The Rules: The Complete Series : A LitRPG Epic, page 11
Sam face-palmed.
Bun Ni? The fuck was wrong with this Overlord?!
“It would appear that we are facing a monster that will unleash an area of effect attack at a certain point.” Gordon said, as Bun Ni’s fists began glowing red.
Well shit, that didn’t look good.
Then the ripped bunny let out a scream, and launched itself directly at Sam. He barely had the chance to throw up his Mana Cloak, before the karate bunny’s fist slammed into him. The force of the blow was enough to send him reeling back; but thankfully, he took no damage.
He quickly fired off a few of his spells, using the orb to increase the damage; but the bunny didn’t stop attacking, even while he pelted it with spells. Sam’s eyes widened as he realized that Bun Ni, would keep attacking until the shield faded, which would be in about a second.
Sam used Mana Flare, just as the cloak disappeared, sending out a shockwave of blue energy that staggered the bunny for a moment. He quickly fired off another spell, but he could already see that it was already recovering.
His initial attack, had knocked off about 30% of the boss’ health, but with his new damage output, that should have been more. That told him that the boss had some kind of armor. Bun Ni’s low HP also probably meant that his attacks would pack one hell of a punch; pun intended.
Just as the boss bunny regained its balance, Gordon crashed into it, tearing at one of its legs, and ripping massive chunk from its flesh. Sam would have cheered, had he been able to talk, and noted that Kung fu Bunny’s HP was now dropping a bit faster.
He held out the orb, and used Mana Burn, sending the flame-like ball of mana right into the bunny’s chest. Bun Ni staggered back, shrieking in rage; its eyes still locked onto him, in spite of the dog currently savaging its leg. He grinned at the bunny, then flipped it off as he shot another spell at it.
The boss monster’s health was plummeting, and soon it was at the 30% mark. Sam’s grin grew wider, as Bun Ni, tried to free itself from Gordon and attack him, but the dog was just too strong.
Easy win!
Sam kept the Caster’s Orb raised and sent another Mana Burn at the boss. Gordon bit deeper, and the boss’ HP dropped to 10%. That was when things, inevitably went horribly wrong. Bun Ni screamed, then his entire body began glowing red. It kicked to the side, dislodging Gordon and sending him across the room. He slammed into the opposite wall and Sam saw his HP drop by almost 30%!
Ouch!
Then the bunny pulled its fists to its side, and spread them out, it’s fuzzy palms facing outward. There was a massive, sonic boom and a wall of force slammed into Sam, sending him flying; and his HP plummeting.
Sam impacted with the far wall, and hit the ground with a bone jarring crack. He let out a groan that made no sound, then looked up to his flashing health bar. It took a few moments for it to come into focus, and when it did, he felt his heart jump up to his throat.
He only had 5 HP left!? Why did all these monsters keep dishing out so much damage!?
He quickly dug his hand into his bag and retrieved both Healing Herbs, he popped one into his mouth, and quickly cast around for Gordon. The dog was lying in the exact same spot as before, but Sam could see that his HP was in much better shape than his.
Popping the second herb into his mouth, Sam turned his attention to the bunny, who was standing still and panting very heavily.
That attack must have some sort of recoil, Sam though, getting to his feet.
“I think now would be our best chance to defeat the boss!” Gordon called out.
Sam turned his head, nodding to the dog, who was shaking off splinters of wood and dirt. Then, the dog ran at the bunny, pouncing on it and sinking his teeth into its neck. Sam looked around for his Caster’s Orb, and found it lying a few feet away. Quickly snatching it up, he noted a small crack in its clear surface, and checked its durability; wincing slightly.
It was down to 12/30 and the damage output had been decreased to 1-3.
Gritting his teeth in anger, he shoved the orb into his bag, replacing it with the wand instead. And he’d just gotten that Orb too! Bunny Lee would pay with his life!
Sam extended the wand out, and began firing his spells into the boss monster, screaming in silent rage, until well after its HP had hit 0.
BOSS DEFEATED!
Congratulations! Your party has killed Bun Ni!
Rewards: +489 XP, Bun Ni’s Hand Wraps, Bun Ni’s Gi, Bun Ni’s Sash, Bun Ni’s Bandana, Healing Herb (X5)
+1 Luck
Sam finally calmed down once the new messages popped up, and as he walked over to the quickly vanishing boss corpse, he wondered why his luck had increased. Gordon had walked away from the defeated bunny, and was now chewing on the stick he’d gotten from their last boss fight.
Wasn’t he interested in the loot?
He raised his hand in thanks, despite Gordon’s apparent disinterest. Without the dog, he probably wouldn’t have made it.
Gordon, dipped his head slightly, but continued devoting the majority of his attention to the stick. Sam just rolled his eyes, and bent to examine all the gear that had been left behind after Bun Ni’s death. As soon as he used Inspect, he understood why his Luck had increased.
ITEMS FOUND!
Name: Bun Ni’s Gi
Durability: 117/120
Rarity: Legendary
Quality: Enhanced
Armor: +15
Effect: -10% Damage taken from physical attacks
Name: Bun Ni’s Hand Wraps
Durability: 84/90
Rarity: Legendary
Quality: Enhanced
Armor: +8
Effect: +10% Increased damage when using physical attacks
Name: Bun Ni’s Sash
Durability: 39/40
Rarity: Legendary
Quality: Enhanced
Armor: +6
Effect: +15% Chance to land a critical hit when using physical attacks
Name: Bun Ni’s Bandana
Durability: 40/40
Rarity: Legendary
Quality: Enhanced
Armor: +8
Effect: +1% Chance to nullify damage from physical attacks
You have found a full set of Bun Ni’s clothing.
Set Bonus: +15 Strength, Agility & Endurance
Requirements: Level 18 Martial-Warrior
Whyyyy!!!
Sam mentally screamed when he saw the requirements to wear the gear.
It was completely useless to him! The first Legendary gear he’d found, and he’d never get to wear it.
He gritted his teeth as he imagined the Overlord, watching this and laughing at him.
Damn you, you smug bastard! I’ll tear you a new one if I ever find you!
Sam even went so far as to shake his fist at the ceiling, which he imagined, looked ridiculous. He stuffed the Bun Ni, gear into his bag, noting that it at least only took up one slot. Then he walked to the gleaming chest sitting at the back of the room.
If this was full of gear he couldn’t use as well, he’d be very angry…well, more angry than he was already.
He quickly pulled open the chest, and found one item sitting inside. Leaning down, Sam lifted the slim, glass vial, glowing a dark red.
Was this it? A fucking potion!
Sam felt about ready to explode, but forced himself to remain calm; reminding himself that if it was the only item here, then it would probably be a good one.
ITEM FOUND!
Name: Overlord’s Boon
Durability: 25/25
Rarity: Soul-Forged
Quality: Reinforced
Sam didn’t know what to think. What the hell was he supposed to think? The damn Inspect skill didn’t tell him a thing!
He tried to pull the cork from the top, but no matter what he did, it refused to budge.
Fucking scam, that’s what it was!
Closing the tab, Sam decided that, for now, he’d leave it be. The item was very obviously rare judging by the Soul-Forged rarity, so if all else failed, he’d at least be able to sell it.
Turning back to Gordon, Sam motioned him over to the center of the room; to where the core still sat in the hollow of the tree, pulsing lightly. He motioned to the core again, shrugging his shoulders in an unasked question.
Damn you Overlord! I will not be silenced forever, and when I can talk again; you’d better watch your back!
“I believe that it would be prudent to take the core. Dungeon cores are exceedingly rare and valuable.”
Sam motioned around the dungeon, but Gordon shook his head.
“Not to worry. The dungeon will become inactive for some time, but it will recover. Our illustrious Overlord would not create such a massive flaw in his dungeons, then leave it out for all to take.”
Sam grinned when he heard that particular bit of news, and reached for the core. An electric tingling ran up his arm as his fingers closed around the gleaming object; and when he pulled it from the tree, the light around them dimmed.
“Quite the sight is it not?” Gordon asked as Sam stared at the glittering core.
Sam nodded, the light of the core reflecting in his eyes.
He felt a sharp stab of pain, and looked down to see that Gordon hand nipped him.
Damn dog!
“It is best not to gaze into a core for too long. It plays tricks on the mind, as the dungeon does not want to take the time and energy to create a new one.”
Sam just rolled his eyes, then stuffed the core into his bag, immediately feeling the odd compulsion to stare at it, vanish.
Guess the dog had been right.
He then motioned toward the exit tunnel, which had opened as soon as they’d defeated the boss.
He was so ready to get out of here.
14
Sam and Gordon entered the inn in the early evening. It was crowded now, unlike that morning.
Probably the farmers coming in for a drink after a long day, Sam thought as he wove his way through the crowd to the bar.
He saw Milly standing behind the counter, and waved at her.
“Oh, it’s good to see you back Sam,” she said with a wide grin.
If Sam wasn’t so tired, he might have had a hard time interacting with the beautiful elf woman, but seeing as he couldn’t talk, and felt about ready to drop, all he wanted was a bed.
He nodded, doing his best to return the smile, and mimed opening a door.
“Of course, you’ll want your room key I take it.” She said, not even commenting on his seeming rudeness when he didn’t answer.
She leaned down under the counter to fetch his room key; giving him a great view down her top.
He wasn’t too tired to notice that, it seemed.
Taking the key with a tired smile, Sam headed to the staircase near the back of the inn and tromped up the stairs. He could hear the light clicking of Gordon’s claws on the staircase behind him, and wondered if the innkeeper didn’t care about animals in their establishment. Then again, Gordon was probably smarter than everyone here combined, and since he wasn’t going to get drunk, was probably a lot less of a risk than most of the people here.
Sam reached the top of the staircase and looked down the long, narrow hallway. There looked to be about ten rooms altogether, which he found odd for a small town like this.
Then again, if this inn offered ‘extras,’ he could see why this number of rooms would be necessary.
Looking down at his key, Sam saw the number 10, etched into the metal; and had to walk all the way to the other end of the hallway before he reached his room. Unlocking the door, Sam was pleasantly surprised at what he saw. He’d been expecting a wooden box with a bed; but this room had a lot more.
The hardwood floor was clean and polished, and there was a wool rug spread around the sizeable bed, which was set in the center of the room. A plush armchair sat against one side, and a small table sat on the other. He could also see a steaming basin of water and a clean towel set next to it, for which he was very grateful. Gordon pushed passed him then, and went over to curl up near the bed. He still had his new stick, and began gnawing on it almost immediately.
How had they known he’d be coming? Sam wondered as he took off his pack and stripped down to his underclothes. Letting out a long sigh, or trying to, Sam arched his back and, heard a series of satisfying cracks.
Standing straight again, he walked over to the basin of water and washed himself as best he could. He then attempted to do the same to his clothes, which had accumulated quite a bit of filth throughout the day. The clear water turned muddy and disgusting, as soon as the shirt and pants landed inside, and Sam did his best to scrub out all the dirt and blood. He then wrung them out, and draped them over the back of the chair to dry.
Scrubbing himself dry with the towel, Sam collapsed into the soft bed with a Muted groan.
This day had been hell! He’d been forced to watch his language, been hit a bunch of divine curses, and finally made mute for the rest of the day. He couldn’t wait to be able to talk again, and better yet, curse his brains out!
***
Sam woke the next morning to a light rapping on his door, groaning to himself, he tried to roll out of bed, only to discover that Gordon had made himself at home next to him at some point during the night.
Grumbling to himself, he made the tremendous effort of rolling the other way to reach the floor. Shuffling slowly to the door, he opened it a crack, and almost jumped out of his boxers when he saw Milly standing there. She was holding a tray, with a bowl of stew, a loaf of bread, and a mug of something.
Fucking stew.
“Good morning Sam,” Milly said with a bright smile. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“Not at all,” he mumbled, doing his best not to stare.
“Great! Would you mind if I come in to set this down?”
Sam was about to open the door, when he realized his state of undress.
“I’m kinda not dressed, so if you could just leave it by the door, that would be fine.”
Milly’s smile didn’t waver.
“Oh don’t worry. I’m sure you don’t have anything I haven’t seen before.”
Then, before he could stop her, she pushed straight into the room. Sam stumbled back from the door, surprised at the girl’s strength, and tried to look as inconspicuous as he could, while Milly set the food down on the small table. Gordon had lifter his head as soon as she’d walked in, and was watching her with some interest.
Once she’d set the tray down, Milly turned to appraise him; not being at all subtle in running her eyes over his body. Sam was dressed in a pair of boxers, which for some reason, were the same as he’d had back home, and a sleeveless undershirt. Even though he was practically dressed, he still felt a flush of embarrassment creeping up his face, as the gorgeous elf examined him. After a few moments, her eyes met his, and she gave him a playful wink.
Holy shit!
“I’ll leave you to eat and get dressed, but don’t take too long. The city is about eight hours away, and I’d like to get there before nightfall,” and with that, she swept out of the room, closing the door behind her.
“Well, fuck me!” Sam exclaimed, sinking to the floor.
A second later, he winced, expecting a new divine curse to hit him.
“It would appear that my day will once again be filled with profanity,” Gordon observed, opening his toothy maw in a wide yawn. “A real shame as well; I was quite enjoying the peace and quiet.”
“Fuck you Gordon!”
Sam quickly pulled up his status to check the day’s rule. He didn’t want to be caught off guard again.
RULE OF THE DAY
Do not kill any female dwarves
Well, that was easy enough, Sam thought, closing his status with a sigh of relief. He had yet to see a single dwarf, so keeping this rule should be just fine.
He then walked around to the other side of his bed, and dressed in his still slightly damp clothes. Immediately, he felt the difference of that extra point in Strength.
Strange that. He didn’t feel this much of a difference when increasing Intelligence or Wisdom. Though he did feel quite a bit healthier whenever he increased Endurance, and had a feeling of wellbeing when increasing Constitution. Maybe he would only feel changes from physical attributes?
“Hey Gordon,” he said, taking a seat at the table and digging into the stew.
He hadn’t realized until now how hungry he was.
“Yes?” Gordon asked, his head still on the bed, and tail swishing back and forth.
“Why do I only feel a difference when increasing a physical attribute?” He asked though a mouthful of bread and stew.
“I can assure you that there is a difference when increasing any attribute. The only reason that you feel the physical over the mental, is because you are not yet accustomed to the sensation. You will, over time, begin to feel it however.”
Sam only nodded, then went back to stuffing his face.
There was a hot elf girl waiting for him to escort her, and he didn’t want to keep her waiting even a moment longer than he had to!
***
Milly was already waiting for him, pack slung over one shoulder, when Sam came down the stairs. She was dressed, thankfully, in a sturdy set of travel clothes that were a lot less revealing than the maid outfit that she’d been wearing the last time he’d seen her.
“Looks like you’re ready to go,” Sam said, finding that it was much easier to speak with her now that she’d covered up.
“Yes, I’m very excited. I barely slept a wink last night!” Milly exclaimed, bouncing lightly in place.
Sam turned back, as Gordon padded up behind him; ever present stick clutched between his jaws.
“You ready to go?” He asked, raising an eyebrow at the dog.
Gordon had helped himself to the rest of Sam’s stew when he’d gone to use the bathroom, and he was still a bit annoyed at him for that. As a result, he’d only gotten to eat about half his meal, and his stomach still felt distinctly empty.
