Chapter 17 (Patreon)

Afterwards was combat training. Swords again, this time, which Rob was thankful for. The hand-to-hand teambuilding exercises were on hiatus until further notice. He was paired up with Zamira today, and it was going about as well as he’d expected.

“Motherf-” Rob didn’t have time to finish the curse as he deflected Zamira’s first sword and barely moved out of the way of the second. Where Vul’to had taken his time, carefully searching for openings and preying on Rob’s lack of Stamina and inexperience, Zamira opted for relentless aggression. She attacked first, attacked second, and so on, keeping up constant pressure that put Rob on the backfoot since the word go. He hadn’t had time to get a single attack in.

That...was okay, though. It gave him time to observe. Despite the differences in fighting styles, Vul’to and Zamira shared general commonalities in their Ranger dual-wielding styles. An attack with a single sword would leave them open, which they covered with an attack from their second sword. They flowed from movement to movement, dancing around the battlefield like water taking the path of least resistance. There was no set pattern or rigid attack formations they relied on. Which meant no one movement was exactly the same as the other, which meant variance, which meant room for error, like…

Now.

Rob lunged in the instant after Zamira struck. Her eyes widened as she backstepped too late, the tip of his sword scraping against her chest and causing her to wince. Rob grinned and allowed himself a quick thrill of victory. He’d actually done it. He’d landed a hit.

Then she recovered and smacked him to the ground.

Swordsmanship Level Increased! 3 → 4

“Worth. It.”

Rob pushed himself to his feet on shaky legs, almost stumbling in surprise as a frustrated yell traveled across the training grounds.

“Godsdamnit!” Tarric shouted, tossing his swords to the dirt. He glared at his sparring partner – Keira – and growled. “I don’t understand why I’m sparring with you. What does it prove? Of course you’re going to win – you’re 12 Levels above me and specced for combat. I’m a Ranger. I created my build with the Village in mind – Perception and Endurance, to hunt and forage and travel through Ixatan. You-”

He bit his tongue. “I apologize,” he hissed, through clenched teeth. “That was beneath me and unfair to you. If you would excuse me.”

Tarric stormed off with heavy steps, weighed down by the gigantic chip on his shoulder. Rob watched him go, wide-eyed, before noticing too late that Keira was leaving as well. He chased after her, but she turned back and shook her head at him once before running off at a speed he could never catch up to.

–

“Elder Duran?” Rob began, hating the hesitation in his tone. “I have a question. It’ll be awkward. I still have to ask it. Why do people have a problem with Keira?”

Duran took on an expression like an animal that had been backed into a corner. “I. That’s. Well. You don’t do things by halves, do you, Rob the Human.”

“Not when it’s important.”

The Elder sighed. “To put it simply...the elves of Ixatan have a proud history of producing the best Rangers in Elatra, and for good reason. Rangers are what we needed to survive. Up until this point in time, we’ve had little need of other Classes. What purpose is there for a Vanguard, or a Warrior, or a Swordmaster? None of them can navigate the boughs of Ixatan and come back safely. They can’t bring back the food we eat or the water we drink. Not only is Keira a worse tracker than a Ranger, her weapon of choice tends to crush its victims into paste, limiting the resources she procures from a successful hunt. She’s strong, yes, but should an army invade, Rangers will still be most effective at repelling enemy forces, as Rangers are most suited to taking advantage of Ixatan’s winding terrain.”

He leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. “Keira didn’t care. She followed her own path. Selfishly, some might say, and there may be a grain of truth in that. Speaking personally, however? The backlash she received from her decision was excessive, if predictable. Elves are creatures of tradition. Perhaps their opinions would have changed if she put her martial prowess to use in the front line of the war, but her parents forbade she go. Since then, Keira has put great effort into justifying her Class, picking fight after fight in Ixatan against dangerous beasts she really ought not to have fought on her own. It did little to change public perception; while the beasts were potential threats to our Village, in the end, they were nothing the Rangers couldn’t have handled. To some, Keira is an example of the wasted potential of youth, equivalent to a rising star that sunk into alcoholism. To others, she is a woman of greed, prioritizing her desire for combat and Levels over providing for the Village.”

Rob drummed his fingers on the table. “That’s fucked up.”

“I cannot disagree.”

“Any way to change it?”

“Even an Elder cannot alter peoples’ hearts and minds. We can try, but push too hard and they will entrench themselves further.”

Rob clenched his fingers tightly enough for his fingernails to draw blood. If Keira was ostracized to that degree, then he – a pariah who had known her for less than a week – might actually be her best friend in the world.

That was a thoroughly depressing thought.

And he would not stand for it.

–

The next day, he dueled Orn’tol. It ended up being his first win – not because he’d become a master overnight, but because Orn’tol was the proverbial runt of the litter. The boy was the youngest trainee by far, barely cracking 15 years old by human standards, and he was only Level 11. He did well all things considered, but Rob outmatched him in stats and reach.

And eye contact. Little wonder that the boy lost when he was barely able to look Rob in the face. It got to the point where Rob started to get offended, then it continued for so long that his outrage looped around to curiosity.

“Thanks for the spar,” Orn’tol mumbled, before making a hasty retreat. Rob shrugged. Nothing he could do about that, and he wasn’t really inclined to try. Can’t win them all.

–

The day after that, he sparred with Alia. She turned out to be the best of the bunch, thoroughly destroying him in a fair duel where surprise headbutts weren’t a weapon of choice. Neither of them said a word before, during, or after. It was the ideal situation and Rob was quite pleased with how it turned out.

–

Rob dueled Keira. Once. When he’d had the thought that Alia was the strongest trainee, it was with the implicit notion that Keira ‘didn’t count’. She proved that notion to him with casual ease.

He added ‘giant greatswords’ to the list of things in Elatra to be scared of.

--

Rob settled into a routine.

What a glorious word, routine. Wake up, greet Keira, train hard, talk with Duran. He got to know Vul’to and Zamira; they warmed up to him a bit more every day. He tried to lace in subtle remarks about Keira that mentioned how great she was, a subject they seemed awkward about at first but were gradually taking into consideration. The other three trainees were still frosty towards him, but he got the impression they were tolerating his presence more than before. Sparring took on a less hostile atmosphere as they realized he was willing to put in the work to improve his swordsmanship and not solely rely on Fast Learner to get ahead of them.

Rob didn’t gain any further stats or Skill levels from his training, but he felt himself improving, irrespective of the system. And while he still had to wear a hood outside, couldn’t travel anywhere else in the village, and still got dirty looks, the elves were getting more used to him. No one tried to break into his housing anymore. People were less on edge when he was around. It was a far cry from outright acceptance, but felt like night and day compared to before.

The knot in his chest loosened. Just a little.

It was...peaceful.

Rob knew it wouldn’t last. Something was bound to happen sooner or later. Such was the way of the world. For now, though, he reveled in the routine. When it broke, he would be refreshed and prepared to face the world with his head held high.

At least, that was what he thought.

–

Keira dashed through Ixatan, keeping a fine balance between speed and Stealth as she went. The darkness of night enshrouded the forest; she couldn’t tell if it was her imagination or not, but it felt malicious, wanting to reach out and suffocate her in a cold embrace. Her impression only worsened the farther they traveled.

“Minotaur to the left,” Riardin whispered. Keira adjusted her course, heart pounding in her chest. A Minotaur? This close to the Village? What the flying fuck was going on? She didn’t vocalize her apprehensions, not trusting herself to keep quiet enough to avoid alerting the dangers lurking in the shadows.

Too many dangers. Ixatan had never been this hostile before. Not even at night.

“Thirty feet east,” Riardin whispered. “We’re here.” Keira trusted Riardin’s instincts and Skills, because she had absolutely no idea where she was going. A thought that frustrated her to no end; she’d been here before, and while she’d been repeatedly reminded that she was a sub-par Hunter, finding her way back shouldn’t have been this difficult. Something in the air-

“Fuck,” Riardin spat. Keira put him down, took a look, and echoed his curse. Grass and dirt morphed into tortured stone in front of their eyes. It continued on until it reached an unnatural hole in the ground, far larger than it had been last time Keira had seen it.

A Dungeon. A Wound in the World.

The Dungeon where Men’ta had died was spreading outwards at a rate much faster than what they had expected. Of all the worst goddamn times. She looked into the Dungeon, putting all her hatred into a piercing glare that she could only hope reached the twisted sentience that lay within.

“It has to be expunged,” Riardin stated, voice strained. “If it spreads any further and starts releasing monsters at the same time the Infected assault the Village, everyone dies.”

He was right. What went unspoken in that exchange was that Riardin couldn’t be the one to do it. His recovery had taken much longer than expected; while he walked a little easier every day, Keira still had to carry him long distances. A Dungeon Crawl was out of the question.

Riardin turned to face her. “Are you-”

“Yes,” Keira stated, resolute.

He nodded in return. There was nothing else to say.

–

Two weeks after Rob had become a sorta-kinda-citizen of the Village, Riardin greeted him first thing in the morning, in his room. That was an immediate cause for concern.

“I have a request for you.”

That was further cause for concern.

“Do you remember the Dungeon where Men’ta died, and Keira met with you?” Riardin asked.

The one with the mutilated corpse and hundreds of spiders descending on an arachnophobic? “Yes. I very much do.”

Riardin hesitated, which was a third cause for concern. “We’re sending a group to expunge the Dungeon. It’s grown too large and is becoming a major threat to the Village.” His face hardened. “The experienced Rangers...cannot go. They’re busy procuring what little supplies they can and winnowing out the growing number of Infected appearing near the Village. We’re simply stretched too thin.” He let out a muted sigh at the last statement before continuing.

“I also cannot go; it will be several days yet before I can move for long periods of time without needing rest. My presence would only be a liability. Thus, the task falls to the trainee rangers to complete the job.”

Rob’s breath caught in his throat. If Dungeons were anything like what they were from the games on Earth, it was a labyrinthine deathtrap full of monsters. “How dangerous is it?”

“The Dungeon is still young. Were it not for the timing regarding the Infected, we would be able to leave it alone for some time longer. The trainees...” He paused. “Orn’tol will not be going. He’s far too young and his Levels aren’t up to par yet. With four other more experienced trainees, and Keira backing them up, they’ll be able to handle themselves. Which brings me to my request: I’d like you to go with them.”

Rob’s sinking feeling of what Riardin had been building up to was confirmed.. “I thought the Elders wanted me to gain Levels slowly, as to not alarm the villagers or risk my Leveling High getting worse?”

“They’re not part of this decision.” Rob’s eyes widened as Riardin continued, his voice firm. “I will assume any and all responsibility for their vapid complaints. The reason I’m asking you to join the Dungeon Crawl is because of your unique Skills. Regeneration is rare, and Lifesurge is very rare. Both are very well suited towards a Crawl that could very well take hours. The trainees will be bringing Health Potions with them, but none of them have the staying power you do. Especially since you seem shockingly unbothered by the aftereffects of Regeneration – you may not be aware of it, but the exhaustion you’ve been feeling is a fraction of what you should have felt after Regenerating from near-death multiple times in such a short period. It’s what’s incapacitated me for so long. And all of our Vanguards died in The Scouring; in some ways, you’re the best point man we have available.”

He sighed. “I will not force you. You’re new to combat, and it would be your first Crawl. And I truly do believe the trainees will succeed on their own. But I had to ask, all the same.”

A Dungeon Crawl.

Fighting had always been a part of his imminent future. He wanted Levels and there was really only one way to get them. If nothing else, eventually the rangers would take him on a field trip and he’d kick around some wolves. Training wheels for the new guy.

But...god, it was happening so soon. The two weeks had passed by in the blink of an eye. He’d have to travel into that spider-infested hellhole, playing defense for people he barely knew, getting injured again, killing again-

“I can’t,” Rob blurted out. “I’m sorry. I can’t do it yet.”

A crushing shroud of disappointment that came from within fell over Rob’s shoulders.

Riardin nodded. “I understand,” he replied, without judgment.

That just made it worse.

–

He barely had time to see Keira off before she left. In-between his protestations of why she had to be the one to do this, and how she better be careful, and in general fussing over her like he was her mom, she managed to put her hands on his shoulders and grip tightly.

“Rob. Relax. You’ve seen what I can do.” She grinned. “How about this – I’ll add you to the Party. The Dungeon is close enough that the distance won’t break your Invitation. You’ll be able to check our Status at any time in case you get worried. I added Riardin and Orn’tol earlier so they could keep track of us as well.”

Party Invitation. Of course Elatra would have something like that. “How do I accept an Invitation?”

She blinked. “You just do. Um. Try-”

“I get it, I get it. It’s like I just asked you to explain how to raise my own arm. Nevermind, Mr. Helpful Guiding Instinct has me covered.” Uncaring of his rambling, Rob focused on the friendly prodding in his mind and Accepted it.

~Party Screen~

Keira
Level: 28
Warrior Level: 25
HP: 250 / 250
Stamina: 300 / 300
MP: 250/250
Status Effects: Determined

Alia
Level: 18
Ranger Level: 15
HP: 220 / 220
Stamina: 230 / 230
MP: 120 / 120
Status Effects: Determined

Vul’to
Level: 16
Ranger Level: 13
HP: 200 / 200
Stamina: 210 / 210
MP: 170 / 170
Status Effects: Anxious

Zamira
Level: 16
Ranger Level: 13
HP: 200 / 200
Stamina: 220 / 220
MP: 160 / 160
Status Effects: Determined

Tarric
Level: 16
Ranger Level: 13
HP: 210 / 210
Stamina: 210 / 210
MP: 150 / 150
Status Effects: Determined, Anxious

Riardin
Level: 48
Ranger Level: 43
HP: 400 / 400
Stamina: 560 / 560
MP: 300 / 300
Status Effects: Wary

Orn’tol
Level: 11
Ranger Level: 6
HP: 150 / 150
Stamina: 140 / 140
MP: 100 / 100
Status Effects: Anxious

Rob’s eyes glazed over at the glut of information. He dismissed the screen after skimming through, but unlike the other system messages, the Party screen was minimized like a browser tab into a corner of his mind, ready to be called at a moment’s notice.

“That help you?” Keira asked, in a tone of fond exasperation.

“Yeah. It does. Thank you.” Rob gave her the best look of relieved confidence that he could. He wasn’t sure how well of a job he did, but at least Keira left with a spring in her step.

–

He spent the rest of the day worrying and checking the Party Screen. Their HP barely moved; dropping by 10 or 20 at a time before gradually ticking back up. The Crawl seemed to be proceeding gradually, yet successfully.

Eventually, Rob had to rest. He laid down onto the couch without changing into his sleepwear. Having to change his clothes after waking up would eat up precious time, in case...just in case.

–

Rob shot out of bed, awakened in an instant by the cacophony in his mind. Diplomacy was screeching at him. He checked the Party Screen a fraction of a second later.

Keira
Level: 29
Warrior Level: 26
HP: 27 / 250
Stamina: 70 / 300
MP: 50/250
Status Effects: Unconscious, Bleeding (Mild)

Alia
Level: 19
Ranger Level: 15
HP: 131 / 240
Stamina: 50 / 240
MP: 120 / 120
Status Effects: Determined, Bleeding (Moderate)

Vul’to
Level: 16
Ranger Level: 13
HP: 49 / 200
Stamina: 90 / 210
MP: 170 / 170
Status Effects: Unconscious

Zamira
Level: 17
Ranger Level: 13
HP: 138 / 250
Stamina: 30 / 220
MP: 160 / 160
Status Effects: Unconscious, Bleeding (Severe), Concussed (Mild)

Tarric
Level: 16
Ranger Level: 13
HP: 104 / 210
Stamina: 149 / 210
MP: 150 / 150
Status Effects: Determined, Frantic, Poisoned (Mild)

There was frantic knocking on the door.

Rob scooped up his sword and was there in a flash. Riardin waited behind the door, looking lost and dazed for the first time Rob had ever seen. The Ranger’s mouth shivered, unable to get the words out, but the appeal contained in his eyes was clear as day.

‘Please.’

All the fear, trepidation, worry, and self-disappointment that Rob had been feeling melted away. Only certainty remained.

Hold on, guys. Cavalry’s coming.

--

Character Sheet
Name: Rob
Level: 11
Race: Human
Class: Berserker (LV 1)

HP: 500 / 500
Stamina: 150 / 150
MP: 50 / 50

Status Effects: Leveling High (Mild), Fucking Tired (Mild), Determined

Strength: 15
Vitality: 50
Endurance: 15
Dexterity: 30
Perception: 11
Mind: 22
Magic: 5
Unspent Points: 0

Class Skills:
N/A

Active Skills:
Strength – N/A
Vitality – Do Not Go Gently (LV 1) (RARE), Lifesurge (LV 1)
Endurance – N/A
Dexterity – Stealth (LV 1)
Perception – N/A
Mind – Identify (LV 2), Recall (LV 1), Quick Thinking (LV 1), Auto-Translate (Elvish)
Magic – N/A

Passive Skills:
Human Racial Bonus – Fast Learner
Strength – Climbing (LV 2), Brawling (LV 3)
Vitality – Regeneration (LV 4), Tough Skin (LV 2), Poison Resistance (LV 4), Disease Resistance (LV 3)
Endurance – Deep Breathing (LV 1)
Dexterity – Swordsmanship (LV 4), Fleet of Foot (LV 1)
Perception – Foraging (LV 1), Hunting (LV 2)
Mind – Speed Reading (LV 2), Diplomacy (LV 2), Arachnophobia (LV 2) (RARE), Mathematics (LV 4), Melancholy Resistance (LV 2) (RARE) (Deactivated), ???
Magic – N/A

--

Active Skills

Name: Do Not Go Gently (LV 1) (RARE)
Prerequisites: Vitality 10, Go through a Near-Death Experience, Exhibit the Unyielding Will to Survive.
Description: When HP falls below 25%, double Vitality and double the effectiveness of all defense and Vitality-based skills.
Duration: 1 Minute.
Cooldown: 15 Minutes.

Name: Lifesurge (LV 1)
Prerequisite: Vitality 50, fall below 5% of your Max HP at least one.
Description: Rapidly restores 30% of your Max HP.
Cooldown: 24 hours.

Name: Stealth (LV 1)
Prerequisite: 15 Dexterity, successfully sneak by someone or something at least once.
Description: Get a little better at taking quiet steps and appearing unobtrusive. Drains 1 Stamina per second in use.

Name: Identify (LV 2)
Prerequisites: Mind 15, spend at least one year of your life specifically seeking out new knowledge.
Description: Imparts knowledge of the scanned object to the user.
Cooldown: 1 Minute

Name: Recall (LV 1)
Prerequisites: Mind 15
Description: Activate to permanently remember any written or spoken words read/heard by the user within the last five minutes. Words committed to memory through Recall can be forgotten at-will at any time. Max 200 words stored.
Cooldown: 1 Hour

Name: Quick Thinking (LV 1)
Prerequisite: Mind 20
Description: Slightly improves your speed of thought. Drains 3 Stamina per second while active. Mentally taxing when used for too long.

Name: Auto-Translate (Elvish)
Prerequisite: 30 Mind, read at least 30 worthwhile books, spend some time learning the Elvish language.
Description: Automatically translates any Elvish writing you read into English.


Passive Skills

Name: Climbing (LV 2)
Prerequisite: Endurance 10, Dexterity 10, climb up harsh terrain for at least five feet, climb a terrain without pre-made footholds.
Description: Tap into your latent monkey DNA to get better at climbing.

Name: Brawling (LV 3)
Prerequisite: Strength 15, Dexterity 15, participate in a fight while unarmed, and defeat at least one worthwhile opponent while unarmed.
Description: Become more proficient with humanity’s oldest weapons.

Name: Regeneration (LV 4)
Prerequisite: Vitality 50
Description: Heals 40% of Max HP every hour.

Name: Tough Skin (LV 2)
Prerequisite: Vitality 30, take grievous physical damage at least twice.
Description: Reduces physical damage incurred by 15%.

Name: Poison Resistance (LV 4)
Prerequisite: Vitality 40, endure prolonged poison damage
Description: Gain resistance to the damage caused by foreign, damaging substances in your body.

Name: Disease Resistance (LV 3)
Prerequisite: Come down with a potentially life-threatening disease.
Description: Helps you fight off nasty microorganisms. Sadly, you won’t get EXP from them.

Name: Deep Breathing (LV 1)
Prerequisite: Endurance 10, breathe heavily numerous times in a 24-period
Description: Air is life. Every deep breath or two normal breaths you take restores 1 Stamina.

Name: Swordsmanship (LV 4)
Prerequisite: Dexterity 25, spend at least one day wielding a sword, and defeat at least one worthwhile opponent while using a sword.
Description: Become more proficient with sharp-edged, bladed weapons with the shape and weight of a sword.

Name: Fleet of Foot (LV 1)
Prerequisite: 15 Endurance, 15 Dexterity, spend a moderate amount of time running for an extended period.
Description: Adds 2 functional Dexterity to your running speed when running for longer than 30 seconds.

Name: Foraging (LV 1)
Prerequisite: Perception 10, spend at least several hours hunting for food and water in the wilderness.
Description: Gain an instinctive sense for where food and water are located when out in the wilderness.

Name: Hunting (LV 2)
Prerequisite: Perception 10, spend at least several hours hunting animals in the wilderness, and successfully hunt at least one worthwhile creature.
Description: Gain an instinctive sense for where fresh game is located when out in the wilderness.

Name: Speed Reading (LV 2)
Prerequisites: Mind 15, read at least 10 books
Description: Your personal reading speed is increased by 20% without a reduction in memory retention or comprehension.

Name: Diplomacy (LV 2)
Prerequisite: Mind 40, defuse at least two very tense situations using words and body language.
Description: Become more proficient in the art of negotiation. With your personality, this may be the Skill you needed most.

Name: Arachnophobia (LV 2) (RARE)
Prerequisite: Kill at least 50 worthwhile insects, and experience a moment of intense loathing towards spiders.
Description: You hate all creepy crawlies, but you hate spiders the most. Deal 50% extra damage to insects and an additional 250% extra damage against spiders.

Name: Mathematics (LV 4)
Prerequisite: 40 Mind, successfully solve at least 200 worthwhile math problems.
Description: You know your times tables and everything. Your speed at solving math problems is slightly increased.

Name: Melancholy Resistance (LV2) (RARE) (Deactivated)
Prerequisite: Experience a deep-seated, soul-crushing sadness. Twice.
Description: Allows you to get back on your feet more quickly.

???
Prerequisites: Reach Level 99, ???