Isabelle balked at Zig and Zag. “How in the hell are you two alive?!”
“What do you mean?” asked Zig.
“Yea, I’m not sure what you’re getting at here,” said Zag.
“Are you fucking kidding me? I reduced you two to ashes a few minutes ago!” said Isabelle.
“I don’t remember that,” said Zig.
“Yea, that’s not ringing a bell,” said Zag.
“Look, why don’t we just stop fighting?” asked Isabelle. “Every time we fight, I kill you two in, like, five seconds. You’re really no match for me. So if you know what’s good for you, you’d consider just leaving me alone.”
“Pfft,” said Zig.
“Yea, pfft,” said Zag. “There’s two of us, and one of you. Do the math.”
Isabelle rolled her eyes. These fools really were going to make her do this, weren’t they? She opened her inventory.
Inventory: Isabelle
Carrying capacity: 310.9/420
Item
Traits
Sleek Adult Golden Dragon Armor (human)
+5 fire resist, +17 hp, +19 str, +14 carry weight
Adult Golden Dragon Boots
+3 fire resist, +7 stm, +6 dx, +3 str, +9 carry weight
Adult Golden Dragon Gauntlets
+3 fire resist, +8 damage, +6 stm, +10 dx, +5 carry weight
Adult Golden Dragon Cloak
+7 fire resist, +6 char, +6 carry weight
Adult Golden Dragon Hooksword x2
+3 fire damage, +8 damage, +5 stm, +3 dx, +4 carry weight
Adult Golden Dragon Rapier
+5 fire damage, +9 damage, +3 str, +6 carry weight
Adult Golden Dragon Claymore
+6 fire damage, +12 damage, +7 str, +10 carry weight
Adult Golden Dragon Bow
+5 fire damage, +4 damage, +5 dx, +3 carry weight
Adult Golden Dragon Helmet
+12 str, +8 char, +5 speechcraft, +4 carry weight
Abbreviated list based on prior use. Focus to see more items…
It felt so good to see all that hard-won loot back in her inventory.
[Sleek Adult Golden Dragon Armor (human) equipped]
[+5 fire resist]
[+17 hp]
[+19 str]
[Adult Golden Dragon Boots equipped]
[+3 fire resist]
[+7 stm]
[+6 dx]
[+3 str]
[Adult Golden Dragon Gauntlets equipped]
[+3 fire resist]
[+8 damage]
[+6 stm]
[+10 dx]
[Adult Golden Dragon Cloak equipped]
[+7 fire resist]
[+6 char]
Now it was time to pick a weapon. Of course, Isabelle could also put on her helmet, but she wasn’t really in the mood and along with that didn’t really think it was necessary when fighting these two weak goons. Isabelle settled on the adult golden dragon hookswords, figuring they’d be quite fun.
[Adult Golden Dragon Hooksword x2 equipped]
[+6 fire damage]
[+16 damage]
[+10 stm]
[+6 dx]
Isabelle cracked her neck and twirled the two hookswords for a moment.
“Holy shit,” said Zig.
“You could say that again,” said Zag.
“Holy shit,” said Zig.
“You could say that a third time,” said Zag.
“Holy—”
Before Zig could finish his sentence, Isabelle stepped forward and swung her left hooksword to his neck, cleaving his head clean off in one slicing motion.
[Critical hit]
[10984 damage dealt]
[9888 fire damage dealt]
[‘Zig’ is dead]
[Stamina 95%]
Isabelle looked at Zag. “Do you see now that I’m not fucking around?” she asked.“Do you really want me to kill you like that, too? Do I just need to keep on killing you both over and over again ad infinitum? Because, honestly, I’m sick of this shit. I don’t know how you two have been able to escape death but I’m not fucking afraid of you.”
“Did he just get set on fire after you beheaded him?” asked Zag.
“Yes,” said Isabelle. She rolled her eyes. “That’s how fire damage works, generally.”
“Fire damage?” asked Zag. “You system users are so bizarre. You and that immortal severed head that won’t stop gloating about the Overlord. Overlord who, I say.”
“You don’t know the Overlord?” asked Isabelle.
“Hello no!” said Zag. “The only person I know who lords over anyone is Chox, but he’s not an Overlord, he’s the EveryFather.”
“I’m sorry, the what now?” asked Isabelle.
“The EveryFather!” said Zag. “You wouldn’t understand, though. You’re not in the Cult of Chox.”
“You call it a cult?!” asked Isabelle. “I mean, everything everyone’s told me about the Cult of Chox leads me to believe it’s a cult, but the fact that you, a member of the Cult of Chox, would call it the Cult of Chox makes me suspicious. Almost makes me wonder if it’s really a cult at all.”
“What?!” said Zag. “Of course it’s a cult! Why else would it be called the Cult of Chox? Why else would Chox be the EveryFather if it were not his cult?”
“Okay, let me rephrase this,” said Isabelle. “Why are you okay being a member of an organization that is openly a cult?”
“Well, for starters, the health benefits are amazing,” said Zag. “For example, you’ll notice we can’t really die. Or have our inventories looted, for that matter, as I’m sure you’re also aware by now.”
“Yea, I noticed that,” said Isabelle. “Stelas seems to think you Choxians do use a system for it, too.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” said Stelas’ severed head, still perched atop the chest and looking rather sheepish in facial expression.
“What?!” said Isabelle. “You totally said that! Like, not even five minutes ago.”
“I think you’re making things up,” said Stelas.
“There’s no way your speechcraft is high enough to decieve Zig about this, Stelas,” said Isabelle.
“Hey, I’m not Zig, I’m Zag!” said Zag.
“Oh, who the hell cares?” said Isabelle. She swung her hookswords into the kobold’s chest, stabbing him quickly in the heart.
[Critical hit]
[9875 damage dealt]
[8777 fire damage dealt]
[‘Zag’ is dead]
[Stamina 95%]
Zag crumpled facefirst to the floor.
“At least he’s dealt with for a second or two,” said Isabelle with a sigh.
However, before she could even start arguing with Stelas the severed head of Zig zoomed through the air and snapped itself back onto the kobold’s neck. Zig stood up, cracked his neck, and smiled.
“Well then, what’d I miss?” asked Zig. “Oh, shit. You just killed Zag again, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” said Isabelle. “And you better watch it or I’ll kill you again, too.” Isabelle suddenly had an idea. “Wait. Does it actually count as you dying every time I kill you, even though you come back to life?”
“Uh, I think so,” said Zig. “Why do you ask?”
“Stelas, do you have any binding rope in your inventory?” asked Isabelle.
“I already told you, I don’t know!” said Stelas. “Why don’t you check it if you’re so curious?”
“Oh, I will,” said Isabelle. “I will check the shit out of your inventory.”
“I don’t like where this is going,” said Zig. He readied his longsword and stepped forward.
[Combat mode activated]
“Oh my god, give up already!” said Isabelle. She stepped forward and sliced his head off again in on swoop of power.
[Critical hit]
[11424 damage dealt]
[10008 fire damage dealt]
[‘Zig’ is dead]
[Stamina 95%]
[Combat mode deactivated]
[Armed combat increased to 17]
[Notice: you’re ready to level up]
Hell yes. This was going exactly how Isabelle had hoped since she had her grand idea. She walked over to the chest to focus on Stelas’ head. Then, she opened his inventory, focusing on what things he had that she could use to forcibly restrain these two obnoxious kobolds.
Inventory: Stelas Stelford
Item
Traits
Ropes of Binding
n/a
Fuzzy Yet Restrictive Cuffs of Restriction
n/a
Straps of Restraining
n/a
Ball Gag of Silencing x3
n/a
Latex Face Mask of Degradation x3
n/a
Abbreviated list based on prior use. Focus to see more items…
Isabelle was almost taken about by how much of this stuff Stelas had. She felt that she’d just learned something about him that she hadn’t really intended, needed, or wanted to.
“So, you didn’t remember, did you?” asked Isabelle suspiciously.
“Look, don’t fucking judge me!” said Stelas. “Use it or don’t, what do I care? I’m a damned severed head!”
Isabelle snickered and took all of the items.
Inventory: Stelas Stelford
Item
Traits
n/a
n/a
Abbreviated list based on prior use. Focus to see more items…
Now it was time to get to work.
Isabelle dragged the dead kobold bodies over to a nearby boulder that was, even with her high str score, far too heavy to move.
[Ropes of Binding equipped]
Isabelle took the ropes of binding and tied the two kobolds together, tightening them down until they were like one useless lump. Then, she took a length of rope and ran it around the boulder once, then twice, and then three times, alternating the pattern it laid over their bodies each time so they were stuck to one another and to the boulder in a crisscross fashion. Then, Isabelle took the straps of restraining.
[Straps of restraining equipped]
Using the straps, she forcibly restrained their ankles and wrists so that the kobolds would be on revival unable to move their limbs at all. Now, it was time for the last thing.
[Ball gag of silencing x2 equipped]
Isabelle gagged the kobold who already had his head attached.
“Shit, I need to go find his head!” said Isabelle as she looked at Zig’s headless corpse.
“It’s laying over to your left,” said Stelas.
Isabelle walked over, grabbed the severed head, and gagged its mouth. Perfect.
She decided not to use the latex face masks of degradation, because degradation didn’t necessarily serve its purpose here.
“Okay,” said Isabelle. “All done.”
“Do you mind if I ask what exactly your plan is, here, Isabelle?” asked Stelas.
“Well, you kind of already asked, so sure,” said Isabelle. “But I don’t really feel like explaining it. You’ll see soon enough. For now, I think I need to focus on leveling up.” With that, Isabelle thought, ‘Open Character Sheet.’
[Notice: You’ve reached level 35!]
[Notice: You have attribute and skill points to spend]
[Would you like to spend your points now?]
[Y/N]
Isabelle thought yes.
Attribute Points to Spend: 25
Hp:
356
H-Regen:
3/30sec
Mana:
161
M-Regen:
2/40sec
Stm:
156
S-Regen:
0.5/sec
Twenty five points to spend. Isabelle was moving up in the world. Isabelle gave ten to mana, ten to stm, and five to hp.
Skill Points to Spend: 25
Str:
95
Int:
70
Dx:
90
Wis:
68
Const:
69
Char:
52
Five would go to str. Ten to dx, so that Isabelle could get even better at beheading people. The other ten points, she decided, would get split between int and wis.
[Congratulations, you’ve finished leveling up!]
Character Status
Name:
Isabelle
Gender:
Female
Level:
35
Class:
Undefined
Race:
Human
Alignment:
Neutral-Neutral
Attributes
Hp:
361
H-Regen:
3/30sec
Mana:
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
171
M-Regen:
2/40sec
Stm:
166
S-Regen:
0.5/sec
Skill Points
Str:
100
Int:
75
Dx:
100
Wis:
73
Const:
69
Char:
52
Magic Ability Levels
Enchant:
3
Summon:
2
Heal:
3
Destroy:
13
Transmute:
2
Confuse:
3
Normal Ability Levels
Crafting:
8
Sneak:
12
Archery:
11
Lockpick:
3
Armed Combat:
17
Melee Combat:
4
Speechcraft:
15
Sleight Of Hand:
6
Nice. Isabelle was quite pleased with her character sheet, that much was for certain.
“Mmm! MM mmm mmm mmm mmm!”
“MMm mmmMM mmm MMM MMM mmm!”
Isabelle turned around to see that Zig and Zag had revived. Perfect. She walked over to them and smiled cheekily.
“Hey there you two,” said Isabelle. “How’s it going?”
“MMMM! MMM MMM MMMM!” screamed Zig.
“MM mmm mmm MMM mmm MM mmm?” screamed Zag.
“I am so fucking glad I gagged you two,” said Isabelle. “I hadn’t even realized how much I hated listening to your voices.”
“MMMMMM! MM mmm mmm MMMM mmm!” said Zig.
“MM MMM MMM!” said Zag.
“Yep, I don’t miss your obnoxious quips one bit,” said Isabelle. “Now then, it’s time for my plan.”
[Combat mode activated]
Isabelle slashed at both the kobolds’ necks in unison with either of her hook swords. Blood sprayed out of both of them, though their heads did not pop off. Their heads did, however, fall limp as blood ran from them.
[Critical hit]
[Critical hit]
[11009 damage dealt]
[11001 damage dealt]
[10013 fire damage dealt]
[10029 fire damage dealt]
[‘Zig’ is dead]
[‘Zag’ is dead]
[Combat mode deactivated]
“Oh my gods,” said Stelas. “That was cold blooded.”
“I know,” said Isabelle with a snicker. “Just wait til you see what I’m going to do next.”
“I’m afraid,” said Stelas.
But then, Isabelle just stood there.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And then the kobolds heads shot up, and they were alive yet again. This time Isabelle didn’t even wait to hear them talk.
[Combat mode activated]
She slashed at their necks again.
[Critical hit]
[Critical hit]
[10002 damage dealt]
[12000 damage dealt]
[10003 fire damage dealt]
[10001 fire damage dealt]
[‘Zig’ is dead]
[‘Zag’ is dead]
[Combat mode deactivated]
“Isabelle, what the fuck am I watching?” asked Stelas.
“Art,” said Isabelle.
And then, she waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And then the kobolds heads shot up, and they were alive yet again.
[Combat mode activated]
She slashed at their necks again.
[Critical hit]
[Critical hit]
[11403 damage dealt]
[13001 damage dealt]
[9875 fire damage dealt]
[9999 fire damage dealt]
[‘Zig’ is dead]
[‘Zag’ is dead]
[Combat mode deactivated]
[Armed combat increased to level 18]
Isabelle chuckled.
“Gods, Isabelle, this is just evil,” said Stelas. “You really must be the mage of shadows.”
“I’m not a fucking mage of shadows!” said Isabelle. “This is just a strategic choice, okay? It’s leveling me up!”
“Sounds pretty evil to me,” said Stelas.
“You’re aligned with an evil Overlord that wanted to rule over everyone!” said Isabelle.
“Exactly. So I should know when something sounds evil,” said Stelas.
“I think you’re just giving me a hard time because you’re jealous of how smart I am,” said Isabelle.
“That is not at all the case,” said Stelas. “I promise.”
“Pfft,” said Isabelle. “As if I’d believe anything you promised. You’re alway promising to come murder and torture me, but that hasn’t happened yet, now has it?”
“…Stop being such a meanie, Isabelle,” said Stelas.
“No,” said Isabelle.
And then the kobolds heads shot up, and they were alive yet again.
[Combat mode activated]
She slashed at their necks again.
[Critical hit]
[Critical hit]
[11111 damage dealt]
[13119 damage dealt]
[10000 fire damage dealt]
[11002 fire damage dealt]
[‘Zig’ is dead]
[‘Zag’ is dead]
[Combat mode deactivated]
“Isn’t this a little boring, Isabelle?” asked Stelas.
“I don’t care if it’s boring, it’s leveling me up!” said Isabelle.
And then, she waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And then the kobolds heads shot up, and they were alive yet again.
[Combat mode activated]
She slashed at their necks again.
[Critical hit]
[Critical hit]
[11403 damage dealt]
[13001 damage dealt]
[9875 fire damage dealt]
[9999 fire damage dealt]
[‘Zig’ is dead]
[‘Zag’ is dead]
[Combat mode deactivated]
[Armed combat increased to level 19]
[Notice: you’re ready to level up]
“Look at that!” said Isabelle. “Now I get to level up again.”
“You’re a fucking psycopath,” said Stelas.
Isabelle ignored this rude comment and thought, ‘Open Character Sheet.’
[Notice: You’ve reached level 36!]
[Notice: You have attribute and skill points to spend]
[Would you like to spend your points now?]
[Y/N]
Isabelle thought yes.
Attribute Points to Spend: 25
Hp:
361
H-Regen:
3/30sec
Mana:
171
M-Regen:
2/40sec
Stm:
166
S-Regen:
0.5/sec
Same old same old, Isabelle figured. That meant ten to mana, ten to stm, and five to hp.
Skill Points to Spend: 25
Str:
100
Int:
75
Dx:
100
Wis:
73
Const:
69
Char:
52
As funny as it was to have her const be 69 points, Isabelle figured she ought to give it some extra juice. So, she added ten to const. Isabelle then realized she could bump her char up to 69 in its place, so she put seventeen points to—
[Error: You do not have seventeen points to spend]
Shit. With all that int, Isabelle had figured she’d be better at off the cuff calculations. Still, it was no matter. She simply decided that she’d give seventeen points to char and only give eight points to const instead, that way const was higher, and her char got to be sixty nine.
Character Status
Name:
Isabelle
Gender:
Female
Level:
36
Class:
Undefined
Race:
Human
Alignment:
Neutral-Neutral
Attributes
Hp:
366
H-Regen:
3/30sec
Mana:
181
M-Regen:
2/40sec
Stm:
176
S-Regen:
0.5/sec
Skill Points
Str:
100
Int:
75
Dx:
100
Wis:
73
Const:
77
Char:
69
Magic Ability Levels
Enchant:
3
Summon:
2
Heal:
3
Destroy:
13
Transmute:
2
Confuse:
3
Normal Ability Levels
Crafting:
8
Sneak:
12
Archery:
11
Lockpick:
3
Armed Combat:
19
Melee Combat:
4
Speechcraft:
15
Sleight Of Hand:
6
Nice. Oh, and look at that. The kobolds were alive again.
[Combat mode activated]
She slashed at their necks again.
[Critical hit]
[Critical hit]
[18394 damage dealt]
[10012 damage dealt]
[10023 fire damage dealt]
[10000 fire damage dealt]
[‘Zig’ is dead]
[‘Zag’ is dead]
[Combat mode deactivated]
Isabelle could keep doing this for a while, she figured. It was definitely worth the chance to keep leveling up, even if it left Stelas feeling disturbed.
And then, she waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And then the kobolds heads shot up, and they were alive yet again.
[Combat mode activated]
She slashed at their necks again.
[Critical hit]
[Critical hit]
[14059 damage dealt]
[12094 damage dealt]
[9938 fire damage dealt]
[9993 fire damage dealt]
[‘Zig’ is dead]
[‘Zag’ is dead]
[Combat mode deactivated]
Huh. So that hadn’t improved her enough to get another armed combat level up, had it? Isabelle figured that it was going to follow a law of decreasing returns wherein the more times she slaughtered the kobolds in one hit, the less XP she’d get each time. So, clearly, she couldn’t just keep doing this ad infinitum. Which was disappointing. However, maybe if Isabelle just looked at her XP status, she could at least get a picture of how many more times she should slaughter the kobolds before she gave it a rest and moved on.
[Combat mode activated]
What? Isabelle hadn’t attacked anyone yet! And the kobolds were still dead!
“Bad news, Izzy,” said Stelas.
“Don’t call me that!” said Isabelle. “Also, what’s the news?”
“Look up,” said Stelas.
Isabelle looked up, and then she swallowed air. The unmistakeable shadow of a dragon was snaking its way through the clouds.
“Oh, maybe it won’t notice us,” said Isabelle.
“Fat chance,” said Stelas.
A slender head peaked out from the crest of a cloud. It was a dark purple dragon. It looked a little younger than the golden dragon that Isabelle had fought, which was encouraging. It opened its mouth, which had long whiskers protruding from it like a catfish, and shot a large ball of lightning at Isabelle.
“Shit!” she said, leaping away as the ball of lightning grew closer and closer and then slammed into the ground with a powerful explosion of electricity.
[-35 hp]
[Stamina 90%]
Isabelle could feel and see electricity from the attack coil around and shock her body. This was going to be a tricky one.