CHAPTER 27: Push It To The Limit
Brenden awoke as nighttime approached. I set us up on the first floor of the old rustic store in front of the fireplace.
“Thank you Sire.” Brenden sat up next to the fire, joining Arthur and myself.
“There’s no need to thank me Brenden, we’re a team. I’m glad you’re feeling better” I wrapped my arm around Arthur’s massive neck and pet him.
“Still, Thanks.” We watched the fire in silence as the sun finished it’s daily routine.
I grabbed some beast meat and started dinner. Arthur gifted me a small salt and pepper shaker that he found in one of the rooms while waiting for Brenden to wake.
“What kind of meat is this Sir?” Brenden asked.
“Small Beast Meat.” His eyes opened wide and I could tell he was thinking the same thing I did the first time, “Don’t knock it til you try it. This shit is dope.”
Brenden shattered the bleak atmosphere with uncontrollable laughter. Arthur seemed to join in as his gigantic tail started slapping me in the back.
“Huh? What did I miss?”
“Sir. To hear you speak such words—‘tis drollery to my ears,” he was laughing at my lame attempt of using cool guy words.
“Drollery? Heh? What’s wrong with what I said? It’s dope bruh,” I said, stealing some of Jared and Eli’s lingo.
“Drollery, is Comical, whimsical,” He laughed harder at my use of bruh.
“Fuck. Why do all you kids have to make me feel so old?” I hid my grin, “Here, try it out.”
Brenden took the plate and paused, until the aroma of the flame-kissed meat slithered into his nostril and his eyes went wider than before. He grabbed the steak off of the plate tore into it. Even though I handed it to him on a plate with fork and knife, he still used his hands.
I watched and waited as he chewed the tender steak.
His eyes watered as he cleared his throat, “Dope indeed fine sir! The way the flavor explodes into your mouth, wetting everything in the taste of salted beast, ‘tis incredible!” Realizing what he said, his head sagged.
It was my turn to laugh now.
“Phrasing!” I choked out between bites.
After spending a few moments laughing like goons and teasing each other, we quieted down and enjoyed our meal.
Brenden broke the relaxing silence, “I received 3 level ups from that last throw, I think we got them all, I couldn’t see what level they were, so I don’t know if that’s a good or bad amount of experience.”
“Yeah, I got 3 as well counting the Karens. Arthur?”
“Woof Woof Woof!”
“Good job buddy, 3 all around!” I said ruffling the top of Arthur’s head, “Brenden, before you dump all of your points, tell me your stats. Oh and take these.” I said handing Brenden the Ring of the Devoted and the last piece of loot I received from one of the Spriggan Skirmishers.
Lacquered Spriggan Plate Armor
Magic
47 Armor
+15% Earth Resistance
+10% Wind Resistance
Resist Knockback
I explained how we were both able to manipulate the system to send notifications to each other and Brenden focused to give it a shot. After a short wait the notification appeared.
[Party Member, Brenden Bensen, would like to share his status with you]
[Accept— Yes or No]
Yes.
Name: Brenden Bensen
Race: Human
Level: 16
Class: Budget Battlemage
Titles:
Lord of Quick Retreat: +2 Dexterity, Harder to detect when staying completely still, if you can stop shaking—“The “Cowardly Lord of the Quick Retreat”. The “Throw Stuff and Run Like Hell Bandit”, You deserve Nothing.
Base Stats:
Strength: 7
Dexterity: 8
Endurance: 7
Vitality: 20
Will: 28
Intelligence: 28
Unallocated Points: 15
“Fuck this System, Network. Whatever the shit it is.” I said reading over his title and wondering how the distribution of titles actually works.
This title system is fucked. He was just a kid trying his best to survive, then this bullshit pops into his head. No wonder his stories were confusing. He had this thing crushing his confidence to bits the entire time.
I looked over the stats and started to understand why he couldn’t throw well, “Base Stats? Did you just put points into Dexterity? I’m assuming that’s why your aim has got a bit better since we met.”
“Corrrect on both Sir,”
“Okay, well that needs to be one of your main stats if you’re going to continue heavy use with that skill. Also, you need to be stronger, if something gets a hold of you and we aren’t around, you’re done for. You’re not just any Mage, you’re a Battlemage. I have to assume you’re going to get more spells based on close up fighting.” I said thinking over his stat layout.
“Yes sir, I entrust you with my Stat Points. I did have a plan, but that plan was based on hiding in the Castle forever.” When Brenden said that, the class name finally clicked.
“Budget Battlemage... It’s not just a cheap knock off version like I originally thought, it’s a Battlemage with a plan..?” I stated, somewhat asking.
“Corrrect again Good Sir!”
“So let’s stay on that path, What spells do you have to choose from?”
“Arcane Pebble.”
“Huh?”
“I require not a thousand spells Good Sir. Only the corrrect one.” He held his fist in the air then pointed one finger to the ceiling.
“Explain more please.” I rolled my eyes and tried not to get upset at the man who can only throw magic rocks, there had to be more to it. The kid just gets, difficult, at times.
“I have many variations of my Eldritch Projectile spell, or shall I say, accessories to the spell? For example, I have the ability to learn new types of magic to pressure into the blast, ice, fire, lightning and so on. The last spell I learned made it so I can imbue any item I can pick up and throw with Mana. I was able to charge the blue head inside the building before you arrived. I can also learn different techniques, Ricochet Throw is one at a higher level along with proximity explosion and more.”
“Damn. That is a plan, and I saw the glowing head… That’s actually a wicked bad ass specialty.” I let my full New Englander slip out.
“Thank you sir.”
“I think your Intelligence and Will can wait out a few levels. You need a big boost in Strength but Dexterity is what you need to focus on the most. A few into Endurance wouldn’t hurt, I saw you get winded way too easily, but simple conditioning should also help with getting the most out of the stat points you have. I have an even approach with a focus on physical stats, I wish I had asked that robot prick about the missing stats.” I veered off topic drawing Brenden’s curiosity.
“Missing stats? Which do you speak of Sir?”
“Even your Nectar introduced a new stat, Luck. There’s also Perception and the last I noticed from one of my titles, Charisma.”
“Of which title do you speak?”
“It’s called Party Frontman, it gives plus 5 Vitality and a health regen bonus, but it also states when I’m the party leader, the entire party receives a Charisma Bonus.”
“Interesting... So people would like me more?” I saw the wheels turning in his head.
“What’s not to like? You’re fun as hell. Don’t dwell on the old assholes of the world, you were a kid dealing with other kids, I’ve been there. Trust me, in middle school and high school, kids are complete assholes, it’s written in our DNA, it’s science.” I said, drawing laughter from him before steering back on topic, “Anyways, back to your stats. You should raise your Strength and Endurance, then pound Dex. Raise those physical stats so you can survive out here. There’s no constant respawns, or giant mmo parties, so get that Vitality up to at least 25-30.”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“How is this Sir?” He asked pushing another Notification of just his finished stats that I accepted.
Base Stats:
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 12
Endurance: 12
Vitality: 21
Will: 28
Intelligence: 28
Unallocated Points: 0
“Looks good. Now you’re ready to train.” I said standing to my feet.
“Right now?”
“Yup.” I waved him on to follow as I walked outside.
We spent hours training under the light of the moon. Arthur joined in helping when I missed something, I drilled him on unarmed for the first few hours. Drilling folkstyle wrestling with a quick explanation of Greco-Roman. We went over some Judo throws which I’ve used multiple times now.
He soaked everything up like a sponge, making him a great student. I’d never taught anyone before but it was going well enough. I knew this wouldn’t be a huge help with monsters but the most dangerous monsters are human. Book Club Linda showed us first hand.
Arthur jumped in to show both of us how to best fight a quadrupedal enemy. He showed us different ways to trip them up and force them off balance or into a bad position. He’s a very good boy.
I corrected Brendens mistakes, but let him make them first. Experience teaches better than lectures.
After more hands on wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu we started working on his stand up, which was non existent. It was clear he had never been in a fight when I first asked him to make a fist.
We stayed up late drilling. I noticed as he grew tired, but he pushed through determined to learn. I showed him different forms, from Boxing to the Taekwondo stances Mina showed me. I watched his footwork, correcting him with a trip when his feet moved too close together or too far apart.
We wrapped up late in the night when the Moons finally dipped behind the trees leaving us in dim starlight. I heard Brenden whisper to himself as he rolled into his bedroll, “Day 1 montage, complete.”
I chuckled to myself as I stoked the small fire, adding a log to keep everyone cozy. I lied down to attempt sleep but my mind still raced from what we learned throughout the day. Arthur had first watch so he was situated on the stoop outside. I walked out and took a seat next to him.
“Hey pup. How ya doing?” I leaned into him, giving his favorite scritches behind the ear.
He nodded as if to say, so-so.
“Something still bothering you?” I asked, then added, “We really need to figure out a better way to communicate. Too bad you don’t have thumbs, then you could write with a pencil anyways.” I said wiggling my thumbs and eyebrows.
He made a whining noise, the noise he use to make all the time after we lost his mother.
“I’m sorry buddy, not trying to rub it in or anything, I promise we will figure it out.” I felt like an idiot for the thumb thing.
I didn’t think about how certain things I say or did may effect him before speaking. Of course, I always took care of him and treated him as my equal rather than a pet.
I have to be more thoughtful of what I say around him. He has feelings and understands everything just like any other human now.
“As soon as we wake up, we go to find gram and gramps. Unc should be with them if everyone is okay. I know he will figure something out for us. He’s always been the smart one even though he’s sort of a dink... Is there something else on your mind?” My questions were met with a nod, revealing that there was indeed, something else bothering him.
I took a minute to think before speaking this time. Everything was fine until Mr. I,Robot got involved. Since then, something has been weighing on him. I thought we cleared the air before, but there was obviously something else.
“You wanted to be able to ask him something?”
He whined again and shook his head up and down, leaning into my shoulder.
“Shit buddy, I didn’t even think to ask before we went in. We could have had you draw it out or something. I’m sure you can spell now, right?”
“Ruff.” He answered quietly.
“Tomorrow morning, before anything else, we’ll find a spot for you to write out your question and I’ll see if I can help, if not then we find someone else that can.” He finally looked up to meet my gaze, his mood taking an upswing, “I’m going to try to pass out, wake me in 2 hours?”
“Ruff,” I gave him a couple slap pets on the side before going back to lie down.
“What did I miss? It has to be important. If is to him, it is to me.” I said while crawling into my spot by the fire.
I thought on the past few days, he’d been quiet and moaning a bit more than usual, sometimes it sounded like he was singing so I never thought twice about it, “Another mystery yet to unfold.”
I removed the guitar and began playing an old song that I learned as a hippie teen.
I strummed the intro to the song, ‘F-Stop Blues’ then I did my best Jack Johnson as I started singing. Arthur turned to lie down watching me intently with a slow shaking tail.
The song felt good to play, a song about time passing, memories, and self-reflection.
It always hit me hard as I took the chorus to be someone basically shitting on themselves for not living up to their own potential and brags, but now it didn’t resonate as much. It was still a great campfire song though, top 15.
Once finished, Arthur sat back to attention as I riffed for a while, getting use to how good I suddenly was at guitar until I finally set the Axe down and passed out.
I awoke suddenly in the twilight of morning to a smell that I desperately missed.
The excitement almost shocked me to my feet.
“Coffee!” I yelled, jumping up and startling Arthur awake as he jumped up and whirled around to check his surroundings before realizing what was going on.
Brenden laughed, “Yes! Good Day Sir! I found this beautiful bounty downstairs in a cupboard beneath some rrrrubbish.”
“You beautiful man.” I said reaching out my arms to grab the cup of coffee.
Still giggling away Brenden pulled out 2 more items, “Crrream and sugar cane sir?”
I looked to him as he removed a medium sized container of the good powdered creamer and a small bag of crystallized sugar.
I took both, “How did you know I like the powdered stuff?”
I mixed the powder into the dark liquid, watching it lighten up to peanut butter, “Perfect.” Then added 2 scoops of sugar.
“I didn’t know Sire. They had regular crrream of cow but ‘twas solidified. Choonky... So I continued my search until I found this. I’m glad you enjoy it, ‘tis the least I can offer the man who saved my life.” Brenden said, getting an eye roll from Arthur.
“Right, but I don’t think he’s a fan of coffee,” I said confusing Brenden as Arthur wagged his tail.
“What's that?”
“We didn’t save your life. I just helped a guy in need, but that guy over there, maybe.” I said pointing to Arthur who again rolled his eyes with more enthusiasm.
“Ah yes... The trusty companion who is always dependable, and as vicious as they come. Thank you again my Good Sir.” He said earning another eye roll.
I started laughing, “Arthur, you’re going to make yourself dizzy.” I slurped my first sip and tears came to my eyes.
“’Tis surely not that funny sir.” Brenden commented on the tears.
“No—the coffee.” I said as I was transported to a distant memory.
I was in a café, sitting at a small round table for two. I looked up and my eyes met her smile.
“Anything else?” The waitress asked.
“I’m fine, thank you!” She said breaking eye contact to smile at the waitress.
“Just the coffee, thank you ma’am.” I followed.
The memory was so vivid. I could make out each strand of her chestnut hair, every near invisible tight pore of her perfectly moisturized skin.
The small golden rings inside of her perfect ocean blue eyes drew me in like it was the first time seeing them. I always joked and said she was so heavenly that she needed 2 halos, only it wasn’t a joke.
I followed the small freckles under her eyes down to her button nose and watched as her lips cracked open to unveil her smile. Just a brief moment of her smile could make the most miserable souls on Earth smile back and walk away with a new outlook on life. She was the most beautiful person I had ever seen.
She was everything.
A coffee slid onto the table in my periphery, just under my fixated glare. A medium skim latte, with a shot of caramel, slid under her returned gaze.
She liked her drinks sweet, where as I only took a bit of sugar and I always made the same dumb joke. Who needs any sugar with you around?
Our smiles met and we were locked in time.
I wanted to stay in the moment forever, but time within the memory continued against my wishes.
“Sooo, I have a surprise for you!” She said, her voice so clear. As if she were really right there in front of me.
“Ooo a surprise, I can’t wait!” I said, always goofing around.
“You need to let me drive though, there and back home!” She said as I mimicked her every word through the memory.
I continued reliving the moment, my eyes not leaving her as I stood beside my younger self, speaking in unison with the memory, “Okay, you can drive babe! I shouldn’t be driving when it’s a surprise anyways. It could be dangerous if I get too excited!”
I watched as I threw down a tip for the waitress, then I followed them to the car. She sat in the drivers seat and drove us to a random neighborhood a few towns North.
She told me to stay in the car and wait as she walked into the random house.
As soon as she was out of range I started screaming and begging, “FUCKING MOVE! Pleeeeaase! Don’t take the back roads! Don’t stop for fucking dinner! Go straight home! Please...”
Young oblivious me looked in the mirror to fix his hat.
She walked out the front door and I looked down from the mirror to see her walking back to the car with something in her arms...
A little German Shepherd puppy, only 8 weeks old.
We sat in the car for 30 minutes at the end of this persons driveway, debating names, petting and loving up on the new addition to our little family.
The smell of coffee filled the car.
“We should take the back roads and get some dinner, show him the lay of the land!” I said, to my demise.
Everything slowly turned black as I closed my eyes and the memory faded.
I stood in the driveway looking to the ground, listening as the car reversed.
I watched the young couple with their new puppy singing and dancing as they drove off.
I opened my eyes.
Brenden and Arthur stared at me, perplexed and worried.
My eyes completely submerged I chuckled and said, “Uh. That’s—It’s just a really good coffee.”