My fury towards my in-laws remained unabated. It wasn't a boiling rage like before, but a simmering resentment that refused to be extinguished. The need for retribution was a burning desire within me, an unshakeable resolve. I had made a solemn promise, and I was determined to honor it. It might cast me in a negative light, but I couldn't bear the thought of them escaping the consequences of their actions, especially their role in Sophie's suffering.
I searched the Spell list for a suitable option. After some time, I finally came across the Mind Discipline section, which featured a selection of rather dark abilities. Among them were mesmerizing, spellbinding, enthralling, entrancing, hypnotizing, and bewitching. Taking my time, I carefully read through each description, weighing my options. Ultimately, I settled on spellbinding—it aligned perfectly with my intentions.
SPELLBINDING
Description: Spellbinding is a sinister enchantment spell that allows the caster to manipulate people, compelling them to obey commands. This dark art is used by cunning bards, enchanters, and illusionists to ensure unwavering loyalty and obedience through magical coercion. Initially, the spell lasts for 3 days, but the duration grows with the caster's level, enabling extended control. The effectiveness and potency of the spell also increase with skill level, allowing for more complex and counterintuitive commands.
Cost: 1 Ability Point
I also found the Invisibility spell that was mentioned in the Archives. A lot of Travelers recommend always crossing the Gates while invisible.
INVISIBILITY
Description: Invisibility is a coveted illusion spell employed by stealthy rogues, cunning mages, and spies for covert operations and strategic advantage. It renders the caster imperceptible to normal senses, allowing them to move undetected through various environments. The spell's duration starts at 5 minutes and extends with higher levels.
Cost: 1 Ability Point
With the two spells, I headed to see my in-laws. They made Sophie miserable over money and jewelry; I'll make them feel the same. Nothing hurts more than a blow to what you cherish the most, and they cherished money above all else.
To avoid detection, I cast Invisibility five blocks away from their house multiple times. Once I got there, I patiently waited for my father-in-law. When he parked, I swiftly cast a spellbinding on him: "Don't notice my voice, but do as I say," and then, "Go inside and leave the door open for 2 minutes." I stealthily entered the house behind him and listened for his wife. She was in the living room.
Knowing they had security cameras around the house and some inside, I stayed invisible the whole time. I cast on Rachel, "Don't notice my voice, but do as I say," and then, "Go, collect all your and Malcolm's jewelry, put it all in a bag, and put the bag on the dining table." I could feel that this command stretched the boundaries of the spell's ability at level one. It was almost too complex, but just in the workable frame. When she returned with the jewelry, I cast again. "Go to sleep. Forget everything that happened. Tomorrow, you will remember feeling tired and going to bed early." And one last spell, "Don't look for the jewelry for the next three days." At level one, the spell effect could extend to three days maximum.
Then, cast on my father-in-law, "Go to your safe, open it, and add all the valuables to the bag." When he returned with the bag, "Access your bank account and donate all your liquid funds to the Cancer Research Foundation; attach to the donation a letter that the donation is in memory of your beloved daughter." After ensuring he followed my instructions, "Remember feeling bad about your treatment of Sophie and deciding to donate in her memory." And another one "You will feel good about donating." And one more, "Go put the bag with the valuables behind the enormous statue in the front yard." When he returned, "Go to sleep. Forget everything that happened except the donation." And the last one, "Tomorrow, you will remember that you felt tired and went to bed early. Don't look for your jewelry, don't access your bank account, and don't open your safe for the next three days". The last cast was too complex for the spell level, and I had to break it into two parts. "Tomorrow, you will remember that you felt tired and went to bed early." And, "Don't look for your jewelry, don't access your bank account, and don't open your safe for the next three days." I added the bag to my Storage and went back to my hotel.
Upon arriving at the hotel and inspecting the bag, I was stunned. Familiar with Rachel's extensive jewelry collection—having never seen her wear the same piece twice—I was nonetheless unprepared for what I found. There were over 150 small pieces, like rings, earrings, pendants with chains, and bracelets, including two tennis bracelets with diamonds, about 50 more significant pieces, and some jewelry sets in boxes. The sets in the boxes looked very expensive. There were also 15 sets of cufflinks with gems, 21 tie clips, all in gold or platinum, and some with gems. There were also $25,000 in cash, a small bag of loose gems, collectible silver and gold coins in plastic casings, and five bearer bonds for $8,000 each.
So, there is a "looting" function; it just works a bit differently.
This thought made me snicker to myself. I was developing a sinister sense of humor.
They were certainly going to feel that. I was glad—they deserved it.
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In the last two days, I spent three ability points and wasn't sure it would be easy to "farm" them where I was going, so I decided to stay longer to "fill up."
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I visited Sophi's grave for the last time to say goodbye and to tell her I was fulfilling my promise to her to continue living and not give up, and stayed there for the rest of the day, silently keeping her company until darkness descended. Kissing the grave for the last time, I said, "If I don't visit again, it's not because I don't care, but because I'm in another world. I'll take you there in my heart and share my journey with you."
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I flew to New York, assuming there would be more workshops, pawn shops, and delis. Also, I wanted to fill up my storage with hot takeaway food, especially Italian and Chinese.
For a while, I had the blinking red light and ignored it; I was getting used to it and ignoring it. On the flight, there was time, so I checked my messages and had a surprise.
You have bought and sold goods for enormous sums of money in the last few months.
New Profession unlocked: [Merchant]
Would you like to take the Merchant Profession as your Profession?
Note: Taking this Profession will allow you to use the banked advancement.
Y/N
Yes, yes, and yes.
New Quality unlocked
Luck
I checked Luck, as the other attributes' descriptions were a surprise:
Luck
This quality does not have physical or mental aspects.
Luck affects chance, fate, and destiny.
Luck is the invisible guidance leading toward fortune, prosperity, success, and fortuitous events or circumstances.
Luck is also the internal warning of danger, of knowing not to go somewhere or not to do something.
Luck is the guiding hand that leads you to a better existence.
My red light was still blinking.
Level up
+3 wisdom, +3 perception, +2 luck, +3 free points
Merchant Level 2
Stat points: 3
Level up
+3 wisdom, +3 perception, +2 luck, +3 free points
Merchant Level 3
Stat points: 6
Level up
+3 wisdom, +3 perception, +2 luck, +3 free points
Merchant Level 4
Stat points: 9
Level up
+3 wisdom, +3 perception, +2 luck, +3 free points
Merchant Level 5
Stat points: 12
Except for my new stat, Luck, my lowest were agility and constitution. So, I added 6 to each.
I also checked the Merchant description:
Merchant
This is one of the oldest professions in existence.
It is common and generally respected.
Merchants buy and sell goods for profit.
This profession offers 3 starting skills when you get the profession and an additional skill every 5 levels.
When the Merchant levels a skill to its highest level [25], they can choose another skill from the list to level.
Each level gives +3 wisdom, +3 perception, +2 luck, +3 free points
I went to my profile, and there were two new lines in my profile:
Profession
Merchant Level 5
Skills
Bargain
Sense Honesty
Appraisal
A Nose for Business
The last one was unclear, so I poked it.
A Nose for Business
Demonstrating a keen eye for opportunities, you excel at evaluating offers to discern their actual value and uncover any undisclosed factors. Your skill lies in presenting deals and merchandise in a compelling and favorable light. Moreover, when engaging with customers, you have an intuitive sense of their desires and requirements, enabling you to meet their needs effectively.
I looked at my full profile, and it looked good.
Name
John Rue
Age
38
Class
Healer Level 3
Spells
Heal Muscle - 12
Diagnose - 1
Stop Bleeding - 1
Heal Bone - 1
Control Blood - 1
Healing Touch - 1
Neutralize Poison
Purify
Clean
Hidden Class
Gate Traveler Level 3
Gates to next level
2/8
Abilities
Conversion
Travelers' Archive
Identify
Storage–x3 (1728m3)
Local Adaptation - Spoken language
Map
One of the Crowd
Profession
Merchant Level 5
Skills
Bargain
Sense Honesty
Appraisal
A Nose for Business
General Spells
Mana Dart
Mana shield - 1
Spellbinding - 3
Invisibility - 2
General Skills
Making handmade pasta - 1
Pencil sketching - 1
Making Beer - 1
Staff Fighting - 10
Krav Maga - 10
Archery - 10
Minor Spell Adaptation - 1
Mana Sense - 1
Mana Meditation - 3
Photography - 1
Develop Negative - 1
Print Photograph -1
Guitar Playing
Health
2350/2350
Mana
3000/3000
Strength
24
Agility
24
Constitution
23
Vitality
27
Intelligence
23
Wisdom
30
Perception
28
Luck
8
Stat points
0
Ability points
10
My hope was to complete all my tasks in New York and Europe quickly. I want to leave as soon as possible—Earth felt like a prison.