The Tree of Ascension: A LitRPG Apocalypse (Peril's Prodigy Book 2)

by Craig Kobayashi

"And you must be the preachaman," said Garath, thrusting out his hand in greeting. Something about this guy really bothered the Necrologist, even before he caught him staring at Athios. "I'm Garath."

  "I'm Maimon, the Rabbi." The self-proclaimed Rabbi shook Garath's hand, but never took his eyes off Athios, who suddenly found the ocean very interesting.

  "That's funny, I didn't see that in the available Classes," Garath said with no hint of humor in his voice. He hadn’t forgotten what Auto had told him about Maimon’s preference about his Class designation due to being Jewish. Arguing semantics wasn't the goal. The Necrologist’s wanted this Maimon guy to stop staring at Athios, and it worked. The Rabbi looked sharply his way.

  "I'm Jewish. Technically the Class is Preacher, but I prefer to call it Rabbi if it's all the same to you," said Maimon, his eyes raising a silent challenge to the Necrologist, almost daring Garath to call him preachaman again.

  Garath didn’t take the bait. Instead, the Necrologist broke into song. "I try so hard to please thee, but no matter how hard I try. . . You’re not happy ‘cause your Class is Preacher, you prefer to be called Rabbi. . .”

  Auto flashed Garath a warning look but the Necrologist disregarded it. The chorus was his favorite part! Maimon folded his arms and waited for Garath to stop.

  "The only one who could eva reach me, was a Jew that I think I’ll call preachaman. He looks pretty mad, but he can just beseech me, I’m still gonna call you a preachaman. Yes I will. Yes I will. Ohhhh yes I will.”

  “You done?” Maimon asked, blinking rapidly in barely concealed rage.

  "Yeah,” Garath confirmed, “I am now."

  Garath smiled widely, proud of his Johnny-on-the-spot cleverness. The smile faded slightly when he saw Maimon huffing and walking stiff-legged toward him. He considered apologizing and trying to smooth things over but decided against it. He didn’t have a problem referring to Maimon’s Class as Rabbi. Garath probably wouldn’t have even continued the song had the words not come to him so easily in the moment. But Garath didn’t have any regrets. Something about Maimon really irked him.

  That’s what he was thinking when he got sucker-punched in the face.

  Maimon’s sloppy haymaker connected just under Garath’s left eye. It hurt, to be sure, but only removed 2 HP from the Necrologist’s large Health pool. Garath staggered back from the unexpected blow, the 2 HP he’d lost regenerating before he even regained his balance. The second swing came shortly after, but Garath was ready for it. He threw up his left arm to block and countered with a right cross that landed hard on the Rabbi’s nose. Blood sprayed, Maimon yelled in anger, and before long the Necrologist and the Rabbi were trading blows.

  Obawon was on his knees clutching his stomach and laughing joyously as he watched the two casters going at it, neither able to do enough damage to the other to even keep up with their Health Regeneration. This went on for a few minutes before Garath sank through a dimensional disk and reappeared fifty-odd feet away. He bobbed to avoid a punch that never came. He located Maimon, who looked about as confused as Garath felt, and marched back toward the Rabbi.

  A dimensional disk phased in and out of existence above Athios’ upturned palm. “Oh, stop it, you’re both being ridiculous. I can literally keep you two apart indefinitely if I have to,” she threatened.

  Garath looked at her incredulously, still shaking with adrenaline, then thought about how he and Maimon must have looked to everyone else. The Necrologist laughed. Both his Health pool and that of the Rabbi were full, but their Stamina bars had taken a bit of a hit. Garath wasn’t satisfied with this outcome and seriously considered using his spells to attack Maimon. It may be true that Garath had been asking for it, but who just punches somebody in the face like that? Garath was wondering if there was really any way to really duke things out anymore without the risk of death when he received a very interesting system message.

  Would you like to challenge Maimon to a system-sanctioned duel?

  Yes or No

  Note: You can also choose to ‘establish duel parameters’. Once issued, Maimon will have the option to Accept, Decline, or Alter Duel Parameters.

  He nearly chose ‘Yes’, but wanted a look at the duel parameters option. Garath found that he was able to define specific guidelines for the battle. Party size, maximum cooldown spells allowed, a limit to the duration. He could even choose to whether to allow certain BeastScape forms. After a few seconds of vacantly staring into space while setting up the rules of the fight, Garath sent a duel request to Maimon.

  You have challenged Maimon to a system-sanctioned duel.

  Maimon is now being given the option to Accept, Decline, or Alter Duel Parameters.

  Duel Parameters

  Team size: one

  Victory Condition: death of opponent

  *Note: ‘death’ does not occur in a system-sanctioned duel. Any party killed during the duel will be restored to their condition at the start of the duel.

  Maimon’s face adopted the same vacant expression while he read his newest system prompt. He dismissed it and then looked at Garath with a you-can’t-be-serious face. “I’m a healer, you jackass. What would a duel accomplish?”

  “About as much as sucker punching me in the face,” Garath retorted. He wasn’t going to take any of this guy’s shit, and wouldn’t mind the massive Experience gain he’d get for handling things like he was Wyatt Earp. “If you’d prefer it to a duel, I can just kill you now.”

  Maimon has declined your challenge.

  With that, Garath equipped his staff, willed his summoned demons into existence, and readied himself for a real fight. Maimon reacted as well. The Rabbi equipped a tall white staff of his own and then released an instant cast spell that covered his body with a transparent, reflective bubble.

  “Guys, guys, guys,” Obawon said, stepping between the two angry casters. “We’re not about to let you fight to the death. A duel sounds much better, didn’t I hear you say duel?”

  “Yeah. This dickmouth sent me a duel request,” Maimon explained, never taking his black eyes from Garath. “I rejected it because it would be pointless. Maybe if we did a two-on-two, but I’m not dueling by myself. I only have one damage Skill and it’s hardly impressive.”

  “Not unlike your sloppy haymakers,” said Garath with a devilish grin. Inside his mind, the Necrologist felt the pre-fight anxiety from his summoned demons as they all awaited his orders. “I’m down for a two-on-two duel though, if you think you need some help,” he said, trying not to sound too disappointed that he couldn’t just kill this bitch. "Me and Athios would stomp any two of you."

  "Count me out of this one, hotshot," Athios said coolly.

  Garath looked at her, betrayed. Pleading. He was sure that between her ability to relocate allies and enemies alike and his unavoidable damage-over-time attack, they’d be a nearly unstoppable team. Athios face remained hard though, so Garath just glared at her briefly and then opened his MENU panels. He navigated to his Friends list and quickly located Sharon and Warrion. Surely one of them would step up to help him where Athios refused to. To his delight, Sharon appeared to be on her way to his cliff top at that very moment.

  “Alright,” Garath said, closing his MENU panels and looking fierce eyed at Maimon. “I’ve got my partner. She’s on her way. Pick whoever you want and let's do this.”

  Maimon looked surprised, then turned to face the three young men he’d come with.

  Auto looked nervously from Garath to Maimon, then to the twins and back to Maimon. “Dude, you gotta pick me. If this system has a freaking non-lethal PvP option, I have to try it.”

  Maimon nodded, looking more confident now that Auto was willing to fight with him.

  Auto’s announcement to join in on the duel both excited Garath and made him a little apprehensive. Garath had always been Auto’s healer in PvP settings and knew better than anyone how seriously the short man would be taking this duel, and he wasn’t thrilled to be on the opposing side. Even so, the Necrol
ogist was looking forward to finally seeing a Chimerist in action.

  “Am I interrupting something?” Sharon asked. The Naturist came into view and paused upon seeing a whole group of tense faces, most of which she didn’t recognize.

  “Sharon, perfect!” Garath said. He hurried over to her and turned her away from the group by one shoulder, bringing his face close to hers and speaking in a low voice as the two of them walked a few feet away. “Listen, I need a favor.”

  “Why am I not surprised?” Sharon said with an abrasive tone.

  Garath smiled the most charming smile he could muster. “I would owe you one…”

  “One what?” Sharon asked, an unsure eyebrow raised in suspicion.

  “A favor, Sharon. Whatever you want. Like an IOU with no expiration date. Please?” Garath pleaded. Despite Sharon’s grumpy demeanor and closed body language, he already knew she’d say yes. No matter how much shit she gave him for acquiescing, Sharon always eventually said yes.

  “And what is this favor you need from me?” she asked, arms folded and looking suspicious.

  Garath explained the situation hurriedly. Sharon wasn’t having it. Even after the Necrologist explained that a system-sanctioned duel would leave everyone involved alive and well after the fact, Sharon said no. It wasn’t until he admitted his feelings for Athios, and then went on to explain the Preacher’s ogling that led to the whole disagreement, did Sharon finally, begrudgingly, agree to help. It took more fast talking than he’d anticipated but, as always, Sharon said yes.

  The Necrologist grabbed her excitedly by the hand and pulled her back to the waiting group for introductions and to let them know the duel was on. A few tense minutes later, Parties were formed and Garath read over the proposed terms of the duel.

  Maimon has challenged you to a system-sanctioned duel.

  You now have the option to Accept, Decline, or Alter Duel Parameters.

  Duel Parameters

  Team size: two

  Form Restrictions: no flying forms

  Victory Condition: death of opponents

  *Note: ‘death’ does not occur in a system-sanctioned duel. Any party killed during the duel will be restored to their condition at the start of the duel.

  “No flying forms?” Garath asked after reading the prompt. He chose to alter the parameters, verbalizing his changes as he made them within the system. “Let’s do no consumables too, then.”

  The Necrologist sent his parameter changes back to Maimon, who then accepted and they both received an error message.

  This is not a valid location for a sanctioned duel. Re-issue your challenge in a location with at least 50 square meters of open space.

  Garath suggested a baseball field only a few blocks north of the Guild Hall. Provided that Rum’bah, or another Vy’thishrak Emissary for that matter, hadn’t made it that far yet and turned the whole place into a magical rainforest or something. With plenty of space to run around, and bleachers for those not participating in the duel to sit and watch, it would be perfect. It was quickly agreed upon and they set off north.

  Athios stayed near the front of the group, just behind Garath. He could sense her icy presence but slowed to allow her to catch up.

  “Why didn’t you want to be my partner?” he asked. “With your relocations and my damage-over-time spells we’d make an awesome team!”

  “Why do you think?” Athios said coldly, arms folded and not meeting his eyes.

  "Wait, what? Are you mad at me?" he asked, hands in the air.

  Athios turned to face him with her hair covering most of her face. "No. Why would I be mad at you?"

  "That's a really good question," said Garath cluelessly. He thought about it for a second. She was giving off serious danger vibes, but for the life of him, he couldn’t put his finger on what he could have possibly done to upset her. “I probably did something dumb. If I did, and you don’t want to tell me what it is, then I’ll probably figure it out later and apologize at that point. If you want me to apologize now though, I’m going to need some help. What did I do?”

  She looked at him for a moment, with an emotion in her features that Garath couldn’t place. “Can we talk about it later?” she asked with a low voice.

  Garath looked concerned, but nodded. The two of them continued walking together in contemplative silence as the group moved north toward the baseball field.

  Chapter Thirteen – Warrion

  Stealth had to be the single greatest real-life Skill that anyone had ever acquired, Warrion thought to himself as he quietly watched the scene in front of him. BeckyWinkerstaff and CindyWinkerstaff slept in nothing more than their panties and t-shirts and, to Warrion’s extreme delight, the ‘bimbo sisters’ spent their mornings practicing yoga in the room they shared on the Guild Hall’s third floor. It hadn’t been easy for the gangly Assassin to slip unnoticed into the room shared by the two fit-bodied blondes, but he was more than willing to put in the effort. Warrion found it difficult to keep his breathing easy and unlabored as the girls stretched and bent, but he managed. When the girls were done with their morning routine and once again dressed in tight jeans and the same t-shirts they’d slept in, they left to find some breakfast.

  Warrion waited for the unsuspecting sisters to disappear down the hallway before he left as well, shutting the door quietly behind him. When the Assassin made it to the large main room on the Guild Hall’s first floor, he sank into a vacant couch and wondered what to do with the day ahead. Garath had probably been joking about making him try out in order to make the Dungeon team, but Warrion didn’t know the Necrologist well enough to tell when he was making a joke. It seemed like almost everything the glowy-eyed man said was a joke or, at the very least, Garath seemed to find humor in every situation. Either way, Warrion decided a little self-improvement was in order and he had a pretty good idea where to start.

  He needed to get his hands on some herbs in order to make use of a recently purchased Ability from the Deadly Poison section of his Skill Tree. The problem was that he’d never heard of any of the herbs listed. The only herbs that the Assassin was familiar with were the kind that were put in a bong, and he was certain that Whiskersnout was a made up word, despite seeing it on a system-provided list for poison reagents. If he was able to get his hands on either Whiskersnout or Burning Twindleroot, he’d at least be able to make the basic poison necessary to coat his blades. If he was able to get his hands on a few of both, he could combine them to create a poison that would not only inflict a damage-over-time debuff, but also lower his target’s visual acuity by 20%. The strange forest left in the wake of the giant turtle did have some plants that nobody in the Guild recognized, so he had hope of finding what he was after. Warrion’s plan was to pick a bunch of plants, then see if any of them were ingredients he needed when he got back.

  A few minutes later, Warrion was walking with Stealth active through the incredibly verdant foliage of the new forest. Even to someone who’d grown up in the Pacific Northwest where everything is green, this forest was something different entirely. The greens here seemed to glow with their brightness. There were so many unusual plants growing in a kaleidoscope of colors that he didn’t know where to start. Some grew straight up from the ground while others spread along the forest floor like a carpet. Others grew out of the sides of trees he didn’t recognize, sending shoots of vibrant colors out at every angle. He could have sworn he saw a handful of plants moving of their own volition, but he couldn’t be certain it hadn’t just been a trick of the ocean breeze.

  Warrion thought his best course of action was to pocket one of each plant. He bent to inspect an elegant, white, bell-shaped flower with three yellow prongs protruding from its center. The stem spiraled in tight circles from the flower to the soft earth beneath.

  Warrion picked the flower instead of pulling it up by the roots, snapping the spiraling stem about an inch below the base of the flower. It wilted at an incredible rate, and then flaked into ash that was swept out of the Assassi
n’s hand by the salty breeze. A fast movement caught his eye, and he looked down to see the spiraling stem burrow into the ground.

  Warrion figured a different method of harvesting might work. It didn’t take long to locate one, and Warrion once again bent to take a closer look. This time, Warrion grabbed the stem right where it met the soil and pulled. Once again, the flower flaked away and the stub of a stem spun into hiding beneath the soil. Cursing, Warrion wiped his hands free of the ash-like substance left behind by the white flower and searched for yet another.

  For his third attempt, Warrion took hold of the base of the stem and took great care to pull as gently as he could manage. Slowly, more of the spiraling stem came up out of the earth. The Assassin continued, gently pulling, grabbing at the recently exposed part of the stem as more and more of it was pulled from the ground. Finally, the stem went taut. He continued to slowly, gently pull until he was rewarded by unearthing the entire plant, from the beautiful flower to the soil-speckled bulb that had anchored it in place. Warrion received an unexpected, but welcome notification.

  Congratulations, Warrion! You have unlocked the Profession, Herbalism.

  At Level 1, Herbalism allows you to safely harvest plants up to Uncommon rank.

  With that exciting bit of information out of the way, Warrion eagerly Inspected the flower in his hands.

  White Lolabell

  Type: Reagent

  Item Score: 16

  Rarity: Uncommon

  White Lolabells are known for their attractive aroma and aesthetic appearance. The roots of this lovely flower are often used in Alchemy for their sleep-inducing qualities.