Pendrackon
Page 33
Cauterize: Novice LV - 6 (86%)
TITLES
Slaughterer of Bunnies
Punching Bag
You Won’t Like Me When I’m Angry
Shtainerzeid’s Bane
Arbiter
EQUIPPED ITEMS
Clothing
Robes of the Monster Mage
Trousers of the Monster Mage
Sash of the Monster Mage
Boots of the Monster Mage
Armband of the Monster Mage
Hand-Cannon Holster
Total Armor Rating: 45
Set Bonus: +12 Constitution, Intelligence & Wisdom
Other Items
Name: Staff of the Weeper
Damage: +22-38 (Ability), +13-18 (Blunt)
Name: Pendant of the Novice Mage
Effect: +3 Intelligence & Wisdom
Name: Ring of Endurance
Effect: +4 Endurance
Name: Ring of Fortitude
Effect: +50% Resistance to Mental Manipulation
Name: Wisdom’s Promise
Effect: +15 Wisdom
Mithril Soul Ring (Soulbound)
RULE OF THE DAY
Free a Kingdom (Kept)
A lot had happened in the past few weeks. So much, in fact, that it felt like an entire year had passed since he’d last been in this city. Closing his status, Sam’s only regret was that he hadn’t yet reached level 26. He was desperate to move up in level, skill, and ability, and his specialization would help him do that.
Despite gaining a skill that helped him with mana control, he had yet to test it out. He still didn’t really have a very good idea as to the types of magic an Over-Mage used. He got huge boosts to two useful attributes, and he figured that a higher Charisma couldn’t hurt, but overall, he was still clueless.
What types of abilities could I even try to develop?
His hand strayed to the Flintlock sitting at his side. Somehow, the smooth wooden grip felt comforting. It was good to know that he had a weapon that was this amazing. It cost nothing to use, and the new holster had already restored some of its lost durability. Apparently, the rate at which it restored the weapon was dependent on how many hours he left it without interruption.
If he left it for four hours straight without touching it, it would restore a single point. However, if he interrupted the cycle by drawing the weapon, all of the progress would be lost, and he’d have to start all over again when re-slotting the weapon.
“You know,” Gordon said through a mouthful of top-quality rawhide. “Keeping a lady waiting is considered to be in poor taste, not to mention rude.”
Looking up at the small clock on the wall, Sam saw that it was just after seven. He was supposed to be meeting Emma at a small, out of the way restaurant in less than fifteen minutes, and he had yet to change into the clothes she’d bought him for the occasion.
“I know I agreed to go out on this date,” Sam said, eyeing the bright-colored suit in distaste. “But do I really need to wear that monkey suit?”
“A simian wearing a garb suited for simians,” Gordon said with some amusement. “That seems about right.”
“Oh, ha ha, it’s so funny, I forgot to laugh,” Sam replied sourly.
He rose from the bed, eyeing the suit one last time before heading to the door. Emma might be strong-arming him into this date, but he’d never agreed to wear whatever she’d told him to, so he was going to keep his gear on. Besides, in a world like this, one never knew when they might be attacked, so it was better to play it safe.
“I do hope Miss Emma is not too upset with you,” Gordon called after him.
Sam ignored him, slamming the door, and headed for the building’s exit. This inn was indeed a small one. It was so small, it only had one floor and no dining room or even a bar. He was perfectly fine with that, though. This place was out of the way enough so that he didn’t need to interact with anyone and close enough to the restaurant that he could make it on time.
He and Emma hadn’t had a chance to talk to Joe Leaderman when they’d returned, though he had requested they meet him tomorrow afternoon. Sam was debating just not showing up. He had no doubt that the man would try to recruit them once more, and he had zero interest in taking orders from someone else.
After this whole debacle with freeing the East Kingdom, he was done accepting quests. He would go to Dungeons to gain his XP and level his skills. They gave out just as much as any quest, and it came with the added benefit of being able to leave at any time. There was no need to spy, gather information, or sneak through sewers. All he’d be doing was killing monsters, and that was good enough for him.
He arrived at the restaurant just in time. Emma wasn’t waiting outside, so he just assumed she’d already gone in. A man dressed in a shiny blue waistcoat greeted him at the door, and Sam gave him Emma’s description. This place was supposed to be high-class, according to her, and she hadn’t been lying.
The man gave him a once-over, then turned and escorted him through the narrow hallway and into the dining room. It was set up in such a way that every table was in its own little room. This gave the patrons a sense of privacy and also lent to the restaurant’s overall classiness. He hadn’t even bothered reading the sign as he was sure it would have pissed him off but so far, he was impressed.
“The lady is waiting inside,” the man said with an exaggerated bow. “I shall have some refreshments brought in right away.”
Sam couldn’t detect even a hint of distaste or annoyance at his attire, though now that he thought about it, why should there be? He was wearing Legendary-class gear, which was very obviously not cheap. A full set like this was worth at least 75 electrum, which was a literal fortune, and it wasn’t every day that someone came by wearing something like this.
He nodded, waiting until the man had left before sliding the thin door to one side.
“I was wondering if you’d wear the clothes I bought,” Emma said as soon as she saw him.
The wide grin on her face told him that she hadn’t been expecting him to, but that she’d really hoped he would.
“You’re one to talk,” he grumbled, sliding the door closed and taking a seat across from her. “You’re dressed the same as well.”
“Nuh-uh!” Emma said, turning her head to one side and showing off a pair of shining silver earrings studded with green stones.
Sam sorted out a laugh and was joined a moment later by Emma.
“You know it was really sneaky of you to get me to go out with you this way,” Sam said once their laughter had faded.
“Oh, stop being so grumpy,” Emma said. “You get to go out on a date with a hot girl who you get along with. Do you know how many guys would kill to be in your situation right now?”
Sam had to admit that she was telling the truth. Back on Earth, if Emma had asked him out, he’d probably have said yes in an instant. Things were different now, though. He had other priorities and, Emma, while stunning, just wasn’t his type. She was smart, witty, and completely unapologetic. She was brash and said whatever popped into her mind. She acted more like a guy than he did, which Sam didn’t mind. It made him feel more comfortable around her.
“Fine, I’ll behave,” he said, letting out a long sigh and finally relaxing.
What’s the harm in taking an evening off and enjoying a nice meal with a friend?
“Yeah, and then you can be her ‘friend’ all night long!”
“Sins of the flesh are the root of all evil! You mustn’t fall to your base desires!”
Sam ignored the little shoulder people as they began bickering, and decided to focus instead on the three small bowls of stew a waiter had just placed before them.
He could always go back to being sour and grumpy tomorrow. For now, he may as well enjoy his meal. Even if it was just another fucking bowl of stew.
Afterword
What’s up, Super-People?! I honestly didn’t think I’d be writing another book in this series after all the negative r
eviews on the last one. But thanks to all my fans’ persistence, I decided to write another.
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Series by Aaron Oster
Rise to Omniscience
Supermage: Book One
Starbreak: Book Two
Skyflare: Book Three
Solarspire: Book Four
Stormforge: Book Five Coming April 2020
Book Six TBA
Buryoku
Power: Book One
Light: Book 2
Book 3 coming Spring 2020
The Rules
Somerset: Book One
Pendrackon: Book Two
Land of the Elementals
Rampage: Book One
Emerald: Book Two
Book 3 coming Spring 2020