Without particular hope, I open the description of the gold tablet.
- Gold Tablet of Intellect.
- Level: 1.
- Category: Characteristic.
- Effect: +3 to current progress in Intellect characteristic.
- Weight: None. Takes no space.
Alright then... No surprises there... Level one...
I catch myself by surprise... Where is all this icy calm coming from? Maybe I’d already made peace with my situation? Or maybe it was because I was a hair from death and thinking in different terms?
One way or another, the hysteria is over. There’s no cause for it here. I should be delighted! I am still alive, and I made a tidy profit! I’m afraid to even imagine how much this slab of gold would be worth... Plus another ten silvers as a bonus!
And look how many esses dropped! What did they teach in school? First take the level difference. Then multiply that by a thousand. And then one fifth of that is what you get...
I was astounded when I took out my flask and the tips of my fingers felt the distinct shapes of esses and tablets. I was perplexed at the idea that those scout bastards hadn’t touched my loot... Or at least checked...
Now when I loosened the drawstring, I noticed a strange glow on the bottom of the knapsack... I didn’t understand... There shouldn’t have been anything luminescent in there... From behind the bundle of crackers, the edge of an item was sticking out, glimmering with all the colors of the rainbow... While I tried to get it out, I noticed the loot from drying the moss was all gone. So they did rob me, the assholes! Then what were these other tablets from? I had noticeably more esses than I got for just the Gulper Female.
Ah, I’m such an idiot! I hadn’t read all the messages! I saw the tablet of Intellect and just forgot everything else...
Sitting a bit more comfortably, I opened my knapsack again...
- Attention! The Higher Powers have taken note of your accomplishment! You defeated a being more than 10 levels higher than you!
- Congratulations! You receive:
- Experience essence (300).
- Silver tablet (3).
- Attention! The Higher Powers have taken note of your accomplishment! You defeated a being more than 20 levels higher than you!
- Congratulations! You receive:
- Experience essence (500).
- Silver tablet (5).
- Attention! The Higher Powers have taken note of your accomplishment! You defeated a being more than 30 levels higher than you!
- Congratulations! You receive:
- Experience essence (700).
- Silver tablet (7).
The more messages I scanned through, the more a stupid satisfied smile blossomed on my face... And by the time I reached the last one, I spent a long time unable to believe my eyes... I read it a few times and closed my eyes wearily...
As it turned out, the shimmering glassy item in my knapsack was nothing more and nothing less than a legendary iridescent tablet...
* * *
- Attention! The Higher Powers smile upon you! You have replicated the legendary feat of Agvid the Tracker! You defeated a creature more than 30 levels higher than you without using magic!
- Congratulations! You receive:
- Experience essence (3000).
- Iridescent tablet “Gulper” (1).
My right hand cautiously plunges into my bag. My slightly shivering fingers make contact with the precious slab. My heart is beating out a fervent rhythm like an orcish tam-tam.
After emerging from my bag, the pearlescent glassy sheet shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow, lighting up everything around me. On its iridescent reverse I could make out the outline of a Gulper.
I stared at the lovely item until I had my fill, admiring it. I’d heard so many fairy tales and urban legends about these. Holding my breath, I went to the description.
- Iridescent Tablet “Gulper.”
- Effect:
- Unlocks 1 characteristic of your choice from Gulper.
- Unlocks 1 ability of your choice from Gulper.
- Unlocks 1 spell of your choice from Gulper.
- +10 to any characteristic/skill/profession/spell.
- Weight: None. Takes no space.
My memory of the next few minutes is very foggy... Seemingly, giving in to my emotions and throwing caution to the wind, I nearly filled the whole surrounding area with a scream. But I got myself in hand before it was too late and covered my mouth and face with my knapsack. All that came out was a sad muted mooing sound.
Wiping the hot tears of joy from my cheeks, I was panicking in fear I’d made a mistake and read the description of the cherished tablet again and again. My inflamed eyes looked everywhere for a mention of level. But to my immense joy, I couldn’t find any.
I wanted to skip! Cry and laugh and the same time! Just pump my arms and legs like an idiot! Was I really going to finally going to break out of the vicious circle?!
I eventually calmed down and took a deep breath. Not delaying for even one more second, as if afraid the touch of luck would abandon me, I mentally wished to use the tablet.
The Great System responded with a blandly phrased question:
- Would you like to use Iridescent tablet “Gulper?”
Oh, how long I’d waited to see these lines!
“Yes...” I whispered in a quavering voice, even though I only had to agree mentally.
- Choose 1 characteristic of Gulper that you would like to unlock.
An impressively long list came before my eyes. This was a pretty advanced creature... Just the sheer number of options... But I only want one! I have been dreaming of it for so long! There it is! Found it!
“Intellect...” I again whispered.
- Attention! You have unlocked the Intellect characteristic!
- Attention! Magic supply activated!
With a stupid smile on my lips, I watched as the third supply bar appeared. There were just ten points in it for now, but this was only the beginning! Suddenly I had a very simple realization... I had just become a mage!
So... What next?
- Choose 1 skill or ability of Gulper that you would like to unlock.
This list was shorter. I was offered a choice of just four options.
- Gulper’s Sharp Sense of Smell (anatomically incompatible).
- Gulper’s Echolocation (anatomically incompatible).
- Egg Laying (anatomically incompatible).
- Gulper’s Lair.
I studied the first two closely. So that was how blind creatures could “see.” I already understood that subterranean monsters had a sharp sense of smell. Miri told me about that. But no one said anything about the fact that the echo of their rumbling could tell them where other creatures were located. And not only the location, also the size of their prey. Or based on the description of the skill, at the very least Gulper could do that for certain.
An excellent skill! That would come in very handy... But alas, it was not to be. My body lacked a few of the sense organs Gulper needed to pull that little trick off. Unfortunately, it was the same story with Sharp Sense of Smell. And as for Egg Laying, I didn’t even want to consider it...
So the only real option was the Lair.
- Gulper’s Lair.
- Level: 0 (0/20).
- Type: Active ability.
- Rarity: Common.
- Description:
- A Gulper can create a temporary shelter in an appropriate location such as a secluded cave or hidden amongst large stones. Using magic, it weaves a web around itself which provides both defense and a kind of alarm system.
- Effect:
- Absorbs 300 units of damage.
- Creator is alerted to unauthorized entry.
- +2 life every 30 minutes (while inside).
- +2 mana every 30 minutes (while inside).
- +2 energy every 30 minutes (while inside).
- Requirements:
- Intellect —
6.
- Expends 70 mana points.
- Note:
- Duration: 5 hours.
- Radius: 6 feet.
I rubbed my hands together in satisfaction. So this meant I now had protection, though it was a bit fragile. Three hundred points was no obstacle to, say, a Gulper or a cave worm. But a megabat or giant rat would be held at bay. At least long enough for me to try and get out of there... By the way, now I knew how the Gulper Female found out about uninvited guests in her cave.
And I had to give an extra thanks to the mysterious Higher Powers for the fact it could refill my supplies!
Okay, no further questions. I’ll take it!
Time to increase my mana supply.
- Would you like to invest 10 points into the Intellect characteristic?
Yes!
- Attention! Your magic supply has increased to 110 points.
Great! Now to handle the spells.
- Choose 1 spell of Gulper that you would like to unlock.
There were only two spells. As it turned out, I was already familiar with both. One I’d even felt being tested on my unfortunate hide. The name of it was “Gulper’s Rancid Breath.” It means you release a putrid air that, when it hits the lungs, breaks concentration and lowers movement speed several times. So that was why I turned into a fly in ointment. Honestly, to be fair, I should say that with an energy supply like mine, I was never much for moving fast in the first place.
Alas, rancid breath was not a match for a similar reason to egg laying. As far as I understood, magic was merely an enhancement to this spell. The basis of it was a natural ability of the Gulper’s body. And to be frank, I didn’t much want it... People don’t much care for me much as is. If my breath turns “rancid” like that Gulper thing... Hmm... A happy little picture that’d be... Although I must admit the ability to slow an enemy down would greatly increase my survival chances down here...
And I’d seen Gulper’s second spell in action as well... Actually it was tangentially the reason I was now happy owner of an iridescent tablet.
- Gulper’s Shattering Ram.
- Level: 0 (0/20).
- Type: Spell.
- Rarity: Common.
- Description:
- Using magic, Gulpers can ram their targets with great force.
- Effect:
- Deals 45 damage.
- Sends enemy flying back a few yards, stunning them for 10 seconds.
- Requirements:
- Intellect — 4.
- Expends 50 mana points.
- Note:
- Cooldown time: 20 sec.
- Range: 23 ft.
- Radius of effect: 2.5 ft.
I’ll take that one too! Definitely! So this means with a full mana supply, I can land two blows! Honestly, with that kind of damage, I can’t do much against the creatures down here. But the ability to send a monster flying back stunned is very useful indeed. Ten seconds to try and run is a mere sliver of time, but still it would give me a chance.
Eventually, I’d increase the spell level, too... There was just one little thing left... Hehe... Finding enough iridescent tablets to fill a small bag...
Chapter 15
- Attention! Lair destroyed in 10 minutes.
YAWNING, I stretched and opened my eyes. The five hours flew by like one minute. But I managed to get some rest. Well, that’s selling it short — I feel like a newborn baby. The ability I got from Gulper works miracles. My supplies are full and I’m ready to start looking for a way out of these caverns.
But first I need to look through my knapsack. Yesterday I wasn’t feeling up to it. Before passing out, all I managed to do was activate Lair.
So then, the gallant and honorable scouts mercifully left me with all the little items like my firestarter, flask and spoon. They also decided against taking my small onion, crackers and carrot.
The rest of the food and loot from the moss drying they took. The moss itself was still there, though. I can even guess who it was that gutted my bag. Probably Dag. The big guy hates vegetables, especially onions. As for the cheese, sausage, dried meat and nuts, that was more to his taste. I imagined him eating my food right now! I hope you choke!
Now for the loot from the Gulper Female...
- Experience essence (10500).
- Gold tablet of Intellect.
- Silver tablet (25).
Everything I’d earned before today, alas, had been lost. Well, not quite... Lost temporarily! If I could get out of here I’d be sure to present a bill to all the scumbags who stole from me! I don’t know how yet, but I will make it happen!
Despite the losses, my financial affairs are still completely in order. Just the one gold tablet is worth enough to make this all worth it! And that’s not counting the silvers and esses. As soon as I get to the surface, I’ll sell all the essences and some of my silver tablets. I’ll pay off my debt to Bardan and go back to Orchus. I hope no one bought our house yet. If not, I’m sure I can make an agreement with the bank to buy it back, or at least to rent it...
Slowly eating two crackers and half a carrot, I gently placed the flask to my lips. I have to ration my food and water. I don’t know when I’ll get another chance to restock.
No, seriously! If Miri, Dag and Chad are eating all my food right now, I hope those creeps choke! Ideally to death!
- Attention! Lair destroyed in 3 seconds.
Okay... Time to get moving...
The cave with the strange symbol greeted me with silence. To be honest, I was expecting all the subterranean flora and fauna to come running when they heard the cave-in. But when I thought some more, I came to the conclusion that it was the exact opposite of what should happen. If you hear a Gulper Female snarling, better stay far away. Out of caution, the only things I imagine would be around here in the near future were the various kinds of poisonous plant. I’m afraid to even imagine the kind of creature that might come running to the sound of a Gulper’s cry...
Before crawling out, I cautiously poke my head out... Seems all quiet... I can go. But where to next?
Hm... First I’ll take another look at the strange symbol.
Woah! This mold was really quick. The mosaic was covered with black slime yet again. The curve of the upper hook seemed even less visible than before.
I had absolutely no desire to mess with the mold, but curiosity took the lead. Especially given I didn’t know any way back. I had no clue where to go. This cave wasn’t on Miri’s map so any hint or clue about where to go next would come in very handy.
Dragonfly took care of the fungus fairly quickly. Both fishhooks again shone with the opaque whiteness of marble. Nice material, by the way. Not even a spot of the mold remained. I remember once our neighbor the tax collector complained to his father that builders had been making a racket with sledgehammers in city hall for two weeks. They were pulling old marble out of the walls. It was all to do with that tenacious mold. But here now, there wasn’t even a spot left... The stone was as pure white as a maiden. But by all appearances, this symbol was well over a hundred years old...
Again I looked at the little groove connecting the points. Were there once pieces of marble here too? And with time they chipped off? Though, based on the proper shapes and finished look of the design, the unknown craftsman must have intended his creation this way...
I touched my right pointer finger to the channel. It was quite a smooth surface. It wasn’t like what would be left behind after a piece fell out...
What the! Something pricked my finger... A tiny little droplet of blood appeared on the tip of my finger. Maybe I cut myself on a sharp edge of the marble? I stuck my finger into my mouth and started carefully looking for the offending rock segment... No... I can’t see one...
I was about to dismiss the pointless symbol when a message flew in before my eyes... The surprise made me take an awkward step back... After that, I fell back full-force on my butt...
- Attention! Blood analysis: Positive.
- Mark activated. Would you like to continue route to next mark?
- Cost of service: 50 mana points.
Dungeons of the Crooked Mountains Page 18