Grempire (The Rules Book 3), page 14
Cooldown: N/A
Now these were skills Sam could get behind! Finally! There was no bullshit, no horrible, asshole comments, just a set of awesome new weapons to add to his arsenal, and both in places where he was weak. Best of all, neither his Shield skill nor Gauntlet ability had any conditions. The Shield would always be active, and the Gauntlet had no cooldown timer. Sure, it was an expensive spell to use, but well worth it if a powerful opponent attacked him.
Finally, with all of his upgrades out of the way, Sam opened his full status to see the difference.
CHARACTER STATUS
Name: Sam
Race: Human
Level: 26
XP: 780/225,000
AP: 0
Class: Titan-Over-Mage
HP: 410/410 (Regen 4.1 Per Second)
MP: 1,250/1,250 (Regen 10.9 Per Second)
STA: 130/130 (Regen 1.3 Per Second)
ATTRIBUTES
Strength: 10
Constitution: 29 (41)
Agility: 8
Endurance: 9 (13)
Intelligence: 110 (125)
Wisdom: 80 (109)
Charisma: 60
Luck: 16
ABILITIES
Titan’s Shot: Master LV - 41 (12%)
Titan’s Burn: Intermediate LV - 30 (98%)
Titan’s Flare: Intermediate LV - 24 (93%)
Titan’s Cloak: Beginner LV - 19 (4%)
Mage Bolt: Beginner LV - 20 (91%)
Speed Boost: Novice LV - 7 (8%)
Mage Shield: Novice LV - 10 (79%)
Over-Burn: Beginner LV - 18 (16%)
Recovery: Novice LV - 10 (62%)
Lightning Cloud: Master LV - 41 (15%)
Titan’s Gauntlet: Master LV - 41 (0%)
SKILLS
Sprint: Intermediate LV - 27 (29%)
Stalker: Intermediate LV - 22 (70%)
Inspect: Advanced LV - 37 (87%)
Mind Over All: Master LV - 48 (58%)
Mental Manipulation: Beginner LV - 20 (99%)
Browbeat: Beginner LV - 16 (1%)
Critical Strike: Beginner LV - 20 (99%)
Sucker Punch: Beginner LV - 18 (40%)
Night Owl: Beginner LV - 17 (82%)
Deadeye: Intermediate LV - 29 (96%)
Cauterize: Novice LV - 6 (86%)
Titan’s Shield: Advanced LV - 31 (0%)
TITLES
Slaughterer of Bunnies
Punching Bag
You Won’t Like Me When I’m Angry
Shtainerzeid’s Bane
Arbiter
EQUIPPED ITEMS
Clothing
Robes of the Monster Mage
Trousers of the Monster Mage
Sash of the Monster Mage
Boots of the Monster Mage
Armband of the Monster Mage
Hand-Cannon Holster
Total Armor Rating: 45
Set Bonus: +12 Constitution, Intelligence & Wisdom
Other Items
Name: Staff of the Weeper
Damage: +22-38 (Ability), +13-18 (Blunt)
Name: Pendant of the Novice Mage
Effect: +3 Intelligence & Wisdom
Name: Ring of Endurance
Effect: +4 Endurance
Name: Ring of Fortitude
Effect: +50% Resistance to Mental Manipulation
Name: Wisdom’s Promise
Effect: +15 Wisdom
Mithril Soul Ring (Soulbound)
RULE OF THE DAY
Don’t go to sleep
Overall, Sam was quite pleased with his progress. What he was not pleased with was the Overlord’s bullshit rule about not going to sleep. He hadn’t had any sleep in days, and even if he had to break this damn rule, he was just too tired to give a shit. Closing his status, Sam closed his eyes, and within seconds, he was out cold.
22
A loud clanging sound in his head woke Sam from a dreamless slumber, causing him to sit bolt upright, clutching at his chest. It was light out, the sun shining down from high overhead. Judging by the silence in their camp, everyone else was still sleeping. He blinked bleary eyes, trying to see past the blue light shining right in his face. It took him several long moments to orient, but when he did, Sam let out a long groan, mentally cursing the Overlord for being such a monumental dick.
DIVINE CURSE
You have broken a rule and have been struck by a divine curse.
Effect: Fatigue - You will feel as though you have not slept in an entire week. Additionally, you will be unable to sleep until the effects of this curse have vanished
Duration: H 23 : M 59 : S 59
Sam had known when he’d gone to sleep that he’d be cursed, but at the time, he’d been so tired that he hadn’t cared. However, as soon as he dismissed the notification, the fatigue that hit him made his earlier tiredness feel like a total joke in comparison. Worse, when he tried to close his eyes for more than a second, a sharp pain flashed up from between his legs, as though someone had kicked him in the groin.
“Oh…You are a seriously sick bastard,” Sam groaned.
The pain vanished quickly, but the message had been all too clear. This curse would keep him from sleeping, and if he tried to cheat, he’d be punished.
Sam had honestly thought that his hatred of the Overlord could not grow any further, but every time he thought that, it was as though he were trying to prove him wrong. The Overlord was not only a sick bastard but a sadistic one as well.
When I get my hands on him…oh the sweet, sweet revenge…
Rising shakily to his feet, he allowed his drooping eyes to sweep over the clearing, his mind processing information at such a slow rate that it took him nearly twice as long to locate everyone. He was honestly surprised they were still sleeping, especially seeing as it looked to be around noon.
Well, if I can’t sleep, no one can!
“Hey, wake up!” Sam yelled, hearing his voice slur slightly as though he were drunk.
He snickered to himself as everyone jumped, leaping to their feet and scrambling for weapons. Yeah, it had been a dick move, but he was tired, and if he had to suffer, they were going to have to do so along with him.
“What the hell, man?” Greg exclaimed, stalking over to him. “You almost gave me a heart attack!”
Sam shrugged unapologetically.
“You needed to wake up, and I didn’t feel like walking around and shaking you all gently awake. It’s already noon.”
Greg glared at him for a few moments before looking up and noting how high the sun was in the sky. It wasn’t like any of them could accurately tell time by the position of the sun alone, but even little kids could estimate if they knew how the sun moved throughout the day.
“You look like shit,” Emma said, stretching her arms and yawning. “Didn’t you sleep?”
“Yeah,” Sam muttered. “And got cursed for it.”
“Wow, you really have some horrible luck when it comes to these,” Emma said, giving him a pitying look. “Do you wanna take the day and just rest?”
“I can’t,” Sam replied. “The curse makes me feel like I haven’t slept in a week and prevents me from doing so for the next 24 hours.”
“What happens when you try?”
“I get kicked in the balls by the invisible man.”
Both Emma and Greg winced at that, Greg because he knew the feeling, and Emma, because she knew how many times he’d been screwed over like this, and how many more he was likely to be.
“Let’s just get going,” Sam muttered. “It’ll help distract me, at least.”
“Do we even know where we are now?” Emma asked.
“We are nearing the exit of the Creep Swamp,” Gordon informed them, padding over and dropping a half-chewed stick at Sam’s feet.
“Great! So, can we get the hell out of here then?” Sam asked, rubbing at his eyes.
“If you’re tired, I can help carry you,” Daisy said, nudging her head into his leg.
“I can walk, thanks,” Sam muttered, stepping away from the skunk and motioning Gordon to take the lead, which he gladly did.
The swamp still stank horribly, but after so long spent in here, Sam was growing used to the stench. Either that, or he smelled so bad that he could no longer tell. They wound through the thick underbrush, the trees and foliage thinning out, until finally, about four hours later, they exited, leaving the Creep Swamp behind them.
“Yay, a road,” Sam said, his voice lacking any hint of enthusiasm.
His head was pounding, feeling as though a tiny man were sitting in his cranium and slamming a hammer into his brain over and over again. His chin was dipping, and his eyes continually fluttered closed, only for a sharp pain from his groin to force him back awake. This had to be one of the worst curses yet, and Sam’s hatred of the Overlord was continually reaching new heights.
“At least we don’t need to slog through any more mud,” Emma said, trying to cheer him up.
She was currently walking beside him, making sure he didn’t fall flat on his face from exhaustion.
“And guess what I see up ahead,” Greg added, pointing down the winding dirt path to a sign sitting right off said path.
Sam squinted, focusing through blurry vision, until he could make out the spidery letters.
Underworld: 3
“So, we’re almost there. Whoopee.”
“You do not sound very enthusiastic,” Gordon noted.
“It’s because the little bitch can’t handle it!” Barry screeched, cackling madly.
“Can’t handle what?” Greg asked, clearly confused.
“Don’t mind him,” Emma replied. “That moron never makes any sense. He’s just looking for an excuse to call someone a bitch. Speaking of which…” Her eyes snapped to the bird, who was still walking, on account of his clipped wings. “Say one more thing, and you’ll be getting another trim. Only this time, I might just chop them off entirely.”
Barry glared back at her, his beak cracking halfway as though he were going to say something else. Then his eyes moved to the sword at Emma’s waist, and he seemed to think better of it. Sam rolled his eyes at that and continued on, stumbling down the path, wanting nothing more than to get this entire ordeal over with.
As they walked, some very notable changes began to take shape. The dirt path widened, transforming into nearly laid cobblestone. Branching paths became all too common, and more and more travelers could be seen. One thing Sam noticed was that they all seemed to be dressed up in fancy attire and were all riding mounts of some sort, whether in a carriage or on the backs of strange animals.
None of these people even looked at them, as judging by their muddied and stinking clothes, they were beneath these strangers.
“Looks like snobby assholes are still a thing,” Greg said as another carriage rolled by.
“They’re a thing no matter where you go,” Sam replied, feeling a very strong urge to blast the wheels off the carriage as it disappeared.
“You two are just upset that you have to walk,” Emma said.
“Maybe,” Sam replied. “Doesn’t mean they aren’t assholes, though.”
“Can’t argue with you there.”
The path stretched ever onward, widening even further and accommodating all sorts of travelers. Sam wondered if they were all going to the Underworld and if yes, then why? He knew why they were going, but what possible reason could all these others have?
Sam got his answer just a few minutes later as they crested the top of a hill and finally got a good view of the landscape below.
“Oh, wow!” Emma gasped.
Sam was far too tired to be amazed or awed, though even in his fatigued state, he could still be impressed.
The cobbled road stretched downhill, coming right up to a pair of elegant wrought-iron gates emblazoned with massive U’s. A cobblestone wall wound around the area, protecting it from those unworthy of entering through the massive gates. Inside, they could see a small handful of buildings.
One looked like an inn of some sort, and another appeared to be a shop. There was a set of basic town things, like stables and barracks, and at the very center was a massive black building, with the word Underworld written above the massive doorway.
This small settlement – if it was even a settlement – was unlike anything Sam had seen before. While most towns had places like the ones he was seeing, none were as elegant or obviously high-class as these.
“So, the Underworld is what? A fantasy version of a country club?” Emma asked, watching as the gates opened to let the latest guests in.
“That’s what it looks like,” Sam muttered, rubbing at his eyes. “And I’m guessing that if we want to get in, we’re going to have to do something about our outfits.”
“Are you saying we’ll need fancy clothes like those?” Greg asked, pointing to a man who would have made a clown feel inadequate, what with all those poofs, ruffles, and makeup.
“No, our own should be fine. Emma and I ate at a fancy place, and gear like what we have is plenty good enough.”
Greg looked down at his gear and gave him a sheepish grin.
“I’m afraid my gear isn’t all that special. Well, aside from the ax, that is.”
“That’s fine,” Sam yawned. “You can just pretend to be our servant.”
“Oh, hell no!” Greg snapped. “There is no way I would stoop that low to get into that place. Do you hear me, Sam? No way in hell!”
23
“Hello, we’re here to enjoy the best Underworld can offer,” Emma said, giving the pair of guards and sharply dressed butler her most winning smile.
The butler sniffed, giving them all a once-over, before addressing her personally.
“You and your husband are clearly of suitable means to venture into our fine establishment, but what of the scruffy one and the beasts?”
“I beg your pardon?” Gordon said, bristling in indignation.
Of course, the butler guy didn’t understand a thing he said, just interpreting it as barking, which didn’t make the case for letting him in any easier.
“This is our servant,” Sam said, hiding his grin as he gestured to Greg, who’d been tasked with carrying all their packs to make it look authentic.
“And the others are our emotional support animals,” Emma said, fanning herself with a delicate hand.
“I am sorry, ma’am, but we do not allow beasts of any sort into this fine establishment,” the butler said.
“You and your husband are welcome to enter. The others must adjourn to the servant’s quarters behind Underworld.”
Sam could clearly hear Greg’s fists tightening. It wasn’t lost on any of them that the butler had lumped Greg in with the animals, which made Sam feel even better. After all the crap Greg had made him put up with, it felt good to have someone else trash him, without Greg being able to retaliate.
“Very well,” Sam said, half turning to look at Greg. “You heard him. All beasts need to go to the back.”
It was all he could do not to gloat, though the shit-eating grin plastered on his face told everyone just what he was thinking.
“My word!” Gordon huffed. “What a bunch of uncivilized barbarians! To insult someone as refined and well-groomed as I am is an insult to our illustrious Overlord himself! Come, Baron Von Tweet. Daisy. Let us leave that oaf Samuel to his machinations and scheming. I, for one, have an excellent rawhide bone that needs chewing.”
That said, Gordon stuck his nose up in the air and all but pranced away. He was followed by Barry, who took the opportunity to flip them both off before scampering after the dog and doing his best to keep up. Daisy followed a moment later, glaring at Emma and giving Sam a shy smile.
“Good luck in there, Sam. If you need me, I’ll be right here.”
She then realized what she’d said, let out a terrified squeak, hid her face, and ran away. Greg was the last to leave, crossing his arms and staring at the two of them.
“You heard him,” Sam said again. “All servants and beasts need to wait in the back.”
“What if I don’t feel like going?” Greg asked, his face set.
“Is there a problem, sir?” the butler asked, looking between them and the hulking muscular man.
“No problem at all,” Sam replied. “Our servant just needs to learn how to listen to orders and go.”
Greg glared at them for another few seconds before slowly turning and heading after the companions.
“Very good, sir,” the butler said as they turned back. “Now there is only the small matter of the ten-platinum entry fee. But for ones as distinguished as yourselves, such a paltry sum should hardly be any trouble at all.”
Ten platinum just to get in?!
That was the Earth equivalent of ten-thousand dollars!
“Kill that bastard! Rip his nuts off and shove them down his throat! Make him sorry he was ever born!”
Sam was shocked, not at the fact that the little angel and devil had appeared, but because the angel had been the one to say that.
The devil slowly turned, giving Sam a look that he recognized all too well. One that said that he, the same figment who was constantly telling him to bang Emma, thought the angel was going too far.
“Woah, settle down there,” the devil said, trying to calm the seething angel down. “How about we take a little break, yeah?”
The two of them vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving Sam alone once more.
“Sam.”
“What?”
Sam jumped as Emma gave him a little nudge, breaking him from his silent conversation.
“The fee?” Emma prompted.
“Oh, right,” he said, trying to shake off the exhaustion as he reached for his ring.
