she returns,” said a gruff voice. “Find this savior of yours?”
Darian stepped into the firelight, three sets of eyes falling on him.
The first belonged to a man with pointed ears and greenish skin. He sat atop a stump, sharpening his axe with a grindstone, grinning at Darian, two tusk-like teeth protruding from his bottom lip. His hair was black and ran along the top of his head in a unruly strip, ending in a tight knot.
The next person stood over the others, tall and thin. An elf. She wore a dark red coat, the buttons of the vest beneath gleaming. Her ears were extremely long and sharply tipped, and her blonde hair fell in streaks across her olive-colored skin. Her right hand was covered in a dirty white glove, the other hand stiff and wrapped in bandages. She gave Darian a nod as he approached, her three-sided hat nearly tipping from her head.
The third person to stoop around the fire was the alchemist. Darian still needed to thank him for his help with Valmier, and more importantly, what he did for Fria.
“Hello,” he said timidly.
Fria stepped to the side, Zan right behind her.
“Didn’t take long to find,” the green-skinned man said, picking at his teeth with his sharp fingernails. He looked up at Darian. “You’d better be worth it. I lost sleep for this.”
“Leave the poor boy alone,” the elf woman said, giving Darian a scrutinizing glance. “I will be the judge of his worth.”
“That’s Gorm,” the alchemist Gustan said, nodding at the man with the tusks. “And this is Harper, our leader. Sorry for their lack of manners. It’s been a rough couple of days.”
“Rough he says.” Gorm laughed. “Hounded by Wargs and thrown into dungeons by the undead. And then we’re abandoned by one of our own. That’s a little more than just rough.”
Gustan sighed. “Like I told you, I thought I was the only survivor. They were using me to brew potions. I had no idea they kept the rest of you alive.” Then he mumbled, "Or why they would, in your case."
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Gorm frowned, his tusks pressing into his cheeks.
“Enough already. We can discuss this later,” Harper said, stepping forward. “As Gustan said, I am Harper and that is Gorm. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.” She reached her hand forward, and Darian gave it an awkward shake.
“And who are you people? What are you doing here?” Darian kept flicking his eyes at Gorm, the man’s strange appearance drawing away his attention.
“We are from The Society, the Vizzera branch specifically. As for why we are here? Well, that is only for members of The Society to know. But from what your friend tells me, we share a similar goal.” Harper raised her wounded hand toward Fria. “And you should thank her. I wanted to be away from this place, but she convinced me you could be useful to us.”
“Useful to you?” Darian didn’t exactly like where this was going.
“Yes. But this would be mutually beneficial. We in The Society believe in fair trade. You have information we want, and we have skills that could aid you in return.” Harper smiled, the motion artificial, practiced. “You want this necromancer gone, and this so happens to align with our objective. I propose a temporary partnership.”
“I don’t know.” Having more help could be useful, but could he trust these people?
“I’ve seen you fight,” Gustan said. “We need more fighters if we’re to complete this job. And I took as many ingredients as I could carry from the fort. I can keep you and your friend patched up with potions. Plus, I have more of that alchemist’s fire.”
He did save Fria, risking his own life in the process. But he wasn’t convinced by the other two. “You say you can help me, but how can I trust you?”
The question seemed to offend Harper, who scoffed at the question. “Your friend told me you are from somewhere far away, but surely you know of The Society's reputation?”
Darian shrugged. “Never heard of you.”
Her shoulders sagged. “We are an organization of adventures for hire.”
“Mercenaries,” Gorm added.
She cut her eyes at him, and he quickly turned away. “As I was saying, we are an organization of adventurers. We take jobs of all kinds, but the important thing is that we always honor our deals. If we promise to help you, then help you we shall.” She took her hat off and placed it against her chest. “I, Harper Tel-vazere, do swear to uphold all parts of any pact, bargain, deal, or partnership I and the present individual do come to agree on. I swear this on my honor as a member of The Society and as a proud woman of the Vizzeran house of Treaties and Charters.” She placed her hat back atop her head with practiced flair.
“Damn, chief must be desperate,” Gorm mumbled. “Even took her hat off and everything.”
Harper smiled again, this one a little more sincere. “So, Darian, is it?" She broadened her shoulders and straightened her back. "What say we make a deal?”