‘Right, let’s get this sorted while we’ve got a moment.’
[ABILITIES][Skill Point/s: 1][OWNED] [LOCKED][Name] [Description] [Requirements][Cooldown][Animal Whisperer]
Spoiler
Grants the ability to tame animals and use them for your bidding. However, the success chance is based on the target’s level compared to the user’s.
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Perception: 10[N/A][Born Chef]
Spoiler
The flavour of food is enhanced and can even provide some tiny stat bonuses briefly after consumption.
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Intelligence: 10[N/A][Novice Bard]
Spoiler
Now following in the footsteps of many an aspiring bard, you can pick an instrument of choice and/or sing to provide ample distraction on a weaker target when needed.
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Speechcraft: 10[N/A][Soul Smasher] [New]
Spoiler
Allows a melee hit to bypass up to 10% armour. Exclusive to humanoid enemies that can equip armour only.
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Strength: 10[6h][Road Less Travelled] [New]
Spoiler
Threatening people is now highly effective but this may take you down an unredeemable path.
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Strength: 10[N/A][Shield Novice]
Spoiler
Shield bashing is now a legitimate form of attacking (24dmg), albeit a weak form. The attack bypasses armour at least.
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Endurance: 10[N/A][Fertility]
Spoiler
Heavily increases chances of conceiving and “endurance” within the bedroom, perfect for building a budding family. Useful for you and your partner!
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Endurance: 10[N/A][Land Down Under]
Spoiler
Sneaking is easier on your back and you move when in touching distance to the ground at a vastly superior rate. Bog standard technique for hunting down those pesky roos!
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Dexterity: 10[N/A]‘Oh, didn’t expect that.’
We’ve got an armour bypassing ability or something that sounds an awful lot like it may lead down a road of corruption. It’s… awfully tempting, evil abilities always look cooler than anything that strives on the route of good. Most vampires are evil anyways…
‘Eh, evil Sera might be a bad idea, can’t afford to make enemies just yet. Let’s go for Soul Smasher in case someone with armour comes around.’
[New ability has been purchased and since Sera hasn’t checked yet, here is the STR bonus within the status.]
[STATUS][Name: Sera][Species: Elf][Level: 6][EXP: 166/210][Age: 22][Gender: Female][Skill Point/s: 0][Health][135/135][Stamina][98/125][Magic][105/105] [STATS]
Spoiler
Extra bonuses from P.I.S.S.E.D.
PER:
5% Archery Damage
1% Critical Chance
INT:
+5 Magic
-1% Spell Costs
SPE:
+5 Stamina
1% Bartering
STR:
5% Two-Handed Damage
+1 Carry Weight
END:
+5 Health
1% Armour Resistance
DEX:
5% One-Handed Damage
1% Movement Speed
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[Perception: 10][Intelligence: 10][Speechcraft: 11][Strength: 10][Endurance: 10][Dexterity: 14]‘Thanks Guide, heh. Think we may have a problem now.’
“Seraaa… how much did you drink!? There’s a river overflowing from where you are!”
“Heh, bloody sarcastic dragon. I’m finished.”
In the process of discovering the next destroyed town and taking a quick toilet break, thought it would make sense to do this now. Sure, could’ve done the status stuff on the day long journey over here but that would’ve dived into the old “show, don’t tell” cliché. Heh… it had nothing to do with the fact I forgot.
Anyways, onwards and forwards. Returning to the happy dragon’s side, we start working our way through the devastated streets of ruined town number two. Like with any settlement in the Badlands excluding Bordertown, this place is best describe only using one word… dead.
We wander past a burnt-out inn, then a restaurant, later a bathhouse, everything in this town has either crumbled or is scorched.
“As I looked across the endless sea, the looming Abyss called out to me. A face as hollow and empty than she, that’s when I knew it was time to flee…”
“Erm… what was that, Lena?”
“Oh, don’t worry about it, Sera! Think it was from some poem my mother taught me… this place is awfully ominous.”
Ignoring the fact Lena apparently doesn’t read but knows more poetry than I, there is something in that. All towns abandoned or discarded by human hands, there’s always that feeling of dread. It just feels sad being here.
[This Guide has discovered another vision for Sera to see. Up to you if you wish to see it or not.]
“Got a vision lingering around here, Lena.”
“Okay dokey, Sera! Find some place to get comfy and I’ll stand guard.”
Already looking suspiciously eager about the fact I’m about to sit down, she’s going to do something to me while I’m out, isn’t she? Our first kiss was under the same sort of circumstances.
“Lena… avoid the overwhelming urge to sit on me while I’m under, alright?”
“Hehe, I would never ride you how you ride me, Sera! You’d have to be naked first.”
“Heh, I better wake up in clothes, dragon. I promise you’ll regret it if I don’t…”
__________
“*Cough cough*, this stuff is really gnarly! You really are one sick fellow, ain’t cha, mysterious backer?”
“…”
“Danja, please! It’s time to get professional.”
“*Eyeroll*.”
“Y-Yeah… f-focus.”
“It’s showtime…”
The day falters as all six of us get into position, the town still awake but peaceful enough to let us do what is required. It took a while for things to get ready but in a moment or two, this place will be no more.
The General wields his badass dagger and a lit torch, takes a knee to get ready, and then lowers it onto the transparent liquid surrounding and covering the place.
‘Lovely… I’ll never grow tired of that smell. Always reminds me of my bandit days.’
Whoosh! A split second last, the newly built town erupts in flames and everything is in uproar. Having spent the last few hours applying as much solvent as the helmeted guy could get, seeing everything go up like this makes all that boredom worth it. It’s just a shame this dude won’t allow us to pillage beforehand.
As the town fills with terror, people flock to the streets trying to fan the flames only to be met by us. This is going to be a piece of cake…
“Damn… I’ve got blood in my eye!”
“Danja, focus!”
“T-There’s… so m-much fire.”
“*Points two fingers, then points to Danja*.”
“No need for reminding, I’m watching their backs!”
Slashing and crashing, slicing and dicing, all of those ahead of us go down in a heartbeat, a superb flurry of slashes and arrows cut all the civilians down. Their cries and pleas are unheard as only the sound of crackling and money jingling can be heard, this lonesome job will set us up for years!
Even a family with two small children dash our way escaping the flames, both parents with children in their arms and tears flooding their face. Out of our group, they run across the only person who will spare them no quarter…
‘What the… this dude is cooked!’
And then, the General dude does something none of us expect… he actually lets them go! I’ve already seen his work firsthand and know woman and children get treated the exactly the same as the men. Heck, he’s already had me up by the throat!
“Meh… wolves will have them.”
The blandest of laugh’s, almost as if it derives from pure boredom. He just doesn’t care and honestly… I’m digging his vibe.
‘This guy is so freaking cool! If only I could tell how he looks, think I could stomach him looking like an orc. Bet he’s a grower under that armour as well, that would be so dope…’
__________
“…Sera, wake the fuck up! We have a huge problem!”
Unlike the usual memories, this ends up much more abruptly with the entire world shaking as I return. I feel there was more to see but thanks to Lena, the rest of that vision can be avoided.
As my blurred vision returns, I know instantly the reason why she is so concerned. It appears we’re not the only people here.
‘Huh, this is our first bandit encounter. Are they going to ask for a toll or something?’
[STATUS][Name: Yusaf][Species: Human][Level: 10][Age: 31][Gender: Male][Affection: 36/100][Health][150/150][Stamina][107/130][Magic][110/110] [STATUS][Name: Davey][Species: Human][Level: 6][Age: 22][Gender: Male][Affection: 33/100][Health][130/130][Stamina][95/120][Magic][100/100] [STATUS][Name: Ramires][Species: Human][Level: 5][Age: 19][Gender: Male][Affection: 40/100][Health][120/120][Stamina][98/120][Magic][100/100]“Boss, what are we going to do with them? They’ve walked into our town like they own the place!”
“Quiet Ramires! I’m thinking…”
“Is your brain broken or something? Let’s rob ’em! Then, tie ’em up and then lug ‘em to a slave market! Think of the profit!”
We may be in a terrible situation as two more bandits join the three that seem to lead the group, but I can’t help but think this guy would make for an average modern-day millionaire. Can’t fault his money-making mind.
“That’s brilliant, Davey! Why can’t Ramires ever come up with ideas like this?”
“Because he stupid.”
“That’s not fair! After we tie them up… how about we… do naughty things and pass them around the group!? That’s a brilliant idea… isn’t it? Why are you all looking at me like that?”
…
You may be thinking, why aren’t we killing these morons or fleeing? It’s because their reactions have stunned us also, these absurdly stupid bandits has inflicted their stupidity onto us.
“That’s sick, Ramires! Selling these poor ladies is one thing, that is a line we will not cross! We have standards, ya know!?”
“Yeah, we’ll lose money that way. Everyone’s knows ol’Billy likes to break in his gals as well.”
“Yup, haven’t heard any complaints so far, the key word is consent though. Unlike filthy Ramires, no means no. Even if they physically can’t speak, you’ve got to figure out the signs.”
“This is oppression! I was only trying to help… all of you stop looking at me like that! I didn’t mean it in a bad way… they could be down for it!”
“We know what you implied, Ramires. We’re not angry at you, just disappointed.”
“Yeah, you kiss your mother with that mouth?”
“You should be ashamed.”
Already sensing these is spiralling to madness, Lena has lost her composure while I try my best at not facepalming. This is the line in the sand for these bandits!?
“Freaking idiots! Are you trying to sell us or what then!?”
“Of course we are! It’s just that Ramires needs to bow his head in shame and apologize to you, right now!”
Still in shock watching this situation unfold, the lead bandit pushes Ramires forward and he actually bows his head in shame towards us. Just what the hell is going on!?
“I-I’m sorry… can we just capture them already!?”
“*Sigh*, that will have to do… I’m going to have to speak to your mother about this. Now girls, we doing this the easy or hard way?”
Like flicking a switch, the lead bandit turns his attention to us and pulls out a length of rope alongside his sword. I’m looking forward to this now.
“Heh… does this answer your question?”
[Perception improvement +1] “Ooaf! Dumb bitch!”
[HP: 96/130] [-34]‘Thirty-four? Oh right, armour reduction.’
Having sneakily drawn my bow behind my back during all of these shenanigans, I let it rip within the space of a second and it flies true… hitting the armoured bandit to the leader’s side. Even a small damage indicator appears just above his head.
…
It takes the bandits a brief second to realize what’s going on, then rapidly enter combat while wildly and crazily charging toward us. So quick in fact, I haven’t the time to reload. Someone else has just enough time to make things work.
The second they close the gap, what else is to meet them other than a gigantic cloud of smoke? When it dissipates however, their reactions are entirely unexpected…
“Phahaha… that one is a mage!? We’ll be swimming in coin!”
“A-Are we sure she’s a mage? Those teeth are really big.”
“Of course she’s not a real dragon, Ramires. Are you retarded? Must be some long-forgotten illusion spell, let’s break ‘em!”
As soon as they start waffling on again, Lena has already pounced, grabbing one like a chew toy a shaking him apart.
[Soul Smasher] [10% armour reduction] [single hit] My sword is ready and ability is active. With Lena’s “illusion” magic shocking all of them, I have the time to get in a free swing.
[HP: 58/130] [-38]My shortsword briefly glows, the attack crashes down against his bulky iron breastplate and a faint crack appears on the piece. I’ve even winded him it seems.
“*Cough cough*.”
“D-Don’t you dare attack D-Davey like that!”
“We’ve got you, Davey!”
[HP: 99/135] [-36] [Endurance improvement +1] I’m unable to block both as two attacks come my way, even the slow-moving armoured guy joins in after I’m hit. Despite my best efforts to get away, one of my breasts is still clipped.
“Sera! This one is chow, I’ll tear the rest apart!”
Already finished with her grub, Lena spits out the mangled corpse of the guy she was dealing with, then swoops in almost like a battering ram to split the battlefield to give me a moment to breath. I was about to be surrounded.
“W-We can also play your little game, fake dragon! Take this!”
“Pahahaha… wait, RAMIRES!?! You idiot!”
Throwing something in a glass vial towards us, the glass shatters and a green looking fog envelops us both. Then, a huge weight falls upon my body.
[SP: 4/125] [-94] [It appears Sera has been inflicted with an SP poison. There are severe restrictions when SP reaches under 10 so it might be best to sit this one out, Sera.]
[STATUS][Name: Sera][Species: Elf][Level: 6][EXP: 166/210][Age: 22][Gender: Female][Skill Points: 0][Health][99/135][Stamina] [Fatigue][4/125][Magic][105/105] [STATS]
Spoiler
Extra bonuses from P.I.S.S.E.D.
PER:
5% Archery Damage
1% Critical Chance
INT:
+5 Magic
-1% Spell Costs
SPE:
+5 Stamina
1% Bartering
STR:
5% Two-Handed Damage
+1 Carry Weight
END:
+5 Health
1% Armour Resistance
DEX:
5% One-Handed Damage
1% Movement Speed
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[Perception: 1] [-90%][Intelligence: 1] [-90%][Speechcraft: 1] [-90%][Strength: 1] [-90%][Endurance: 1] [-90%][Dexterity: 1] [-90%]‘No shit, Guide, it feels like I’m wading through mud. Fuck fatigue, this is ridiculous!’
Every step feels like a marathon, every move of my arms feels like I’m lifting the Titanic. I’m just lucky right now the bandits and their attention has turned again.
“You damned moron, Ramires! That potion was worth more than both these wenches combined! It would’ve sold for thousands!”
“Yeah, that was the only thing we got from that dem-, fuck! The mage has got me!”
“Y-You lot are so mean, I was trying to help! It was supposed to knock them ou-, argh!”
[Double Slash] [x2 damage] [single hit] [HP: 44/120] [-76]Just as Lena grabs another one of the idiots, the blue aura from my ability splashes on the bandit known as Ramires, massively lowering his health. This has dire consequences though…
[HP: 81/135] [-18] [HP: 45/135] [-36] [Endurance improvement +1] As predicted, my speed and response time are so slow in fact, I can’t even block nor counter. Two attacks hit, one against my back and the other crashing down against my shoulder.
Thankfully, the next mangled corpse of another bandit is tossed between us and Lena fully senses my predicament, jumping between us to protect me again.
“You dirty whores! That does it, no more enslavement for you! You both need to die!”
“Aww… we’ll have to stick with the cheap ale for the next month.”
“I-I still think s-she’s a real dragon, boss.”
Lena gives me the chance of a lifetime as she charges in, starts snapping and gets all of the focus solely on her. I may be slow but I can do this!
All of them are forced to contend with her overwhelming presence, giving me the perfect opportunity. One dashing hit that aims with some momentum will get them all…
[HP: 112/150] [-19] [HP: 20/130] [-38] [HP: 0/120] [-57][Dexterity improvement +1] “RAMIRES, NOOO! We all loved him! What have you don-”
Crack! Lena pounces and grabs the armoured foe, his armour and body almost splitting in two as the soundof screaming and crunching combine into one.
“You killed them all! Die elf, die!”
Her assault however leaves me completely unguarded against an enemy more powerful than I, has more health and isn’t inflicted with fatigue. I can’t move quick enough here…
[HP: 27/135] [-18] [Endurance improvement +1] I manage to guide the hit towards my arm instead of my torso, nearly causing the loss of my blade in the process. Fatigue stopped me from blocking last time. This time, it will not.
Crash! I manage to block this attempt with all my might, my feeble tired arms rattle from the collision. One more hit against my torso or head and I’m officially done, that sword even grazes me and the story of Sera is no more. It’s been a wild start and a premature end if I don’t get help right now.
Fate won’t allow me to go just yet as Lena actually jumps into the guy, his sword clearly cutting deep where she lands. Her rage isn’t letting me die today.
“Let me go, fuckin- *cough cough*. Free me from this mage, elf!”
‘I seriously love her for moments like this… I’m not counting this as a confession.’
“Sera! Freaking stab him! You want that XP stuff, right!?”
Now clamped in Lena’s jaw as he tries to desperately struggle free, it’s clear to me she’s once again held back purposely so I could reap the rewards. She’s so unbelievably amazing at times… maybe I should focus less on levelling and more on survival though.
[HP: 55/150] [-57]“ARGH!!! Damn knife ears… I’ll have my reveng-”
[HP: 0/150] [-57]Two stabs of my sword against his stupid head does the trick and he finally stops kicking, Lena briefly spitting his lifeless corpse out thereafter. I think we can finally take a breather.
Just me, a bloodied elf alongside a bloodied dragon standing victorious against five bloodied bandits. I’d say celebrations were in order if I wasn’t feeling light-headed.
“Thanks Lena… is it me, or is the world spinning?”
“Hehe, it’s always spinning, Sera. You do look a little pale… and bloody.”
[This guide recommends Sera sit down immediately.]
‘Huh? I’m fine. You sound concerned, Guide.’
[STATUS][Name: Sera][Species: Elf][Level: 6][EXP: 201/210][Age: 22][Gender: Female][Skill Points: 0][Health][27/135][Stamina] [Fatigue][3/125][Magic][105/105] [STATS]
Spoiler
Extra bonuses from P.I.S.S.E.D.
PER:
5% Archery Damage
1% Critical Chance
INT:
+5 Magic
-1% Spell Costs
SPE:
+5 Stamina
1% Bartering
STR:
5% Two-Handed Damage
+1 Carry Weight
END:
+5 Health
1% Armour Resistance
DEX:
5% One-Handed Damage
1% Movement Speed
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[Perception: 1] [-90%][Intelligence: 1] [-90%][Speechcraft: 1] [-90%][Strength: 1] [-90%][Endurance: 1] [-90%][Dexterity: 2] [-90%]‘Heh, with stamina to spare no less. Guess I really was relying on my adrenaline…’
With a smile on my face plus a mixture of my own and bandit blood, the world starts to pulse and distort, even pixelating in some places as well as spinning. This is really trippy… even the floor seems to be rushing towards my face.
“Sera… you good?”
“Heh, never better… L-”
“Sera!”
...