Ch 15 Shopping Time
After driving home, I just went to bed and passed out. It wasn’t even 8pm when I did. Waking up at 3am I felt so much better. I had just stripped out of my dungeon clothes so now my bed was gross. I go to my desk and scribble four pristine. I lay one on me and wait o it to work. Feeling even fresher, I go and place another one on my fitted sheets. A puff of dust and it suddenly looks much brighter. Huh, maybe I should do laundry more often. Or use more pristine. I use the last two on my dungeon clothes. Shaking the shirt and pants out. I didn’t get any gore on the shirt, but it was pretty sweaty. The pants I must have walked through the splatter because going up the legs was dry blood. That means I'll need more pristines for my boots. Or just make a wand for myself. I should do that.
I put on some shorts and a tshirt. Not planning on getting up too much before my morning run today. Just crafting. And I have everything I need for that here. I wash my silverware again and pull out my bottle. Maybe I'll buy an unlimited soda? Would that be a thing? Or tea. Tea would work. Even with fruit roulette I'm going to get tired of it eventually.
Sitting down at my desk with the platter of alfredo just for me. I call status.
Name
Level
Experience Gain
Credits
Arthur Turner
1
73.2%
12530
Holy shit! When did I get so many credits! I can buy the clear reward now! Whatever it is! Also, I'm close to leveling again! I thought it would take longer! Shit, this is great. I'm making bank just from my craft. Eating slowly, I think about all the things I could do with so many credits. I honestly don’t know what to buy. I need to look into the store some more. And buy more crafting supplies, I guess. Especially dowels.
I finish eating while I sit there and think. I'll call Lucas later, tell him I'm doing runs for the hospital people for a week or so. That I can only run people at certain times of the day. After another five days I'll be able to run people at night too. So maybe keep the hospital people to the morning and sell the night slots to the public? I can do that.
Maybe we should set up a few gory pictures as a test for people? If they can't look at the pictures, they can't run the dungeon. Since its so much worse in person. Expect we have empathy for dead animals. Maybe roadkill? Would that be mean? It feels mean. But it's likely a good idea anyway. To prevent someone who can't handle the dungeon from trying to run it. I should talk to Lucas about it. Later.
Putting the platter away, I go and wash my silver again. I start pulling out the dowels and sharpening on the ends pristine. They said to meet at 7 and it not yet 4, so I have a few hours to get some done. Thinking about it. I sharpie two gravity and two force bolt as well. Be cheaper than buying through the store. I start carving the gravity wand first. Nice and slow, with the paring knife. It's getting a bit dull with how I use it. I should check out actual wood carving tools at some point. It takes me about seven minutes to finish. Which isn't too bad. So, I start the next. Finishing it. I reach for the force bolt wand. Then the next. Finishing that. I massage my hand. Its feels like it wants to cramp up. I'll take a break and do some tags, I think. Pulling a sheet of paper to me, I cut it into a dozen squares. These will all be sealant. That takes less than three minutes. So, I do another sheet, this time of pristine. Another few minutes. A few more sheets switching back and forth between them I have 3 dozen of each tag. And I feel like I'm wading through fog. Shit. I have two hours? I'm going to nap.
**
Waking up laying in my chair. I notice the time. 6.40am. Shit, I'm not going to be there before 7. I rush to get dressed. I grab the wands I made and the tags. Throwing it all into inventory I shove my feet into my boots.
I pause. Is it worth it? Maybe I could try? I don’t feel drained, so maybe? Yeah, I'm giving it a shot.
Imagining the star trek control panel, but this time I reset the controls. Like fiddling with all the buttons and vanishing everything but a few. There's now a panel of buttons, a row of six numbered buttons. I looked around my apartment and stared hard and focused and the button numbered 1. This will be my main set. I can add more later. I burn the image of my apartment into this button. The #1 button means my apartment. Nothing more. Nothing less.
My head aches and I stop. I go downstairs and focus. Then mentally press the #1 button, imagining myself energizing as I do.
I blink. I'm standing next to my desk in my apartment. It worked. I grin. The smile on my face splitting my lip. This. This is wonderful. Now I need to do it for the dungeon.
But where at? There were so many people there. I think to where they weren’t anyone standing around. Across the road near the parking garage. Not quite to where the guard has everything set up. People usually just walk past it, I think. There was a little path. Can I appear just to the side of that path? I picture it in head. Building up the scene. The gravel under my feet, right next to the sidewalk. The shrubbery along the bottom of the garage. I image it as hard as I can. Then I picture button #2. And force the image on it. This picture means this button. Nothing more, nothing less. My head aches again. I'll need another nap after the dungeon run, I think. But that’s fine if this works.
I close my eyes and mentally press button two. I'm slammed with sound. Opening my eyes, I'm exactly where I pictured. There weren't that many people here, and no one seemed to notice me popping into existence so. That’s good then? My head aches. I pull my water and take a pull. Fruity. Can't tell what it is. Little bit tart though. I started walking towards the guardhouse, looking for the twins.
They see me first. Waving to me I jog to them. They were waiting near the terminal it seemed. Just as well. Smiling. “Morning, sorry if I'm late. Woke up weird this morning.” I tell them.
Left gives me a smile, right says. “Don't worry. We haven't been here long. Got off work, went home and changed them came here.”
I give them a look. “So, you haven't had a chance to eat either?” I ask. The both shake their heads. “Well lucky you I'm so nice, give me sec. Fish ok with you?” They look confused for a sec.
“Anything edible is great, we don’t usually take the time to cook.” left says.
“Anything hot is even better, get tired of noodle cups.” right adds. I really should get their names.
“My names Arthur I don’t think I ever got your names?” I say.
“Ethan” “Aiden” are the responses I get. I'm not going to be able to keep that straight. which is fine. Going through the store I found fried fish once more and purchased a platter for six. Since the first platter went to feed the first 6 man party I ran might as well get two. Especially if this is going to be a regular occurrence. Still need to go to the box store.
Materializing in front of my I put the platters into my inventory. I pulled the wands I made this morning and handed them over.
“To save myself some credits I made some more.” I tell them, answering their questioning looks.
I pull my trusty duct tape out and roll together holster for them both. Showing them how I equip mine.
“I keep meaning to buy actual holsters. But it keeps getting put off.” I say.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
I got a pair of grins.
“Anyway, let's get to the dungeon, this morning isn't going to go any faster yet!” I tell them making my way forward.
***
Maybe I should make flashcards on how to use the wands. And set them up to use. So, I'm not repeating it every run. Or a sign board. I could do that. Just get a board and set it up at the sub shop. This is how you use the wands. Please don’t point it at humans.
Running the dungeon with two people wasn't too bad. After going through explaining the wands how to set them up and use them. I took down the first room myself, then the twins took down the second and third room. All of us finished the fourth room. Getting them to practice switching hands was easy enough.
After clearing the fourth room I pulled out my stools. And the fired fish.
“I think I'm starting a tradition of feeding people on dungeon runs. Especially just before the boss.” I say.
Getting a pair of grins in return. We sit and eat. Fried fish was a hit. I pass my water bottle around after explaining its properties. They go back and forth guessing the flavors as they drink. It's amusing watching them take turns, I think.
“Since we didn’t have too much trouble with this, I think you tow will be fine running anyone, together or separate.”
I got nods. “The only difference the party size makes is the amount of exp. Not the amount of credits. I think the exp is split between the party size so, I think it would be better to run separately.”
I get two frowns in return. “Why?” Aiden asks.
“Because you need a third that is willing and able to fight. I think if either of you ran a 2 man dungeon, you'd be able to clear it with minimal backup. But a three man, you need someone who knows what they're doing.” I tell them.
Ethan nods. “Together we wouldn’t have been able to take down the fourth room so we need as much help as we can with the boss, knowing it'll be even harder. If the third person isn't willing to fight, then we wouldn’t be able to clear the dungeon.”
I give a nod. Aiden groans. “But what if you need back up and I'm not there?” he asks.
“You could always just run the two of you? And not take anyone else through?” I say. They both give me looks.
“We need to gear people up though. And prepare them to fight, how are we going to do that if we don’t run them?” Ethan asks.
“Buy the gear and sell it to the hospital, or someone else who can run them. They didn’t say you are responsible for running people through. I am.”
The both give me a slow nod. “We are just supposed to sell credits to DMC, not gear. Or runs. They never said we have to run people through.” Aiden says aloud. I smile.
“I'm setting up a guild to run people through. I charge them 50 credits, to be paid at the end of the run. They are required to buy at least a single wand however for their first run. The credits which can be loaned to them to be paid at the end of their first run. So, a first time runner can make 50 credits. A second time runner 100. I'm not charging cash but credits. I'll run anyone capable of going through. With a minimal test of looking at a gory picture to prepare them for the dungeon, I think.” I tell them. The both wince.
“Yeah, that would have helped to be warned, I guess. Seeing is believing though. Could you get a camera in here?” Ethan asks. I thought about it for a moment. Maybe I could yeah. Take a picture of each boss room. To prepare everyone? That’s a good idea.
“i should try that. Get pictures of every boss room and spread them around so everyone knows what they're up against. It might help people get less hurt if they can plan ahead.” I muse.
We soon finish eating and get ready for the boss fight. After putting away the stools and food, we started walking down the last hallway.
Nearing the doorway, I see into the room. It appears to be a mounted goblin on a boar, and four goblins. This shouldn’t be too hard actually.
“If you two will take the goblins I'll take the mounted one.” I say. Getting nods, I start a count down.
“3”
“2”
“1”
“Go!”
We stepped in fire at once. As I shout, I aim for the legs of the boar. Two shots and its falling. Then I aim for the goblin. One shot its dead. I check on the twins, they’ve killed the rest of the goblins. I go to finish off the boar. It took three shots of force bolt. This was much easier than I expected. Was it because I had good help this time? Or because they knew what they were doing?
“There's a false wall that drops after we clear the dungeon, that’s where our reward comes to.” I tell them.
Standing there in the new room the screen pops up.
First Time Clear
Reward
Cost
Personal Interface
10000
I pause, I have the credits. I'm earning them fairly quickly. I'm truly curious as to what a personal interface is. Fuck it. I purchased it.
Personal Interface will integrate with the next sleep cycle.
That’s helpful I suppose. I was planning on napping after this anyway. The next screen popped up.
Party-3
Clear Reward
150
Contribution
27%
Contribution Reward
13 Exp
The twins look over the first time clear reward and sigh. Yeah, it's like that.
“At least you each got 150 credits, too bad you have to pay back now.” they both wince. I laugh as I step through the dungeon portal. They follow along.
***
After getting my 200 credits and their phone numbers I waved the twins off. Going to stand near an empty spot I concentrate on the control panel for teleport. I focus on it and press button #1.
Blinking, I'm back at my apartment. I grin. This is totally cool now. Checking the time, it's not quite 8am. I could go to the store and get that camping gear I promised. The dishes and silverware too. Or I could nap and check out the new interface. Decisions, decisions.
Shopping wins out for now. I'll want to stay home the rest of the day until I run the dungeon again tonight. I'm only a little tired so I shouldn’t nap long this time. Getting into my car I started driving to the big box store. It doesn’t take too long, early morning Saturday traffic is light at least.
Grabbing a cart, I start going through the aisles I find dishes easily. Now that I don’t have to worry too much about expense, I can splurge a bit. I got a set of six plastic plates and six plastic bowls. Then a ten piece silverware set. Heading towards camping I found a smaller size folding table. Picking it up I try and see how light it is. I can easily pick it up one handed so it should go into my inventory just fine. Waving my arm, a bit I test to see if it will be impractical. Seems fine. I put it into the cart. It's fairly decent size, about the size of a lap blanket when unfolded. So should be just big enough to serve on. Looking around I try to see if there is anything else I want.
As I wander the aisles, I come across the five gallon buckets. That reminds me of my toilet idea. I get three, no sense in trying to fail at least. Maybe I should get something to put in them. Like wood shavings? Isn't that what you do for compost? Would pristine make or destroy compost, I wonder? I might have to check. How about I get gravel instead? Or tiles. I can write pristine on them. Should I have water in the bucket? What would float on water that I could write pristine on? Or carve on? I think rubber floats. I don’t really want to get plastic toys. Maybe carve rocks with pristine and have the water cover them? Then carve rubber tiles or something and line the edge with that? I can always sharpie the bucket as well. But I don't think a single enchantment of pristine will keep it going, so I'd rather overengineer this.
While I'm thinking about it, I head to plumbing. I grabbed three different toilet seats as well. Then a shower head, with a temp nozzle. Might as well while I'm going to figure this out. I start towards the gardening center. Maybe instead of rocks I could get a paver? Could I carve that? I garb three smaller cement ones.
As I pass by the terracotta pots I pause. It hits me. Clay. That you can mold. And carve. Then fire. I can imprint the pristine into the clay before I go to toilet. And have that at the bottom of the basin. I look at everything I have in my cart. I think about the toilet seats. I'll use the buckets. I'm still going to try for the shower head. I wonder back to the craft aisle.
Only able to find non-firing clay, just the quick dry kind. I'm not sure it could stand up to being sat upon. Maybe I should keep trying with the bucket. There no telling where I would be able to fire an entire toilet here anyway. I sigh.
What else do I need today? I haven't practiced the embroidery yet. With pristine I don’t need soap or anything. I certainly don’t need food here. What am I missing? I need a new carving knife, but I'll go to the hobby store for that. I'll pick up more dowels while I'm here I suppose. Another 30 should do for now.
I realized what I was forgetting. I haven't had coffee in nearly a week. I'm so used to living off it, I had completely forgotten it for three days then I was too busy. That’s what's so strange is that I'm not hunting down the grocery aisle for my favorite snacks and treats. I'm not checking the prices on every item and calculating exactly how much I'm spending.
As my world view shifted a little to the left. I go to check out. I do so slowly as to make sure this is exactly what I needed when I came here. $250 for a simple supply run. It seems strange when that’s usually my grocery budget for the month. I take a deep breath and let it out. I pack everything up into the buckets and walk out. Before going to my car, I shove everything into my inventory. Then I started walking down the parking lot to the hobby store. No reason to drive there.
Going in I go to the wood section. Looking over the knives I found one comparable to my paring knife. It’s a little thicker but I hope that just means it would be as fragile. I buy three of them and walk out. Driving home, my head seems fuzzy once more. I'm not entirely sure why this time, but I think I should take a nap sooner rather than later.