“Claire, are you okay?” Rick was speaking to her, his voice gentle. The world around Claire had gone fuzzy, and there was a buzzing in her hearing perception.
What’s happening, Rick? Is he going to kill us now?
“No, he left,” Rick replied. He stretched out his hand, trying to give her shivering core a little pat. A spark of static jumped from her, buzzing his fingers, and he quickly retracted his arm.
What was that? Am I destroyed now? Claire cried at the unfamiliar sensation.
“You’re alright, it was just a little spark,” he soothed. It probably would’ve sounded better if his voice wasn’t so shaky as well. Almost losing the core you’re responsible for would do that to a dungeon elemental.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. Just keep taking deep breaths,” Rick continued.
I don’t breathe anymore, Claire replied, although I wish I could. Take deep breaths I mean. I’m sure it would’ve helped, she chattered on. Her vision gradually cleared, and the buzzing in her hearing faded as she took in Rick’s words and the empty corridor below her. Actually, she’s the one who’s vibrating, Claire realised and focused on stilling herself. Her perception cleared up and the buzzing noise receded into the silence of the empty corridor below them. The two adventurers truly were gone.
Why did he leave me? Claire wondered. They did want to take her core, after all.
“I don’t know,” Rick replied. “He definitely knew where we were hiding.”
Claire considered it some more. Unbidden, the image of Robert chatting with Kelly and Lilah on the last day of her human life rose in her memory. Why did Layne’s actions surprise her? Didn’t she remember how men rarely did what they said they would from her previous life? She firmly squashed the annoyingly logical part of her that pointed out how many times in her life she was actually assisted by trustworthy men. That was not her experience with Robert, and so far Layne hasn’t been much better. There had to be some ulterior motive for his actions.
He doesn’t want to share the glory with Tamrin, Claire concluded. He’ll probably come back later by himself to kidnap me.
“You think so?” Rick asked with wide eyes.
Most definitely, Claire replied. We’d better get ready.
Then Claire realised the state of her constructs.
Uhm, Rick? How does this part work?
<>
It was late afternoon when Tamrin finally got back to her family’s mansion in Highreach. Their family’s grounds had shrunk significantly since she was a girl and as she neared their remaining holdings she recalled memories of the past. There was the river rock pool in which she used to swim with her friends. It was a peaceful and unspoilt place, shaded by many a tree providing a cool refuge during the heat of the day. Now it was surrounded by a bevy of washer women doing laundry for the neighbouring country homes of the wealthy. A second home in the country was the fashion, after all. To be fair, it was not only aristocrats spreading out. Many of the merchant class had also built homes here, as well as some famous retired adventurers. After a life of danger and risk, a nice island retirement was the dream. Some of them also took in apprentices or started small schools in their arts.
Tamrin supposed it was good; she had certainly benefitted from the expert instruction that could be found right by her home. Still, she missed taking a swim in that pool whenever she wanted. Or being able to roam freely through the countryside that had once belonged completely to her family.
Her feelings of nostalgia didn’t mean that she didn’t admire her father’s vision. Instead of focusing their family’s efforts on production, as if her family were mere merchants, he had instead chosen to provide a pleasing country space where the elite could gather.
This was in stark opposition to the Canewhold’s. The original Baron Canewhold, the current baron’s great-grandfather, had arrived in the then small port of Plantation Isle with dreams of being a great merchant. He was supposed to be here only long enough for the vessel on which he was travelling to resupply, but he fell in love with the sweetness of the sugarcane stalks he tasted on the island. Then he learned of all the products it was used in and petitioned the king for a barony on the island. Well, he was going to be assigned a barony for his previous service to the king anyway. Having one on the island instead of the centre of the kingdom, close to the capital, was a good trade for the king. His request was granted, which was how he gained his land and the title of Baron Canewhold.
Tamrin shook her head at the folly of it. Imagine having the opportunity to be at the heart of the kingdom, surrounded by other nobles right there at the king’s court. Despite how the story is told, there must have been some kind of scandal involved. Why else would anyone choose to be in the middle of nowhere, ostensibly to become some kind of merchant?
How different was this story from the history of her own Highreach ancestor? He was a viscount, one of the king’s closest advisors, and was entrusted with the development of Plantation Isle as part of his retirement. After his death his title and gifted island holdings were bequeathed to his descendants by the king in gratitude for his life of distinguished service.
And somehow, despite her father having the higher title, the rulers of the island regularly overlooked their family when making decisions. Why they would consult Baron Canewhold rather than her father, Viscount Benjamin Highreach, a proud descendant from one of the crown’s most trusted advisors, was unfathomable. Yet, here they were.
At least her marriage to Layne will serve in part to rectify the imbalance. Her father may not be in a position to influence the island politics, but she will be soon enough. Once the union between her and Layne is official, she would use it as a stepping stone to solidify her standing, using Layne’s position and the Baron’s influence as a doorway. Tamrin already knew that the Baron approved, through her mother’s many conversations with him. While Layne was dallying around as a second-hand adventurer, Tamrin would take on the political role within the family. With the support of the Baron and Hariette, she would expand the family influence.
Being an adventurer was a pleasant diversion and a useful way of connecting with Layne. Occasionally she even acquired skills that would serve her well in a political career. But the utility of the occupation had run its course, she could feel it in her blood. It was time for her to move on to where she really belonged. Her mother was right. It was time for her and Layne to finalise their union.
Not that this was the only reason she wanted to be with Layne. They got along well, and he was certainly handsome enough. This alone was already worth more than many who married for political reasons could hope for. Yes, Tamrin thought. She was lucky indeed.
She had already forgotten their spat earlier in the day – a slight relationship bump as far as Tamrin was concerned.
<>
“Step one,” Rick said. “We need to recover as many resources as we can as quickly as we can. So, Claire, focus on absorbing everything in the corridor that is ruined, new, or an element you’re not going to use again in there.”
Step one, absorbing everything, Claire complied. The absorption process was fast. Much faster than constructing. It felt like no time at all had gone by before all the material was back in Claire’s inventory and ready to use.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Done, Claire confirmed.
“Oh, you weren’t going to let the mountain ferns keep growing?”
Oops, I probably should’ve left them. Never mind, what next?
“Step two, let’s take a look at what we currently have available to work with.”
Claire went ahead and displayed her main status screen for them.
Claire
Type: Life-Mind
Level: 1
Integrity: 100%
Processing speed: 76%
Functional capacity: 53%
Progress to next level
-470/250 LF Performance provision
643/500 Dungeon Investment, consisting of:
498/≥125 LF
145/≥125 ME
33/250 Skill Share Value
Core defence enabled
Cutting thorn barrier
5 LF to initiate
Continuous drain of 10 LF per day
Resources available
Biomass: 140
Mental energy: 55
Raw material: 491
As expected, she did not recover everything that originally went into the creation of her dungeon constructs, but it wasn’t too bad either. What really raised her spirit was seeing the improvement in her three primary stats. Spending time in a higher concentration of life-force, with the addition of what her dungeon constructs were able to gather before their destruction, was quite the improvement. Between what they gathered and what Claire could regain by reabsorbing them, the constructs alone gained her 63 units of life-force. Another 150 units of life-force appeared to be the result of the higher concentration thereof to which she was now exposed, raising her functional capacity to a comfortable 53%. Her processing speed had increased too, as she had dissolved all mental constructs along with absorbing the physical matter. Now it stood at a satisfying 76%. Best of all, she was back to full integrity. In terms of resources, her reserves had risen to 140 units of biomass, 55 units of mental energy, and 491 units of raw material. Additionally, there was a blinking icon indicating the availability of new blueprints. Curious Claire opened it.
New blueprints available
New blueprints will be added to appropriate construct categories.
Acid
Deer
Glowstone
Hunting knife
Salt
Wheat
Yeast
Where did all of these things come from? Claire asked in surprise.
“I’m guessing you have Lily to thank,” Rick replied drily. “I think I see the base ingredients for what humans commonly refer to as ‘bread’. That must’ve been part of her breakfast, with some meat.”
Very interesting, Claire replied, new ideas already sparking in her imagination. So, what next?
“Step three, plan and execute. Your core is in danger, so how do we stop them from taking it and protect you?”
Claire looked at the empty corridor below, while her thoughts ran wild. The sight of the bare structure, combined with the knowledge of her meagre resources, reflected a stark reality. Her mood dropped. This new life was hard and the continuous danger to herself was beginning to wear on her inner reserves.
“What are you thinking about?” Rick enquired.
Oh, nothing. Just how difficult this is. A part of me wishes we could go far away and start over somewhere else.
Rick regarded her core pensively. “True, but you also haven’t made it easy on yourself. You deliberately chose a hybrid type, against my express advice. Then you chose to reveal yourself on the beach to save Lily. I would argue that it was your own choices that led us here. Our current situation is the result of the choices you fought for. Would you really change them if you could do it all over again?”
Claire considered his words. She remembered her fear when she didn’t want any of the standard dungeon-type options, followed by her elation when her refusal to choose led to the perfect type for her. Her resolve when she saw the situation Lily was in. She didn’t want to be just a helpless witness, like so many other times in her previous life. She wanted to help Lily, and she found a way. The feeling of empowerment lifted her up and she felt an unknown strength rising in her. She did it. The first time she faced the seemingly impossible task of creating her first dungeon iteration, with next to no resources. And yet she did it. Her own creativity and ingenuity had led her to a workable solution. Now they had another crisis on their hands.
No. You’re right. Despite our current situation, I wouldn’t change a thing. And there must be a way to pull us out of this mess as well. I’m not a Life-Mind type dungeon for nothing. We just have to think.
Claire studied the vacant corridor with new resolve. There was something there, something about the emptiness. Mentally frowning she turned the concept around in her mind. And then, an idea sparked. Another crazy ploy; but hey, it might just work. Claire grinned.
<>
As Layne walked up the walkway to the Canewhold mansion, he heard voices coming from the patio doors on the side. Curious, he changed direction to the patio. It was the Baron, talking with two other men. Two men he had seen before, on a beach not so long ago. As he hurried closer, recognisable snatches of conversation floated through the air.
“… so, if you can find and lead me to the intruder, I will consider your part of the bargain met.”
“Of course, Baron. Perez is one of the best trackers you can hope to find at this edge of the world. You will not be disappointed.”
“You!” Layne called out, causing the other three men to all turn towards him.
“Young master Canewhold, how pleasant to see you here!” the same man responded.
“Do you know each other?” the Baron enquired with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes, father,” Layne responded. “These two men were part of a band of ruffians I met yesterday on the beach. They were manhandling a girl.”
“No,” Bastian cried in shock. “I told you then and I’m telling you now, she was merely providing us directions on the fastest way back to the settlement. Like I said, we’re new to Plantation Isle. By the way, we weren’t introduced yesterday, I’m Bastian Elderberry.”
“Don’t believe him, father. We should not entrust them with family matters,” Layne responded, ignoring Bastian’s reply.
The Baron eyed Bastian, who looked at Layne in shocked surprise, as if he couldn’t imagine how Layne could be so grievously mistaken about his character. The man Bastian referred to as Perez simply stood off to the side, with a non-committal look on his face.
Layne could see the thoughts churning in his father’s head. He hoped, truly hoped, that his father would heed him.
Those hopes crashed with the Baron’s reply, “Well, I need a good tracker, and it sounds like there may have been a misunderstanding. Why don’t we give these men the opportunity to prove themselves to us?”
Bastian immediately replied, “Of course Baron. You won’t be disappointed - you have our word.”
Perez nodded.
<><><>
Character sheet summary at the end of Chapter 14
Claire
Type: Life-Mind
Level: 1
Integrity: 100%
Processing speed: 76%
Functional capacity: 53%
Progress to next level
-470/250 LF Performance provision
643/500 Dungeon Investment, consisting of:
498/≥125 LF
145/≥125 ME
33/250 Skill Share Value
Core defence enabled
Cutting thorn barrier
5 LF to initiate
Continuous drain of 10 LF per day
Resources available
Biomass: 140
Mental energy: 55
Raw material: 491
<>
Lily Hunter
Rogue Level 1
Progress to Milestone 1
1/250 EXP
First-tier skills
Basic herbalism 2/20
Deception 2/20
Identify 1/20
Lock picking 5/20
Observation 6/20
Petty theft 1/20
Pick-pocketing 4/20
Quick thinking 2/20
Sneaking 8/20
Sleight of hand 2/20
Second-tier skills
Spying 0/50
<>
Lily’s tab (Yes, Agnetha is counting.)
x1 donkey
x1 glowstone
10% of Lily’s profit
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