August Intruder- Chapter 68- Fire Centipede (Patreon)

Naymond’s skill had turned out to be [Shades of Perception]. Melmarc couldn’t say he had been surprised when the [Sage] had told him. It had sounded like something complicated. When he’d chosen it and discovered what it did, he was more certain that it belonged to Naymond.

It had also given him a bit of insight into some of the things Naymond did. Like why he was currently riding around on Nelson’s back.

As its description suggested, [Shades of Perception] granted benefits based on if you were capable of executing something that was improbable. If you were successful, depending on the level of improbability, you got a boost in perception.

Melmarc found himself wondering how often Naymond used the skill. The [Sage] was, after all, always doing things that didn’t make sense. Like tidying up people’s offices and checking the time.

But being able to tidy up someone’s office didn’t sound very improbable. There was very little a person couldn’t make themselves do. Unless you’re making kids do it.

Melmarc almost groaned at the idea of the things Naymond had made him do.

They were currently hiding behind a building not too far from the castle walls. While quiet, the Delvers were paying avid attention to the [Damned] that were there. Clinton’s lips moved every now and again but he didn’t make any sound.

Jed simply watched, eyes narrowed and a frown on his face.

Watching them this time felt different for Melmarc. Once upon a time, when he’d looked at them, his mind had been more fixated on the castle within and the possibility of clearing the portal. Only the big picture.

Now he watched them with a different kind of attention. He almost studied them.

The first thing he realized was their size. They were definitely taller than the ones he’d faced. Thinner and taller. They also moved with more grace, even if they were still jerky in their steps. They did not run into each other, or stagger or stumble. And while they decayed like their counterparts, they didn’t look like they would crumble at anytime.

“Am I the only one that finds the whole skull head thing quite rude?” Naymond whispered.

Jude turned to him with a finger to his lips.

The Delver had been healed a while back. His thirty minutes of punishment had expired and Claire had been allowed to heal him. Even now, Melmarc was vaguely aware of the fact that the man had offered him no apology.

Clinton raised a hand and gave them a signal. Obediently, the Delvers started backing up. Melmarc didn’t recognize the hand sign, but he backed up as well. They moved slowly, gentle steps carrying them farther away from the wall, eyes fixed on the [Damned].

When they were far away, the [Damned] almost dots in their sight, Clinton turned to address them.

“I don’t think we can take them,” he said.

Naymond chuckled on Nelson’s back and the big guy frowned. “They really don’t look take-able.”

Clinton gave him a single look before ignoring him.

“Our guns will be useless,” he continued. “Some of them have armor on. I assume that those will be enough to hinder our bullets. And judging from the strength of the ones we faced in the trees, I say gunshots would be a waste of our time.”

“Then it’s a good thing we aren’t charging in,” Jed said. “Right?”

Clinton nodded. “We’ll go around. The plan still remains.”

The plan, Melmarc remembered, was to blow a hole in the side of the wall, somewhere that wasn’t swarming with the creatures. While he didn’t argue with the idea, he was still of the opinion that the wall would be too sturdy.

Climbing the wall was definitely not an option, though. It was too smooth. Jumping over it was also a bad idea because it was too tall.

He frowned as the thoughts moved through his mind. Personally, a head on attack was beginning to seem like the only way to go.

I could disable them…

Again, that didn’t seem right. He remembered what had happened when he’d found Clinton and his team. When the infants had jumped within [Secrecy] they’d simply fallen flat, crossing no distance. It made him wonder if the jumps and mad dashes were some kind of skill.

He doubted it.

The only buff [Knowledge is Power] brought him from the [Damned] was the skill [Damnation]. Nothing else. If the jumping and all that were skills, he would have been offered the skill.

Then why had they fallen powerlessly at the activation of [Secrecy]? Why were they weak within its confines?

“So we’re still blowing shit up,” Jude asked.

Clinton nodded. “Sounds like our best option right now.”

“And what do we do about the noise?”

Jed nodded. “He’s right. It will definitely draw attention.”

“We’ll just have to be fast,” Clinton said. The frown on his face told Melmarc that the Delver was still thinking about the entire thing. “The explosion could also serve as a distraction.”

Jed scratched his jaw at that. “You’re thinking we should split up?”

“Maybe.” Clinton seemed uncertain.

“You sure that’s a good idea?” Naymond asked. “If we’re splitting up, I get the kid, the Healer, and big guy over here.”

He patted Nelson on the shoulder.

Now that Melmarc knew what Naymond was doing, or at least had an insight into it, the Sage’s disruptive behavior seemed more tolerable. Beneficial. [Shades of Perception] increased the amount of perception based on how difficult the task was and from the little he’d garnered when he’d tried using the skill, you determined what improbable task you wanted to accomplish while the skill determined how many stats it was worth.

It was a very loose skill by Melmarc’s estimate. He also found himself wondering the extent of the task Naymond had set himself to. One thing was certain, though. It involved Nelson.

With Naymond’s words on taking Claire, Jed’s question about splitting up hit a different point. In a portal like this where a single blow could render you close to death’s door, you did not want to be without a healer.

Everyone exchanged a look and Melmarc watched ideas live and die on different expressions, never being suggested.

For him, Melmarc believed charging them would be best. Not like the mad, though. It would be stupid to just run in, guns blazing. There would have to be some kind of tactics involved. What did he know about Delvers?

A lot of his own personal knowledge of them was in who they were as Gifted. But he knew more, thanks to Delano. He knew how they fought. Or at least how they were supposed to fight.

Ranged for distance attack and support, he thought. Healer in the back. Tank in front. Melee in front.

Those were the basics. There could be more added to the team but these four positions were essential.

Looking at the team in front of him, he could ascertain what roles some of them played. Clinton with [Fists of Thunder] was most likely a melee. The tank was unquestionable. Claire was the Healer. So who was the ranged.

All of them?

By the virtue of owning guns, it didn’t seem like an impossible idea. But that wasn’t how this was supposed to work. They were Delvers. He was supposed to be looking at their positions when putting only their skills into account.

“Who’s the ranged support?” he found himself asking.

Clinton turned to him. “The what?”

“Ranged support,” Melmarc repeated. “I can tell that you’re the melee. And Nelson’s the tank. Claire’s the Healer.” He looked at Jed and Jude. “Who’s ranged?”

Apart from Claire, the rest raised their guns.

Naymond smacked his forehead with his palm. “He’s talking about skills. Class.”

“We’re all capable of ranged attacks,” Jed answered.

Melmarc didn’t like that. A team needed defined roles. All defined roles needed to be occupied by those best suited to it. You did not improvise your way into roles. That was the quickest way to lose a fight.

It was like chess. Some roles were more important than others. Some more easily sacrificed. You did not sacrifice a knight to save a pawn unless it led to a greater advantage than the loss of the knight.

Roles were important. Roles were—

Melmarc froze, his own thoughts hindering him. What the hell had just happened? Had he just described the roles of actual people as if he was talking about a chess game? Pawns and knights. Sacrifices.

He didn’t get to play God on the battle field. He didn’t get to pick and choose who lives and dies for what purposes or reasons. He understood the necessity of it but the morality of it was a far heavier weight than that.

What was happening to him?

He felt a hand on his shoulder and he looked up.

Naymond looked down at him with an understanding expression. It was solemn, too. Melmarc didn’t think he’d ever seen the [Sage] look so understanding and empathetic before.

“You’ve got to take it one step at a time,” Naymond said. “In the heat of battle the last thing you want to do is second guess yourself. Act and have faith in the fact that you’ve grown well. Have faith in the fact that you know right from wrong and will pick right.”

Melmarc met Naymond’s gaze, then sighed. As serious and reasonable as his words were, it was almost impossible to take him serious when he was practically leaning down from a large man who was giving him a piggy back ride that he did not need.

Naymond took his hand from Melmarc’s shoulder and turned to the rest. “So are we still splitting up?”

Clinton shook his head. “It was a bad idea from the start. Splitting up only works when there’s a rendezvous point.”

“And we don’t have one?” Naymond asked.

Nelson shook his head. “We don’t even know what’s inside the castle so we won’t have where to meet back.”

“We could always meet back here.”

Jed looked at him like he was stupid. “Why?”

Naymond shrugged. “No idea.”

“Well, that was stupid,” Jed sighed.

It seemed Naymond was the only one that was capable of making the Delver talk more than was necessary. Normally, Jed was quiet. But only until Naymond said something.

Clinton ignored their small altercation. “So it’s agreed. No splitting up. I don’t think it would be good for any of us to go around without a Healer, right now. There’s too much we still don’t know.”

Nelson placed his hands on his vest, gripped it at the front collar where it made a ‘V’ and rested them there.

“Still got the explosives?” Clinton asked.

Nelson nodded. “They’ll be loud.”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s a risk we’re going to have to take.” Clinton looked at Naymond. “You said you’re not a combatant.”

Naymond nodded. “Desk junkie, right here.”

“So we should take you as a civilian?”

Naymond nodded.

Clinton sighed. “I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been hoping you’d be more helpful.”

Naymond didn’t seem the least bit bothered by it.

Melmarc, however, had other ideas on the matter. Naymond might like to stay away from the action but he was far from combat useless.

The two [Damned] that they’d met in the room with Naymond when he’d returned with the Delvers were dead. They also bore no injuries at all. How they had died wasn’t important, though. What was important was that they had died. Which meant that Naymond had a way to kill them.

So why’s he keeping it a secret?

“Then it’s settled,” Clinton announced. “Naymond and Marc will stay at the rear with Claire. Jed, you're in charge of them.”

“Do I get absolute command?” Jed asked, eyeing Naymond.

“Define absolute command.”

“Absolute command,” Jed said, thumbing at Naymond, “implies being able to knock this one upside the head if he acts out.”

“No.”

Jed shrugged. “I’ll do it regardless.”

“If anything goes wrong, I’ll take point with Nelson,” Clinton said, ignoring Jed’s comment. “Claire, keep an eye out for anyone that decides to start dying. Jed, you protect her. The last thing we want is to lose our Healer like what happened in the beginning. Jude you take center, put down anything that gets past Nelson and I.”

“We’ve got a [Faker], though,” Jude pointed out. “With that, we could get two Healers.”

Clinton shook his head. “He’s a child and a civilian. He stays put and stays safe.”

“It’s not a combat role, though.”

“And if someone goes down in a chaos, that means he’ll have to go into the chaos to heal them.”

Jude frowned.

“I’m just trying to maximize our chances of survival,” he muttered.

Something about the look in Clinton’s eyes at the Delver’s words implied consequences for that line of thought.

Personally, Melmarc didn’t care about this part of the conversation. As far as he was concerned, he would only remain quiet and safe for the first assault they experienced. He would use it to learn. He would pay attention, figure out what to do and what not to do. Learning how these new [Damned] fought was the priority. Learning how the team fought was second.

Then their next combat experience would have him going into the fray. It might be a stupid thought, but he needed all the [EP] he could get.

Their walk lasted another fifteen minutes. Clinton lead them to the side. They kept a steady distance away from the wall. Far away that they felt safe but close enough that they could still pick out the [Damned].

The walk was silent, filled with the settling anticipation of potential violence. Melmarc had a feeling the settling anticipation was more on his side of things. His muscles felt at ease at the thought of the violence that could come. But it wasn’t just the violence, it was the possibility of it in large numbers. The chaos that would come from a group of people fighting at the same time.

He waited for it. Terrifyingly so, he wanted it. And it had nothing to do with the reward of [EP] that would come with victory.

Melmarc pulled up his traits.

Traits

[Calculating…]

He wasn’t surprised.

He was at least eighty percent sure that this new section of his interface, the section he’d never heard about in any Gifted, would explain it all. Until then, he discarded it.

The rest of the journey was walked in relative silence. Naymond disturbed Nelson occasionally, but not with words. It was hard to believe that the big guy was carrying Naymond just because Naymond said Melmarc would forgive him.

Was it some kind of blackmail? Now that Melmarc knew there was a benefit to some of the insane things Naymond was doing, he wasn’t sure that he couldn’t put it past the [Sage].

“How much are you going to get out of it?” he asked as they finally made a turn and started heading towards the castle wall.

From this distance, Melmarc couldn’t see any waiting [Damned]. The wall was free. Smooth and tall with a bone white exterior. It looked less like a wall and more like a very massive bone.

Again, he was left with a strong feeling that their explosive plan wouldn’t work.

Naymond looked down at Melmarc. “What?”

“This,” Melmarc gestured at him on Nelson. “How much will [Shades of Perception] give you?”

Naymond squinted at him as if realizing something.

“Oh,” he said in sudden epiphany, still keeping his voice down. “You’re finally beginning to understand that I’m actually not some random annoyance.”

Melmarc nodded.

A small smile touched Naymond’s lips. It was fond.

“Well,” he said. “I got eight points.”

Eight? That was a massive number.

When Melmarc had tried to use the skill, he’d been given the option of getting the Delvers to not heal Jude until the actual fighting had begun. And that would’ve gained him only four points in perception.

Using the benefits of [Bless Your Kindness] as a point of comparison, it had sounded like a lot of points. Now, he didn’t think so.

Wait. He paused, a frown touching his lips.

He looked up at Naymond and found the man still staring at him.

“You said ‘got,’” he pointed out.

Naymond’s smile widened. “I did.”

“How long ago?”

Naymond grinned. “The task was to simply get him to offer me a place on his back.”

That meant he’d remained on the man’s back for no good reason at all. That was just wrong. That was just…

…Naymond.

For a moment, Melmarc had almost accepted that Naymond wasn’t annoying simply because he was annoying, or confusing simply because he wanted to confuse. For a moment, he’d almost believed that Naymond’s eccentricities were a result of his skill.

But why did that make it understandable or acceptable? Delano was eccentric in his own way and Melmarc was happy to accept it even though most people thought his friend was weird. No one took a conspiracy theorist seriously.

No one took anybody too curious seriously when they had a habit of poking their noses in what was not supposed to concern them.

“You’re thinking to hard,” Naymond said.

Nelson grunted. “I’m not thinking.”

“Not you, big guy.” Naymond patted him on the shoulder as they drew closer to the wall. “Though, it says a lot that you can comfortably go around not thinking at all.”

Nelson grumbled something completely incoherent but kept on walking.

Naymond returned his attention to Melmarc. “So, tell me. Have you always been a thinker? I know you’ve been a worrier. But a thinker?”

Melmarc had always been a thinker. His thoughts just always went towards the worrying part of it. Mostly for Ark’s safety and for keeping Delano out of trouble. Reasonably, he’d never really needed to think of much else.

Although, now he was beginning to think it had been less of not needing to think of much else and more about fixating on what to occupy his mind with.

In the end, Melmarc’s response was a shrug. “Everybody thinks.”

“True enough,” Naymond agreed. “Everyone but my new friend over here.”

He patted Nelson.

“Pat me one more time and I’ll drop you,” Nelson said.

“Why are you even carrying him in the first place?” Jed said.

Naymond smiled.

“Someone’s quite jealous,” he whispered to Melmarc conspiratorially. His voice, however, was loud enough for anyone listening to hear.

Jed scowled. “How the hell has no one shot you?”

“The better question is how have you not shot me?” Naymond raised a questioning brow.

Jed looked away. “Dumb luck, I guess.”

“I agree.” Naymond tapped a thoughtful finger to his lip. “I’m lucky and you’re dumb. Makes sense.”

“Mr. Hitchcock,” Melmarc scolded before he could stop himself.

“You’re right,” Naymond sighed. “I went a little far with that one. I should learn to rein myself in sometimes.” He turned to Jed, serious and composed, as composed as a grown man on another man’s back could be. “I apologize for that. I shouldn’t have called you dumb. You’re far from that, and I’m not a jester.”

Jed paused, taken back by surprise. He looked from Naymond to Melmarc, then back. A confused frown touched his lips. He looked back at Melmarc.

“Sarcasm?” he asked.

Melmarc didn’t think it was so he shook his head.

Jed looked back at Naymond. He didn’t look convinced. “Are you sure you’re not the kid’s butler?”

“I told you I was, didn’t I?” Naymond smiled kindly.

“That’s enough of that,” Clinton said, hushing them. “We need silence from here on.”

They were already close to the wall now. Close enough that they could pick out details of it. The first thing Melmarc noticed was that the wall wasn’t smooth. It was rough, like a skin with rashes. A lot of rashes.

It was still as bone white as it had looked from afar. And even from how far they were from it, perhaps two more minutes of walking between them, it looked extra thick.

As they walked in the silence, Nelson rummaged about in his front vest. He unclipped the pockets, checked inside them and closed them back. When he was done with that, he checked his pants pockets.

Satisfied with whatever he had learned from his check, he returned his attention to the path in front of him. As for Naymond, he simply rested his head across the man’s back as if he intended on going to sleep.

Melmarc placed a quick decision in his mind. If he needed to join the fight earlier than he’d planned, none of Claire’s skill was what he would go for. There was a part of him that agreed that he would make an amazing medic in this situation but that was if he was thinking for the team. And that wasn’t his job.

As a medic, [Knowledge is Power] could help him get to the injured in relative safety. All he needed was to be fast enough. [Bless Your Kindness] gave him the stats he would need to get that speed as well as the strength he would need to carry the injured to safety if he couldn’t heal them on the spot.

Again, it was an important role for the team. But he was not a part of the team.

He was currently a one-man team, though Naymond was something of an honorary member. The Delvers could handle themselves. They were trained and paid for that. What he needed to be doing was figure out what would be best for his team, not the team he was collaborating with.

And that was getting as much [EP] as he could manage. To do that, he needed to fight. To fight, he needed powerful skills.

He poked Naymond in the side. Naymond turned to look at him.

“I need [World of Insight],” he told Naymond in a whisper.

Naymond shrugged. “Why are you telling me?”

“Because—”

“Moral dilemma?” Naymond asked and he nodded.

A sad smile touched Naymond’s lips.

“You’re one of the good ones, aren’t you?” he said. “Try not to forget that the older you get, okay? We really don’t have a lot of them in the adult world. Especially among the Gifted.”

Melmarc had no idea why Naymond was choosing to say that now. Actually, he did. It was just that he didn’t see the necessary purpose. They were about to get into a potential fight.

Human interaction, Melmarc told himself. He refused to allow this new way of thinking overthrow his normal way of thinking.

Naymond had called him a good one. Melmarc had never necessarily thought of himself as good, but he was certain he wasn’t bad. And as long as he didn’t allow his new way of thinking control him, he could continue remaining certain that he wasn’t bad.

I’ll need to have a talk with mom and dad when I get back.

If [Optimum Existence] was bringing out traits in him and the traits had something to do with what was happening to him, then it meant he’d inherited them. And who better to speak to about it than the people he most likely inherited them from.

Ark would need to be there while I’m doing it, he thought.

Why?

Because it was Ark. That was the best he got.

With a deep breath, Melmarc activated [Knowledge is Power].

“You guys ready?” Naymond asked as the skill burst out, going straight through everybody.

“What do you mean?” Jed asked. “It’s not like you’ve asked before.”

Naymond grinned at him. “Just wait for it.”

Jed squinted. Clinton looked back. Claire wasn’t really bothered. Jude’s eyes didn’t hesitate to move to Melmarc.

For the first time, Melmarc realized that Naymond had waited until the static of his mana burst had gone through them before telling them to wait for it.

He can see it?

There was nothing supporting the thought. Maybe it was simply a coincidence. Maybe it wasn’t.

Melmarc watched Naymond’s eyes focus a little too strongly on Jed. Melmarc kept his eyes on the [Sage]. Before the burst of mana passed through them on its return, Naymond flinched.

He can fucking see it.

[Skill Knowledge Is Power is concluded.]

[All stats are increased by +1.5.]

[Life forms detected: 6.]

[You have received 6 Potential buffs.]

[Sword of the Immortal (02.01%)]

The Gifted cuts a target at the same strength regardless of health.

[Fist of Thunder (Mastery 2.00%)]

The Gifted wraps their fist in electricity at a mana cost.

[World of Insight (Mastery 05.03%]

The Gifted is aware of their existent present surrounding.

[Hand of Life (Mastery 1.08%)

The Gifted quantifies a target’s health in definable quantity.

[The Great Wall (Mastery 0.00%)

The Gifted stands his ground when in possession of a target.

[Stay Away From Me (Mastery 0.00%)

The Gifted keeps a target away from their personal space.

…

[Buff mastery is scaled based on mastery of skill Bless Your Kindness. Mastery of buff will begin reduction after ten minutes.]

[Would you like to select a Buff?]

[Yes/No.]

[Remaining time: 00:02:59.]

Melmarc didn’t delay. He selected [World of Insight] and it was like everything around him lit up in his mind.

The combination of [knowledge is Power] and [World of Insight] gave the world around him a whole new meaning. He almost felt omniscient.

Before he could stop himself, Melmarc was already looking around in wonder. The blades of grass were somehow greener and sharper. Jude’s injury was healed but the man still walked as if he favored his right side.

There was a bruise there, still purpling. It wasn’t as large as a fist, but it was there. A reminder of the consequences of Jude’s action. A symbol of what Melmarc was slowly becoming capable of.

It only lasted a moment before Melmarc realized what he had done. In the distance, he saw red indicators light up on the surface of the wall. They were behind the wall but he could see them clear as day. More surprising was the barely perceptible outlines just below each indicator.

He peered forward, squinted at them. He hadn’t known [Knowledge is Power] had grown in its reach. The distance between them and the wall was farther than the width of a small house. And that was only the radius.

Melmarc wanted to look behind him, make sure it really was just the radius and the skill hadn’t somehow just shot forward. He paused. Two things occupying his mind.

First, why had he considered looking back to see how far the skill had reached. It dawned on him then that he didn’t know much of what was behind him. he was aware of maybe six to seven feet behind him, but that was it. It was as if most of the skill had focused on what was in front of him.

Was this what it had meant by him getting the ability to control its extremities? If yes, then why now? What had he done differently that it had focused forward and not around him?

“You’re squinting,” Naymond said. “Do we have something to worry about?”

Melmarc nodded, pulling himself from his reflection. It could wait, after all. This one was more important.

On the other side of the wall, the indicators were moving a little faster. They were aware of his presence now. They simply didn’t know where he was. To them, it was like a game of hide and seek. Someone was there but they couldn’t tell where.

“I count twelve of them on the other side,” he told Naymond in a low voice.

Clinton looked to Jed for confirmation and Jed shook his head.

“I don’t get it,” Clinton said, looking back at Melmarc. “How do you know how many are on the other side. Jed’s our scout and he doesn’t have a skill that can tell him that so you didn’t get it from him.”

Melmarc noted the curiosity in the man’s voice. He wasn’t accusatory or suspicious, merely confused.

“I’ve got an awareness skill,” Naymond answered. “That’s what he copied.”

They were closer to the wall now.

Clinton opened his mouth. He clearly wanted to object. But he didn’t. Instead, he closed his mouth and picked up the pace. Melmarc could tell that the man was uncomfortable about not knowing. More uncomfortable at being lied to. But he was keeping it together, trying his best not to let it get to him.

He’s a good leader, Melmarc realized. He’s more focused on what’s important to the mission than his own personal curiosity or feelings.

“What else you got?” Naymond asked Melmarc when they got to the wall.

There was still one thing that was bothering Melmarc. For him, it was more important than the number of enemies on the other side.

“I only have indicators,” he said.

Nelson reached to his back and tapped one of Naymond’s arms. “Down.”

Naymond complied.

“Thanks for the ride,” he said as he stepped back to join Melmarc.

As for Nelson, the man squatted at the wall and started retrieving things from his vest pocket.

Melmarc didn’t know what explosives were supposed to look like. He knew the normal and generic grenades and the bombs you saw in movies that the bad guys improvised out of things bought at your local convenience stores. But without a timer and obvious wires, he could argue that he could walk past a bomb and not even notice.

The things Nelson brought out of his vest and attached to the wall were green and round. Each one was the size of his fist.

What kind of explosive is that?

Clinton caught him watching and said, “Fire centipede droppings.”

Melmarc nodded. Paused. Then looked at him. “Wait. What?”

“Fire centipedes are B-rank monsters,” Nelson explained. “They leave a highly flammable trail of liquid wherever they go. But their droppings are rare to come by, unless you kill one of them.”

That was creepy, but not what was important. Melmarc nodded as if he was okay with the answer even if he wasn’t, and turned to Naymond.

“There’s no detail,” he said.

“No detail?” Naymond asked, confused.

Melmarc nodded. “When I use my skill, I get a name sometimes a rank.”

Dissonant.

Melmarc ignored. It was a white lie. After all, he hadn’t gotten a rank when he’d used the skill on Dorthna. Not even a name.

“And you’re saying you didn’t get any?” Naymond asked.

Melmarc nodded.

“Is there a chance that something’s wrong with the skill?”

They were still whispering, voices low. Naymond, however, was beginning to sound and look worried.

Melmarc calmed him with a shake of his head. “No, I’m sure the skill is fine.”

Besides, he’d never heard of someone’s skill having issues and acting up.

“I think it might be the wall,” he continued. “Something about it.”

He wasn’t even sure if it was the wall. It could just as easily be the creatures on the other side of the wall. The outline he was seeing were exactly similar to the [Damned] that were at the broken side of the wall. They were armed with swords or shields or flails or maces.

But something pinched at Melmarc. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he was missing something. Something he felt had to be important.

“What of the creatures?” Naymond asked. “Could it be them?”

“Stand to the sides,” Nelson said, rising to his feet. placed against the wall were eight round orbs that stuck to it. One of them had a whicker that was currently burning a bright green flame.

Each person stepped to the side.

“I don’t think it’s the creatures,” Melmarc was telling Naymond. “It’s something else.”

“Fire centipede droppings explodes inwards,” Clinton was explaining even though no one had asked him. “So we only have to worry about a direct blow back. It works very well for breaching and is extremely powerful.”

Melmarc knew the Delver was explaining for his knowledge, but he couldn’t shake what was bothering him.

“In four,” Nelson whispered loudly. “Three…”

Something clicked and Melmarc looked up. People always made the mistake of not looking up.

“…Two...”

At the top of the wall was something Melmarc didn’t expect.

A grey indicator.

“…One.”

Melmarc moved. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do. His body had simply reacted. Making an enemy of a very massive wall didn’t seem like a good plan in any way.

Naymond stopped him just in time. He delayed Melmarc’s action with a hand on his chest. It wasn’t a firm hold but the delay was long enough.

The wall exploded, blew inwards as Clinton had said it would. It was loud and it was powerful, leaving smoke in its wake.

What have we done? Melmarc asked himself as the wall trembled.

“Go! Go! Go!” Clinton ordered, rushing into the smoke, Nelson fast behind him.

Jude followed after him and Jed grabbed Melmarc by the shoulder and moved him.

“We’ve got to hurry,” he said as they went into the new hole in the wall, buffeted in smoke. “The plan only works if we’re not far behind them.”

They moved too quickly and Melmarc didn’t get the chance to check on the indicator above the wall. Worse, [World of Insight] couldn’t tell him if it was still grey or if it had turned red.

Unfortunately, the moment they were through the wall, Melmarc was faced with a new problem.

Whatever had distorted the full effect of [Knowledge is Power] was gone and he now had a clear sight of their opponents’ details.

He didn’t like what he saw.

[Damned (B)]