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“Hold your horses," Rowan raised his palms in front of him. "Billionaire… sorry, I'm really bad with names, what can you tell me about the dungeons and the aliens?”
The billionaire shrugged and served himself more Bourbon from the second bottle Rowan had opened. “In a second. Is it possible to order this by mail? This is fabulous.”
“It’s just good, you can’t understand fabulous yet. You have to educate your palate, step by step, for about a year. I’ll send you a friend’s email, he gives lessons, for a grand a day and travel costs.”
“Impending attack?” The Warlord reminded Rowan.
“Oh, yes, that. Go on. And sure, you can order that stuff.”
“I never visited the dungeons, but the entrance is four miles due southwest, in the woods, I’ll mark it on a map. There are four dungeons, of only one floor each, but large. You will face Elementals, undead, pirates—”
“Sorry?”
“Space bandits who cosplay like sea pirates. Arrs and all.”
“You’re shitting me.”
“Have you not asked yourself why the aliens are mentioned in our fairytales? Elves, Nekojin? There is a common ancestry in the Galaxy, an older civilization that went extinct. Similarities all over the place. It's like Bourbon, in the end, we come from the same corn and rye."
“That’s deep, man… that’s deep… About the aliens. Are they more?”
“I suppose some of the crew will stay to guard the dungeons too, but that’s a guess,” the billionaire shrugged. “Ah, yes, and the Necromancer once bragged to me he’s the only one among them to win against you in a fight. He didn’t explain how.”
“Do you know anything about this guy?” Rowan turned toward the Warlord.
“Not really. I didn’t exactly like to intermingle with convicts. Back in my day, there was no such thing, an executioner’s axe was all that was needed for criminals. By the way, your father is quite a good exe—”
“I don’t want to hear it! Tell me at least something about Necromancers in general.”
“Low DPS, long channeled skills. Sorry, they have a potent poison DOT, but DOTs are dismissed if you go into the Space. Necromancers rely on their minions for combat. They can raise dead people and work better with fresh bodies, which makes the undead keep their skills. If they kill you, there’s a window of opportunity to raise you before you Rezz or dissolve, but again, channeled spell, it takes some time. If this one can enter the Space, he must have a high Will.”
“OK… I’ll think about it. Very well, I’m ready to finish my build. Any advice?”
“The choice is all yours. I stayed behind because I was curious. Share your stats, please,” the Warlord asked.
“Sure.”
The blue screen showed better things than Rowan had hoped for.
Name: Rowan Allinder. Lvl: 100. Main class: Indomitable (Legendary). Secondary Class: Primeval Magus (Mythical),
158 APs available
STR: 61 / DEX: 61/ CON: 61 / INT: 81/ WIL: 87/ CHA: 81
“Wow….” Rowan let out a deep breath. “So many APs!” Rubbing his hands, he prepared to raise his will to the last threshold, only to meet an unexpected obstacle.
APs distribution is blocked. Please Install the previously obtained Divine Perk before proceeding.
“Fuck!”
“What?” the Warlord jerked, letting his glass fall on the rug. “I’m not interested!”
“Just shut up, you idiot! You live here now, learn human expressions. What’s up with this red text?”
“Don’t you forget something? I offered you a gift when you won your first pitched battle. Unwrap it.”
“What does it do?”
“Allows you to twitch your build. The System decides what you get, based on your performance.”
“Fine. Unwrap the Warlord’s gift,” Rowan yelled.
“You don’t have to yell, the System can hear your thoughts,” the Warlord said, leaning to pick the glass from the floor. As it was empty, it demanded a refill, and the walking dungeon poured Bourbon in it to the brim.
Gift unwrapped. The System considers you eligible for the following Super Perks (consumable, one use only):
1: Motion. You can redistribute points from your secondary stats to another secondary stat of your choice, raising it to max, once per day. You will gain a random 4th threshold perk in that stat for the remainder of the day.
2: Fusion. Fusion your two current classes together. The result is influenced by your previous performance but has a degree of randomness. Unlocking a new secondary class will be possible only by spending Skill Points and you will be offered choices based on your overall life experience.
“I need a moment,” Rowan blurted. He already knew where the bathroom was, after inspecting the house while in the Space. Rushing there, he discovered there was no WC. Rich people had higher standards. There was a cloakroom across the corridor, and he rushed to take a number one, and washed his face, to calm himself.
What would Cora say? Take the perks… But both choices offer perks.
He returned to the lobby. “How are the aliens traveling?” he asked. “Portals?”
“They asked for a couple of Hercules, yesterday,” the billionaire said. “Left from Calgary. Ah, I can ask my associates how many they were and what kind. Didn’t cross my mind, sorry.”
“Do it. So they are already in place, or near the Border. I’ll take the second choice. I like the first, but that one-per-day stuff makes it useless, it gives me no time to discover what the new perks will be. So I’ll take my chances with Fusion.”
The pain hit him faster than expected. He heard the billionaire yelling He’s heavy, help me, and the Warlord saying Let’s put him on the couch, then he lost consciousness.
----------------------------------------
Rowan opened his eyes and gasped. “How much time has passed?”
“One hour,” the billionaire said. “The other guy left, he said he has some business in Harbin. My friends in Alberta told me there were a hundred elementals and as many pirates boarding the flights.”
“Thanks. I’ll go check out my new perks… I hope you’re not offended, but it’s better to keep them for myself.” Going on the balcony, Rowan activated his suit and propulsion. Seconds later, he landed on the Hotel’s roof and summoned his Character Menu while admiring the landscape with his subconsciousness.
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Name: Rowan Allinder. Lvl: 100. Main class: Indomitable Primeval Magus (Mythical, tier E, WIL based).
Congratulations! You have unlocked the next step to your Mythical Awakened Class. Such Classes can be upgraded through exceptional feats. Tier E allows you to reach 100 in two stats, tier D in three, and so on. Fixed stat: WIL. The next main stat chosen: INT. 32 APs have been automatically invested to bring your WIL and INT to 100. 57 APs have been invested to raise STR, DEX, and CON to the third threshold. 9 APs have been invested in CHA for Mana efficiency purposes. CHA will be the next Stat to be raised to max if you advance your Mythical tier. 60 APs locked for the next evolutions. Note: Maximum Mythical tier reachable: B (Epic).
STR: 75 / DEX: 75/ CON: 75 / INT: 100/ WIL: 100/ CHA: 90
I have to tell Cora. That will make her happy. “No! Cancel call. I forgot.” Rowan exclaimed aloud a second later. There was a strong chance Cora’s parents were alive, and that news demanded priority and some time to discuss the consequences, so he went on reading his new personal information.
PERKS
STR 1: +25% chance your Physical attacks will ignore Armor, Evade, Dodge, Parry, or Block. The chance increases against targets with lower tiers than yours by +5%/tier.
STR 2: Sonar. +25% chance of detecting the enemy weaknesses by using Identify or touching them with any skill, spell, or perk. The chance increases against targets with lower tiers than yours by +5%/tier.
STR 3: + 25% damage vs identified weaknesses. The damage increases against targets with lower tiers than yours by another +5%/tier.
*
DEX 1: Autopilot and Multitasking: Your Subconsciousness assists your Body or/and your Mind when needed. +25% chance to Parry, Evade, Block, Evade. The chance increases against targets with lower tiers than yours by +5%/tier.
DEX 2: +50% Attack speed.
DEX 3: Shadow Step. You can instantly close/enlarge a gap between you and your enemy up to 25 yards (can be increased with practice). Consumes 50 Mana. 30 seconds CD.
Note: Because of multiple Damage Multipliers in STR, your Physical hits’ base Critical Chance is capped at 5%.
*
CON 1: +50 % all Physical Resistances, Natural Regeneration, Toughness. +25% additional value in the vital areas. Access to spell: Advanced Combat Heal. Heal for 300 HP for 100 MP
CON 2: Once per fight (modified from once per day) ignore Lethal Damage by twelve seconds, becoming Invulnerable. You must heal at least 5% of your total HP before the time limit to stay alive.
CON 3: Oneness of Body (Mythical perk, tier E). All your Body stats (STR, DEX, CON) contribute to your HP. Current value: 2250 HP. +25% Natural Regeneration (stacks with CON 1)
*
INT 1: Superior Strategy. You can read a situation better than most and turn the odds against your enemy. This perk synergizes with Tactical Planning and it’s recommended to bring a Tactician into your team.
Note: The Perk Gretchen’s Question has been removed because of infrequent use and inconclusive results.
INT 2: Svartálfar Aura (Mythical tier E). Extends in a 3-yard radius around you. Passively intimidate and hurt enemies, or buff and heal friends (yourself included). A +5% is added to the final value of all your Perks after all other Perks enhancements or buffs are applied). If you are attacked from inside the Space, Svartálfar Aura will consume Mana to absorb that damage, until you enter the in-between or the Mana Pool is exhausted. Synergizes with Räsvelg: Elemental Armor, to further reduce the damage. Four tiers lower than a Dragon’s Oppressive Presence, this Perk can be raised 1 tier higher than your Class’s tier through training.
Note: The Perk Karmic Intuition has been removed because of infrequent use and inconclusive results.
INT 3: Secondary Class Perk 3: Räsvelg: The Wind. 2/3 Aspects unlocked. 4/7 and 3/7 facets unlocked.
Note: Skill points can be used to unlock Aspects and Facets.
INT 4: Expand to select.
Note: You have gained the Immunity to Mind Magic passive for achieving max INT. You have learned the spell Minor Heal for the same reason.
*
Rowan decided to do the selections for later and continued reading the modified perks.
WIL 1: Will and Wilt in Spades: Your Will replaces Strength as your Critical Damage multiplier, both for Physical or Magic attacks and inflicts DOTs. You can invest an amount of Mana equal to 3 MP/1% Crit Chance to raise your Critical Chance for one given hit to 100%. CD: 1 minute. Current settings: automatic, application decided by DEX perk 1, Autopilot.
WIL 2: Interdimensional Trip. Your Joint Trip has been replaced with a Mana Consuming ability. Consumes 5 MP/second to spend time in the Space. Cost can be reduced through practice. All previously unlocked related abilities remain. An additional 5/MP is consumed for every person you bring with you. Warp activation costs 100 MP.
“Fantastic!”
WIL 3: +50% Critical Chance for every Magical Skill, Spell, or Perk. 25% chance to get back 50% of the Mana cost on a Crit.
WIL 4: Please expand to select.
Note: The Perks High-Tier Artifact User and Synergy have been transformed into skills. Expand the Menu to check their Mana consumption.
*
CHA 1: +25% chance to CHA-related skills: Persuasion, Intimidation, Charm, Finding Excuses, Avoiding Responsibility, Loosening Tongues, etc. A roll check: Your CHA - Target CHA = % of success. When the chance is bigger than 100%, the Target can be mind-controlled for 30 seconds for a cost of 15 MP/second. Cost can be reduced through training.
CHA 2: Oneness of Mind (Mythical perk, tier E). Your Mind Stats (INT, WIL, CHA) all contribute to your Mana Pool. Current value: 2900. -25% base Mana Cost. +25% Mana Regeneration. -25% Physical Maintaining cost.
CHA 3: Hurtful. Add CC and DOT effects to any type of Magical Damage you inflict.
Moment of truth…
INT perk 4: Please select.
1: Jotun. You can select up to 7 passive perks inspired by the Jotun type of Mythical beings. Costs skill points.
2: Álfar You can select up to 7 passive perks inspired by the Elven type of Mythical beings. Costs skill points.
That’s hard… C’mon, can’t I have both?
3: Bespoke selection. You can select up to 6 different passive perks inspired by either the Jotun or the Elven types of Mythical beings. Unlocking a perk will cost an extra +1 SkP. The final combination of the perks you choose will reveal a 7th hidden perk.
"YEY!"
WIL perk 4. Please select.
1: Intra in-between dimensional. You can use any of your non-combative skills, perks, or spells inside the Space for +50% cost and -50% effect. You can project your non-combative spells, skills, and perks out in the real world for +75% cost and -75% effect. Skills, Perks, or Spells that have an AoE, DOT, or Debuff aspect will lose that ability inside the in-between or if projected outside. Costs and effects can be reduced or enhanced through practice. More specific applications can be unlocked through Skill Points.
2: Extra in-between dimensional. You can use in-between related abilities in the outer world, for +50% cost and -50% effect. You can project your non-combative spells, skills, and perks from the outside world inside the Space for +75% cost and -75% effect. Skills, Perks, or Spells that have an AoE, DOT, or Debuff aspect will lose that ability inside the Space. Costs and effects can be reduced or enhanced through practice. More specific applications can be unlocked through Skill Points.
The texts were wordy and unimpressive, but he remembered what Cora had said: the fourth perk in his Main Stat was the most powerful. The first choice allowed him to stay in the Space, safe while buffing and healing allies and using some magic inside too. The second meant he could fly at Match 1 in the real world, and scan the in-between for foes that could ambush him.
C’mon, System, you already know what I’ll choose. Bespoke?
3: Bespoke Perk selected. Inter-Extra In-between Dimensional. You can apply non-combative skills, perks, or spells from or into the Space for a +100% cost and -100% effect. Costs and effects can be reduced or enhanced through practice. More specific applications can be unlocked through Skill Points. Unlocking an application costs an extra +1 SkP.
Note: The Spell Combat Heal can be applied in the in-between, despite its name.
Well, well, well… Now, that sounds perky, but let’s think for a moment. If I were a stranger, facing myself, what would I do to beat me?