I found Romil and Primla in one of the rooms using precision tools made of the finest silver to draw a blueprint. Another room had a brand-new training dummy and several boards with drawings of bows. The other rooms were empty.
I crossed the corridor and entered the small office at the end.
Zuban was behind a beautiful drawing table. Several instruments were spread out on the table and a half-finished diagram of a large machine was hanging on the wall behind him. He got up from his seat. “Dread Totem.”
“Hi, Zuban.” I tilted my head. “Why are you sitting on a piece of log?”
He coughed, embarrassed. “There is still no competent carpenter in the clan, Dread Totem.”
“So where did you get this table?” I pointed at his rich-looking desk. “It’s better than the one I have at my house.”
“This?” He looked at me blankly. “This table was in the blueprints. It is part of the building.”
“Right.” I shook my head. Damn game mechanics. “I’ll make sure you get a proper chair. My house could use a little bit more furniture too, like a bed.”
My foreman smiled at me. “I wouldn’t say no to a proper bed myself. Sleeping on the floor of the construction yard makes me almost want to become a soldier again, just to have a proper bed in the barracks.”
“I’ll make sure both our sleeping arrangements are high on the list,” I promised him. “So how is the new research center working out?”
“It is an impressive building. You won’t find a splinter out of place, and I promise there will be no leaks come winter. The rooms and instruments allow us to research much more efficiently. We’ve already come up with new blueprints!”
“Really?” That was good news. I opened the Research Interface.
Research
Daily RP: 49.7
Apprentice-ranked buildings:
Magma Foundry: Enable magma casting. Cost: 200 RP.
Barracks Expansions: Second Floor: Adds 100 beds. Cost: 200 RP.
Armory: Maintain soldiers’ gear and increase its effectiveness. Cost: 120 RP.
Arena. [Researched, built] Beast Holding: Add cages for beasts. Cost: 150 RP.
Trainer’s Office I: Increase number of trainers by 2. Cost: 100 RP.
Obstacle Course: Increase training speed by 20%. Cost: 300 RP.
Expert-ranked buildings:
Essence Capacitor: Collects and stores ambient energy. Cost: 500 RP.
Warlock Tower: Housing and training for magic users. Cost: 800 RP.
War Machine Workshop: Heavy war machine factory. Cost: 800 RP.
Improved Lodging: All residential buildings can accommodate +50% members. Cost: 1,000 RP.
Cathedral: Place of worship. Cost: 1,000 RP.
Dreamer’s Lodge – Enchantment Workshop: Increase enchantment’s efficiency. Cost: 1,000 RP.
“You can perform Expert-level research?” I asked, bewildered. “But Romil and Primla are only at their Apprentice skill rank.”
Zuban frowned. “What’s that got to do with it? It might take them longer than researching lower-ranked blueprints, but they can do it well enough.”
“Great.” I gave him the thumbs up. “Well, I’ll leave you to your work.” The researchers were already busy, so I decided to postpone the decision on the next research path when it would become relevant.
“Don’t forget about the carpenter,” he blurted out then hurriedly added, “Dread Totem.”
Why is he in such a rush for a new bed?
I … eh… hmm.
I gave a mental shrug. Furs are nice enough I guess, but a bed … oh, you wouldn’t get it; you spend your nights hanging from a coat rack.
I think I prefer sticking with furs.
I … ah … Somehow, my purple companion managed to back me against the wall; I had no good comeback for that.
Kaedric was waiting for me as I exited the building.
“Kaedric! Good, please summon a carpenter as soon as we can afford it.”
“Yes, my lord,” he said, not breaking eye contact with me, giving me a sense of trepidation.
“What’s up?”
He looked at me calmly and uttered five simple words. “The Mob Squad is back.”
***
I sat on Tempest’s back facing three weary-looking adventurers.
We were in the open forest clearing where I intercepted the players before reaching the settlement. My six hulking Infernal Ogres stood menacingly behind me, leering at the players.
The elvish-looking one, Misa, took a step forward. “I don’t know what’s going on, but this does not strike me as the proper way to greet the people who busted their asses for several days to fulfill your quest.”
I didn’t answer, but Tempest, sensing my emotions, growled at her, baring his teeth.
Misa rolled her eyes. “Okay, I’ll bite. What is it this time?”
“Before you left,” I almost hissed the words. “Did one of you sabotage the lumber yard?”
“What?” she asked, stepping back, surprise plain on her face. “What are you talking about?”
“He’s high on power,” the yellow bugbear huffed, crossing his arms. “If you’re trying to get away from paying us …”
I looked at the catlike one, Raystia. “Anything to add?”
She gulped. “Err … I’m sorry, Mr. Totem Chief guy, I … ahem … don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I looked at the three with narrowed eyes. My Sense Emotion ability would not work on players, but the bugbear looked angry, Misa something between angry and surprised, and Raystia just looked embarrassed. Same as always.
“Where’s the dwarf?” I scanned the immediate area. “He’s not with you and he has not spawned in the cemetery.”
“Going to pin the fall on him again, for something you can’t prove, again?” Fox sneered at me.
I was stumped. I knew the saboteur was almost certainly one of them, but I couldn’t tell who was lying. This time, Tempest’s unerring nose was of little help. ”Stand down,” I said to the Ogres around us.
They exchanged looks of disappointment. One scratched his armpit.
I sighed. “Go, train with Rhynorn.”
“Yes Drea-Ed To-Tem,” they answered boorishly and lumbered away.
I addressed the three players again. “Let’s hear it. You claim to have fulfilled your part, but the missing dwarf suggests otherwise.”
“You want the short version or the long one?” Misa asked.
“The long one.”
She shook her head. “Nah, I’m too tired for that. The short version is that we found a derelict temple at the coordinates you gave us. A ton of undead was there guarding the place. It was a close call, but we killed them and mopped up the boss. It was some sort of skeleton with his entrails still in his rib cage.”
Raystia shuddered at Misa’s words.
“And …?” I prompted.
“That’s it.” Misa shrugged. “The boss was guarding the shrine. Your adept wanted to sacrifice Riley right away, but he didn’t want to respawn back here and have to wait for us to return. So he stayed behind. The undead are respawning slowly, so he farms them for XP. Your goblin priest has placed some sort of binding over the shrine to keep them away and prevent the boss from respawning. I just have to message Riley and he’ll finish up the quest.”
“Alright, go ahead.”
Fox looked at me threateningly. “You better cough up everything you promised us afterward.”
That guy sure had a short memory. I let my dagger hover out of my belt and po
int at him. He took my meaning and wisely lowered his eyes.
“Okay, I messaged him,” Misa said. “Should be any moment now.
Outsourced Quest Completed: Dark Missionary
The Mob Squad members rewarded: 2,000 XP, 200 reputation with GreenPiece Clan, 200 gold
Misa Gavriilu rewarded: Leather greaves (magical)
Raystia rewarded: 40 X arrows (magic)
Riley Stonefist rewarded: Reinforced gloves (magical)
Fox rewarded: High steel shield (normal)
Quest Completed: Dark Missionary
You have successfully sanctified three places of power in the name of Nihilator.
Quest type: Advanced
Time remaining: 4 days
Reward: 250 Faith Points, +250 reputation with Nihilator, 5,000 XP
Clan reward: Zone Blessings now available for purchase in all newly sanctified locations.
Special reward: The three places of worship empower the central temple. Eternal Night effect increased by 100%.
Yes!
I could feel the Eternal Night around us becoming thicker. It didn’t become darker, but the blessing’s increased power felt almost like it was smoothly caressing my skin.
I drew in a tendril of information and reviewed the changes. All Shadow-Touched creatures received an additional ten percent increase to damage, max HP and MP, as well as an extra five percent efficiency for noncombat skills. Enemies now suffered 20 percent XP penalties and their MP and HP regen were further reduced.
It was unfortunate that the upkeep wasn’t reduced any further. Still, the extra boost was incredible. I would have had to spend thousands of FP to purchase bonuses of similar value.
A smug smile spread across my face, and I experienced a feeling of magnanimity toward the troublesome players.
“Well, I see you’re happy,” Misa said dryly. “Glad you kept your word. I got a level from completing your quest, so I guess I ought to thank you.”
“Me too!” Raystia chimed in merrily. “I’m really loving this place!”
“Hmmm,” Fox grunted noncommittally. “I can afford better armor now.”
“Shopping time!” Misa declared. “See you anon, Dread Totem.”
I watched them head toward the settlement. Then I teleported to the cemetery.
I materialized behind the Dark Temple, standing in the narrow pathway between it and the valley’s wall, where the single tombstone lay hidden.
“Holy hell, where the crap did you come from?” Riley, the dwarf, nearly jumped when he saw me coming out of the shadows.
“I see you completed the quest,” I said, ignoring his question.
“Well, yeah,” he said. “And it’s the last time I’m willingly putting myself on an altar to be sacrificed. This is the stuff of nightmares, man. FIVR is no joke.”
“I know you got a decent enough boon out of the experience.”
“What boon? Your quest rewards are barely worth the experience, and the death debuff cost me nearly all the XP I earned by staying behind butchering skeletons.”
“I’m not talking about those rewards.” I looked at him pointedly.
The dwarf’s hand reached over his heart as if on its own. “That’s between me and the big guy.”
I shrugged. “Suit yourself. In any case, I consider your debt settled.”
“I didn’t bloody kill your stupid goblins, goddammit!” he yelled. “How many times do I have to tell you that?”
“And I suppose you know nothing about the lumber yard incident?”
He gave me such a vacant-eyed stare that I forwent inquiring further. He wasn’t the culprit either.
I waited until he disappeared behind the temple then teleported back to my house.
It was midday by now and I planned on taking the new recruits hunting the next day.
I sat at my table and took out one of the enchanted Viridium spheres and went to work.
***
Utility schema [Conduit] upgraded to [Inertia bead]
Finally!
After hours of trial and error, I had finally found the right rune combinations. The Conduit enchantment enabled the Viridium spheres to adhere to each other while holding the mana required to make them move. I added the Zu rune of motion I got from the old gremlin, then slapped on the Ko rune of strength, just because I had the room to include it – and a little extra strength is never a bad thing. I had two rune slots left, so I used the Mag rune of warding for the first time and connected it with the Esh rune, making the sphere highly resistant to fire. No one would be smelting this precious.
I didn’t take the bait. “Just hold on.”
I retrieved two of the other partially enchanted spheres and applied the new schema on them, taking a few minutes to make sure everything was aligned properly. Once I was done, I put the spheres on the ground.
“Watch this.” I directed my thoughts at the spheres. They drew together and attached with a metallic click. The spheres rolled on top of each other like a snowman. With a mental command, the column rolled around the room, remaining upright.
Vic flowed off my shoulders. “Is that it?” He shook his head. “You already made them do that.”
“Not so,” I countered. “Before, I was actively directing them. I needed to use my mana to make them move as I wanted. Now, I just think ‘up’ or ‘move’ and they obey. I don’t have to invest a single MP.”
“So you got yourself a fancy kid’s toy. What’s the big deal?”
I didn’t let his criticism bring me down. I could feel the tendrils of information assuring me I was on the right track. “Check this out. Analyze.”
Viridium Bead Golem [Runecrafted]
Level: 3
HP: 37
Attributes: P: 3, M: -, S: -
Skills: Slam 13
Traits: Golem (enchantment immunity, nonliving, magic resistance, +25% HP), Metal Body (Viridium, ignore 20 damage)
Resistances: Armor 15, Magic 50%, Fire 93%
Stored Mana: 298/300
Description: This golem is a marvel of Runecraft ingenuity. Composed of separate self-propelling spheres, it can reshape itself freely to best accomplish its orders. The golem can run indefinitely, limited only by the amount of stored mana.
The golem cannot gain levels or skills; instead, its strength is determined by the number of spheres composing its body.
Each sphere adds: 1 level, 1 Physical, 5 armor, 100 mana capacity.
The golem’s martial skill is always set at its max cap.
This golem lacks a central controlling unit and has to be controlled externally.
“Oh wow, that’s pretty impressive for a pair of self-propelling balls,” Vic said.
“There are three of them,” I noted.
“Yeah, but the way I put it was funnier.”
I grinned and ordered the golem to attack the wall. The upper part wound back, then slammed powerfully into the wooden wall, leaving a discernible dent.
“Damn straight, it’s impressive,” I said, and with a few mental clicks paid three EP to repair the damage. ”And that’s from just three pieces. I have 12 more.”
Vic stared at me for a moment. “So it’ll be a level 15 golem, not bad.”
“That’s just the start. Once I find more Viridium …” I trailed off. “Think what kind of damage a golem with 200 spheres can do.” I gave him a huge, shit-eating grin.
“That’s actually not a half-bad plan, Boss.”
“Thank you.” Now that I had a working proof of concept, I could allow myself to be gracious.
“Wait a second, Boss, the description says you have to actively control this thing. It doesn’t sound like a good idea during combat. You’ll get distracted for sure.”
“It shouldn’t be too difficult, but I have a backup plan,” I reassured him. “I still have to finish enchantin
g the rest of the spheres. But first …” I sighed at the sight of the small pile of newly crafted weapons waiting for my attention. A working proof of concept would have to suffice for now. I had to finish enchanting the new weapons Kadoc had forged today. They would be needed for our hunt tomorrow.
I grabbed the first weapon and got to work.
***
The next day, I awoke to the chime of a new system message.
Quest Update: Unleash the Darkness
You have channeled 20% of the energy Nihilator requires to reach the next boss level and break the bonds that have kept him prisoner for centuries.
Progress: 20,003/100,000 EP
Bonus reward: +50 Faith Points
That was both good and bad. The fact that I had channeled twenty thousand energy to Nihilator was staggering. It had taken two months to reach this point, and with the vastly increased daily EP I had now, reaching a hundred percent wouldn’t be too far off. Then I’d have to deal with an unleashed evil deity.
But that was a future me problem. Present me had oxsaurians to hunt.
Tika pouted when I went to say goodbye. “You’re leaving again so soon?”
That was new.
“The warriors need the training; I have to go with them or they’ll suffer casualties,” I explained.
“At least you bother to say goodbye this time,” she huffed. “Last time you just disappeared. I was alone for three days, not knowing where you were.”
“Err, I’m … sorry.” This was definitely a new side of Tika.
She sniffed then embraced me tightly. “I’ll miss you,” she whispered in my ear. “Come back to me.”
“I will,” I answered clumsily, not sure how to handle this new aspect of her. It was out of character; she was acting weird, unusual, like …
Yeah.
***
My troops were waiting for me at the forest clearing before the valley’s exit. Rhyno was standing there as well, twice the size of the hobs and a good head taller than the other Ogres. The gladiator was the only veteran soldier present. Last time I had to leave him behind, as he was best suited to handle any threats to the clan in my absence. Now I had 20 veterans, all above level 10, who could watch over the settlement, so I could bring him along for some good old power-leveling.
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