It took three minutes before the necrosis affliction finally started to dissipate. He’d been getting increasingly worried that it might follow him to Interim Island.
After regaining his composure, Adam picked up the spidersilk sack from where he’d discarded it earlier and went around the forest collecting the blood elental cores. He ended up with a total of six, since the two from the last pair of golems had been destroyed by the freezing effect caused by the wraith’s death explosion.
When I sell these, it’ll put
at 2,856 points for this stage. That’s not bad, but still a far cry from what I got in two. It’s a sha they all sell for the sa price.
The nightwing hadn’t dropped any special reward, which was disappointing.
Unless I’m expected to chop it up to get a special prize? But Elia didn’t ntion anything like that, so I guess not?
He frowned when he realised that he’d have to literally carve open the enemies in stage four to get their collectibles, the hearts of darkness.
Still, I can’t wait to see how my setup fares in a stage with a lot of enemies.
If I can get the committed attack ring, then I could double up the number of imps as well. That would be pretty powerful considering how strong they are. Just a sha that I can’t use the cruel gauntlets along with the ring…
Although perhaps the ring’s effect would make it so I can only use the imps every third stage, which is clearly no good. Guess I’d have to ask Shitbox if it becos relevant. It’s a bit hard to say with its ‘one use per stage’ description, since that’s not really an explicit cooldown.
Adam went over to the carriage and collected Belamouranthe. She followed him as he returned to the podium next to the nightwing’s giant corpse.
Still can’t believe that thing was just a ‘dwarf’. The real thing would have to be like ten tres tall or sothing…
“Thou fought well, Adam,” Bel praised. “To take down such a monster as this is the mark of a hero.”
Adam grinned. “Thank you, but it wasn’t so tough actually.”
“Will we go ho now?” she asked.
“In a mont, I just have to finish up here.”
She nodded. “I wish to thank Weaver for this dress, and I hunger for Charlie’s stew.”
Oh, she ans ‘ho’ as in Interim Island, not the Elphin Sanctuary. That’s new.
[5 minutes remaining.]
Adam eyed the upgrade podium.
“I get two upgrades for killing the secret boss, right?”
[Yes.]
“Aweso.”
I’ve only gotten two upgrades for Summoner, so I still need four more to evolve it to Invoker. Then this build will really start to shine.
Upgrades Available
Spell Size (Rare) — Increases spell size by 45%
Casting Effect (Uncommon) — Increases casting responsiveness by 20%
Dodge (Uncommon) — Grants a 10% chance to dodge a direct attack
Damn, they’re all kind of bad.
Dodge would take a long ti to build up, and it’s really only reliable as a defence when I hit 100%, since anything lower ans there’s a chance I still get hit. Not to ntion, it only works on direct attacks, so I’m still better off focusing on defence and health.
I also don’t think spell size will benefit , since my barrier will grow to be about three tres wide and tall. As Shitbox ntioned, I cannot shape it into sothing smaller, and its current size is already good enough for defensive purposes.
Guess I’ll pick casting effect. Maybe it’ll help make the wand and its spells more useful, although it does kind of feel like a waste.
Wait… I forgot I bought rerolls. I should use one.
“I wanna reroll the options,” Adam said.
[Understood.]
The upgrades were scrambled and changed.
Upgrades Available
Spell Damage (Uncommon) — Increases spell damage by 10%
Casting Range (Rare) — Increases casting range by 35%
Venom (Uncommon) — Attacks inflict venom slowing target by 10% for 10 seconds
That’s better. Damage is sothing I can definitely use.
Of the Summoner’s six potential upgrades, only spell damage and spell speed seed worth picking, which was frustrating since that ant he only had a one-in-three chance of getting either of those as reward options.
Before he selected it, he pulled out the wand just to ensure that the next set of upgrades would still be applied to it.
Upgrade Selected
Spell Damage (Uncommon)
The upgrades flickered and were replaced.
Upgrades Available
Spell Speed (Rare) — Increases spell speed by 35%
Casting Effect (Uncommon) — Increases casting responsiveness by 20%
Crush (Rare) — Increases the impact of attacks by 15%
Definitely speed, he imdiately decided. Although, I am a bit curious if crush would even affect the barrier. It does seem like it would be better with weapons that rely on blunt force, like maces and maybe the Brawler’s gauntlets.
Adam put his hand in his right pocket to touch the lucky stone he’d looted from the hobgoblin’s room in stage two.
If I use it I’m guaranteed rare relics from the chest, but is there actually sothing I want from there?
He quickly ran through the options in his head. The spring boots and fur coat were both useful to have, but also things he could live without.
I’m better off saving the lucky stone for later. I should probably ask Elia about the potential rewards for future stages so I can plan ahead.
Upgrade Selected
Spell Speed (Rare)
The cube folded back into a cube and floated over next to the relic chest. It imdiately began to glow, and a mont later it popped open and revealed a glove, a collar, and a black furry vest.
Relics Available
Barrage Glove (Uncommon) — All projectiles are split into 3, each dealing a 3rd of total damage
Glutton Collar (Uncommon) — Consu two potions within 10 seconds of each other without incurring toxic backlash, but toxicity build-up is tripled
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Slothling Fur Coat (Rare) — Increases Player Defence by 25%. Breaks after 5 hits | Increases Movent Speed by 10%
Well, that’s fortunate.
While the barrage glove might boost his wand, the fur coat was a much better choice given his low health. Besides, he could sell it if he didn’t want to keep it.
Relic Selected
Slothling Fur Coat (Rare)
A vest of fluffy black fur manifested on his torso. It was puffed out slightly, which gave the impression that Adam had a pot belly.
Not the most fashionable thing, but it’s a definite boost.
Before he had a chance to check out his updated stats, the cube released a cloud of darkness that devoured his surroundings.
Now Entering
‘Interim Island’
The buildings that appeared around him looked slightly less dumpy than before, but he realised they hadn’t changed anywhere near as much as during his last loop.
Does that an a lot less people died in stage three this ti?
Silver scales imdiately started floating down around him, freezing the cube and Belamouranthe in ti. He looked up to find Luvicidix already sitting on the building in front of him.
“Hi again, Adam!”
“Another companion, right?” he asked.
“Exactly!”
“I don’t think I can handle more dumb ones, so please tell
you brought soone intelligent this ti. Migraine is really disturbing, and Finnian is working his way through Charlie’s food supply, no doubt stressing it to its limits.”
“The tavernkeeper’s supply is endless,” Luvicidix reassured him. “But not to fear, this companion is different from the first two.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.”
The white moth floated down in front of him and landed gently on two of her six legs. She then held the remaining four arms out before pressing them together. When she pulled them apart, a person appeared from between them like a magic trick.
It was an actual human, sothing Adam hadn’t thought possible for the System to create on Interim Island. She was either in her late teens or early twenties. A grey hooded travel cloak covered her, and she wore a dark-blue shirt and black pants, as well as worn brown boots. Her face was obscured in the shadow of the hood, but he could tell that she had vibrant red hair and violet-glowing eyes. Black tattoos covered her hands.
Adam thought she looked quite familiar, but it took him a second to realise why.
He glared at the moth. “Are you serious!? This is clearly the apprentice of the boss I just killed!”
Luvicidix nodded. “Very astute, Adam,” she praised.
“Won’t she hold a grudge? And what about Belamouranthe? She might go after her!”
“Not to worry,” the moth said cheerfully. “Sylvia isn’t evil. And for the record, I wouldn’t be allowed to send hostile denizens here. The Interim Island is a safe place.”
“Tell that to the squid downstairs,” Adam muttered.
“The Deep Place is not a part of Interim Island,” Luvicidix replied, her tone turning serious. “You take care to not upset the Envoy of Nwetrou.”
Adam swallowed at the warning. He hadn’t realised it wasn’t safe in Sk??ll’s cave.
“Have I unlocked anything new from Alivida?” he asked, deciding to change the topic.
“You have not.”
“Then why did I get sothing for getting the special denizen in stage one?”
“Alivida’s upgrades are based on milestones. The first ti you fully completed a stage was one such milestone,” Luvicidix explained. “It wasn’t because of the denizen.”
I guess that makes sense. Beating stage five has to be another milestone, maybe because it’s the first ti players kill each other? Or wait no, that can’t be right, because I killed Charlotte Hayes and it didn’t change my upgrade options.
Maybe beating the stage is the milestone? Based on what Elia has said, it has to be the challenge stone that is unlocked.
Anyway, that’s sothing to worry about later.
Right now I need to figure out how many points I’ve got to play around with. I’d like to buy two more upgrades for Summoner to evolve it, but that would cost
nine hundred points.
“Can I see your upgrades for a second?” Adam asked.
“Always.”
ta Upgrades For Sale
Damage — Increase All Damage by 10% — 1,000 Points
Rewards — Increase Reward Options by 1 — 625/4,000 Points
Vendors — Increase Vendor Options by 1 — 4,000 Points
Rerolls — Start every loop with 1 Reroll Dice — 2,500 Points
Relic Saving — Start every loop with 1 Saved Relic Slot — 2,995/5,000 Points
Cheat Death — Start every loop with the Cheat Death Relic — 10,000 Points
So, I’d need 2,005 points to get relic saving locked in. That would probably be the best thing to get done now. But even if I sell the blood elental cores, I’ve just got 851 points left after that. I could perhaps sell the cruel summoner’s gauntlets, but that seems a waste since the wraith’s explosion is quite useful. I suppose if a better alternative appears I might sell them, but selling them just to buy two weapon upgrades seems foolish.
I think I should definitely buy the relic saving now though. I almost died twice in stage four in my last loop, and I have a lot less health this ti around, so death is not unthinkable. I really want to start the next loop with the cracked sli core available, since that’d enable
to pick the Fool and get a lot of points.
I could use my remaining points to buy a relic or maybe a couple health or defence upgrades. I’ll get the last two Summoner upgrades in stage four instead.
“I’ll pay the rest of the amount to unlock relic saving.”
“Excellent,” Luvicidix replied cheerfully.
ta Upgrade Unlocked
Relic Saving — Start every loop with 1 Saved Relic Slot
“A special container is now available in your player house,” she explained. “With one relic slot unlocked, you can send any common relic back to the start of your next loop.”
“I can keep investing into it, right? What does the next upgrade look like now?”
The moth waved a hand.
ta Upgrade For Sale
Relic Saving — Start every loop with 2 Saved Relic Slots — 0/5,000 Points
So, I was correct that each upgrade is still five thousand points, that’s good to know. I’d still need to unlock it two more tis to be able to send a rare relic back.Hu
“Would I be able to send the wraith lantern back?” he asked.
“Relics tied to Classes cannot be saved in the special container.”
Figures…
So much for trying to send the lucky bracelet back after picking Fool…
“You still have points remaining,” Luvicidix said. “Would you like to buy any other upgrades?”
“Not right now,” he replied.
“Then I will take my leave for now,” she said and lifted off from the ground. The orbiting silver scales returned to her wings. The mont she vanished into the clouds, ti resud its natural flow.
Belamouranthe and the cube both moved closer to Adam, while the new denizen awoke in front of him.
[Urrr—] the cube groaned. Adam felt his heart skip a beat at the sound.
Then the tesseract announced, [Congratulations! You have unlocked a Special Denizen due to your stellar performance in Stage Three — Forest Escort.]
Holy shit that scared !
Is it making that noise because I didn’t get all of the achievents in the sa run?
He thought back to the first special denizen where it had produced the sa soul-quaking sound. It hadn’t done it the second ti, when he unlocked Migraine.
So, it’s making that sound because so kind of fuckery is going on and confusing it? Or maybe its mory is being overwritten to not question why I have the achievents I didn’t get in this loop?
The first ti it made that noise was when I killed it. I should ask Elia if she’s heard it as well.
The new denizen looked at Adam with her violet-glowing eyes. Strands of her vibrant red hair poked out from within her hood.
“Hello Adam,” she said. “My na is Sylvia.”
“You were Ezral’s apprentice, right?”
She didn’t blink as she stared into his eyes. “I was,” she said.
Then her gaze ran down to his belt where the fetish of sloth was attached while not in use. “I see you have obtained his demonic idol.”
“You’re not gonna hold a grudge against , right?” he asked.
Belamouranthe ca up next to Adam, putting her left hand on his fuzzy vest while looking up at the newcor.
Sylvia’s eyes flicked to the elphin girl. Unmasked fascination and curiosity filled her otherwise-neutral expression. Adam put his gauntleted hand atop Bel’s head.
“If you so much as touch a hair on her head, I will do to you what I did to your master,” he told her. There was no hostility in his voice, just a cold-hearted promise.
Sylvia’s gaze returned to him and she said, “An apprentice does not often get to choose their master. Certainly not when what they study is a very limited field with very few magicians teaching it. Ezral may have taught
much of what I know, and he was certainly a genius, but cavorting with demons warped his faculties. His obsession with the elphin and their rituals drove him to ambushing your carriage. I had nothing to do with it.”
It was hard to give her the benefit of doubt when she was clearly a blood mage like Ezral. And the way she looked at Belamouranthe was unsettling.
“Shitbox, can I command special denizens?” he asked the cube. He recalled the conversation with Elia where she’d said that Migraine was banned from the tavern in her world.
[You may bar denizens from certain actions or parts of Interim Island if you so wish. They will be encouraged to obey your commands, so long as they are within reason.]
Adam kept eye-contact with Sylvia as he asked, “What if I decide to kill them?”
[It would be a waste, but you would not be prevented from doing so.]
“You heard the cube,” Adam said to her.
“Fret not, Adam,” she replied, clearly not scared by his threat. “I am sure I am worth more to you alive than dead.”
“We’ll see, but you are under no circumstances allowed to be alone with Belamouranthe. Don’t touch her. Don’t talk to her. Don’t do anything to even slightly inconvenience her. Do you understand?”
“Of course.”
Sylvia’s lack of expression was quite off-putting, and he couldn’t tell if she was actually going to comply.
I really hope she doesn’t fuck up my chances at saving Bel from the events of stage five.
“So, what do you sell? You’re a vendor, right?”
She pulled her hood back and long vibrant red hair fell down her shoulders and back.
“Have a look,” she then said. She flung out her right arm and revealed scrolls hanging on the inside of the cloak, as though she was so back-alley drug dealer.
Spell Scrolls For Sale
Frost — Your next attack inflicts Frostbite, halting all of the target’s regeneration — 200 Points
Conflagrate — Your next attack inflicts Conflagration, dealing periodic burn damage to the target — 200 Points
Zap — Your next attack inflicts Electrification, periodically draining the target’s Mana — 200 Points
Desiccate — Your next attack inflicts Wither, increasing damage inflicted to the target by 50% — 200 Points
Tangle — Snare indicated target — 500 Points
Blink — Teleport to target location within your line-of-sight — 750 Points
Shade Barrier — Negate the next attack that would deal damage to you — 2,000 Points
Huh, these are actually quite useful. I kind of assud they’d be terrible because Elia said she was similar to Belin.
“How many tis can I use them?” he asked.
“Only once per scroll.”
Figures.
“How long do they last?”
“‘Tangle’ lasts until the target is able to free themselves. ‘Shade Barrier’ lasts until its effect is triggered. The afflictions last until the end of the stage or until the target cures themselves.”
Frost and desiccate are both quite good considering their cost. Shade barrier would also be great if I’m struggling with obtaining flawless on a stage, but it’s way too expensive to be used regularly.
These mostly seem like they’re intended for encounters with very powerful bosses though.
“Will your inventory of spell scrolls expand at so point?” he asked.
“It might,” she replied vaguely.
I don’t need any of these for stage four, so I guess I’ll just go to the market.
Adam ruffled Belamouranthe’s hair. “Let’s go say hi to Weaver.”
“Okay!”
“Co find
when you need my spells,” Sylvia called as Adam started walking towards the southern end of the island.
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