Chapter 13: Mantis Proving.

  I pretty much poured the required amount of XP into the poisoner skill and dismissed the void simultaneously, the effects of which was the rank up notification staining my vision with an odd afterimage as I opened my eyes.

  Poisoner (Novice) Rank up (Expert) Con 2

  I smiled in delight at the extra points in constitution, before having a flash of guilt for what I had done to the blacksmiths. There really wasn’t any excuse for my behaviour, their deaths may have been temporary but each of them still suffered for the actions of their employer. My regret ridden thoughts made getting out of bed difficult. My mind raced with imaginary scenarios that played out with more tact and respect for my fellow person than I seemed to have been capable of. I could have shown up at the shop this morning and just cut Frimley’s head off or perched on the roof top and sniped him from afar but no, my sick twisted adrenaline fuelled ass decided to burn a man alive, cut another in two and after everyone else was dead I made Frimley suffer from his nervous system tearing itself apart for over an hour.

  Suddenly, I was flooded with counterfeit emotions of pride and self-righteousness.

  “No, Anansi.” I said sternly, as I pushed back, allowing my anguish to resurface. “There was no justice in what I did.”

  He fought harder, summoning positivity and triumph within me.

  “Please stop, I have to feel this.”

  He focused on my fear and self-loathing, made me feel like an idiot and then brought up an image of Bigmin, accompanying it with safety and friendship.

  “I know.” I said closing my eyes and meditating. “I’m not a monster, I just got carried away in the moment.”

  Anansi devoured my guilt and replaced it with understanding.

  “You’re right, I did what I did and there’s no going back. Next time I’ll think before I act.”

  The spider god’s amusement at my promise made my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

  “Ok, you’re right.” I said getting out of bed. “I’ll at least try not to be as reactive.”

  As I walked to the door, the little eight-legged fucker filled me with disbelief.

  “Oh, eat a dick.” I chuckled opening the door to the sound of laughter.

  Making my way to the shop floor I found Bigmin enjoying a steaming mug of what looked like tea with non-other than his old apprentice, Torek. Neither of them had seen me yet so I snuck in closer, and eaves dropped.

  “I’ve never heard of someone shitting themselves after revival.” Laughed Bigmin, slapping his knee. “What in the deeps did Mantis do to him.”

  “None of us know, he won’t talk or move or anything.” Torek sipped his tea as his eyes went dark. “Whatever he did it makes my last run in with the assassins seem trivial.”

  “I don’t know about that. Being skinned was nerve wrecking.”

  I laughed at the phrasing as what I had done actually wrecked Frimley’s nerves.

  At the sound of my laughter Torek jumped but Bigmin just turned and said. “Ah, speak of the blighter.” Before rushing over hand giving me a mighty bear hug. “You beautiful murderous bastard, thank you.”

  After putting me down he pulled up a chair for me and produced a mug from his storage. I pried apart the mandibles on my mask and awkwardly sipped at the sweet milky tea. It was alright, not quite as aromatic as Ceylon but definitely not as awful as a cheap off brand I might have found at my local supermarket.

  Between my slurping sips there was an air of fearful silence, but Bigmin broke it with an introduction. “Mantis, this is Torek.” My master patted his old apprentice on his back. “Torek has something he wanted to say.”

  “I’m sorry I attacked you last night, Mr Mantis, sir.” The dwarf vibrated with terror as he held out a hand. “Will you find it in your heart to forgive me and my colleagues?”

  “I’m sorry I killed you all.” I said shaking the poor guy’s hand. “I really just wanted to end the contract on our heads.”

  “If you’re really sorry there is one thing you can do for them.” Interrupted Bigmin. “The poor sodds have been sitting on the street outside their shop all night.”

  “That webbing you used is impossible to cut.” Sighed Torek, sheepishly. “Would you happen to know how to remove it?”

  “Yeah sure, Anansi could you.” I said baring my arm for Anansi to climb off.

  The two dwarves leapt back at the sight of my spider buddy and Bigmin even shrieked a little. I just chuckled as he scurried out through the letter box.

  “I should probably go.” Said Torek scratching the back of his head. “You know Bigmin, I think things are finally going to go your way from now, I can’t imagine the merchant’s guild being able to convince anyone else to contract with the assassins.”

  As Torek left I turned to Bigmin and asked. “Can’t they just hire the assassins themselves.”

  “The system wouldn’t allow it. No guild may cooperate with another unless in times of war and even then, the system mechanics are buggy.”

  Hearing a coding phrase said so casually kind of through me and I simply replied with a, “Fair enough.”

  “Breakfast?” queried Bigmin. “You must be starved after all that warranted violence. Take a seat at the table and ill fix us up some beans and bread.”

  “I’ve got some freshly cooked sausages and bacon to go with it,” I laughed with my next thought, “Oh, and I traded some eggs with the merchant’s guild last night, although the ones I gave them will definitely go bad by tomorrow.”

  Bigmin laughed off my joke without understanding it and disappeared into the kitchen, while he cooked, I set the table and locked the front door. The dining area was out of view from the large windows, so I was able to remove my mask for the first time since entering Firston.

  “Huh.” Said Bigmin, walking in with the steaming hot plates. “I expected you to look more threatening.”

  “I’m sorry to disappoint.” I replied touching the plates and filling the empty spaces with sausages and bacon.

  Bigmin inhaled the rare quality meat and spoke between mouthfuls of bread. “It’s not disappointing just you know what with all the elves that exist in the system you would think something called a human would look less like a fat elf.”

  “I don’t look anything like an elf.”

  “You don’t have the pointy ears or the sharp features but seriously, all the rest is fat elf.” He scooped out the yolk of the egg and slurped it down in one. “Trust me, I’ve seen one. The guy had your slim build, but the fat fucker beat me in a ham race and didn’t so much as flinch at desert.” Bigmin finished his meal in a few quick movements before changing the subject. “So, fatty what’s on the agenda for today?”

  “Here’s the thing.” I was nervous to make the request but really wanted him with me. “I need to see a halfling about a cat but after that I would like to see about joining the adventurer’s guild and I think you should join with me.”

  “You want me to become an adventurer so I can visit Shumi and help teach your Panthera smithing.”

  “They would teach you a heap of fighting skills and well, anything you like really. Back home you can learn alchemy and cooking from the use of a couple of local ingredients, shit you can learn archery from shooting an arrow into a tree.”

  “I just wanted to confirm, you don’t have to sell it to me.” Said Bigmin before picking up the plate and licking the bean juice off. “I’ll pop to the adventurer’s guild while you do whatever it is you plan to do. I’m pretty sure its wont take long.”

  How the big glutton didn’t get bean juice all over his beard was a mystery to me and my inspection of his fluffy golden beard distracted me so much I forgot to eat. It wasn’t until Bigmin stood to prepare that I realised I just how hungry I was and soon enough I too was licking my plate clean.

  “Hey, Bigmin.” I said equipping my mask. “How do you guys tell the time around here.”

  He threw me a pocket watch. “Keep a time piece in your pocket and it will display on your HUD.”

  “Oh, shit you’re right.” I said looking up at the time displayed in the top right corner of my vision.

  The big dwarf stifled his laughter. “You’re knowledge of the system is like that of a child’s. it’s too bad you can’t visit the allied capital I feel like you could do with a visit to the grand library.” He paused in thought and then threw me a coin. “Visit the mages guild I think they have a library stone there; a scribe can copy some textbooks for you.”

  I thanked Bigmin and took off. While I wandered towards the dungeon entrance, I noticed that Frimley had been left lying on the floor outside his shop. His employees must have taken his keys and left him there when they realised, he wasn’t going to snap out of his panicked state. That guilty feeling began to rise but was quickly pushed back by the rationalisation that they wouldn’t have just left him lying on the street in the foetal position if he was at all a fair and reasonable employer.

  Entering the dungeon I called out. “D’ryan, are you there?” as I walked down the stone stairs.

  The afro bearing halfling came out of a corridor holding his wrist. “Quit your shouting boyo, you’re startling the cats, so you are.”

  “What happened to your arm?” I asked rushing over to him.

  He revealed a pretty nasty trio of gashes. “If you startle a kitten they give you the claws, so they do. I should have set the dungeon to sanctuary this morning, but I didn’t want to waste the mana.”

  “Shit, that’s my fault. Here, let me.” I pulled out a healing potion and poured it on the wound.

  D’ryan watched it heal instantly and grabbed the bottle from me. “Is this a rare grade healing potion?” he sniffed at it. “It fucking is, ain’t it. Mantis my boy you are a wealthy fellow, ain’t you.”

  “I literally just received my first fifty credits five minutes ago.” I showed him the coin.

  He looked around and whispered. “I can get you a hundred times that if you let me sell this bottle for you.”

  “I’m not going to say no to easy money.” I said with a smile he couldn’t see. “Now about those Panthera.”

  While D’ryan replied, I was distracted by the beep boop of a private message. Excited to hear from my little cat bro, I activated the message ignoring D’ryan completely.

  Berlioz hollow: “Hey Oscar, I’ve been working on the cemetery all night and still can’t get the system to recognise it.”

  I thought after my long message he would have more to say but I guessed my tendency to fixate had rubbed off on him. “Have you tried burying some remains?” I wanted to ask him if he could come through the dungeon gate, but I knew he had to finish his project first.

  Surprisingly I received an instant reply. “I can’t the cemetery is in the trees above the vitalaberry tree.”

  “You could display urns filled with ashes.”

  “What the fuck is an urn.”

  “A vessel filled with the ashes of the dead.”

  “Chef was using the ashes of some ants and boars to fertilise the Vegepygmy’s area, give me a minute.”

  “Who are you talking to? Are you even listening to me?” queried D’ryan. “I just told you the lord will harvest their cores if you don’t do something and you’re making no sense at all, talking about ashes and urns.”

  “Sorry.” I said. “I just had an urgent message come through from my inheritor.”

  The look on his face made me regret what I said, and his excited tone filled me with dread. “You’re a high-level zone authority holder ain’t ya. The rare cores, obviously artificed armour and ranker status. Oh, and I checked the system logs, you’re clearly native to this biome.”

  I received a reply from Berlioz and held up my hand saying. “Hold on.”

  “Fuck you.” Said Berlioz with a huff. “It worked, hours of bullshit and all I needed was a pot of ash.”

  “Great news bud. Could you come here and help me with the Panthera they have?”

  “I won’t let you bring just anyone to see them.” Said D’ryan, placing his hands on his hips.

  I glared at him. “It’s not just anyone.”

  “I need some sleep, I’ll send Lachi over that’s more his thing anyway.” Having Berlioz’s message come through while I was about to respond to D’ryan was a little overwhelming, like someone butting in on a phone call.

  “Actually, Lachi’s perfect how long will he be?” Although the charismatic tiger was indeed perfect, I was sure he was just the closest person to Berlioz at the minute.

  My cat bro’s answer confirmed my speculation. “He’s here communing with the guardian.”

  In the pause while Berlioz spoke to Lachi, D’ryan said. “You cant just send a lacky to bully the Panthera.”

  “What, no, his name is Lachi.” I explained, beginning to grow irate from the distraction. “Trust dude, you want this guy to help.”

  “He’s on his way.” The notification from Berlioz triggered a stress head ach and all I wanted to do was scream. Before D’ryan could pierce my ears with his lilting little voice I said. “He’s coming can we wait for him by the gate?”

  “You’re a big green shite, so you are.” He sighed. “But I don’t want to see the Panthera expire so I’ll go with your plan.”

  Shrugging, he led me to the gate and after a short moment it glowed a vibrant green. A small dark spot in the portal grew into the shape of my trusty tiger friend and Lachi stepped through dressed in a red and black striped, updated version of the boar hide armour Berlioz had made for him. The usually outspoken D’ryan was speechless as he took in the sight of the four-and-a-half-foot tiger, standing brilliantly in his boar hide robes looking more like a Sith lord than the gentle caring creature I had come to know him to be.

  “You armed them.” Whispered D’ryan.

  I looked down at him and placed a hand on his tiny shoulder. “I liberated them.”

  “But they’re monsters, this is against the allied races creed, so it is.” The look of concern on D’ryan’s face made me worry. “No sapient monster may be militarised outside of a dungeon. I just wanted to employ the Panthera here and keep them safe from Lord Thane.”

  “What are the consequences for allowing my Panthera the freedom to defend themselves?” I asked prepared to wipe out the entire town.

  D’ryan looked up at me, and it seemed as though something had just dawned on him. “For you, an unaligned native. None.” He actually danced a very quick jig before shouting. “This is unprecedented, so it is. There are no rules for you, to be sure. Take them with you, train them to fight, this is the answer to our plight. The dungeon provides, always.”

  The tiny guy was incensed with excitement and some kind of religious fervour, which caused Lachi and I to just stare at each other feeling awkward.

  “Are we going to see my kin now?” Queried Lachi in a gap in D’ryan’s nonsensical praises of the dungeon.

  The Halfling snapped out of it and grinned as he replied. “To be sure. Follow me young master Mantis.”

  He led us down a short sloping tunnel and into an empty chamber where we found three Siamese Panthera. Their slender yet fit bodies spoke to the care that D’ryan had provided them, however the grime upon their cream-coloured fur showed that they refused to allow him to bathe them. When we approached, they looked up at Lachi as if he were their messiah. I took a knee and pressed my hand on my heart while reaching out with the other.

  “You don’t have to be afraid.” I said seeing the fringes of terror in their deep blue eyes. “This is Lachi, he has come to take you home.”

  The Tiger came in close and sat on the floor with his legs crossed. “I would like to speak to you of home, a sanctuary where you belong.” The Siamese cats’ ears perked up and the sat with Lachi in complete silence. “We thrive in an oasis in the centre of a land of great trees, where the systems gifts are plentiful, for those willing to hunt and oh how you will hunt, for our leaders believe us to be equal in all things regardless of our cores.” He stood and held out his paw in the same Pantherian gesture of service that I did and pronounced. “Will you allow me to guide you out of captivity an into freedom.”

  One of the Panthera stood first and she asked. “Are you an elder?” in a tone of disbelief.

  Lachi laughed. “I suppose I am. However we no longer conform to the old ways, we follow a new creature called a human. His name is Oscar, and he has shown us the wisdom of unity.”

  “I did?” I asked with a chuckle. “Look I want to cut the bullshit ok.” The Panthera that spoke looked at me with furrowed brows. “It’s not going to be paradise but as long as you try to get along with everyone, I promise you will be protected.” I turned to my Tiger friend. “Lachi I think you were selling things a bit too hard there.”

  “Yeah, maybe I was,” He said stroking his whiskers. “I got a bit carried away with the performance. Come on ladies, there’s plenty of food to go around and you look like you could do with a wash in the basin.”

  We followed them to the dungeon gate, and it felt amazing to see the looks of hope on the Panthera’s faces. Lachi led the way, disappearing into the shimmering green portal. One of the Siamese Panthera stepped forward only to be thrown back by the magical gate.

  “It’s set to private, you eejit.” Cursed D’ryan. “You’ve got to add them as residents.”

  I rushed over to lift the Panthera off the floor, apologising profusely before snapping back at D’ryan. “And how the fuck do I do that?”

  “It’s intuitive.” Came Bigmin’s voice from the staircase. “Just think about it and it will happen.”

  I thought about it for a second and received a notification.

  Residents selected

  Panthera: 3 of 3

  Half-Dwarf: 1 of 1

  “Well, that was easy.” I said, receiving a pat on my shoulder from Bigmin. “I added you too so once you’re an S-rank adventurer you can go through.”

  Bigmin chuckled. “As it turns out any master classer is automatically assigned as S-rank.” Before he followed the Panthera through the shimmering green portal.

  I blinked away my surprise and quickly sent Berlioz a PM. “Hey dude just a quick one. Bigmin’s visiting Shumi earlier than expected. Can you train him up on some offensive skills please.”

  “You know, I’m not sure how I’m going to explain this to Lord Thane, but I’m going to enjoy the look on his face when he finds out they’re gone.” Said D’ryan pushing his fingers through his afro to scratch at his scalp. “Oh, he’s coming back.”

  It wasn’t Bigmin that returned through the dungeon gate. I was surprised to see Chef appearing before me.

  The mountain lion greeted me with a smile and held out his paw, saying. “I rushed over when I heard the gate was opened. I brought some cores for Anansi to feast on.”

  He placed the around fourty monster cores of various types in my inventory, and I face palmed as I looked through my inventory. “Shit, I almost forgot.” I flooded Chef’s pockets of holding with the supplies from the merchents guild. “There should be some seeds in there. See if you can get the gardening or farming skill. Oh, and can you give that shield to Bigmin I don’t want Berlioz to complain about outfitting and training a stranger.”

  “I’ll make it so.” Said Chef bowing and backing into the portal.

  His phrasing felt a bit weird, and I realised he had adopted my star trek reference. Shrugging I looked down to D’ryan who had a look of utter greed on his face. Remembering his desperation for cores I pulled out a rare fire tusk core and passed it to him.

  “Do you have many more?” he queried.

  I wasn’t about to tell him just how many I was carrying so instead I said. “A few.”

  “A few may be enough.” He inspected the core. “If you let me take some to Lord Thane, he may be willing to make some arrangements for the release of any Panthera capture… I mean, liberated by his S-rankers.”

  “I’ll give you a rare core for each Panthera he releases to me.”

  “You might not have that many cores available.” D’ryan signalled for me to come closer, as he spoke softly. “look he’s my employer so I can’t speak ill of the lord but, there’s a few of us that wouldn’t mind seeing the town under new management. Let me negotiate the terms and when the time is right, I’ll introduce you to my friends.”

  I shook the little fella’s hand. “I’ll trust you with this.”

  I left after that, hurrying towards the adventurer’s guild with a certain pep in my step. Just before I opened the large double doors to the place, I remembered to feed a rare core to my friendly neighbourhood spider god. Just as I was slipping the core up my sleeve a couple of bulky guys in full sets of armour burst out of the guild building, barely noticing me and almost knocking me down as they hurried over to the pub. With the doors open I sunk into the darkness that indicated the building as a dimensional space and wondered if every adventurer was as alcohol depended as the ones I had seen so far.

  It was instantly clear just how much bigger the guild building was on the inside from the absolutely humongous hall I found myself in. the ceiling was at least twenty feet up with stunning chandeliers hanging halfway down illuminating the room with more light than they actually gave off. The room was as wide as it was long and if I hadn’t already seen some pretty surreal shit I would have been completely gobsmacked by the sight of the place. There were people everywhere, Dwarves, Elves, halflings and other races that I had yet to analyse. Each of them were dressed in armour sets that I assumed were connected to their classes and I noticed that for every few groups of melee wielding adventurers gathered around a table there was only a couple of small groups of archers and even less robed folk that I assumed were mages.

  To my left I saw a service desk that had an actual lizard person standing behind it and I got a little too giddy as I approached the desk. Not wanting to be seen as the completely uneducated newb that I was, I activated my god’s eye focusing only on their name and race.

  Mizuno Amaya

  Race: Tokage

  I couldn’t tell what Mizuno’s gender was as the intricacy of Tokage facial features were understandably foreign to me. However, the alure of their silken smooth blue iridescent scales and the way they stood with a hand on their hip told something inside me that they were most likely female.

  “Can I help you.” I was delighted to know I could trust instincts when she spoke in a feminine tone. “Hello, bug man? Why are you just staring at me.”

  I panicked, “I, umm, sorry. I get nervous around beautiful women.”

  I wondered for a second if I was about to get kicked out for being creepy, but she gave me a smile and a slight bow, “I’m average at best amongst my races.” Mizuno sighed. “There’s no need for flattery, I get enough of that when this lot are deep in their cups. Now how may I help you?”

  “I’m sorry if I offended you.” I said, bowing in kind. “My name is Mantis, and I was hoping to join up with the guild.”

  “It’s always a pleasure to meet someone new around here. I am Mizuno, the guild administrator.” She reached under her desk and placed an odd device Infront of her, before adopting an extremely professional tone. “Please place your identity stone here. The rankometre will take your class and level into account and assign you a rank between G and S. sadly, should you receive a G rank I must inform you that we lack the authority to assign any trainers at this time.”

  “Right.” I said, my hand trembling a little as I placed my stone upon the device. “Does it take anything else into account, you see I’m a…”

  “You really should have said you were a ranker.” Interrupted Mizuno, after her eyes glazed over for a second. “Taking your base stats into account I can assign you as a B-rank, however being that you are only level one you may go no higher even if you have more expert skills than anyone here.”

  “Shit, I was hoping to reach S-Rank. Is there any way I can encourage you to push my ranking up?”

  “I’m not about to lose my livelihood for a bribe, Mantis.” she seemed to consider something before laughing quietly. “Although You could always attempt the proving.”

  I was probably going to regret it, but I said. “let’s do it.” before scratching the back of my head and asking. “What’s a proving?”

  Mizuno held up a clawed finger. “One moment, only the guild master may authorise a proving. May I show him your identity stone? It will make convincing him more likely and if he says agrees he will explain the terms and conditions.”

  “Yeah, go for it.”

  “One moment.”

  She disappeared through a door behind her, and I waited for around ten minutes. While I waited, I watched more and more groups of adventurers leave the guild only to return shortly with ale filled mugs. When Mizuno returned, she had another Tokage by her side and this one was clearly male. The lizard man had a bulky well-muscled frame with rough dull scales of a viridian hue, and he spoke with a voice that would fit a veteran soldier.

  “Mantis, I take it.” said the intimidating Tokage. “My name is Kawakami Taro, but most call me Master Taro. I have come understand that you wish to face the proving. Are you aware of what this entails?”

  “No,” I said sheepishly. “I’m a little knew to guilds. I’m from the exile lands.”

  “That makes sense.” Giggled Mizuno.

  Master Taro gave a bowing nod. “Then allow me to explain. You are currently allocated a B rank. The proving will have you battle through the strongest representative of each ranking, up to S. Should you fall in battle against any rank lower than B you will find yourself assigned to said rank. As we have no G-ranks available you will start the proving at F rank. If, and it’s an unlikely if, but if you reach beyond B rank you will be allowed a thirty-minute break between battles to convene with the guild’s healer.” He inspected his claws for half a second. “The use of potions, summons and familiars are forbidden, and all fights are to the death, unless there is a forfeit. Are you sure you’re willing to attempt the proving?”

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  My heart sank a little at the thought of battling without the use of my potions or the help of Anansi, but I shrugged and said. “Let’s do it.”

  The big fucker let out a menacing laugh and shouted. “We have a proving.”

  The entire building went silent and then the sound of tables and chairs being dragged came from my side. I turned to see that everyone stopped what they were doing and started clearing the floor. In a matter of moments, the hall had been transformed into a battle square with every adventurer excitedly waiting for the event to start behind the border of tables.

  “Please, enter your arena.” Said Master Taro with a sinister grin.

  Mizuno bowed, saying. “I’ll see to the delivery of a few kegs.” Before running off.

  It was a tense few seconds as I walked slowly into the centre of the impromptu arena, every eye watching me with murderous anticipation. When I finally reached my position, Master Taro ushered a halfling with a lute strapped to his back to my side and the bid me good luck with a bow. At first, I thought the halfling was my opponent, but it turned out that the shaggy haired little man was the event’s MC.

  “Today is a fine day for violence.” Bellowed the halfling. “Let me, Largato, your trusty bard introduce you to the Mantis.” The bard nudged me, whispering. “Hey, you called for a proving now put on a show.” I raised my hand, receiving a cheer and he continued. “This mysterious fella is a ranker of many skills, all of them expert rank, bringing him almost equivalent to a level twenty-five expert classer and his first opponent is none other than the F-ranks finest fighter, Gregory Smithe.”

  Largato departed the arena, and I found myself being stared down by a pretty diminutive city elf with a ponytail. He wore no armour, just a tunic and thick leggings. If I was completely honest with myself, I would say that I had this one in the bag. The rapier wielding elf ran at me, and I drew my spear. He let out a battle cry and I cut it off, with a step and thrust. His body dispersed into red mist instantly when my spear penetrated his brain, and the crown reacted with a roar of laughter and cheers as Lagarto returned to my side.

  “I said to put on a show, I need time to take bets.” Spat Largato in a whispered sneer, before addressing the crowd. “Did you expect any less from this fine specimen?” He nudged me again and I raised my spear triumphantly. “Next, we have the only mage to remain as low as E-rank. Please raise your cups for the one, the only, D’jinik Iceblood.”

  This time a hooded Halfling came running in wearing baby blue robes that had been awfully altered to fit his toddler size. My artificer skill screamed at me to destroy the insult to crafting before me at the same time as my danger sense went haywire. The shock of cold beneath my feet mixed with the sense, made me flip back before swapping to my dagger and throwing out. as my blade flew a spike of ice erupted from the ground and I heard cursing from the other side of the arena. I withdrew bow and aimed. In my sight I saw that the halfling had taken my dagger in his shoulder and hand frozen the wound closed.

  I fired an arrow, fully expecting to end him but the little bugger knocked it off course with a precisely aimed ice ball. Shrugging off the failed attempt I fired three more arrows while marching towards the halfling, each one was batted aside by another ice ball but while D’jinik defended against my arrows, he couldn’t attack or even move from his spot. Seeing a flaw in his strategy, I stood still and just fired arrow after arrow. It was my ridiculous supply of blade ant arrows versus his limited supply of mana and just as I expected his mana bar emptied after a couple of minutes causing him to collapse amongst a pile of arrows.

  I stood there for a minute expecting Lagarto to join my side but instead somone shouted out. “finish him.” And my ridiculous mind tried to think up a suitable fatality. Suffice to say, I didn’t end up ripping the halflings spine through his through in a disgusting display of mortal kombat, instead I just approach him pulled my dagger out of his shoulder and made him pop when I thrusted the blade through his eye socket. I was glad that the arrows were all piled up, as it was easy enough to clear the floor by touching the top of the pile and depositing it into my storage.

  “And look at that, he even cleans up after himself.” Cheered Lagarto from behind me. “Oh, Mr Mantis. would you be so kind as to come back to my side while I introduce your next victim, I mean opponent.” He said the last with a malicious laugh and I returned to him quickly. “D-rank up next, and that means only one thing. he’s here, he’s there. He’s every fucking where. It’s the monk that doesn’t monkey around. Chester Ironstrike.”

  A blur of motion sped towards me, and I went to withdraw machetes, but I failed to will them into my hands when a pinpoint impact struck me in the chest sending me flying back. Before the system the force of the blow would have concaved my chest, shattering my ribs and destroying my lungs, however with my current stats and my mantis armour, I merely suffered what I suspected to be a few bruised bones. Laying on the floor, I got to see my opponent for the first time. He was grey and wore just a sleeveless top and a pair of baggy shorts. The guy stalked towards me, pumping his fists like they were shotguns, and I had to stop myself from scanning him to find out his race.

  Focusing on the fight, I decided to let him think I was down. I even raised my hand and let it fall as if I had fallen unconscious. Sure, it was dishonourable, but my only goal was survival, and this guy was faster than the boars back home, well maybe not faster but the distance he could travel was immense. The grey skinned monk finally stood over me after what felt like forever and punched down with an incredible blow, but I pushed to the side and wrenched up catching and twisting him into an armbar. I didn’t try to make him submit, no, I just broke his arm without hesitating. As he yelled out and tried to break free, I positioned myself on top of him, willed my club into existence and slammed it down. He dispersed into mist between my legs, and I thanked fuck that my dirty plan worked when I saw the miniature crater he had left from missing my head.

  “Alright, you fucking degenerates. You’ve seen the worst of our sorry lot get thrashed by this newbie, let’s see if the best of us can avenge the fallen. He’s only three ranks away from the top, so let’s ‘see’ if he can take out his next challenger.” Largato paused to see if the crowd appreciated his word play but ended up filling the awkward silence with a defeated. “Up next is Tani Sakiko, C-rank dragoon.” Before mumbling. “Ungrateful dullards, the lot of them.”

  The smooth white scaled Tokage that stepped forward was by far the most fascinating opponent I had faced yet. Her black armour would have been impossible to forge in a world without magic and I wondered if she too had the artificing skill. I was truly mesmerised by the way the thousands of tiny scale shaped pieces of metal were fused in a way that allowed complete freedom of movement as she came closer to the centre of the arena. I realised a little too late that she expected me to meet her there and show the proper respects to the fight we were about to have.

  Hurrying over I huffed. “Sorry, you’re the first person to fight fairly.”

  “Of this I am aware, young Ronin.” Said Tani, bowing. “Will you face me with honour?”

  I bowed. “I shall.”

  She leapt back and I think I fell a little in love as a deep back helm appeared around her ice white face, striking a demonic visage with its samurai likeness. Tani then beat her chest once and spoke a word I failed to understand before a huge, forked spear appeared in her hand.

  “Prepare yourself.” Spoke Tani, her tone more deadly than before.

  I realised at that moment that I hadn’t fought against a fully armoured foe, or a spear wielder before and also what the fuck was a dragoon. The best weapon against her would have probably been the shield I had just given to Bigmin, its impenetrable defence and magical flames would have made short work of her advances, but I would have felt bad making such an admirable foe burn to death like that. Hoping I wasn’t making a mistake I stuck with my club.

  lifting the corrosive weapon up and waving, I called out. “Ok, I think I’m ready.”

  The dragoon bowed once more before her feet glowed and she leapt into the air. The speed at which she flew was ridiculous and as fast as she went up, she came down, with a drop attack that would have put any of my Panthera to shame. I dodged the falling spear wielder but stumbled slightly as I tried to avoid her instant vault. I took a few fumbled steps back before steadying myself and she advanced on me. her forked spear stabbed at me with every step she took, only my expertise in evasion kept my body unharmed but if I kept it up I would have found my self backed into the overturned tables behind me. switching things up, I batted a stab away with my club and pushed in closer to her. With my proximity to her she couldn’t thrust with the full length of her spear but that didn’t stop her from smacking me in the forehead with the pole.

  Dazed from the hit, I stumbled but refocused quickly. Stepping in I swung my club at her unguarded side, finally making contact I saw the scale mail fall away, revealing her white scales. She retaliated by pushing out an impressive spartan kick that definitely would have taken me down if I hadn’t side stepped and brought my mighty club up to collide with her elbow. The acid did its thing, showing her scales where the club hit. I noticed that her arm hung loosely, and I started laughing.

  “What’s so funny.” Spat Tani, her feet glowing before leaping to the opposite side of the room.

  I held back my laughter, shouting. “I just shattered your funny bone, but you clearly don’t find it humorous.”

  “Any more dad jokes and you’ll be disqualified.” Called Largato, aggressively.

  Stupidly, I turned to look for the Halfling and missed Tani leaping into the air. When she came down it was with twice the speed of the first attack she had made, but when I blocked her spear with my club, her weapon proved to be too heavy for a one handed attack. She finally faltered in her form, dropped her spear and I took the opening in her guard for the opportunity it was. With all the strength I could muster I swung my acid ant club at the powerful warrior before me, the heavy red chitin hit her chin, and she finally went down. The Tokage was unconscious for just a second before letting out intense guttural screams. I hurried over to see what was causing her such agony and felt my stomach flip at the sight of the bubbling acid dissolving her chin.

  “I am so fucking sorry.” I said pulling out my machete and decapitated the suffering dragoon.

  The room fell silent as she dispersed into red mist. Returning to my side of the arena I felt every eye on me, judging me for the pain I had put her through, and I decided that the club was going to stay in my inventory for the next round. The silence was finally broken when Largato returned to my side.

  “That one really took a turn for the worse, didn’t it.” The halfling was cold at first but perked up as he called forth my next opponent. “With his brilliant display of bravery and boldness Mantis has climbed the ranks back up to where he started. Now we find out if he truly belongs at this rank or will he prove that his aspirations award him with a rank higher than before. It’s the B-ranks finest, Bargate Boldhammer.”

  A dwarf wider than he was tall and armoured in plate mail a few inches marched out from the crowd smiling through the only opening in his tank like armour other than the eye holes. He was slow, but I knew that if he hit me with the ridiculous war hammer that he hefted on his shoulders I would be down for the count. When he made it into position, he place the hammer before him, and I watched as his arms glowed with an ethereal light. Gripping my machetes tightly I ran forward before he could pull off whatever absurd ability, he was focusing on, but I was too late. Before I reached the dwarf tank he started spinning, and oh how he spun.

  The previously slow-moving dwarf transformed into a giant Beyblade of impenetrable death, and I found myself once again wishing I had kept my shield. My mind was completely blank as he spun towards me and all I could do was jump over the spinning dwarf. As I landed, he instantly changed direction, and I was saved only by my danger sense and a quick step to the side. He may have missed my centre mass, but his hammer struck my hip, and I was sent flying to collided bodily with a table on the other side of the room.

  Laying there feeling sorry for myself I noticed that he had stopped spinning and was back in that stance he had taken before the one-sided fight began. This time I didn’t try to get to him before he activated his ability, there was no way I could limp to him that quickly, instead I got to my knees and threw out my dagger with pinpoint accuracy. His arms glowed, my dagger flew, he went to lift his hammer and only half of it came up. I had noticed before that the shaft of his hammer was cracked and stressed from his misuse of the weapon and I don’t know if it was my artificing or my carpentry skill firing off, but something told me that my dagger would cut clean through it.

  Upon seeing the half a shaft in his hands, Bargate screamed. “Me hammer. Not me trusty hammer.” The dwarf lost all fight in him, dropping to his knees he sobbed.

  I hobbled towards him. “Are you okay?” I asked, ignoring the booing crowd.

  Bargate looked up at me. “This hammer were me da’s and his da’s before him. It be me legacy and you just cut it.”

  “I can fix it, if you forfeit.” I said, the pain in my hip driving me to act shamelessly.

  The dwarf stood and looked me in the eye. “If you can fix it, I will surrender.”

  I knelt down and inspected the shaft. It was fucked, like proper fucked, years of Bargate spinning around and smashing into monsters for a quick efficient win had bent and bowed the treated wooden shaft until it was cracked and splintered to its core. Picking up the half with the hammer head attached I saw that there were runes inscribed on its side and my metallurgy skill informed me that the perfectly crafted warhammer was made of pure mithril. Almost ready to get to work I gave the ruined weapon a scan.

  Virvelkrigs (Broken)

  Scarcity: Rare

  Damage type: Bludgeoning

  Effects: None

  Abilities: whirlwind strike

  It was the first time I had seen an ability on a weapon, and I assumed its presence was tied to the runes that were inscribed in the metal. Seeing that the war hammer was barren of effects I decided to make some alterations. When I pulled out the blade ant mandible and started shaping it with my artificing skill I fell so deep into the zone that my surroundings muted. The mandible blade easily fused to the top of the hammer making it so anyone hit with a glancing blow would receive a nasty slash. Next, I replaced the back of the hammer head with a piece of fire tusk adding the option for ignition, I would have to make the new shaft fire proof but that would be easy enough. Thinking of the shaft, I moved on to removing every remnant of the ruined wood from the altered hammer head and withdrew some of the guardian spirits remains. Snapping out of my hyper focus I looked up realising just how closely I was being watched by everyone in the silent room.

  “Umm, Hey Bargate. Is it alright if I completely replace the shaft.” I asked the mesmerised Dwarf.

  Bargate removed his helm and grinned at me. “No dwarf would ever question an artificer.”

  Shrugging I set to shaping the shaft, I used both iron hide and fire tusk boar hide wrappings ensuring that the ignition effect wouldn’t damage the shaft or user and allow Bargate to block with the hammer without worrying about reducing its durability. Deciding that I had improved the weapon enough I dripped some dread wood sap adhesive into the hammer head and fused it to the shaft, completing the artificing process. Happy with my effort I handed the war hammer to Bargate and scanned it, voicing the information given as I read it.

  Virvelkrigs

  Scarcity: Epic

  Damage type: Bludgeoning, Slashing, fire.

  Effects: ignite, growth, fire resistance 100%, piercing resistance 100%, slashing resistance 100%.

  Abilities: whirlwind strike.

  “This is too much.” Whispered Bargate.

  I placed my hand on his armoured shoulder. “it might take you a while to get used to the new features but hey, you might even be able to reach A-rank with it.”

  “I surrender to the mighty mantis.” Cheered Bargate lifting his new Warhammer above his head.

  The crowd went completely wild at the dwarf’s proclamation.

  “how did he do that?”

  “its magic you idiot, he’s an artificer.”

  “A ranker and an artificer but how.”

  “he must be a noble.”

  “but they said he’s an exile.”

  “Can nobles even be exiled.”

  “Alright, alright.” Shouted Largato, calming the crowd. “The mantis has made it to the final two rounds and now has the option to take a rest. The question is will he fight on or visit the healer.”

  “Yeah, fuck that.” I replied. “My hips gone to shit and I’m pretty sure I’ve got a concussion. Take me to your healer.”

  Out from the excitable crowd came the shortest elf I had seen yet standing at a reasonable five foot ten. He had short wavey copper hair and pale skin. The robed man held out a hand and when his eyes fell on me, they filled with a hunger I hadn’t expected.

  “They call me Ambrose” Spoke the charming elf. “Allow me to service your needs.”

  I took his hand and was surprised at just how strong the slim figured elf was. He led me to a room in the back, gripping my hand tightly the whole way. Inside sparsely decorated room there was a massage table and more candles than was functionally necessary, but I shrugged off the creepy ambience of the dimly lit room and followed the stranger in anyway.

  Finally letting go of my hand Ambrose said. “Please undress and allow my healing hands to soothe your woes.”

  “Can you fix head injuries?” I asked a little nervously.

  He came in closer than was warranted. “Under my care I can fix anything that ales you.”

  “Ok” I said removing my armour and under armour.

  Ambrose stared at my hands as they covered my manhood. “Why so shy.”

  “Why so creepy.” I retorted.

  He laughed it off. “You were so impressive out there I didn’t expect you to be intimidated by a pair of desiring eyes.”

  “Umm it’s just a little uncomfortable you know.” I said sitting on the table. “Can we get to the part where you heal me?”

  “Sure.” Said Ambrose pushing his hand on my chest. “lay down and let me service you.”

  “Why do you have to say it like…” his hands glowed as he placed them on my head. “Ooh, fuck me that feel good.”

  “Be careful what you wish for big boy.” Whispered the elf his hand gliding up my thigh.

  I grabbed his wrist. “Be professional or lose that had buddy.”

  “Spoil sport.” He placed his hand on my hip. “I have to massage it to work my magic, is that ok sir.”

  “Yes… oh man that’s something else.”

  “it’s ok if you get excited.”

  “Stop.”

  “You don’t mean that.”

  “Just heal me, please.”

  It went on like that for ten more minutes while Ambrose found every knot and kink in my body, massaging them out and healing any bruises and even resetting bones I hadn’t realised were broken, with just a touch of his soft hands. I would have preferred it if he didn’t comment on every satisfied moan I made and I really could have done without the salacious whispering in my ear but seeing as I was forbidden from using any potions and the healing was free, I figured I had to accept the borderline harassment.

  “Ok, looks like we’re all done.” Sighed Ambrose, with a look of disappointment. “You still have fifteen minutes until your next bout. Would you like to stay a while, maybe get to know each other.”

  “I’m not trying to be rude or anything, but you did just fully take advantage of me.” I replied, while dressing.

  The elf feigned shock. “I was simply doing my job. You see, there’s a certain level of affection required for healing this way, I’m sorry if you felt uncomfortable.”

  “It’s better than the paralysis that comes with drinking one of my healing potions, so I guess I can forgive your abuse of the situation.”

  Ambrose walked around me blocking the door and abruptly changed the subject. “Tell me Mantis, what race are you?”

  “Excuse me?” He caught me completely off guard with the question.

  Suddenly, Ambrose’s robes transformed into a set of shining white plate armour. “Your race, what exactly is it?”

  “Half Elf.” I said without confidence.

  He pressed his fingertips together forming a pyramid with his hands, causing an orb of light to appear at its centre. “And the other half?”

  “Dwarf, I’m half dwarf.” I spat panicking. “shut the magical attack off there’s no need for this.”

  The orb of light grew brighter. “I detest liars.”

  “Why do you think i'm lying.”

  “It’s a simple fact of anatomy. There isn’t a dwarven race in the system that can carry an elven seed. The density of their womb would crush any race without at least an equal physiology.”

  The fucker knew science and I had no choice but to reveal my worst kept secret to a third person. “ok, ok. I’ll tell you but I need you to swear a system oath.”

  “That’s easy enough.” He closed his hands together dispelling the magic. “I’ll need your real name to do that however.”

  I sighed. “it’s Oscar Hollow.”

  “I Ambrose Willowsong do declare to keep secret the race of Oscar Hollow.” He sealed the oath with a blown kiss.

  Ambrose Willowsong has sworn an oath of secrecy.

  “I’m human.” I huffed. “Now can I leave.”

  “Human, as in the native race of this biome.” The Elves’ ears reddened. “This is so embarrassing. You see I’m a wood elf and what with the make-up of this biome it’s clear to see that our races have a similar love for nature. Had I known I wouldn’t have been so disrespectful just now.”

  I didn’t want to tell him just how destructive my race was. “There are those of us that are in tune with nature sure, but humans are a very mixed bag, and I imagine that there are all sorts of biomes out there that are nothing like this.”

  “that is indeed interesting.” Ambrose came closer to me. “perchance would you be free for a drink or two later. We can retire to my home once you are revived at the cemetery.”

  “I don’t intend to either die or be alone with you for longer than is necessary.” I said sternly.

  He backed up a little. “Is this about my wandering hands?”

  “look can I just leave please, I’d like to reach S-rank as fast as possible so I can get to exploring this side of the biome.”

  “And what side of the biome are you from?” asked the nosey elf backing up against the door.

  I considered forcing a vial of nerve agent down his throat. “Tell you what, I’ll tell you everything during my next break, if you swear a proper oath and try not to sexualise the healing you provide.”

  “Fine.” Agreed Ambrose, rolling his eyes and stepping aside.

  “Thank you.” I pushed past him.

  Before I left, he said. “Your next fight’s going to be a hard one, watch your back.”

  I wasn’t sure what the wood elf meant by that but made my way back to the centre of the arena without allowing his words to cause alarm. I only needed to win the next fight to gain S-rank but if I was being completely honest with myself, I wanted to win the final fight and prove that I was capable of taking on the orcish warlord. I figured that if I could arm the town with overpowered weapons and convince the lord of my capabilities, I may be able to take out the orcs without having to put my Panthera in danger.

  “Back by popular demand it’s the Mantis.” Called out Largato, breaking my revery. “And his next opponent, the living embodiment of backstabbing. A-ranks deadliest rogue. He puts the ass in assassin, give it up for Nym Durothil.”

  Recognising the name, I realised that it was the Elf that had skinned Bigmin alive and at that moment, I decided that I would be resorting to maximum brutality. Dual wielding my club and machete, I grit my teeth and awaited my prey. Sinister excitement filled my core, and I readied myself. That was when my danger sense fired up and I turned too slow to evade the dagger that was thrusted into my back. It couldn’t pierce my armour but a hard object smashing into my shoulder blade with considerable force was still enough to shock me. stifling a pained moan from the definitely bruised bone, I whipped around only to find that my attacker was gone.

  Three more times my danger sense went off and I was too slow to stop the bastard elf from hitting me. He was nowhere to be seen, and every time he got me it was from behind. All I could think was that Ambrose was right to tell me to watch my back but without actually having eyes in the back of my head it was impossible. I just stood there waiting for my danger sense to react, feeling like I was going to die a death of a thousand bruises. Again, it went off and I was hit in the ankle. I buckled as I tried to turn. Falling to a knee I saw the evil genius sink into my shadow.

  “That cheating asshole.” I spat, diving forward as my danger sense went off again.

  Rising out of my shadow the elf in black robes confidently came at me with his dagger aimed for my throat. The hit wouldn’t kill me, but I didn’t feel like coughing and spluttering into my mask, so I activated the acid on my club and batted his arm away. Nym instantly disappeared into the shade, and I stood waiting once more. Now that I knew where he was coming from evasion was as simple as leaping into the air. Twisting, I tried to strike him with my club as I descended, I made contact but failed to stop him from sinking back into my shadow. I didn’t mind though; I had gotten in two hits with my club, and it was only a matter of time before the acid ate through his robes.

  “Aaargh, my skin, aaah my skin…” Nym screamed, appearing beneath me.

  I looked down at him writhing in pain as the acid melted his right arm and left shoulder.

  “Does it hurt?” I laughed kneeling down to stab my machete into his leg. “I’m not really pro torture but you hurt a friend of mine.”

  “What? Wait, stop, no don’t do tha...”

  His screams were drowned out by the crowd’s sympathetic moans as I rested my acidic club on the elf’s crotch. The smell of burning pork mixed with the acidic twang of my club’s secretions made for a particularly pungent aroma and I had to stab my other machete into his undamaged leg just to keep him from jostling the club too much.

  “This is the treatment you receive when you hurt my friends.” I shouted as I pulled out my dagger.

  His undercarriage was gone at this point, and it was only a matter of time before he died of shock, so I quickly focused on my butchery skill and opened up his chest. Pulling his ribs apart with a visceral crack, I located his heart and crushed it in my palm. As he disappeared into red mist, the crowd went completely ape shit. I watched Largato shake hands with at least five people before he came to make his little speech.

  “If Nym’s victims could have seen that they might finally get some sleep.” Laughed Largato. “That’s it the mantis has gone and made it to S-rank. Now he just has to face his final opponent but first, will he take the time to heal up or will he…”

  I hobbled off towards Ambrose’s causing Largato to pause in his theatrics. I ignored what he said next and just kept my eyes focused on the door to the healer’s room. Each time I put too much pressure on my ankle it felt as though I would buckle and to top it off my back was in agony. Each stab I had taken had done enough damage to actually make me look forward to the uncomfortable touch of Ambrose’s harassing hands. Entering through the door and slamming it shut behind me, I willed my armour into my coat’s pockets and threw it to the ground.

  “You’re eager to be touched this time.” Ambrose practically dribbled with his words.

  I lay face down on the table. “Be quick, please.”

  “I usually take my time when it’s offered on a plate like this.” Said Ambrose pressing a hand on my ass.

  I brushed him off. “If you want to know about me, keep it professional.”

  “Fine.” Sighed Ambrose. “You can fill me in, while I get to work.”

  Ambrose Willowsong has sworn an oath of secrecy.

  The predatory elf was true to his word and barely made any comments each time I paused in my tale to moan from the pleasure of my pain dissipating under his healing touch. I told him pretty much the same story I had told Bigmin, glossing over my history but sparing no details from the moment I arrived in the system. When I explained how I had killed the blade mantis he did get a little too close and whisper, “I’d let you crawl inside me and ‘analyse’ my heart,” But I ignored him and continued on. Anansi stayed inert on my wrist for both healing sessions, I refused to call them massages, and I decided to pretend that he was a bracelet I had crafted rather than out him for the spider god he really was. Ambrose took his time as he healed me, going over each spot of agony with carful precision and only asking his questions in between healing.

  “So let me get this straight, there’s thirty Panthera armed and armoured just like you developing the max level zone.” Said Ambrose backing up and sipping from a flask.

  “Pretty much.” I said sitting up and wincing at the jolt of pain that shot through my ankle. “Fuck. I think my Achilles tendon has snapped.”

  Ambrose eyed me curiously. “That’s your calcaneal tendon.” He thought for a second. “Is Achilles a god from your world?”

  “No just a folk hero.” I winced again as the pain flared up. “Are you going to fix it?”

  “That’s a shame, I was hoping the human race would bring new gods.” Said Ambrose taking a knee and examining my ankle.

  I gasped as he applied pressure and choked out. “We’ve got a fuck tonne of gods.” He began healing and I relaxed. “Humankind has used theology to guide itself throughout our history. Now days we’re mostly monotheistic but if you go far enough back, you’ll probably find a god for just about anything we found confusing.”

  “That’s great news. Are you perchance open to building a temple?”

  “How would that benefit my village?”

  “Are you joking. There’s idol blessings, support classes, fighter classes.” He started stroking my knee. “And if you build one to your human god’s I’ll come and be of service.”

  I brushed his hand way. “When you say service?”

  “I’m a paladin, I can gain abilities based on your chosen gods and use that to defend your village.” He parted my legs. “But theres other services I could offer you.”

  “Dude why do you have to go there.” I sighed rolling off the table to throw on my jacket.

  Ambrose stood and brushed himself off. “Are all humans as prudish as you?”

  “I’m not prudish, I’m straight.” I made my armour appear. “You know, like not into men.”

  “Oh, you’re one of those races.” He sighed. “writhe with bigotry and homophobia. Let me guess, your women are for home making and you probably even justify your uneducated beliefs with the word of your god.”

  “Ok, look humans are diverse as fuck. There was eight billion of us before the system stole five billion and scattered them across this strange world. I like women, but that doesn’t mean I’m against what you’re into and ok you’re right there’s a good few who see things in a very close-minded way but that’s ok too. Its culture, its belief, shit its human fucking nature. At the end of the day everyone just wants to belong.”

  “Ooh you’re hot when you’re passionate.” Ambrose licked his lips.

  I face palmed. “Can you be serious for more than five seconds.”

  “Build me a temple and I’ll be anything you want me to be.” He stuck his tongue out at me. “Except straight, that sounds so restrictive.”

  “Fine, tell me what I need to build a temple, and I’ll send a PM to Berlioz.”

  Ambrose went through the prerequisites for a temple, and they were pretty straight forward. All we needed was idols of any size depicting our chosen pantheon placed within a dedicated building. It would cost a few rare cores, but we had plenty to spare, so I sent the message through to Berlioz with descriptions of each god. I chose the Norse god, as they had inspired me to discover the secrets of enchanting and well, warrior gods are pretty bad ass. After sending the message I realised something that was so simple it hurt.

  “Ambrose, can I use my worlds runes to enchant?” I asked the question with my fingers crossed.

  The wood elf laughed. “Good luck learning anyone else’s runes. Wait, did you only just figure that out.”

  “Don’t look at me like that magic doesn’t exist on earth.” I panicked realising how long we had been. “Shit I’ve got two minutes before I’m disqualified.”

  I ran out the door, missing Ambrose say. “You’d still be S-rank.”

  Entering the centre of the arena the gathered crowd cheered for my return. I felt like a true champion, I may had fumbled my way through pretty much every fight, but I was still the unkillable Mantis. Naturally, I posed for the crowd. With one hand on my hip and the other in the air I let out a guttural roar and received a chanted, “Mantis, Mantis, Mantis,” for my efforts.

  “Alright, simmer down.” Spoke Largato, having to resort to screaming just to break through the chant, “I said simmer down, you salty low lives.” The crowd quietened and he continued. “It looks like the Mantis enjoyed his time with our handsy healer and is back for more. Now, he has made it all the way to S-rank, but it would seem that he is not satisfied with that.”

  Someone shouted. “I bet Ambrose is satisfied.” Receiving a rawkus round of laughter.

  Largato spoke again once the laughter abated. “This newcomer from the exile lands wishes to contend for the highest position available in this guild and to do that he must face a foe more deadly than any of you, a foe that has single handily killed everyone here without breaking a sweat.” The crowd moaned. “That’s right he must face none other than… Me.”

  The sneaky little shit pulled his lute from his back and strummed a peculiar chord. I felt my legs stiffen from the magical notes and knew that I was fucked. Twice more he played the same chord effecting my arms and spine in same way. Standing there paralysed from the neck down, I found that I wasn’t completely defenceless as the halfling bard still had to get through my armour. His next set of chords proved me wrong as the melancholy tune filled me with dread.

  I cried, I cried for my brother like I had in my youth. The song brought me back to his bedside on his final night. Neither of my parents were there for us, they had to work more hours than there were in a day to try and keep the house. I was the only one that heard his last words and even then, I couldn’t make them out. The key of the chords changed and suddenly it was sinister, dark and deep. My memory distorted, I believed his death was my fault. If I hadn’t been born, or if I were selfless enough to had run away, my parents wouldn’t have had to work so much, they could have been there for him.

  It was my fault they couldn’t afford the doctors they needed. Their debts to put me in school made them lose the house. My father’s suicide, my brother’s cancer, my mother’s murder. My fault, my fault, my…

  The tone changed and I felt my arm move on its own accord. I even summoned my dagger. My danger sense activated shoeing away the feelings of guilt, but it was too late. I had recalled my shirt and stabbed myself in the chest with my dagger. Largato stopped playing and I fell to the floor. He didn’t know that my under armour was also impenetrable and believed, like everyone else, that I was about to disperse into mist. I had the slightest opening, and I used it, throwing my dagger out and standing to run at the halfling full pelt. I didn’t even withdraw any weapons, there was no time to think. I closed in, smiled at the dagger protruding from Largato’s shoulder and reached for him. He played a quick chord sequence and once again I was paralysed.

  Alone in my mind I felt helpless. This time even my eyes were effected leaving me sightless. I felt my heart quicken, my breaths became short as I gasped hopelessly and then I heard a voice.

  “I am here.”

  “Who are you?”

  “Your friendly neighbourhood spider god.”

  “Anansi, you can talk?”

  “This isn’t what you think it is.”

  “What is it?”

  “The small man uses loud tones to force your consciousness closed. We are in your subconscious, a zone many cannot face, but I like it here it is, chaotic.”

  “Can you help me?”

  “They forbid the use of familiars.”

  “He’s shutting down my lungs.”

  “I can affect his mind, cause him to fear his every breath.”

  “Do it.”

  A high pitch frequency rang in my ears and my eyes opened to the sight of Largato standing slack jawed and pale face staring into the middle distance. His magic may have lost its effects, but he had shaken my soul with his psychic attacks. Those misplaced feelings of guilt were too real. I wanted him to suffer, I wanted him to hurt like I had hurt, like my brother had hurt. I wanted him to feel as hopeless as my father had and that gave me an idea. I drew in close withdrew the vial of nerve agent and concealed it in my palm. I then gripped my dagger and dripped the liquid onto it. pushing the dagger hilt deep into the halflings shoulder caused the blade to poke out the other side and ensured that the poison reached his blood stream. Seconds later he began to foam at the mouth.

  I didn’t let him suffer the full effects, honestly, I had calmed down by the time he started shitting himself and embarrassing someone like that in front of their entire guild was enough revenge for me. My machete saw to his decapitation, and I ignored the crowds excited applause as I made my way back to the reception desk at the entrance of the building. Giving Mizuno a flirtatious smile that I forgot she couldn’t see I placed my identity stone before her.

  “Oh, of course sir.” She said entering the stone into another device.

  She placed her hand over the device causing it to glow golden for just a moment. When she removed her hand the blank space on the back of the stone had an S on it but not just any S it was one that almost any human would recognise. The six central lines joined up to form the iconic symbol that so many of us drew in the early years of high school and It brought me back to those days. Pangs of emotional turmoil hit me all of a sudden and I realised that Largato had done more damage than I had thought.

  “Are you alright?” Asked Mizuno.

  I choked out a. “I’ll be fine.” Before walking towards the exit.

  Slipping my altered identity stone into my pocket and breathing in the fresh system air as I exited the building, I received a notification.

  Daily Quest.

  S-rank: Slay five monsters.