CHAPTER 14: Teenagers...
I added a few more Spriggan body parts for Arthur to chew on as well as the Core I pulled from the Overseer to my inventory.
There has to be more to this interface that I didn’t know was possible. I still can’t believe I missed the level display. Dipshit.
I tried to find any hidden menus, thinking back to all of the different video games I’ve played over the years but I wasn’t having much luck.
I figured out I could change my inventory between the original grid that showed the item, into a detailed list displaying the name of the item, quantity, classification and description.
The Resonance Tuning Fork caught my eye. Unlike the sled, which somehow came with the helpful description, “Jump in and slide down a hill, or pull stuff around with it.”—the tuning fork had nothing at all. Blank. That alone told me it wasn't ordinary.
I focused on the system, wanting to know the rarity.
Something clicked and the items rearranged in order of rarity. The Demon Cord was at the top of the list with Sap of the Six and the Tail of the Guardian, all being Legendary items.
Curious I removed my cloak and sent it to the inventory to see the rarity. It showed as a Legendary Growth Item.
What would it grow to after legendary, maybe it was leveled up all the way by the Ba?
I removed the cloak. Unfortunately, I couldn’t automatically equip armor.
Bringing my inventory back up I focused on the Resonance Tuning Fork, I wanted to know more about the item. I asked the system to tell me what it was. After a moment of nothing I grew aggravated and forced the system to tell me. I pushed controlled bursts of Mana through my body, my Will clear. After a few moments wrestling with an imaginary force that felt like it could end me and everyone else with a snap from its imaginary fingers, I stumbled to the ground.
My body trembled in pain, like 10,000 Cactuar needles pierced every inch of my skin, my head pulsed as if I were clotheslined by Stone Cold himself.
I took a moment to gather myself, my world was spinning faster than ever, too fast for me stand.
Taylor ran to my side, steadying me as I rose back to my feet, “Are you alright? Were you hit by something?”
“I’ll be aight.” I cracked a grin to let her know everything would be fine.
“What happened?”
“I think I pushed too hard at the system for early dessert and got put in timeout” I said joking around.
“What the hell does that mean?” She said, worry showing through her normally forlorn features.
“Not sure how to word it. We wrestled around and I lost. I’ll be okay, we’re almost to the place now.” I said as the world started to slow and I regained composure and apparently the color back into my face as Taylor sighed in relief.
No more experiments while out in the shit, especially if any kids are with me. That was fuckin’ stupid.
We were crossing the road to work our way toward the high school track where I spotted a few Spriggans while kiting the Shudderlings on my jog home.
We began to split homes, crossing through yards with caution as I kept an eye out.
I carelessly jumped a privacy fence.
Before my feet touched the ground I was gored from behind and sent back through the tall wooden fence face first, the strength of my attacker was staggering.
“Run! Pink House!” I yelled to Taylor, instructing her to run back to the house where we took a breather.
I attempted to get a look at my attacker but every time I tried to turn I was pulverized further into the dirt until there was a 4 inch indent of my body in the grass. It felt like I was repeatedly crashed into by a semi.
I felt something dig through my shoulder and rake across my back leaving gushing lacerations.
Placing my hands on the ground next to me I attempted to push through.
CRASH CRASH CRASH!
One after another, the blows fell, attempting to pound me deep into the earth. Each strike left more cuts and piercing gouges on my back.
I pushed through the onslaught of pain, getting to my knees before being able to see the bottom of my newest opponent.
The size of a horse but wider, the monsters back legs were as thick as a tree with bark armoring the monster as far up as I could see.
I was thinking it was some sort of juiced up Spriggan hybrid until dense teeth tore through flesh and muscle, gripping deep onto my femur.
The beast tossed me back and forth like a rag doll.
I recognized the attack patterns, booming roars, and loud huffing breaths.
I know what you are. I’m being Revenant-ed. Shit.
I grabbed onto a hose that was hooked up to the house next to me and pulled, hoping to get a bit of leverage to assist with an escape.
Instead the entire spout with two feet of copper piping ripped out of the house.
I was being hurled back and forth, like Arthur does with his stuffed animals. Only, I was the stuffed animal in this situation.
My health still plummeted and fast, already down to 30%.
My title kicked in and I still couldn’t out muscle the beast.
I whipped the hose out as hard as I could at the back leg managing to lasso the foot, then I pulled with all of my might until the beast finally slipped up.
Teeth slid down my femur as I pulled myself free, exposing bone from my hip to my knee.
Blood pooled out as I grew weak.
I panicked, pulling a potion out but my nemesis caught me sleeping and smashed the vial with a quick swipe.
I removed my last potion, rolling my leg through the shattered potion in the grass as I drank the one in my hand.
Pulling myself away as fast as I could with 3 limbs, I watched tendons in my knee snap and pop back into place. The muscle around my femur stitched back up as the skin rolled back over my leg. New muscle and skin magically grew in place for what was missing.
Before I made it too far the bear struck again, this time biting onto my other foot and pulling me closer.
I cast Retaliating Wind covering my body completely and summoned my Apostate’s Staff to my hands. I struck the bear in the snout with four quick jabs, They pissed him off but did little damage, I checked his health bar.
[Barkhide Bear—Level 17]
[Feral Native]
It barely removed a sliver of the bears health.
I need to figure out how to do real damage. The thick wooden armor covering the body made it difficult to find any weak spots to exploit. Desperation set in as I was flung through the air again, taking a quick charge head on.
My back struck the house but I managed to land on my feet.
Finally something went my way...
I realized I was vastly outmatched and I was looking for anyway to escape, until I looked up to see the bear not charging at me, but Taylor.
Fuckin’ kids.
She stood there frozen, with a bear that stood close to six feet tall on all fours running her down.
It looked like she ran to find something to help me as she was holding a large broken sign post that looked pretty sharp at one end.
I sprinted to her as fast as I could.
Luckily, I was a bit faster than the bear.
I passed the bear, intercepted the girl and kept running another 20 yards where a more intact vehicle sat.
I tossed her through the shattered window into the way back of the full size SUV.
Just as I turned back around, I was met by the bears shoulder slamming me into the car hard enough to leave a man shaped dent and I rolled over with the vehicle, the shot gave me a little space from my attacker anyways.
I heard Taylor scream as the car rolled, I checked my health bar seeing it descend below 50% again.
While retreating with no air in my lungs and a destroyed liver most likely, I kept poking at the leg of the bear, trying to slow it down.
I was on the hood of a demolished Honda Civic when I decided to try something new.
I let Mana burst from my core, steering the Wind magic through my blood stream and directing it as if I were the boss for once.
Mana flowed into my hands as I swung my staff overhead like a splitting maul, attempting to cut this tree in half.
The Mana transferred naturally from my hands to my staff like it was a part of my body.
CRACK!
My strike landed on the top of the bears head, shattering bark and causing a sound akin to a thunder clap.
The bear dazed, shook his head to clear the cobwebs, then charged again.
I dodged an angry blow, jumping off of the car.
As I sailed through the air I called more Mana, as soon as my feet hit the ground I released it with cutting intentions.
The sweeping blow aimed at the bears side carved another gouge from the monsters armor, even damaging skin underneath.
The bears health bar took a good hit from the 2 strikes, down 25% now.
Dark green blood poured from the wound as the bear roared. The sound physically pushed me back and felt like one of the blows I took moments prior.
I coughed.
Seeing the blood splatter against the pavement, gave me a beautiful idea to end this match.
I stored the Apostate’s Staff and removed Blood Lust, it was as if the dagger called to me.
With a reverse grip, I ducked under a swipe from the massive claw.
I dragged Blood Lust over the skin of the beast before letting her dive in with with three rapid stabs.
I triggered Retaliating Wind into the beasts gushing side as I jumped back, the wind boosting me out of range.
I picked up the makeshift spear Taylor found as the feral beast charged.
I placed the back end of the steel post into the bottom of the curb where sidewalk meets road then braced to meet the beast head on.
I charged the metal with wind Mana and the steel post went straight through the tough bark, piercing the bears chest.
I rolled sideways and lunged onto the beast then plunged Blood Lust into the top of its head.
Standing on the bears back now, my dagger sticking from the top of its head. The bear somehow still had 15% health.
He tried bucking me off.
I grabbed onto the handle of Blood Lust and jumped off the bears head to get a bit of distance.
An eruption of blood followed my trajectory, bursting forth to cover the ground behind me.
He charged again. I switched for staff preparing another blow, but the bear stumbled.
He slowed and attempted to take another step but fell, lying just a few feet in front of me.
He took a deep breath, unable to move from the absurd amount of blood loss suffered.
“Taylor! You good?!” I turned to see small hands reach up and grab the door of the tipped SUV.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” She responded pulling herself from the vehicle.
“Come here and share the XP,” I said, handing Blood Lust over. I knelt over in front of the bear putting one hand on the majestic beasts snout, petting it.
“I see you got caught up in this shit too. Rest.” I walked to its side urging Taylor to follow, I pointed to where the heart should be, “Here. Make it fast, so it doesn’t suffer anymore.”
She nodded her head and did as instructed.
She handed Blood Lust back to me as the bear exhaled its last breath.
A warm spring sun was setting, warming my face once more before the cool breeze of the night chased it away.
I looted the Bear and we set back to camp, having seen enough action for the day.
The Barkhide Bear yielded enough experience points for two level ups for myself and Taylor receiving the same. Each of us received a health potion, we also earned a new epic item called ‘Barkhide Talisman’ which I gave to the girl, regardless of the boon it granted.
The necklace, obviously made out of wood, had a dark green braid made out of something that felt like leaves but I couldn’t snap it with all of my strength, and I tried.
The strand held a circular wooden pendant with a roaring bear carving that glowed green with life.
Taylor told me she plans on giving it to Oliver, which is smart while they travel together, but I told her she should wear it for now and in the future if he stays in camp and she goes out.
The necklace gave +5 Vitality, +7 Endurance and if the wearer takes a hit that would otherwise kill them they instead gain 15 seconds of invulnerability but it destroys the item.
Perfect to protect the kids.
Before crossing into the woods I noticed a Choir Leech by itself with a pile of Shudderlings next to it. I was unsure what they were doing this far out and didn’t want to engage a Choir Leech with the girl but I can’t let a threat like that get any closer to the safe zone.
I slowed my pace until Taylor caught up then whispered, “Over there.” I pointed to the creatures, “Let’s stop here, get down... Let me test something before I decide if we go in.”
I placed my hand on the girls shoulder and cast Retaliating Wind. Focusing the cast on my ears to replicate what I was able to do earlier on my ally.
I watched as her eyes changed from terror to awe, her eyes lit up alongside her smile. This must have been the first spell she had felt.
While casting, I concentrated on the sensation of Mana leaving my body as I had previously that day, it didn’t feel any different. It was almost as if the spell did a quick copy and paste of the cast to her. As soon as I removed my hand the spell died out on Taylor, however it still worked on me.
She could walk next to me and keep one hand gripped around my wrist, or a hand glued to my back? No, too many possibilities for something to go wrong.
There’s only one option, and she isn’t going to like it.
“Hop on.” I said, turning around and kneeling.
“What? No way, I’m not a little kid,” She responded obviously not happy with my decision.
“It’s the only safe way to keep the both of us protected from their curse words or whatever. We need to be in constant contact for my spell to work, a real shit part of the spell... I figure, you can hang on and when I hold them up you use your dagger. Poke poke...” Her eyes rolled as I explained my half baked plan, “When I get close to the big guy, if I tap your arm strike it with the dagger. You only need to deal a small amount of damage to share XP… Other than that, I have no ideas. You?” I asked, looking at her from over my shoulder.
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“I can’t believe I’m fuh—” Her words cut off as she secured her arms around my neck.
I walked toward Mr. Leech and friends, throwing a piece of shattered sidewalk that I picked up. The cement smacked the Leech in its weird little head. I felt Taylor shaking in fear behind me.
I glanced back to make sure she was alright, and saw her laughing.
The pile was the first to move our way, I slowly backpedaled as they hopped forward.
I snagged two at a time, using them to bat the other Shudderlings back into the pile before holding them up for Taylor to kill.
We repeated this process until there were only a few left, the level 10 Choir Leech caught up to join the fight.
The mouths on the Leech moved and I felt Taylor reach to cover her ears, I was unsure how the spell worked so I crushed the Shudderling in my right hand and reached back to grab her arm and fasten it to my neck.
I tapped her forearm to signal her to hang on tight.
I felt the terror pouring from the girl as her entire body fiercely trembled.
I gotta end this quickly.
The mouths moved and I paused for a second, letting one of its tentacles strike me in the ear. Taylor hit me in the back of the head, I guess thinking I was under its control. Despite this, I didn’t budge, instead calling for my Apostate’s Staff.
The mouths moved again and one of the Shudderlings leapt into the air.
As the airborne slug traveled at my stomach, my Apostates Staff appeared. I juked left and cleaved from my right side, striking the side of the Leech then stomping the bug.
I danced between flying grubs and tentacles that attempted to strike me down. I grabbed 2 more and held them up for Taylor to kill.
I felt something enter my left hand. Thinking it was one of the small worms I panicked, backing away quickly only to see the Rondel sticking through my palm.
I pulled it out and handed it back over my shoulder.
This gave the Choir Leech enough time to plan it’s next attack.
A tentacle quietly wrapped around my leg without me noticing, like python hunting unsuspecting prey.
I felt the human like teeth gnaw into my leg, popping flesh and vacuuming chunks of skin and muscle into the mass.
I attempted to pry the tentacle off with my staff but it didn’t budge.
As I switched for Blood Lust the Choir Leech reached tentacle out. It aimed for my back and the Leech shook violently.
The tubular torso that sits on the wide mass of stomach started tipping backwards.
The sickly pink skin ripped open to reveal a mouth full of long, razor-thin bones the size of hockey skates and chef knives. The undulating mass seemed to pulsate as it started gliding forward. The mouth was so big, it could swallow someone Oliver’s size in one bite.
The only positive of this moment was that I didn’t have to hear whatever noise went with the action.
I could only imagine a lot of gushing and moist ripping noises.
Maybe some uncomfortable heavy breathing.
Taylor reached out, scoring a small gash on the reaching tentacle and I counted that as her hit.
With my Mana close to spent I had to pick things up.
I cut the tentacle from my leg and bounced backwards as the top portion of the monster snapped down like a mouse trap.
Massive jaws slammed shut where I was standing not a second earlier.
I stomped on the last of the Shudderlings, deciding we had enough leveling for the day.
I closed in on the Leech with staff in hand. I jabbed it in the eye then circled the mass of tentacles faster than it could blink.
I brought my staff down with a Mana infused overhead strike, slicing the monstrosity in half.
I let the spell linger, looking down at my leg as muscle and skin materialized on its own. My Mana ran out as I walked around looting.
My health was around 85% so I let my health regeneration take care of the rest.
Taylor was the first to speak, “I’m sorry.”
“For what? You did a good job. Any levels?” I said, looting a health potion from the Choir Leech and another cheap throw away dagger like the rondel, this one was of common rarity, simply called Iron Dagger.
“I stabbed you, and that led to your leg! We almost died because of me! For what?!” She yelled the last part, mocking my question.
She obviously felt bad for nicking me but I was guessing there was more to it.
She just went up against one of the creatures that killed her Father and took her Mother, so I didn’t let the tone in her voice bother me.
“Shit happens. You just, roll with it. You got a hit on that fucker and killed a dozen of the little guys. You did good. Come on let’s head back and get something to eat.” I responded walking past her into the woods.
As we walked through the woods I checked my notifications. A few stood out to me.
[Title Unlocked! - Party Frontman]
[Party Frontman–Time and again you have shown that you put the safety and experience of the party above yourself. Like a true frontman]
[Through a series of memory, pain, effort and a minor headache you have taught yourself the magical spell ‘Gale Charge’ without using any of the many methods to obtain such a spell.]
Gale Charge (Soul Awakened)
Rare—Level 1
Wind Magic
Cost: 10 Mana
Adds 20% Extra Damage as Wind to Attacks.
I opened my inventory, switching it from grid to stock list.
As I read through my inventory I was absolutely stoked. I didn’t even think to check if my attempt earlier had worked, the backlash made me think it was anything but a success.
I could now see a description for the tuning fork.
Resonance Tuning Fork—1—Epic—Strike the fork then hold against crafted materials to reveal latent magical compatibility via vibration patterns. Helps to achieve harmonic accuracy and unison.
My steps grew larger and more brisk. I couldn’t wait to try some things with the tuning fork when I got back to camp.
I’ve wanted to find a weapon for Taylor so she would feel more comfortable defending herself and Oliver. I didn’t realize I had almost everything needed to make some decent weapons.
Only a few minutes from camp Taylor spoke, “One level up and I got a title I guess.”
I stopped to let her catch up, “Sweet, whats the title?!”
“Geez, you sound just like my Dad with that. Sweeeet.” She laughed at me and continued, “Batter up, I got it for ‘delivering the final blow’ to more than 25 enemies in one day, I get a 10% experience increase for delivering the last blow to a Monster. This AI thing is crashing out.”
“That’s huge! You must have got the 10% increase for a few of the last guys we took out, which is what raised you to 8. I feel like you are leveling up way faster than I am. I wonder if that has to do with taking the last hit or maybe you don’t need as much XP because your age.” I pondered out loud as we closed in.
With my 2 level ups I was sitting at Level 9. Real anxiety setting in on my class selection. I had no idea how its going to work or what class type I would even choose or want. The thought had been sowing discord in my brain non stop since I learned about it. I always end up fighting up close, but I want more range.
However, Mana was intoxicating to wield. The thought of fighting with mid range, to up close magic was very appealing, who knows what this world has to offer now.
Maybe I’ll get to choose some sort of hybrid.
Or maybe it will choose for me.
Best to keep my stats leveled out until the class choice.
I finished allocating my stat points as we crossed into Conviction.
Base Stats:
Strength: 22
Dexterity: 20
Endurance: 18
Vitality: 25
Will: 17
Intelligence: 17
Unallocated Stat Points: 0
“Cowpoke!”
“Woof Woof!” Arthur came running at us like a horse with a little cowboy on his back.
He came to a stop a few feet away, letting Oliver jump off at Taylor before he stood up on his hind legs and slammed his two front paws into my chest, almost sending me back into the river.
“Dang your strong bo-ah,” I said as I gave him all the lovings he deserved. I could hear Taylor excitedly describing her adventure filled day to Oliver as they ran back to camp, Arthur and I following not too far behind.
I pat Arthur’s head as we walked, “Any trouble Buck?”
“Ruff Ruff,” He answered shaking his head no, but I could tell Arthur was trying to tell me something else.
“You have something you want to show me?”
“WOOF!”
“Someone’s excited.”
I followed him, picking up my pace to a jog in order to keep up as we passed our makeshift camp.
He led me into the woods a short distance until we came upon a small hill that was loaded with bushes.
It was getting dark now as the sun dipped beneath the mountains behind us, but the small clearing was just bright enough to see what he was showing me.
There were bushes on bushes, all covered in berries.
It was way too soon in the season for this type of growth, and it was hard to tell what type of berries these were so I plucked one off and held it close to my eyes as I rolled the berry in my fingers.
The berry looked like a bigger version of a blueberry but it was way too big to be that.
“Woof!” Arthur barked nudging his head into me as to peer pressure me into eating the unknown berry.
So I did.
An explosion of flavor erupted in my mouth unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It was incredibly sweet and juicy with the slightest bit of tart to balance it out.
I loved strawberries, unlike a certain popular sports figure from before.
This delectable heavenly treat made strawberries taste like grapefruit.
I grabbed a few handfuls and we set back to our campsite.
Somehow, Arthur and Oliver got a fire lit without any sort of ferro-rod or anything else that I was aware of.
“How—How did you get a fire going guys?” I had to ask. I was going to let it go, but I couldn’t.
“With this!” Oliver said pulling one of those small Bic lighters from his pocket.
“Oh,” I said, at the same time being interrupted by a very upset older sister.
“Oliver! Where did you get that!?” Raising her voice, Taylor snatched the lighter from the boys hand, “You’re not suppose to play with anything like that. You know better!”
“I wasn’t playing! I helped! And if you Must know, I found it on the ground the morning before they took mommy.” Oliver responded, with a lot more sass than I thought he had packed in that tiny frame.
“I’m sorry Oli, but you know you shouldn’t have things like this,” Taylor said but paused for a moment as we sat in awkward silence, Oliver attempted to choke off the tears that fell, “You know what, I’ll let you hold onto it, as long as you, promise, that you’ll be responsible, and only use it when you’re around someone older... and don’t start any random fires!”
“Whooooa...” the boy paused, looking at the lighter in his hands like a divine weapon before continuing, “Thank you Tay-Tay!” Oliver’s mood shifted instantly, his frown turned to a smile and he leapt into Taylor, giving her a hug, “Arthur helped me use it anyway, he’s the one that really got the fire going.”
“Huh. So, my dog can start fires now?” I asked trying to figure out how a dog could possibly use a tiny flick lighter.
Oliver continued, “Well sort of. I mean, I flicked it. But he set everything up and used his nose to steady my hands in place while I lit the huncha buncha dead stuff.”
“Makes sense. Well uhh, good boy?” I was unsure if my dog showing kids how to start fires was a good thing.
I suppose in this world it’s a necessity, so I corrected myself as I gave free scritches, “Yeah... Good boy.”
I cooked a few steaks of beast meat and for dessert we munched on the delicious berries the color of the sky, I stored them in my inventory to make sure they were safe to eat first, something I should have done before being peer pressured before.
They were listed as a consumable named, Frostlight Berry. I wasn’t sure on the system name, so I called them the Fruit of the Gods. Oliver called them “Mmm Berries”, Arthur called them “Boowr”, and Taylor was too cool to join in on the fun.
It was one of the best meals I’d had in my life and it was so simple, 2 ingredients and a fire.
I can’t wait for more magical food.
Night dwindled and darkness setting upon the camp, the kids laid down but kept chatting away about their exciting day.
Arthur was at my feet, dog snoring the night away.
I poked Arthur in the rump to wake him, we needed to put together a solid plan for the morning so I went over my thoughts with everyone before they passed out.
“Hey, I wanted to go over some things before we call it a night. Arthur, I was going to bring you with me as back up but I think sneaking in may be the best way to go. I couldn’t get a good look inside and there looked to be an overwhelming amount of monsters so I’m gonna attempt to avoid a fight if possible and keep it S.A.R. Taylor, that means you’ll be staying back with them as well. I know you want to be there but it’s too dangerous.” I went on explaining what I could see inside, then the thing that worried me even more, what I couldn’t see.
“I guess, but what’s S A R?” Taylor responded patting Arthur who lay next to her, his paws fidgeting with something.
“Search And Rescue. If I have to pull back and come up with a better plan I will. But I promise, I will do everything in my power to get your mother back here. My plan for the morning is to get on the roof of the store so I can find a way to get her out. What does your mother look like?” I asked.
“She’s a few inches taller than me, average to slim body, blonde hair past her shoulders.” Taylor answered.
“She’s really pretty! Her eyes are green, like me and Taylor, and she has a freckle. Right here on her forehead!” Oliver continued the description for me, poking himself above his left eye.
“Okay, perfect guys. Get some sleep now. G’Night.” I said walking outside.
I walked around the clearing, taking a while as I listened to the new lively noises of the forest. The same loud tree frogs chirping as always, even though it was too early in the season by normal standards. The high pitch chirps were joined by the crickets and other new sounds.
I stood in the darkness looking up to the sky seeing more stars than ever before. They were joined by our moon and apparently another smaller moon, unmarred, shining an intense snowy white.
I thought about the horror of this new world, but also the possibilities. My life wasn’t much before all this, at least I have two new friends to share a meal with over a fire.
I lost everything after the accident.
My attention was pulled to a noise in the distance, miles away.
Between the frogs, crickets, and other little bugs peeping and trilling, I heard it again.
Harmonized screams, plagued and tormented cries traveling miles to meet my ears.
An overwhelmed melody of repugnant disposition ripping at my soul.
Anger fueled the tears that fell to the forest floor.
I sat down on the ground, removed the Resonance Tuning Fork, Twisted Spriggan Arm, Overseer Spriggan Core, and the Sap of the Six.
I struck the fork against my knee, the note rang out as I held it to the Spriggan arm.
On contact a brilliant blue grid lit the arm, spreading over the item like a road map until reaching the top. Once the lights finished traveling through the branch, the color changed. My surroundings glowed like I was sitting under a green light.
Green means go? No, I can do better… It’s go time? Eh, worse.
The light emitted from the top, where the shoulder would connect. There was a concave opening with flexible branches sprouting from the edge.
I decided to go with my instincts.
I grabbed one vial of my Sap of the Six.
I cracked the tuning fork on my leg and held the items together. The Sap glowed green along with the arm.
I poured the sap into the opening, being sure to cover every inch. I inserted the overseer core into the cavity.
Next, I folded the growing branches over the core. One by one I weaved the branches through each other, binding them at the handle.
When finished I struck the Resonance Tuning Fork against my knee and held it to the arm once again.
Glowing blue lines spread throughout each item. It was as if they were living veins, the resonance caused the branches through the Spriggan arm to flex, the conduit of lights reached the Sap as I continued watching with rapt attention.
The sap pulsed as the lines continued growing up the weapon into the flickering core.
I sensed a bit of hesitation, and clamped down my will with a burst of Mana sent into my hands. The Overseer Core lit up as the glow continued onward. Once reaching the peak the Core had a faint glow.
I struck the Fork again, holding it to the weapon and the entire thing glowed yellow.
Something was off. I started with the sphere at the top working my way down until I reached the hand at the bottom.
The fingers were spread out like a high-five.
I folded each finger down until they formed a fist.
The yellow glow vanished, blue lines hustled to the tip and…
Ta-da!
The core lit up a dazzling green, and I received a notification,
[You have created a new Epic Growth weapon, “Scepter of the Treant Judge” +30 Blunt Damage, 25% Chance to Knockback, Hits with this weapon have a 10% chance to daze enemy for 3 seconds—Grants ability: Power Strike]
“Fuck yeah!” I said, removing another arm, sap, and the fungal core.
The next arm was a bit longer than the last, I was unsure if that would change the outcome but I was going to make something with it regardless.
I repeated the process, until I received another notification.
[You have created a new Rare weapon, “Necrotic Mace” +25 Blunt Damage, 15% Chance to Knockback, 20% Chance to poison enemy with Necrotic Fungi.]
The first was far better as it was a growth item that granted an ability. I’m unsure what caused the difference other than the better core, but I was still happy with the outcome.
If the poison was anything like what I dealt with from the Fungal Spriggans, then it could be a decent choice for a slow burn fight.
I decided to gift the Scepter to Taylor.
It is a growth item... So she can uh, grow with it.
Finished crafting, I went in for the night. I stoked the fire and tossed another log in.
I tried to solidify a plan for the next day as my mind raced. After the final log died down, my mind finally managed to as well and I slept like a baby.