Gerald’s mind raced. Is this a ploy to kill one of our Rank 2 [Acolytes], and thus become a stronger Blessed? Wait, the silver... Did she buy a believer’s life? But why request to die herself? We simply don’t know enough!
What can a [Tourist] even do?
The ceiling began to flutter and twist. A gnarled finger stretched from an inverted pool of shadows and pointed into the crowd. Gerald glared at the man who stood.
You scrutinize the R2 [Acolyte].
“Our Goddess has spoken! [Acolyte] Knur, come forward!” boomed Father Ache.
Gerald recognized him. Knur was the carpenter who had finished his crutches. The man charged Anna exorbitantly, certain he could get away with it.
He had.
The two strode toward each other, meeting in the middle of the chapel. They were close enough for everyone to see, even Gerald.
I hope he gets his ass beat, thought Gerald darkly.
----------------------------------------
Though it really wasn’t the time, Brenda found herself ruminating.
I hope Father Ache doesn’t hold my theatrics against the Traveler’s Guild. I’d prefer any grudges like my husband; forgotten by all who’d care.
[Acolyte] Knur was a broad, predictable man. His gaze was beady and baleful. He suspects a trick, but knows not where it comes from.
Just in case, Brenda flicked her focus to the left.
Class: [Tourist]
HP: 32/32
RANK: [2]
Attack: 4
Core: 1
Endurance: 4
Speed: 3
(Active) Touring Body L.5 ⊙︎
Create a copy of your body and possessions that may be controlled remotely. Controlling the Touring Body and reading its senses consumes all of your focus. You may not bring the touring body farther than 77
(Level*10 + Rank*10 + 10% per Core) steps from your true self.
(Passive) Mundane Weapons Enthusiast L.1 ⊙︎
Weaponry not sanctioned by your Class deals 4 (Level + Rank + 35% per Core) bonus adaptive damage.
You, R2 [Tourist], have been addled with Joint Lock. Right Patella sealed for 5 seconds.
Oh my, he’s already starting.
Knur punched her in the stomach. The blow nearly lifted her off her feet.
Attack dealt 5 crushing damage to you, R2 [Tourist].
Grinning wildly, Brenda—or rather, her duplicate body—slapped Knur across the face. It doesn’t matter what form the attack takes, so I may as well humiliate and upset him!
Attack dealt 4 crushing damage to R2 [Acolyte].
He snarled and stepped out of her striking range. With but a single functional knee, Brenda still tried to limp closer. After all, if I can't get near him in the end, I won’t have a win condition!
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Knur backed up. Even then, he was losing ground to Brenda. His Ace of Speed must be 2, or even 1! The frustration was clear in his grit teeth.
There was a sound like meat tearing.
One of Knur’s teeth fired from his mouth and shot through Brenda’s other leg.
Bone Shrapnel dealt 7 piercing damage to you, R2 [Tourist].
You, R2 [Tourist], have taken a Major Injury...
She collapsed forward, prone. Both her legs were now useless.
But my arms will still work!
Brenda reached into her coat pocket and lobbed a stone at Knur’s head. Perhaps expecting it to deal standard damage, he didn’t even try to duck.
Mundane Attack dealt 5 crushing damage to R2 [Acolyte].
The impact sent Knur into a dazed stumble. Meanwhile, Brenda had been crawling toward him since she first threw the rock. She grabbed at his robes and dragged him, already off-balance, to smack his head against the chapel floor. She was careful not to strike him properly; if she did, it would register as an Attack and deal only 4 damage.
Mundane Attack dealt 5 crushing damage to R2 [Acolyte].
Then the two were locked in a hissing, spitting grapple.
Attack dealt 4 crushing damage to R2 [Acolyte].
Attack dealt 5 crushing damage to you, R2 [Tourist].
Attack dealt 4 crushing damage to R2 [Acolyte].
Attack dealt 5 crushing damage to you, R2 [Tourist].
They slowed.
Attack dealt 4 crushing damage to R2 [Acolyte].
Attack dealt 5 crushing damage to you, R2 [Tourist]...
HP: 5/28
The two were breathing heavily, now. Blood smears spread over both their faces as they paused. Even now, Knur was refreshing the joint lock on her uninjured leg.
Brenda smiled wildly, reached into her pocket, and produced a lighter.
“In pursuit of freedom and beauty, I will greet death as a [Tourist]! See the rest of you tomorrow!”
And set her clothes on fire.
Mundane Attack dealt 5 burning damage to you, R2 [Tourist].
The agony was fresh and invited her into a black stupor.
HP: 0/28
Your Touring Body has expired.
In Father Ache’s office, Brenda opened her eyes. She glanced around, stretched, inhaled the dusty air...
And then, of course, checked her Blessing.
Mundane Attack dealt 5 burning damage to R2 [Acolyte].
Mundane Attack dealt 5 burning damage to R2 [Acolyte].
R2 [Acolyte] perished.
All R2 conditions fulfilled.
Return to your deity to undergo Suzemony.
----------------------------------------
Gerald stared at the charred bodies. One had collapsed atop the other. Like dominoes. Like they weren’t ever human.
Two senseless deaths for the crime of one’s ambition.
He gulped.
Father Ache sold Knur’s life for a sack of silver. From the looks of it, he didn’t even expect her to declare a pretense. This is the world of the so-called Blessed.
Father Ache was closing the sermons, now. Gerald heard not a word. Eventually, Father stopped talking.
“May our lady bend our fate,” Gerald muttered in tune with the rest. They were already shuffling out the chapel’s large arched doors.
“[Acolyte] Anna, please help me to my quarters. My leg needs rest.”
Silent, she offered him a hand up. Gerald took it gratefully.
I can’t laze around and wait for an opportunity. Father Ache has proven his willingness to trade the complacent. From here on out... I must be the aggressor, not the aggrieved.
Blessed life isn’t so different from visiting unsavory bars, huh?
They were traveling alone now.
“[Acolyte] Anna, I’ve changed my mind. I still have some energy. Please lead me to the Civil Outreach office. I’d like to sign up for a job.”