image [https://cdn.midjourney.com/b4a4a898-b2bc-45c5-8077-626ceb2141b1/0_1.png]
----------------------------------------
Peter collapsed on all four, biting his lips to control his pain, which was back and hitting in fast repeated bursts, like a jackhammer stuck in his leg. He looked at Regina for help, but she screamed: "Use pills, I'm busy!" She had a straw doll in hand, sewing an arm on it. The doppelganger's hand was now lying near his body, and invisible threads pulled it toward the elbow.
How did she make a doll for the other Peter so fast?
Dazed by the pain and the blood loss, Peter forced himself to eat a Health pill, letting his Mana regenerate by itself. The bleeding stopped in seconds, but the wound was still open, a sickly white and pink trench in his flesh, with drops of blood hanging over it like a disgusting dew. He felt disheartened by how easily he could be hurt. Leve thirty-five meant twelve points, so he put nine in Dexterity and three in Constitution. The aim was to get his Dexterity into the Master Tier, hoping it would allow him to dodge hits faster, and increase his HPs a bit.
Peter Hillden, age: 22, Class: Impulse, Lvl. 35
Strength: 61 / Dexterity: 81 / Constitution: 44
Intelligence: 28 / Will: 41 / Concentration: 26
Charisma: 41 / Luck: variable / Magic Power: 41
Then, he lay on his back, resting, and dozed off. Ten minutes later, Regina touched his shoulder. "It's done."
Peter sent his leather pants to storage—the gash was still there, the self-repairing slow— and put on a simple pair of jeans. Jack and Daniel were up and looked normal. The other Peter was panting, his face white as a paper sheet, sitting on his buttocks, but conscious. The woman who was supposed to be sacrificed stood a little apart, trembling, now freed.
Why is she still here? Peter asked. He expected the Mana construct to be dismissed after the clear.
So, if I had chosen to kill her…
All participants are now conscious. Calculating rewards:
Marianne: Continued existence, fifty ounces of gold, transportation.
As soon as the first line passed through their minds, a portal opened in the meadow. Without saying goodbye, the woman ran into it and disappeared.
150 ounces of gold to each party member. A bonus of 100 ounces to Peter Hillden, for his major contribution.
Loot: Armor and Weapons.
Transportation, upon leaving the Shrine's premises.
Main Quest Update: You have cleared two types of Dungeon constructs: Town, and Shrine. Clear a third type to gain access to the supreme challenge: Secrets of the Fog. Possible choices: Haunted Graveyard (requirement: a minimum of 50 Magic Power), Arena (requirement: a minimum of 50 in either Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution), School (requirement: a minimum of 50 in either Charisma or Intelligence). To find the next location, continue South.
"I didn't expect it to be so hard," the Peter from Floor Two confessed. "Thank you," he bowed to Regina, after looking at his reattached arm.
"We need better weapons," Daniel said. “Like a tank. That was some tough fight there.”
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
"Dunno if you noticed, but the Boss copied the skills we used for the first stage," Peter said. “It was the same for the Minoan town.”
"We need better information… no offense, sweetie," Regina said. “We barely escaped with our lives, on both occasions.”
"If we put together fifty ounces, I can buy a reconnaissance drone on Cultivators black market," Jack proposed. "Dwarven tech, like Pete’s spatial storage.”
"I’ll think about it," Peter said, not eager to spend money when he could use a simple Stealth. “Let’s inspect the loot.”
The knights' bodies were gone, but their weapons and armor had stayed behind, including the dagger Peter had used to initiate the attack. The Inspect said it was Uncommon gear, coated with Mithril. Overall, it was less valuable than the treasures they got in the Minoan city, but still useful. They decide to have Peter from Two take and sell it.
The best loot was the Boss's axe. Its head was made of pure Mithril, like Peter's spear. Daniel and Jack were both interested in it, and they flipped a coin. The weapon went to Jack. When they exited the Shrine's limits, a portal appeared and led them precisely to their rendezvous point. An impressive demonstration of the fog's powers.
"Have you found someone for the fake IDs?" Peter from floor Two asked.
"As a matter of fact, Daniel here is a… creative entrepreneur. You should talk with him," Peter asked.
"No problem, I have a guy," Daniel said. "For who?"
"Quite a bit of people," Peter said.
"I'll come on floor One for the weekend," Peter's double said. "Where can I find you?"
"I run a joint in Lebanon, The Black Market."
"OK, I’ll find it," Peter from Two said.
the System said.
"Hon, let's go," Regina said, touching his hand. "You're phasing out again…"
Waving to each other or shaking hands, the groups parted ways. Returning to the camp was uneventful.
"When do you want to go for the next challenge?" Daniel asked.
"Dunno," Peter scratched his head. "Sweetie?"
"I'm OK for Wednesday."
"I'm in if you want to go for the Graveyard or Arena," Daniel said. "I have an allergy to schools."
"We'll take Ariana and Naomi if it comes to that. School is their hobby," Peter said. "Daniel, when you see the other Peter, tell him to meet us on Wednesday, same hour, same place, for the school challenge."
"Cya," the cook saluted, going to his quarters.
Regina and Peter went to their tent as well. It was one and a half in the morning, and they were so tired they couldn't sleep.
"I could use a shower," Regina whimpered after long minutes of switching from one side to another. "All that hiking did make me sweat...”
“You’re OK with cold water now?” he wondered.
"The weather is hot... I’ll survive,” she sighed.
He opened the tent’s door, letting her out first. Despite the lateness of the hour, there were still students roaming around the camp, and even one party. The cold shower felt refreshing for Peter, albeit Regina was letting out small squeals of discomfort. Finally, back in the tent, they cuddled in each other arms and went to sleep.
----------------------------------------
They were again allowed to sleep late. Instead of packing their things neatly, Peter threw everything in his spatial storage and the two lovers went for a walk hand in hand while the other students still worked.
"I wonder where has Redoar moved," she said, looking in the direction of the village.
"Yeah… I missed her, last night…"
"They didn't perform badly, though…" Regina said.
"Yet not as well as her… Well never mind. What next?"
"Do you want to meet my parents?" Regina asked abruptly, making Peter choke.
"I was talking about the challenge," he mumbled.
"Me too. Meeting my parents is a challenge. Pa's very… judgmental."
"We're going for the School, right?" Peter tried to change the subject.
"Yes… Haunted stuff sounds awful… And Arena unsafe… What if we're pitted against sentient beings? Or even friends…"
"Then, I'll need to level to raise my Charisma…"
“All students are required to be ready to leave in ten minutes for the extraction point,” a qi-message from Alchemy arrived, and that made them cease their conversation for the time being.
Once back on Campus, all the students hurried to their own businesses, which on the weekend meant preparing to party. "You know what?" Regina said. "Why don't you come to stay in my… err… place? It’s nicer and bigger.”
“Err...” Peter had no idea what to say. His studio was free, like every other student accommodation on the Campus. He could very well keep it and move with Regina... but staying in a Cultivator’s dorm was not a comfortable thought.
"Petey," Ariana called, approaching them. "It's time to take care of Shredder. I'll be out of town for a few days." Saying that she pushed the leash into Peter's hands and walked away at the briskest pace she could.
"Strange," Regina frowned. "She never goes to visit her family, they hate each other… You think she's back with Alchemy, and wants some time for themselves?"
"I dunno…" Peter said, absent-minded, patting the warg's head. The idea of living in a larger place suddenly gained more appeal. The pet was a handful to take care of in a studio. "Give me five minutes to take a few things."
"Sure," she nodded, taking the leash.
Five minutes sharp later, Peter was back with a full luggage of clothes stuck into his backpack. "Can't wait to see your palace," he joked.
The joke transformed into reality soon enough. The 'good' dorms were situated to the North of the College, in a group of renovated brick buildings. Regina's 'room' was about a thousand square feet, with a living room, a main bedroom, and a guest room. Adjacent to the building was an Olympic pool, and the dorm had direct access to it.
"We have swimming lessons every other day," Regina announced. "The Body teachers want us fit, regardless of our affinity."
In the evening, after walking and playing with Shredder, they ordered delivery pizza, from Garcia. Regina exited the appartment for a minute, with her phone, then returned and announced triumphantly: "It's settled my parents will be here tomorrow, before noon. They're thrilled to meet you."
Can solo the Haunted Graveyard instead? Peter sighed on the inside.