Chapter 13: My Last Loose End (Patreon)

My fury towards my in-laws remained unabated. It wasn't a boiling rage like before, but a simmering resentment that refused to be extinguished. The need for retribution was a burning desire within me, an unshakeable resolve. I had made a solemn promise, and I was determined to honor it. It might cast me in a negative light, but I couldn't bear the thought of them escaping the consequences of their actions, especially their role in Sophie's suffering.

I searched the Spell list for a suitable option. After some time, I finally came across the Mind Discipline section, which featured a selection of rather dark abilities. Among them were mesmerizing, spellbinding, enthralling, entrancing, hypnotizing, and bewitching. Taking my time, I carefully read through each description, weighing my options. Ultimately, I settled on spellbinding—it aligned perfectly with my intentions.

SPELLBINDING

Description: Spellbinding, a sinister enchantment spell, grants the caster the power to manipulate people, compelling them to obey their every command. This dark art, often employed by cunning bards, enchanters, and illusionists, ensures unwavering loyalty and obedience through magical coercion.

Level 1: At the initial level, Spellbinding causes the affected target to feel a subtle, almost invisible aura of influence. The effects last three days, during which the target feels an inexplicable urge to comply with the caster's simple suggestions. The spell has to be broken into parts and cast repeatedly for more complex actions. While the enchantment is relatively weak, it can still override minor resistance, making it difficult for ordinary individuals to defy the caster.

Level 5: At this level, the duration of the spell increases to 1 week. The enchantment's power intensifies, making it harder for people to resist the caster's commands. The compulsion effect becomes more noticeable, and those affected are more likely to follow moderately complex instructions, even if they go against their better judgment.

Level 10: The spell's duration extends to 2 weeks. The enchantment's influence grows more potent, creating a significant compulsion effect. Those under the spell find it increasingly difficult to resist the caster's directives, even if they are morally or ethically opposed to them.

Level 15: Spellbinding at this level lasts for one month. The enchantment exudes a powerful, sinister aura that can dominate larger groups of people. The compulsion effect becomes almost irresistible, making it challenging for those affected to disobey even detailed and demanding commands from the caster. Overcoming the enchantment requires significant mental fortitude or powerful magical intervention.

Level 20: At this level, Spellbinding can last for two months. The enchantment's grip strengthens, allowing the caster to issue complex and dangerous commands that those affected will follow without hesitation. The compulsion effect is so powerful that individuals under the spell's influence will act against their deepest instincts and beliefs, unable to resist the caster's will.

Level 25: Spellbinding can last up to 3 months at the highest level. The enchantment reaches its peak, creating an unbreakable grip on the minds of those affected. The compulsion effect is so powerful that individuals will follow even the caster's most complex, dangerous, and counterintuitive commands. Breaking free from the enchantment requires a strong counter-spell or immense magical resistance.

Usage: Spellbinding exerts control over individuals, ensuring their obedience and loyalty. It can compel performers to act as the caster's desires, manipulate followers into blind loyalty, and influence critical social, political, or personal decisions.

Limitations: The spell's effectiveness diminishes over time, and its power depends on the caster's skill level. High-level casters can create more potent and longer-lasting enchantments. However, the spell may have less effect on individuals with strong magical resistance or exceptional mental fortitude.

I also found the Invisibility spell that was mentioned in the Archives. A lot of Travelers recommend always crossing the Gates while invisible.

INVISIBILITY

Description: Invisibility is a coveted illusion spell employed by stealthy rogues, cunning mages, and spies for covert operations and strategic advantage. It renders the caster imperceptible to normal senses, allowing them to move undetected through various environments.

Level 1: Duration lasts 5 minutes. The caster becomes visually unseen, blending seamlessly into the surroundings. Physical contact or audible disturbances can still reveal their presence.

Level 5: Duration extends to 30 minutes. The illusion strengthens, making it harder for enemies to detect movements or disruptions caused by the invisible entity.

Level 10: Duration Lasts 1 hour. The invisibility becomes more reliable, masking not only sight but also sound and other minor disturbances, enhancing stealth capabilities.

Level 15: Duration Extends to 2 hours. Enhances the illusion to cover scent and magical detection, making it challenging for even skilled adversaries to uncover the caster's location.

Level 20: Duration Lasts 4 hours. Further refines the spell to include protection against divination magic and sensory abilities, providing a nearly foolproof disguise.

Level 25: Duration Peaks at 8 hours. Perfects the illusion to conceal the caster comprehensively from all senses and magical detection, offering unparalleled invisibility and stealth capabilities.

Usage: Invisibility enables strategic positioning, surprise attacks, and evasive maneuvers in both combat and espionage scenarios. It grants a significant advantage in bypassing obstacles and evading pursuit.

Limitations: Movement that disturbs the environment or magical defenses specifically designed to detect invisibility can reveal the caster's presence. The spell's effectiveness may diminish if countered by potent magical detection or the keen sensory abilities of adversaries.

With the two spells, I headed to see my in-laws. They made Sophie miserable over money and jewelry; I'll make them feel the same. Nothing hurts more than a blow to what you cherish the most, and they cherished money above all else.

To avoid detection, I cast Invisibility five blocks away from their house multiple times. Once I got there, I patiently waited for my father-in-law. When he parked, I swiftly cast a spellbinding on him: "Don't notice my voice, but do as I say," and then, "Go inside and leave the door open for 2 minutes." I stealthily entered the house behind him and listened for his wife. She was in the living room.

Knowing they had security cameras around the house and some inside, I stayed invisible the whole time. I cast on Rachel, "Don't notice my voice, but do as I say," and then, "Go, collect all your and Malcolm's jewelry, put it all in a bag, and put the bag on the dining table." I could feel that this command stretched the boundaries of the spell's ability at level one. It was almost too complex, but just in the workable frame. When she returned with the jewelry, I cast again. "Go to sleep. Forget everything that happened. Tomorrow, you will remember feeling tired and going to bed early." And one last spell, "Don't look for the jewelry for the next three days." At level one, the spell effect could extend to three days maximum.

Then, cast on my father-in-law, "Go to your safe, open it, and add all the valuables to the bag." When he returned with the bag, "Access your bank account and donate all your liquid funds to the Cancer Research Foundation; attach to the donation a letter that the donation is in memory of your beloved daughter." After ensuring he followed my instructions, "Remember feeling bad about your treatment of Sophie and deciding to donate in her memory." And another one "You will feel good about donating." And one more, "Go put the bag with the valuables behind the enormous statue in the front yard." When he returned, "Go to sleep. Forget everything that happened except the donation." And the last one, "Tomorrow, you will remember that you felt tired and went to bed early. Don't look for your jewelry, don't access your bank account, and don't open your safe for the next three days". The last cast was too complex for the spell level, and I had to break it into two parts. "Tomorrow, you will remember that you felt tired and went to bed early." And, "Don't look for your jewelry, don't access your bank account, and don't open your safe for the next three days." I added the bag to my Storage and went back to my hotel.

Upon arriving at the hotel and inspecting the bag, I was stunned. Familiar with Rachel's extensive jewelry collection—having never seen her wear the same piece twice—I was nonetheless unprepared for what I found. There were over 150 small pieces, like rings, earrings, pendants with chains, and bracelets, including two tennis bracelets with diamonds, about 50 more significant pieces, and some jewelry sets in boxes. The sets in the boxes looked very expensive. There were also 15 sets of cufflinks with gems, 21 tie clips, all in gold or platinum, and some with gems. There were also $25,000 in cash, a small bag of loose gems, collectible silver and gold coins in plastic casings, and five bearer bonds for $8,000 each.

So, there is a "looting" function; it just works a bit differently.

This thought made me snicker to myself. I was developing a sinister sense of humor.

They were certainly going to feel that. I was glad—they deserved it.

_______

In the last two days, I spent three ability points and wasn't sure it would be easy to "farm" them where I was going, so I decided to stay longer to "fill up."

I visited Sophi's grave for the last time to say goodbye and to tell her I was fulfilling my promise to her to continue living and not give up, and stayed there for the rest of the day, silently keeping her company until darkness descended. Kissing the grave for the last time, I said, "If I don't visit again, it's not because I don't care, but because I'm in another world. I'll take you there in my heart and share my journey with you."

________

I flew to New York, assuming there would be more workshops, pawn shops, and delis. Also, I wanted to fill up my storage with hot takeaway food, especially Italian and Chinese.

For a while, I had the blinking red light and ignored it; I was getting used to it and ignoring it. On the flight, there was time, so I checked my messages and had a surprise.

_________________

You have bought and sold goods for enormous sums of money in the last few months.

New Profession unlocked: [Merchant]

Would you like to take the Merchant Profession as your Profession?

Note: Taking this Profession will allow you to use the banked advancement.

Y/N

________________

Yes, yes, and yes.

___________

New Quality unlocked

Luck

__________

I checked Luck, as the other attributes' descriptions were a surprise:

___________

Luck

This quality does not have physical or mental aspects.
Luck affects chance, fate, and destiny.
Luck is the invisible guidance leading toward fortune, prosperity, success, and fortuitous events or circumstances.
Luck is also the internal warning of danger, of knowing not to go somewhere or not to do something.
Luck is the guiding hand that leads you to a better existence.

__________

My red light was still blinking.

 _____________

Level up
+3 wisdom, +3 perception, +2 luck, +3 free points
Merchant Level 2
Stat points: 3
Level up
+3 wisdom, +3 perception, +2 luck, +3 free points
Merchant Level 3
Stat points: 6
Level up
+3 wisdom, +3 perception, +2 luck, +3 free points
Merchant Level 4
Stat points: 9
Level up
+3 wisdom, +3 perception, +2 luck, +3 free points
Merchant Level 5
Stat points: 12

_____________

Except for my new stat, Luck, my lowest were agility and constitution. So, I added 6 to each.

I also checked the Merchant description:

____________

Merchant

This is one of the oldest professions in existence.
It is common and generally respected.
Merchants buy and sell goods for profit.
This profession offers 3 starting skills when you get the profession and an additional skill every 5 levels.
When the Merchant levels a skill to its highest level [25], they can choose another skill from the list to level.
Each level gives +3 wisdom, +3 perception, +2 luck, +3 free points

 ____________

I went to my profile, and there were two new lines in my profile:

___________

Profession: Merchant Level 5

Skills

Bargain
Sense Honesty
Appraisal
A Nose for Business

 ____________

The last one was unclear, so I poked it.

____________

A Nose for Business

Demonstrating a keen eye for opportunities, you excel at evaluating offers to discern their actual value and uncover any undisclosed factors. Your skill lies in presenting deals and merchandise in a compelling and favorable light. Moreover, when engaging with customers, you have an intuitive sense of their desires and requirements, enabling you to meet their needs effectively.

____________ 

I looked at my full profile, and it looked good.

Name: John Rue

Age: 38

Class: Healer Level 3

Spells

Heal Muscle - 12
Diagnose - 1
Stop Bleeding - 1
Heal Bone - 1
Control Blood - 1
Healing Touch - 1
Neutralize Poison
Purify
Clean

Hidden Class: Gate Traveler Level 3

Gates to next level: 2/8

Abilities

Conversion
Travelers' Archive
Identify
Storage–x3 (1728m3)
Local Adaptation - Spoken language
Map
One of the Crowd

Profession: Merchant Level 5

Skills

Bargain
Sense Honesty
Appraisal
A Nose for Business

General Spells

Mana Dart
Mana shield - 1
Spellbinding - 3
Invisibility - 2

General Skills

Making handmade pasta - 1
Pencil sketching - 1
Making Beer - 1
Staff Fighting - 10
Krav Maga - 10
Archery - 10
Minor Spell Adaptation - 1
Mana Sense - 1
Mana Meditation - 3
Photography - 1
Develop Negative - 1
Print Photograph -1
Guitar Playing

Health: 2350/2350

Mana: 3000/3000

Strength: 24

Agility: 24

Constitution: 23

Vitality: 27

Intelligence: 23

Wisdom: 30

Perception: 28

Luck: 8

Stat points: 0

Ability points: 10

My hope was to complete all my tasks in New York and Europe quickly. I want to leave as soon as possible—Earth felt like a prison.