I awoke to healing magic soaking through my skin, the energy washing through my body like diving into a cool lake. At first, I couldn’t remember how I got where I was. My head pounded like I had been hit on the back of my skull by a baseball bat. My eyelids were heavy and refused to open. Even with closed eyes, my Hunter interface was attempting to display information in the darkness though I was too addled to comprehend much of anything. It was all garbled, words distorting to unrecognizable characters.
Something solid was poking painfully into my back. Feeling out with my hands, the cold stone of the floor lay underneath me with the uneven cave wall jutting into my back. My eyes finally flittered open. What I saw was a scene of carnage and devastation. Moving to a seated position, pieces of dirt and debris crumbled off my clothing. Reaching around, I discovered it had been a stalagmite, demolished when I crashed into it, had been what was jutting into my back. When I had been thrown violently backward from the twin fireball detonation, I had crashed through at least two stalagmites, one of which must have been what knocked me out cold.
With the latest bout of restorative magic flooding my extremities, the worst of the migraine vowing for dominance in my brain transitioned into a smoldering ache. Reaching to the back of my head, my hand came away with a copious amount of blood, though whatever gash had been there had been repaired by the priest’s magic.
“Xaz…” a feminine voice said, attempting to catch my attention. Squinting, I turned my aching head, trying to orient on the noise.
“… are you okay?” It was Stella, hovering at my side, a worried expression staring plaintively at me.
“That hurt,” my words stumbling from my mouth. Trying to use the uneven wall behind me for support, I struggled to stand but quickly settled back into a seated position. My balance wasn’t strong enough yet. “Is everyone alright?”
“Yes, well, mostly. You have a concussion,” Stella’s echoing voice felt thick to my sensitive ears. “Your priest guy was trying to help with that, but it would seem he doesn’t have a spell focused enough to remove the condition.”
“What happened?” I asked, once more bringing a hand to my head. Though the migraine had faded further into the background, my thoughts still couldn’t line up enough for me to remember how I ended up splayed across the floor.
“Your fireball collided with another one cast by a dwarf,” Stella answered, her voice slowly starting to sound like it wasn’t being filtered through several inches of water. “With how narrow the tunnel is and the destructive force each spell had, they combined and were amplified to extreme levels. You’re lucky you had your aegis up, or you may have turned into lumpy amalgamations of burnt clothing and skin like the dwarves.”
Focusing on her words, memories started filtering back into my mind. I remembered seeing my fireball, up-casted via my dual casting skill, crashing into another ball of fire. The two spells connected near where Ripley had been fighting, her back to a wall as three dwarves closed in on her.
Ripley! She was at the epicenter of the explosion.
My eyes shot up to our party menu, the words there no longer distorted. Ripley’s health bar was completely grayed out. She had been destroyed by the blast. My own health bar was missing a decent amount yet, though was trickling upwards from the healing magic in my system and my own natural regeneration. Losing any health though was surprising. It normally wouldn’t happen as long as I had mana available, which I certainly did as I peeked at my resource pools. My aegis had not been shattered, nor had it failed. “How much damage did the fireball do?”
“Nearly enough to deplete what mana you had left,” Stella replied, her voice thick with implications. “Had it emptied completely, the damage could have killed you. Even if it didn’t, when you were sent flying you sustained even more damage as you crashed into things. Your aegis only works against physical attacks and spells. It doesn’t stop your head being caved in if you slam it into a boulder. You’re lucky you’re not in worse condition than you already are.”
“It was worse for Ripley,” I mumbled. “Is Lowki alright, or did we lose him too?” My head was buzzing, spikes of pain shooting with each pulse of my heart. I was too depleted mentally to make sense of my party menu again.
“Lowki’s alive,” Stella replied as she pointed down the passage, though I couldn’t see what she was indicating. “He was thankfully far enough away, but still took a beating as the inferno tore down the tunnel. He’ll be fine, plus your cleric buddy has been tossing him a few healing spells as well.”
“Tallos?”
“I’m alright,” came his familiar voice a few feet to my left. Turning to face the ranger, he had clumps of rosettes sticking out from one shoulder. I had a hard time making out his facial expression as he spoke, though not because of my concussion. The cave was darker, much darker than it had been before. Tallos continued speaking, not aware of my inner thoughts. “We only felt the edge of the fireball blast, though I did jump behind cover to avoid as much of it as I could.”
“Well, that explains the grass wedged into your leather armor,” I said as I attempted to stand up once more. Tallos offered an outstretched hand which I gladly accepted. “Why is it so dark in here?”
Stella and Tallos shared a glance before Stella gave me an odd-looking expression. It was as if I should know the answer to my question.
“What?” I asked innocently.
“You do remember the huge fireball, right?” Stella asked instead of directly answering either of my questions. “You know, the big explosion of plant-devouring flames?”
My eyes flicked to the wall, the ceiling, everything around us essentially. Every twisted blade of the glowing plant had been turned into a crisp, burnt version of itself.
“Right,” I muttered. “No plants, no light. You do know I have a concussion right?”
She only huffed back at me. “How long are you going to ride that pony?”
Though the fireball had destroyed everything living around us, the plants further down the tunnel had not felt the inferno so the welcomed glow picked up some thirty feet away. Though we were in a void zone, the distant vegetation allowed enough light to see by. Once we moved on, it would get plenty bright once more.
“How long until Ripley is automatically re-summoned?” I asked Stella. I could probably have used my interface, but my lingering headache warned me off. I’d need to ask my friendly guide for stuff like this, at least in the short term.
“Only fifteen minutes in total, so not too long,” she replied.
“Hey, Lowki? You okay, bud?” I called out to the darkness, though I couldn’t see him yet. A faint glow of irises approached us.
Seconds later, Lowki, once more with a lame gait, rubbed against my side. I was thankful he hadn’t perished like Ripley had even though she could revive on his. Ripley had been simply too close to the center of the blast to have any hope of surviving the firestorm. It had slain every dwarf, so at least we had that going for us. Another wave of golden magic flew by me, causing Lowki to glow brightly for a moment. Soon enough, he was moving around like normal.
“You did good work, back there, Lowki,” I said as I swatted the cat’s flanks with gracious pats. His twin tentacles grazed my forearm and bicep, returning the show of affection. “Were you able to take out their cleric before the blast went off?”
Though Lowki couldn’t speak, his optimistic roar confirmed his success. “Good boy,” I said with a final pat on his broad shoulder. Cracking my neck from side to side, I eyed up our surroundings.
“That was some blast,” I said. Thinking of the dwarven fireball, a part of me hoped to find the caster and target him with my undeath spell. Having a wizard on our team could prove to be quite beneficial. Sadly, my hopes met up with reality in short order. At the spell's current level, I didn’t have a long enough duration to allow for two revived minions. Between either having a wizard or a cleric, I would pick the healer nine times out of ten.
Disfigured dwarven bodies lay strewn all over the uneven surface. Most lay at odd and unnatural angles, several having crashed through stalagmites and stalagmites like I had. Eyeing their bodies must have triggered the System as a notification popped up in my vision.
Quest Update – “Mystery in the Mines.”
Objective One: Secure the release of Mage Marrek. COMPLETED.
Objective Two: Investigate the local silver mine and identify the cause of villager Corm’s demise. COMPLETED
Objective Three: Eliminate the Subversive Silvern Dwarf threat posed to strike against the citizens of Mammoth. 46 of 46. COMPLETED.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Objective Four: (Revealed) Finish off the remaining Silvern Dwarf leadership. 0 of ???.
Objective Five: (Uncovered) Eliminate the Silvern Dwarf’s ability to wage a surprise raid against the city of Mammoth. Destroy Silvern Travel Node, 0 of 1.
Rewards: Variable. Experience, at least one rare magical item, and a significant increase in reputation.
“Hell yeah,” I blurted out, eliciting a pained wince as my headache flared in response. In a calmer voice, I continued. “With this last group of dwarves, we’ve taken them all out. Only their leaders are left.”
“Nice!” Stella cheered. “We also had a new objective added. After taking out their commanders, we only need to destroy one travel node to complete the quest. What’s interesting is it doesn’t indicate which node has to be destroyed. It means we could take out the one that connects with the silver mine and we’d be done.”
As I closed the notification another appeared in its place. As I reviewed the message, a transcendent glow bloomed above me as if the thousand tons of rock overhead parted to allow heavenly light to shine down. I had accrued enough experience to advance to the next level.
Experience Awarded: Silvern Dwarf Warrior x 13 (level ranges 27-30)
Experience Awarded: Silvern Dwarf Conjurer (level 27)
Experience Awarded: Silvern Dwarf Prelate (level 29)
Notice (Condensed)! Experience has been split among party members.
Level Up! You have earned enough experience to advance to level 22. Tier 3 class characteristic attributes have been applied. You have 7 attribute points to distribute.
Best of all, I felt completely rejuvenated, and any lingering pain I had vanished as I was bathed in pristine light. “Nice!”
Congratulations on reaching level 22. As a Wraith, you are able to choose one of the following class-appropriate skills or spells. Please know that it is possible that any skill or spell not selected may be found elsewhere in the World. Additionally, another set of skills or spells will be selectable at level 24, level 26, and level 28. When level 30 is reached, a tier 4 class will be available. Choose wisely.
Option 1: Spell ‘Shadows of the Void’ (Average) – A physical manifestation of shadows will cling stubbornly to the target causing moderate damage over time. The target is afflicted with the debuff, “Clinging Shadows,” which slows all physical attacks and abilities, as well as maximum movement speed.
Note – Once this spell expires, the debuff will remain until the target is restored to full health.
Option 2: Spell ‘Synaptic Toxin (Average) – A deadly toxin invades the target's central nervous system causing significant damage over time. The target is afflicted with the debuff, “Neurotoxin,” which interferes with all cognitive abilities, such as spell casting, concentration, and focus.
Note – Once this spell expires, the debuff will remain until the target is restored to full health.
Option 3: Spell ‘Rot of Undeath’ (Average) – A wave of necrotic energy attacks the flesh of the target causing gangrenous rot to spread rapidly. This causes a high amount of damage. The target is afflicted with the debuff, “Undeath Rot,” which weakens the target’s strength, constitution, and dexterity.
Note – Once this spell expires, the debuff will remain until the target is restored to full health.
“Oh, hell yeah!” I exclaimed. Each offered spell was the highest tier I could have at my level. The only one I had currently was powerful enough to allow a battle-hardened cleric to follow us along, so I couldn’t wait to try one of these out. “Average tier spells from now on, I can get used to that. These are some wicked spells too.”
“Their damage is top-notch, but better yet, their debuffs will not fade when the spell ends. That’s a very nice addition,” Stella said as she rubbed her paws together.
Tallos gave us an amused chuckle. He couldn’t see our screen, so he couldn't know what we were referring to. “I’ll go check to see if these guys had anything of note on them,” he said with a lofty smile. “Though, only you can loot their silvern arms and armor. That stuff is nasty.”
Tallos moved off as I turned to Stella, a crisp smile plastered on my face. “So, which one is your favorite?”
Still fixed on the System window, I was only half aware of Tallos as he tapped a toe against the first body he came upon. I should probably help him search, but would get to it as soon as I picked my next spell. I was too excited, like opening gifts during the holiday.
“If I had to pick one…” Stella started before tilting her head to the side. She pointed at the middle option. “Synaptic Toxin. Yup, that would be my choice.”
“Really?” I asked, surprised by her choice. I would have sworn she was going to choose the same one I was, shadows of the void. “Why is that? Is the debuff that interferes with spell casting all that great?”
Before she replied, Stella moved her paws through the air to the side of my System window. “Yup, I thought so. Let me put it this way, imagine if there was a thirty percent chance in which every single one of your spells simply didn’t work. It just fails. Poof. Worse, if it fails, you’re locked out from using it again for, let’s say, fifteen seconds. Wouldn’t it be the best thing since sweet and sour barbeque sauce? I mean, the only enemies that seem close to taking us out are spell casters so why not get something against them?”
I nodded my head appreciatively as she spoke. Her recommendation did seem powerful, though it begged a question. “You can’t actually see what the percentage is, nor how long they're blocked out of a particular spell when it triggers, right?”
“Yes, but it has to be good,” Stella replied hopefully. “It is an average tier spell so my guess is probably close to the mark.”
“It would certainly be powerful, I’m not going to argue the point,” I responded with some hesitation. “I think I like the shadow void one better though. While that spell looks to do the least amount of damage of the three spells, I feel it slowing effect is too important to pass up. That’s the meat and potato of any adventuring party.”
“You’ve said as much in the past…” Stella replied. She wasn’t still wasn't as impressed as I was.
“Imagine I’m fighting that boss Minotaur, or the slug of a gnoll that matriarch thing was. With this spell, they would be moving in slow motion.”
“Yes, but what if we have to fight another powerful caster like Tsurra? It’s been the casters that have been closest to defeating us. We shouldn’t ignore that."
I sighed, a part of me knowing she had points I shouldn't ignore. I was about to respond when she beat me to the punch.
“Synaptic toxin’s effects will still work against melee classes as well,” she added. “The spell essentially states that it affects the mind, not just spell casting. That can be beneficial against anything we face. Better still if they are capable of casting spells!”
Stella was right. I let out a defeated sigh as her words sunk in. No, this wasn’t a defeat, I realized. She’s my guide and I need to trust her, the same as she does me. “I know, I know,” I finally replied. “It’s just… that kind of slow was something I’ve been hoping for a while now.”
My mind made up, I moved close to Stella and gave her a quick hug. “Thanks, Stell.”
“Hah. Did you even look at the third option?” Stella asked as she pressed into the hug.
“Yeah,” I responded dismissively. “Still, I’d rather have synaptic toxin or shadows of the void any day over one that simply makes a mob weaker.”
Tallos was still picking through the remains of what was left of the enemy force. I wanted to go over and help him. Not contemplating the decision any longer, I selected synaptic toxin on my interface window and confirmed my choice.
The familiar feel of arcane knowledge flooding into my brain rushed into me as if a hundred gigabyte-per-second internet portal had connected with my mind. My eyes closed reflexively as the torrent of information broadened my understanding of this particular spell. Every nuanced movement of my fingers, each arcane syllable paved into my consciousness. Like many times before, it was as if a curtain was pulled aside to reveal long-lost memories.
“Always amazing when that happens,” I mumbled as the process completed.
[Synaptic Toxin]. A wave of contamination engulfs a target within 100 feet, imparting a deadly toxin which invades the target's central nervous system causing 200 plus 3n damage immediately and then every 6 seconds until the spell expires, where ‘n’ equals Intelligence. The target is also afflicted with the debuff, “Neurotoxin,” which interferes with all cognitive abilities, such as spell casting, concentration, and focus by 25%. Cost 200 mana. Cast Time: 1 seconds. Cool down: 1 second. Duration: 168 seconds (base 120). Plus 10 feet maximum range, plus 25 base damage, and plus 0.3% additional cognitive impairment per spell level.
Note – Once this spell expires, the debuff will remain until the target is restored to full health.
As I read each line of the spell’s description, my appreciation of the spell increased further. “Whoa,” was the only thing I could say at first. “I want more like this. These average-tier spells are remarkable.”
“You can say that again,” Stella said appreciatively next to me. Her paw pointed to the bottom of the paragraph hanging in the air. “It lasts more than two and a half minutes! The total amount of damage it can do, as long as it runs its full course, is over twenty-four thousand.”
Her comment felt like a sledgehammer hitting my chest, though not in the way she may have expected. I felt worried suddenly, not elated. “Damn, suddenly my seven thousand plus mana pool doesn’t seem like much,” I said, anxiety lancing through my chest. “I can only imagine how much an average tier direct damage spell will do. We need more…”
“More?” Stella asked, her voice gentle.
“More health, mana. More everything,” I said with a shallow smile. Any jubilation I had felt earlier drifted away like dying embers on the wind. “I worried we’re nowhere near ready for anything capable of using this higher tier of magic.”
“Remember we do have a spell which removes afflictions. It can dispel effects two tiers higher than its own, so that’s up to ‘enhanced’ leveled spells,” Stella said encouragingly. “Still, I get your point. Remember, we’re only level twenty-two, where these spells can get as high as level thirty-five.”
“Meaning?”
“Of course, it’s going to seem like too much for us to handle right now,” Stella replied. “But, we’ll get there. We’ll start seeing gear similar in strength to this, new abilities, and the like. Just give it a little time.”
Nodding to my companion, I settled my nerves before moving to assist Tallos with his efforts. From the look of it, most of the gear on the dwarves was the non-enchanted silvern stuff which would find its way into my inventory soon enough. As I began searching, I pulled up the last notification waiting for me.
The battle had been quick and decisive, not allowing for the generous use of my spells and skills as the last one. Still, the message showed some great growth.
Skill: [Stealth] has increased to level 16. Spell: [Lesser Boil Blood] has increased to level 15. Spell: [Lesser Necrotic Aura] (Pet) has increased to 13. Skill: [Dual Cast] has increased to level 13. Spell: [Chained Lightning] has increased to level 12. Spell: [Undeath] has increased to level 11. Skill: [Quick Cast] has increased to level 10. Spell: [Lesser Poisoned Breath] has increased to level 9.
Congratulations! Your recent actions have caused your Spell: [Minor Fireball] to increase in rank to [Lesser Fireball]! Characteristics of the spell have been improved to match its new spell rank.
Spell: [Lesser Fireball] has increased to level 12.
Stella and I turned one another, blank stares plain across our faces. “Spells can do that?” I asked with a finger pointed shakily towards the final lines of the message.
“Whoa,” was all she responded with, mirroring my earlier surprise.