Darling of Fate 2: A LitRPG Apocalypse Adventure, page 36
As we circled the remaining statues, I explained what they did.
“These ones offer a [Crafting Table] and a [Alchemist’s Table], along with some basic recipes. Not my first pick, but the recipes could be useful later down the line. These ones here are all information primers. I think we should consider one or two of them.” I stopped before the four statues representing the Keepers, Time, Conflict, and Fate. “Now, these are the juicy ones. The only problem is I don’t know if they’re sticky.”
“Sticky?” Byron asked.
“Stick after the reset,” Lacy suggested, looking to me in question.
I flashed her a thumbs-up. “Exactly. Some of these Boons are crazy overpowered, but if they aren’t sticky, we might as well wait until the final run before picking them. I’d suggest one person pick one as an experiment and we can see if it sticks. That leaves four of you to pick.”
Leading them over to the Leph’s and Aestus’ statues, I indicated the Armor Heirloom Boon.
“I already took the Weapon Heirloom on this run, and Aestus was able to make my weapon Soulbound, meaning it’ll stay with me on subsequent runs. I haven’t had a chance to play with it yet, but I imagine it’s crazy strong.”
“Oh, can we see?” Byron asked.
Frank’s eyes went wide and he nodded eagerly.
“Sure. Just don’t let Yuri see,” I said, indicating the Watcher who was lounging against a building nearby.
Pulling [Dirk’s Diskslinger] from my Inventory, I held it up for them to examine, angling my body to block Yuri’s view.
This was my first time getting to check it out myself, and as soon as it hit my hand, knowledge filled my mind seemingly from nowhere.
If I hold the trigger, my Friction energy will condense in the slot, forming an energy disk. Releasing the trigger will shoot the disk out at high speeds. With the [Augmented Affinity Permanence], I can help direct the spinning disk’s trajectory to create a homing effect.
The information continued to stream in, giving me a feel for how to direct my energy into the slot, how controlling the disk would feel, and so much more. I also had an impression that its capacity, reload speed, and the Affinity control would increase once it ranked up.
I pulled down on the trigger, holding it as I suddenly felt a tugging on my soul. Using my spiritual senses, I noted the connection between the diskslinger and my Friction core. My energy began to siphon toward the weapon, grey pinpricks of light coalescing into the slot.
“Whoa!” Byron said, his eyes wide.
Frank touched his glasses in a particular way and leaned in to study the energy. I noted his stutter went away as he examined the weapon.
“Fascinating,” he muttered. “It’s pure energy forming into a solid object! Mmm, the energy is affecting the viscosity of the surrounding air…” He looked up at me with a childlike curiosity. “Some sort of physics-based Affinity? Density? Or maybe some sort of Friction-altering energy—”
“How the—?” I shook my head in awe. “You can see all that?”
His eyes went wide. “Oh, I was right?”
He went back to studying the weapon as the energy finally formed into a solid disk with sharp teeth ringing it. The serrated disk began to spin in place, reaching top speed in moments.
“Holy shit,” Byron exclaimed. “It’s like that Nerf disk-launcher I had as a kid!” He looked around in expectation. “Anyone?”
I pulled the weapon back into my Inventory, and Frank let out a disappointed sound. “Don’t compare my Soulbound, god-made Heirloom weapon to a Nerf gun!”
Byron shrugged. “Nerf guns are sick, dude. Whatchu mean?”
A thought hit me and I drew the diskslinger from my Inventory, aiming it up into the air as it appeared in my hand. The disk was still formed and spinning, meaning I could have it primed and ready to fire on a moment’s notice.
Fuck yeah!
Lacy watched us like a girlfriend dragged to a comic convention, a barely tolerant look on her face. “You guys done checking out Dirk’s dick-slinger? Hm? Can we do this already?” she asked with a wave toward the statues.
Amos guffawed while Frank, Byron, and I shared a pained look.
“It’s a disk-slinger,” I muttered.
“I thought it was cool,” Byron added.
Frank leaned over and whispered, “C-can I ex-examine it later?”
I whispered back, “You can check out my dick-slinger anytime.”
Frank blinked twice, and then he nodded seriously. Lacy snorted and turned to examine the statues.
“So, who should get the Armor Boon?” she asked.
“I reckon that’s me,” Amos said, strolling over to the statue.
I was shocked frozen for a moment, and then rushed to block him. He stumbled back, the smell of whiskey heavy in the air.
“The fuck? You’re the last person taking that Boon,” I said. “I was thinking Lacy should get it.”
Amos recovered his footing and pulled a flask from his Inventory. “Mate, if I’d known it was gonna be a beauty contest, I’d have brought my dick-sucking lipstick.” He puckered his lips, then took a swig from his flask.
Lacy scowled at Amos, but shook her head. “Not me. Jerome’s the only close-range fighter. He should get it.”
Protest formed on my lips then died there. Her logic was sound. But the image of Kneer’s Mantle tearing through her body flashed across my mind.
“I-uh… I guess you’re right,” I conceded. “Frank, I think you should get the Mind stat boost. It’s plus 50 to each Mind stat. I don’t know if it’ll stay with you…” I trailed off as a pained look passed over his face. “What is it?”
“My P-Patron, uh… they suggested I pick their B-Boon.” His eyes tracked to the ground like he was afraid of contradicting me.
“Oh,” I replied. For some reason, it hadn’t occurred to me that he would want to double up on his Boon from the Keepers. “Well, in that case.” I turned to Byron and Amos. “One of you should pick a stat Boon so we can see if it stays with you.”
Amos took another swig, noisily swished it around in his mouth, and then swallowed it with a loud, “Ahhh.” Then he started over to the Jree statue that gave the Body Boon.
“Uh, watchu doing, Amos?” I asked.
“Nabbing me Boon,” he slurred with a nod of his head.
I squinted in confusion. “Wouldn’t the Mind stats be better for… well, now that I think about it, what can you do? Other than launch your pigeons at things.”
His eyes suddenly cleared, and he straightened his back. “Mate, tread very carefully now. You disparage me honor all you want. But keep me pigeons outta it.” He turned back to the statue and looked at us over his shoulder. “Besides, me pigeons scale off me Body stats.”
Then he held out his hand toward the statue and closed his eyes. A moment later, a red light encompassed him, and his knees buckled. Lacy ran over but stopped when he shot back to his feet instantly.
“Holy feck!” he shouted, a wild smile on his face. “Are you feckin’ kidding me?” He turned toward us, and I couldn’t help but notice that the red in his eyes was gone, and his skin had a glowing luster. “I haven’t felt this good since me balls dropped.”
He started running around the Plaza as the rest of us stared on in a combination of amusement and embarrassment.
While Amos was doing laps, I turned to Jerome and indicated the Armor Boon. “Let’s see what you get. Remember to request a Soulbound item.”
He grunted and stalked over to the statue. There was no indication that he had selected the Boon, but I suddenly felt something shift in my spiritual senses. Jerome’s regular jeans and t-shirt were suddenly covered by thick, metallic black armor. The armor seemed to cover him seamlessly—less medieval plate armor, more futuristic exo-suit. Spikes jutted from the shoulders, elbows, and knees, and I felt an aura exuding from him that was dense and powerful. A black metal helmet suddenly appeared over his head, a red visor hiding his eyes. Two long, curving horns jutted from the helm, wrapping behind him like ram horns.
At my side, Lacy gasped while Amos nearly tripped and fell in fright. Byron and Frank visibly shifted back a step so they were slightly behind me.
And just like that, the armor disappeared, and normal-scary Jerome stood there like nothing had happened.
“That was fucking terrifying,” Lacy exclaimed.
Frank audibly gulped and nodded.
“Bro, I literally almost pissed myself, and I don’t care who knows it,” Byron added. Turning to me, he said, “Dirk, I think you got scammed, bro. That armor is way sicker than what you got.”
I frowned. Though I wanted to argue, I couldn’t disagree.
“Yeah, yeah,” I said dismissively. “Frank’s set on his Boon, which just leaves Lacy and Byron. Now, we could do one of the Primers, and I could scan it for any useful info… but I’ve been told by a reliable source that that Boon is really strong.” I pointed over the Karma statue.
“What about these two?” Lacy asked, indicating the statues of Fate and Conflict.
“Oh, that’s right, that was a different redo,” I said, smacking my forehead. Lacy’s brow furrowed. “In the last redo, Frank’s Patron basically told me not to take Fate’s Boon.” Frank squinted in confusion but didn’t argue. “Not sure if that applies to you guys, but let’s not risk it. As for who takes Conflict’s Boon…” I trailed off, not because I thought the Boon wouldn’t suit either of them, but because I was afraid.
What would happen if one of them took that Boon and gained another core, only to have it taken away when I reset?
Of course I knew that I had maintained my extra core and my upgraded class, but if there was anything I’d learned about my [Darling of Fate] class, it was that the rules didn’t apply to me. Judging by my reaction when I selected the Boon, the effects were invasive and not on the same tier as the Body enhancement or unlocking Spirit stats.
“That one’s risky,” I finally said. “I don’t know the ramifications of selecting that Boon once I reset.”
Lacy pursed her lips. “Is it powerful?”
I nodded. “Extremely. Probably the best one here—Lacy, wait!”
Before I could stop her, she turned toward the statue, collapsing a moment later. Her head smacked the cobblestone with a crack and I rushed over to cradle her head.
“Lacy!”
Her eyes were rolled into the back of her head, her breathing shallow. With my spiritual senses, I could sense the turmoil inside her soul. Energy was fluctuating throughout her body, condensing inside of her.
A new core was forming in her soul, and it was powerful.
Chapter 39
Drag a Bitch
“Lacy. Can you hear me? Lacy!”
Her eyes flitted back and forth under her eyelids, and her breathing came in ragged bursts. I put my fingers to her neck and felt her heart beating like a hummingbird’s.
“What the hell happened?” Byron asked from over my shoulder.
“She picked the class upgrade,” I replied without looking up at him. “A new core is forming. When I picked it, I was out for hours.
“Dammit, Lacy, why didn’t you listen?” I muttered.
“She alright?” Jerome asked quietly.
I was surprised to hear the concern in his voice. Nodding, I replied, “Should be. Probably a little groggy but once her new core forms, she’ll be fine.”
“Feck is a core?” Amos had paused his laps once Lacy had collapsed and was clutching his flask to his chest.
I waved a hand dismissively. “Tell you later. Jerome, will you carry her? I want my hands free in case these aliens try to make a move.”
He nodded once and hoisted her into a fireman’s carry.
“Frank, Byron, grab your Boons, and let’s go.”
Frank’s eyes widened, and he ran over to the Keepers statue. After a moment, a soft smile touched his lips, and he jogged back over. Byron grabbed the Karmic sight Boon and immediately grabbed his head as if he were in pain. Blinking a few times, he shook his head and nodded toward me.
“Ready.”
“Then let’s move.”
Leading the way, I nodded to Yuri who led us back to the portal at the bottom of the stairs. I waved them through and they entered one by one.
When Jerome was the last one—Lacy on his back—I put a hand on his arm to stop him.
“I’m not following yet. Will you take care of Lacy until I get back?”
He frowned and shifted his grip. “Whatchu about?” he asked tersely.
“Gotta couple of things I need to do first. I’ll be back in an hour or so.”
He pursed his lips, and for a moment, I thought he might argue. “She gonna worry ’bout you. Best if you there when she comes to.”
My thoughts were distracted, focused on the next part of my plan, but something about how he said that made me pause. “What do you mean?”
He rolled his eyes in a definitively non-Jerome way. “Boy, you blind, ain’t you?”
My eyebrows raised in question.
He snorted and shook his head. “The girl’s fallen for ya—and hard. Hell, even I seen’d it.”
I sat back on my heels and bit my lip. “Really? You’re sure?”
He stared back at me like I was an idiot.
I guess she had kissed me in a past redo. But that had been after saving her from the skinheads up close and personal. And we had spent a lot more time together in that redo…
I shook my head to clear my thoughts. “There’s no time for that. How could I treat her right when I’m always running off solo? Not to mention the redos that she’ll never remember…” He pursed his lips but nodded his understanding. But I liked Lacy, and I didn’t want her to think I didn’t care if she was alright. “If she wakes up before I get back, will you tell her I wanted to stay with her, but I needed to do some things first?”
“Fine,” he said, turning to enter the portal. As I was about to leave, he looked back over his shoulder. “Luck,” he said quickly, then stepped into the portal before I could reply.
I was stunned for a moment, then shook my head with a wry smile. “These extra points in Charisma are amazing.”
Turning around, I noticed Yuri, Astrid, and the others watching me intently. I shrugged and said, “Show’s over, folks. Feel free to go back to… whatever the hell you guys do when us Climbers aren’t around.”
Yuri tilted his hat up. His eyes narrowed as I pulled out the Skeleton Key and keyed the stairway portal to a new location. Astrid and the Beasts watched me with hungry looks while the Champions—whom I still hadn’t met—stood imperiously to the side like they didn’t care what I did.
Strolling through the portal, I appeared in a familiar location not too far from where I’d just left. Leaping off the dais, I raced to the nearest alley and crouched in the shadows. Scanning the boulevard, I was happy to note there were no Beasts or Champions in sight.
Our little cattle run had dragged all the interested parties half a mile down the street.
Now, all I needed to do was wait…
The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and a smile touched my lips. Wiping my expression clear, I turned to see a blob of shadow detach from the alley wall a few feet away. I let my eyes go wide, like I was surprised, before getting into a fighting stance.
“Peace,” the shadow said in a deep voice. “I mean you no harm.”
And there was Mileen, right on schedule.
“Who are you?” I asked, letting my voice shake just a smidge. “Are you with those Beasts?” I drew my katana but left my diskslinger in my Inventory. The Heirloom weapon was fully locked and loaded, and a slip on the trigger would launch a whirring blade of energy.
Accidentally killing Mileen would put a real damper on my plan.
Her silhouette approached, hands held up to show she was unarmed—though even when she was armed, her weapon of choice wasn’t exactly threatening. The [Obscuring Cloak] that she wore became visible, though her face remained hidden.
“I’m not with any of those maniacs,” she said. “I represent a rebel faction that fights against them. But we aren’t safe here. Come with me, and I’ll explain everything.”
“O-okay,” I replied.
Sure, I could have just infiltrated their camp on my own using the door code I’d memorized. But then I’d have to get past Olgren, stroll into their secret camp without immediately getting a crossbow bolt in the neck from Ganto, and somehow convince them that a Beast raid was imminent. Mother Hiko would believe me, but the tension would be enough to spark an all-out battle if I wasn’t hyper-vigilant.
Plus, I needed Mileen’s cooperation to clear this Soul Contract with Yuri.
I followed her through the Hold and into the sewers without comment. After passing Olgren, we entered the underground village and immediately drew the attention of the villagers and the six at the table in the corner.
Before Mileen could lead the way and introduce me, I stepped forward and approached the table. Murn rose up with his usual anger and began to accuse Mileen of endangering the entire village, but he went quiet as I strode around the table with purpose.
Moving past Ganto and Neeka, I went right up to Mother Hiko and bowed.
“Hello, Mother Hiko. We meet again.”
Her pupil-less eyes stared up at me, and then a soft smile touched her lips, the wrinkles on her face contracting to form a weathered tapestry of lines.
“Hello, young man. What’s your name—”
“Again?” Murn barked. “What does he mean, again?”
I turned to address the leaders of the Kaori. Mileen stood off from the table, her expression blank with shock. Lai and Bai looked like they were about to sit down for their favorite soap opera. Murn was on the verge of an embolism. Poor Ganto was having trouble priming his brain from the look on his face. And Neeka was wide-eyed and on the verge of bolting.
“My name is Dirk, and I’m a Climber. Not only am I a Climber, but I’m the first to reach the Hold and most likely the most powerful Climber in the Tower.” All except Hiko and Neeka exchanged confused looks. Neeka was half out of her chair already, while Hiko wore a childlike smile that stretched across her face. “I’ve given my word to Mother Hiko that I will assist the Kaori in my Climb. And if possible, help your people escape from this purgatory.”
