The group stopped just before the entryway to the Lodge. The blood was thicker here on the ground and around what used to be double glass doors. The doors had been shattered and the interior was dark. Bixby began sniffing but stopped quickly and gave a few yips and growls. Joe translated for the rest, “Nothing alive that he can detect.”
Rory stepped up, “I’ll go take a look at what’s what. No sense the lot of us going in.”
Kier admonished, “You be careful, Ror. Anything hinky and you call out. Don’t take on anything by yourself.”
Rory rolled his eyes and tightened his grip on his hammer. “I’m nae a complete bampot.” He answered looking pointedly at Joe, then he grinned at the others and stepped inside.
Iona called out, “Haste ye back!”
As Rory entered the building, Joe scanned the surrounding area but saw nothing immediately dangerous. He took off his amulet and held it out to Kier, “Here, this ought to help get your Mana back more quickly.”
“Ah, Joe, I cannae take that. Tis yours, asides you’re the one suffering from Mana burn, and who knows, we may need that bleeding fire spell of yours afore long.”
Joe nodded and put the amulet back on. “So, you all aren’t mad at me?”
“Furious.” Answered Iona. “But I understand why you did what you did.” Kier smirked as Iona punched Joe’s shoulder. “Just donnae do it again if ye can avoid it.” She gave a grimace up at Joe, who felt something in him relax and let go of the guilt just a bit.
He smiled back. “Thank you.” He patted Bixby on the head, “And we’ll see what we can do about getting your leg back. This System may be fucked up, but it seems like it can do some pretty amazing things too.” Bixby wagged his tail and gave Joe a short bark, “Thanks, Bix. I’m glad you’re not mad.”
After a few long, tense minutes, Rory came back out with a saddened expression. “I think I know what happened.” He set his hammer down and took off his helmet to run his hands through his hair. He sat on the ground with his back to the wall and took out a mug of beer and drained it before continuing. “From what I can tell, this was a Halfkin camp what got attacked by gnolls, same as us. And in the middle of their fight, the troll came and scuppered the lot of ‘em. Halfkin, gnolls, all of them. There’s a right nasty pile of bones and parts inside. Probably a few hundred, maybe more.” Rory’s gaze looked far away as he pulled another beer and drank it. He looked up at his group, “I don’t think anybody survived.”
The group was quiet as everyone digested the information in their own way. Joe broke the silence a minute later, “That explains the message when we entered that there was not enough population to keep the camp viable. And you said Halfkin? Who are they?”
Iona, looking over her torn armor, sighed, “They’re the wee folk. Like, um…”
Rory butted in, “Like humans but half your size. If you saw one, you’d think they were but a wee child.”
Iona continued, “They’re nae a war-based culture. Mostly artisans an’ such, but they have warriors.” Her eyes grew wet, “They most likely thought they were safe in a level ten zone. The gnolls and troll had to have crossed zones.”
“Is that normal?” Joe asked.
“Nae normally, but during a world merge? Anything’s possible.” Iona wiped at the tears and turned away to adjust her gear.
Joe asked, “So what do we do about the camp and the bodies?”
“What do ye mean? We walk away and nae look back is what.” Rory spat.
“We can’t just leave these people’s bodies here, can we? Do you know their customs? Can we bury them or cremate them or something? I mean an entire camp wiped out with no one to care?”
“Are you daft? Tis a mess. A pile of bones and gore. Let the wilds have ‘em.” Rory stood with a grunt and rolled his head and shoulders, “I’m of a mind to walk away. Kier? Iona?” He looked to his siblings.
Kier looked troubled and Iona watched Joe. Kier finally spoke, “Joe’s heart’s in the right place, but we’ve nae way to do a proper burial. Nae in our condition.” He held up a finger as Joe was about to speak, “But, we can take the camp core so the place will nae become a dungeon. Odds are it’d spawn more trolls, and I’d like to avoid that if I can.”
Joe shook his head and stepped away from the group and looked up into the sky. Bixby limped over, bumped into him and gave him a questioning look. “Sorry buddy. This is all just so much. It was one thing when it was us, but now there’s the others and an entire camp of people wiped out. It all seems so pointless. The System is horrible. Its candy coated with these superhuman abilities, but it brings death and pain so quickly and so often. Like, why would someone or something do this? And I’m more upset that I got us all injured than I am that hundreds of people were killed and eaten. How screwed up is that? The System sucks, dude.”
Bixby let out a few whimpers and whines and licked Joe’s hand. “I know. It’s the hand we’re dealt. I just really don’t like it.” Bixby yipped again, “Yeah. Probably should check.” Joe opened his notifications that had been steadily blinking away in his peripheral vision.
Congratulations! Your ability, True Grit, has increased to 50%.
Achievement Unlocked! Maximum Effort! You have maxed out an ability! You’re either a fast study or a reckless fool, but, either way, good job! Rewards Unlocked! You and your companion gain +2 Constitution, and +2 Willpower. Exp earned, 5,000 (Banked). Gold earned 3,000.
Achievement Unlocked! Kill It With Fire! You have defeated a Troll fifty or more levels above your own! How are you not dead yet? Rewards Unlocked! You and your companion gain +5 Constitution, and +5 Willpower. Exp earned, 30,000 (Banked). Gold earned 15,000.
Title Unlocked! Troll Hunter! You have defeated a Troll of Level 50+ while below an Advanced Grade class level! Rewards Unlocked! You and your companion gain +2 Strength, +2 Constitution, +2 Agility, +2 Perception, +2 Intelligence, +2 Willpower, +2 Charisma, +2 Luck. Additionally, you and your Soulbound companion gain +10% Damage vs Trolls. Exp earned, 55,000 (Banked). Gold earned 35,000.
From behind him, Joe heard Rory yell out, “Mithra’s ballsack!!”
Joe and Bixby both spun around. Joe summoned his swords and Bixby’s ears were back. Both scanned the area for threats.
Rory was grinning like an idiot. “Didja see?” He kept looking at the others then staring into space, obviously gazing at his Status page. “My first major achievement and my first title!” He danced around and came up to a bewildered Joe and shook his hand, “Joe! You’re a good luck charm me lad and I thank you for it!” He ruffled Bixby’s fur and then tittered, “I leveled up too! Oh, and look at the gold!”
Kier and Iona were both also smiling broadly as they too had gained a level. Kier said, “Well boyo, methinks that makes up for almost getting us eaten by a troll!”
Iona added, “I can get me armor repaired or replaced with something better.”
Joe shook his head. The System is insane. One minute he was lamenting his seemingly suicidal attack on the troll and the next he was the belle of the ball.
“Well shave my beard and slap my bahookie! Take a look at what landed in the loot pile” Rory hooted.
“What? Loot pile? What loot pile?” Joe asked.
“Look to your inventory. When you’re in a Party, the loot what gets taken goes into a separate loot pile to be split between the whole party.” Kier tossed out.
Joe opened his inventory and sure enough there was a new square entry that was glowing. He activated it and saw that there were four items.
Ring of the Troll
While wearing this Legendary ring, the wearer will recover Health and Stamina four times faster than normal. Additionally, once per day, the wearer may imbue 500 Mana to activate a full regeneration. This will restore all Health and Stamina within 10 seconds and restore any and all missing limbs. Note: This ring will not work on the dead.
Spell Tome: Mass Heal Wounds
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This spell allows the user to cast a circle of healing energy that encompasses a 30-foot radius from any point that they decide within range of the spell. While in the circle, each allied creature, including the caster, heals 100 points of Health every second for the duration of the spell. Only one Mass Heal Wounds spell may be active at a time. Mana cost is 300 points. Spell duration is five seconds. Spell range is 100 feet.
Belt of Major Fortitude
This Epic belt was worn by the Dwarven hero, Dougal Stonesplitter. The wearer is granted the exceptional fortitude of the dwarven people. While worn the wearers maximum Stamina is increased by 300 points.
Aegis of Lanthis
The wearer of this amulet of the Sun God Lanthis may imbue it with up to 500 points of Mana. The Mana may then be converted into a powerful aura of protection over the wearer for up to 500 points of protection from all forms of damage.
Kier let out a whistle, “Have ye ever…?” He glanced around at the others, his siblings all with the same awestruck look. “Four.” He said reverentially.
Joe, confused asked, “Four? You mean four items?”
Iona answered, “Aye. When you kill a beastie of that level, tis expected to get something out of it, but you’te usually getting one, maybe two items no matter the party size. To get four is, well, out the windae.”
Kier added, “And if you noticed, tis like the loot was tailored to the party.” He eyed Joe. “Methinks the gods are watching out for you.”
Joe looked skeptical but eventually shrugged, “If they are, I don’t know why. I mean, why me of all people?”
Rory smiled and clapped Joe on the back, “Tis nae for us to but ponder. I for one donnae want to look a gift mule in the arse.” He turned to Iona, “The spell needs to go to Kier and the ring needs to go to Bixby. Youe want the belt or the amulet?”
“Should we nae discuss it afore you start to divvy?” She asked looking around the group.
Joe said, “I’ve got no issue with it.” Kier nodded and took the tome out of the loot pile which prompted Joe to retrieve the ring. He left the rest of the discussion up to the others as he sat next to Bixby. Joe could see that Bixby had just under four hundred Mana left after the battle. “I want to try something if you’re willing.” Bixby nodded yes. Joe took off his amulet and placed it over Bixby’s head, “This will help you get your Mana back faster. I’ve got Mana burn so mine’s gonna come back slower anyway. At least with this, when you get past the five hundred mark you can imbue it and use the regeneration properties. I figure since you can cast spells, you can use the amulet and the ring. Although, I’m not sure how to get the ring to fit.”
Iona, overhearing knelt next to Bixby, “Just place it over his paw. Most magical rings’ll resize to the wearer. He’ll have to wear it like a bracelet.”
Joe placed the ring against Bixby’s right front paw and just as Gharak’s ring did, it adjusted to fit, and Joe slipped it onto Bixby’s paw. Joe smiled, “Nice bling buddy.” He hugged Bixby and ruffled his fur.
The group sat for almost an hour as they waited for their various Mana, Stamina and Health to recuperate. Bixby was able to charge the ring after only fifteen minutes and to Joe’s relief, he activated the regeneration ability of the ring. Everyone watched in fascination as Bixby’s leg regrew in less than ten seconds. Joe retrieved the amulet and ring and was mostly ready to go when the hour was up. From the loot pile, Iona had taken the amulet while Rory took the belt. Kier topped everyone’s health off with a few castings of his healing spells and the party was once again ready to move.
“Before we leave, we need to make a choice.” Kier addressed the group. “We need to decide if we take the camp core or leave it.”
The others passed looks around and Joe asked, “If we leave it, it’ll eventually create a dungeon, right?”
Kier nodded, “And considering the last few beasties that were here, it’d either be gnolls or trolls, although…” He raised a bushy red eyebrow, “Tis a level ten zone, so there’s really no telling what’ll spawn.”
“And what if we take the core?”
“Well, we can either sell it at a Shoppe or we can use it to establish a new camp.”
“So, say we take it, and we find my sister and other humans, we can use it to make a sanctuary zone for them?”
“Aye, that’s the right of it.” Kier nodded.
“Well then, I say we take it. If it helps us and keeps a dungeon from spawning, that seems like a no-brainer.” Joe stood and wiped off his hands on his legs. “Where is it?”
Rory stood and said, “I’ll fetch it. The less you see of what’s in the building the better.”
A few minutes after Rory entered the Lodge, everyone received a new notice.
Warning! The Meadowspring Sanctuary Zone has been dispelled. The Meadowspring Travel Stone has despawned and is no longer available for travel. You are no longer in a Sanctuary Zone. Monsters may spawn at random.
Rory exited quickly and began walking briskly to the front gates, “Time to go.” The others began to follow, and Joe turned back to look towards the dark interior one last time. As he did so, he thought he saw a shadow move and froze in place.
Iona turned back concerned, “Joe? Something the matter?”
Joe stood staring into the darkness, even going so far as to activate Bixby’s Darkvision, but nothing moved. The rest of the group stood waiting and staring at Joe, eventually Bixby came over and nudged him. Joe looked down, “Sorry, thought I saw something moving.” Bixby cocked his head and gave a few growls and yips. “Ok, I believe you. If you don’t sense anything, then it was just my imagination.”
“Probably the flies.” Rory tossed out. “Tis thick with ‘em inside.”
At the gate, Joe stopped and turned back, “Just one more thing guys.” The rest of the group waited, and Rory rolled his eyes but stopped. Joe faced the Lodge, “I’m sorry we were too late to help. I’m sorry you came here hoping for a fresh start and found only death. And I’m sorry we couldn’t lay you to rest properly. I like to think that we’ve avenged you, though. Rest in peace, people of Meadowspring Camp.” Joe then nodded and as the group departed the dead camp, he began to sing Gharak’s song.
The party followed the two-lane road along a winding route that showcased, at least for Joe, the changes that the integration with the System had wrought. The pavement in most places was buckled or outright torn apart by rapid plant growth. The scattered cars and houses were slowly being overtaken by the local flora. At one point the road, along with any nearby trees and structures was covered entirely by what looked like ivy vines but were undulating and semi-aware. It shot vines out at the group and managed to snare one of Iona’s boots which is when they discovered its acidic properties. They had to take a very long detour up into the hillside and back down to the road which ate up a good portion of their morning.
During the hike around the rather large ivy field, Bixby thought he sensed something nearby either watching or following them. He was certain of it when they made it back to the roadway and the presence was still felt at times. Joe activated Bixby’s enhanced senses, but without practice using them the input was too much for him to discern anything out of place. Eventually he gave up and relied on Bixby’s innate understanding of his own senses to be on guard against any unseen attackers. The others stayed on high alert, even in the lower-level Zone as they knew that until the integration was done, the monster levels would not necessarily follow the Zone levels.
It wasn’t until they had traveled a few more miles and entered the city of Ben Lomond that the terrain offered a dramatic change in features. While the road had been relatively unchanged with the exception of the native plant growth, the houses, cars, and other structures were the same as Joe remembered them being pre-integration. The forest had remained the same with no other terrain stitched in like he had encountered on the other side of the mountains. This time, however, Ben Lomond seemed to have been given a slight makeover.
The main avenue of town was still the two-lane highway, and the buildings and businesses were all fronting onto the road with the town housing receding into side streets and away from the main artery of traffic. The road made a large westward curve through town. On the left were the buildings that Joe was expecting, a gas station, hardware store and a fire station, but on the right, the large market complex that had dominated the area was gone. Instead, there was what looked very much like a small medieval village. Or at least parts of it. A handful of buildings ended at the road’s edge. Some were literally cut in half and all of them looked old and unused just like the keep Joe and Bixby had found on their first day.
The party stopped at the scene with Joe puzzled over the randomness of the patched-in buildings. “Help me understand something.” He asked no one in specific. “Bixby and I ran into a keep that had been integrated…” He used air quotes but got quizzical looks from his friends who did not seem to understand the gesture, “And it too had been abandoned. This town looks the same. In fact, the architecture looks similar.”
Kier pulled at his beard in thought before answering, “I know the System pulls in parts of other worlds, but I’ll be buggered if I can tell you why. We’ve grown up with the System and only know a wee bit. You’ll need somebody well versed in the System to tell you.”
“Why do you even care tho’?” Rory asked, chewing loudly on some jerky while Bixby looked on, waiting for him to share.
“Huh. I guess it really doesn’t matter, but it would be nice to know.” Joe shrugged. “While I don’t like it, I’ve gotten used to being in the dark about this entire situation.”
The party ate lunch and continued on, following the road and river. A mile or so down the road they came across a high school that was the den of a horde of level ten giant rats. The now ragtag looking group spent the better part of an hour hunting down the horde’s place of origin in the cafeteria area of the school. Rory delighted in the extermination of the beasts and was the one to find the treasure box. Again, the dwarves were amazed at the larger amount of gold and experience they earned from defeating the horde. The treasure box had a green gemstone and only held two items, an Idol of Ravenous Rats that allowed the user to release a horde of level ten rats, and a Scroll of Miasma that released a nauseating cloud of gas. Everyone agreed that Rory could have both which he gleefully added to his inventory.
Afterwards, Iona came up to Joe as he stood inspecting a small dagger in his hand. “You a’right?”
Joe handed the dagger to her, “Yeah.” He sounded a bit unsure though. “I found this in one of the rats. I’m pretty sure it was one that had jumped on my back and was trying to eat my hair. I haven’t seen any of you carry such a small knife.”
Iona studied the knife and asked, “You think tis this presence what follows us?”
Joe shrugged, “I have a theory, but no proof. Yet.” Joe put the weapon in his inventory, further contemplating his suspicions.
Only half a mile from the high school, they came across the town of Felton. The abandoned town was eerily quiet. The stop lights were dark, and the mild wind carried scraps of paper across the streets. Fading Christmas decorations mingled with the encroaching plant life gave the once charming town a sinister feel. The short downtown area gave way to rural homes and side businesses. The group passed a library and a church. The lack of people and cars moving about unnerved Joe more than Boulder Creek had. He knew that in one more day, the populace would be returned. At least those that survived the Tutorial. Would they be able to pick up their shattered lives? Would they adapt to this new reality, or would they surrender to apathy and die? The answers, much like the questions did not seem to matter much to Joe, which he attributed to the System keeping his emotional state in check. He’d deal with it when he had to deal with it. For now, his driving force was finding his sister Holly and his nephew Matty. He felt that once he had his family with him, he could face whatever else the world threw at him. He had allies and he had power. He hoped it was enough.