Henrik Saetre

Riftside - chapter 7

The gem gleamed like liquid twilight in my palm. It was much heavier than an ordinary one. Deep purple swirled with ribbons of mottled green and brown that matched the corrupted wood of the Woodweaver's body. 

I looked closer and spotted patterns in the crystalline structure, reminding me of tree bark and fungal growths. The surface felt warm against my skin, almost alive, and beneath the purple, shadows moved like creatures swimming in the depths of a dark lake.

“Gorgeous,” I muttered, unable to let go of the gem. It was almost as if the gem called to me.

Dangerous?

“Drink some tea,” Ma said, placing a glazed cup in front of me.

I nodded but was still unable to take my eyes off the gem, one of the larger sources of light in the dark room.

She poured the salty milk tea, the rich aroma filling our upstairs dining room. The retractable stairs were pulled up and secured, and the shutters closed tight. We had sealed ourselves in and weren't opening for anyone until we decided what we were going to do.

“So, this gem,” I said.

Pa sat motionless, staring into his untouched tea. The silence stretched until I thought I'd scream.

“Pa? What do we do?”

Ma set down the teapot with a gentle clink. 

“Well, the first thing we have to do is finish what you started.”

I blinked.

“What?” I asked.

Her lips quirked.

“You didn't finish butchering the spider, did you?”

A laugh burst from my throat, sharp and slightly hysterical.

“Everything's a life lesson with you, isn't it?” Pa said and slowly shook his head. He shifted for the first time in what felt like hours, his chair creaking in the closed room.

“How secure is your claim to the gem?” Pa asked.

The moment of hysteria quickly died as I thought back to the dungeon. The chaos of battle, the spider's death, how I'd stored the corpse before Edwin's group could arrive...

“Tell me the truth, son,” Pa said, his voice gentle but firm.

I swallowed hard.

“Well, I killed the monster myself, bashed its head in with my axe, so by scavenger rules, it was mine to loot.”

“But?”

“It was fleeing from the adventurers, nearly dead. They weren't there, though, nor did they see me store it. And my friends told them it fled so nobody knows we've got it.”

Pa's smile turned sad.

“That's wrong. Four people know we've got it,” he said.

“They'll keep it secret.”

“I wish it was so.”

“You don't know them like I do,” I protested. “I saved their lives today, Pa! All of them know that they'd be dead without me.”

That had to mean something.

“I'm sure they wouldn't spill your secret on purpose,” Pa said carefully, “But this is a soul gem, Ash. This one treasure is enough to change our lives forever. Jealousy does crazy things to people, and all it would take is the slip of one lip and the entire town will know. Maybe you wouldn't kill for twenty-five thousand gold or a soul weapon, but are you prepared to gamble our lives that every resident in Dawnwatch is as kind-hearted and fair as you?”

Benedict's face flashed through my mind - the rage in his eyes when he thought the spider had escaped, how he'd pushed Edwin to chase after it despite the danger. What would he do if he learned it had dropped a soul gem? Would Edwin take it from me? What would the adventuring guild do?

The room seemed to shrink around me, the walls pressing in closer. Sweat broke out across my forehead as I understood.

Pa's comforting hand landed on my shoulder, warm and steady.

“Don't be mistaken, son. What you have done is nothing short of extraordinary. A soul gem? I'd never thought I'd see another in my life,” he chuckled and I could see genuine happiness in his face.

“But—”

“Hey. Worst case? We sell the soul gem and split the twenty-five thousand gold among the entire village. At twenty-five gold each it would make you the most popular man in Dawnwatch, put the town forward by a year, and set you up here for life. But,” Pa held up a finger, “That's the absolute worst case. A way to buy yourself out of trouble. Heck, we could give each five gold and keep twenty thousand. We could pay off our debt and get you past level thirty.”

“Even if we bought all the mind gems in Dawnwatch, I'm not sure I could reach twenty,” I said, scratching the back of my head, “And that's if there are three class gems available for the breakthroughs.”

“True. Hence the danger of selling it. While we would work to buy any mind gems we can get our hands on to make you strong, someone would try to take the gold from us. Maybe it wouldn't be one of the adventurers already here. But someone would come.” Pa's face hardened again. “They always do.”

“What if we travel to Kingsworth and sell it there? Or, we can sell it to the bank here and get the credit gem-grammed to the capital?”

“The entire world would know a pair of wealthy people, unable to defend themselves, was crossing the entire kingdom. Every shady person in the realm would be looking for us.”

“There is always the second option.” Ma's words cut through like a blacksmith's hammer.

Pa and I turned to stare at her as if she'd suggested we head through the rift sideways.

“You want us to forge a soul weapon?” The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. At first, they sounded ridiculous, but then an unfamiliar feeling set itself deep inside my soul. Was it greed? Monster balls, I never thought I'd feel anything similar, and I didn't like it one bit. But... it was my right. I had killed the Woodweaver and protected my friends. As a scavenger, no less.

Ma's eyes sparkled with that familiar look she got when she had an idea that scared the rest of us.

“Think about it. Soul weapons are a mystery. No one really knows how they work.” She turned to Pa, touching his arm. “Imagine forging one, discovering what they do. This might be our only chance to find out. How many smiths have experienced that?”

The corners of Pa's mouth twitched upward and he nodded slowly, muttering something to himself and continuing for a good minute.

“But we don't even know what a soul weapon does,” I protested. “What if it becomes worthless?”

Pa shook his head slowly, stroking his beard.

“From what little I know, the weapon grows with the adventurer, adapting to their abilities and fighting style.” His eyes met Ma's as if I wasn't even there. “Without a soul weapon, a level sixty adventurer is an army by themselves. But one with a soul weapon? Our Ash could stand the tallest among the tall.”

“Have you both gone mad?” I gripped the edge of the table. “Selling the gem will change our lives forever. I could finally pay you back for what you've done for me and—”

“Selling it gives us only temporary gain,” Pa said, his voice steady and measured. “It would lift us into a different section of society if done right, true. But a soul weapon will remain with you to death.” His eyes locked onto mine. “How many more gems couldn't you earn with it? And more importantly, how many more lives could you save?”

The words hit me like a physical blow, and I pondered what I could do with a soul weapon. Could I clear out dungeons single-handedly? Stop monster surges? Become the one others looked up to?

I swallowed.

Imagine the places and sights I could see.

I shook my head hard enough to make my neck crack.

“You've already invested so much in me. Selling it will help us all.”

“Thomas. Ash.” Ma's voice was soft but carried the weight of absolute certainty. “When we are old, drinking tea on our veranda, our many, many grandchildren playing downstairs, and we stare out across the bustling city Dawnwatch will become, which path would leave you with a pit of regret in your stomach?” She smiled that gentle smile that could melt Pa's stubbornness like snow in summer. “We can always make gold, my boys. But a soul weapon?”

She kissed Pa on top of his shaved skull and trailed her nails across the nape of his neck, making him smile.

“By the Smith's own hammer, woman. You are crazy!” Pa grinned like a maniac and squeezed her hand.

“Had to be to marry you, didn't I?” Her smile turned wistful. “Besides, what if Ironweave had such a soul weapon that day? Maybe our Sam would still be with us.”

Pa sighed, then nodded. 

“True. But in the end, Ash, it is only fair this is up to you.”

“Up to me? How can it be? You're the ones who've given me everything. You taught me to forge, you've housed and raised me as your own, and you invested enough mind gems to get me into the dungeon. I don't think I get to be selfish. Not this time.”

I probably wouldn't even be alive if not for you.

“And we would happily do it all again,” Ma said, topping up my tea.

“But this gem is as much yours as it is mine,” I continued. It wasn’t even so much as repaying them, no, I was afraid to use it.

“As are you, Ash. Your mother and father placing you with us wasn't just for you and them, it was to save us, too. And you have. You gave us our lives back when we had a foot in the grave. And now, look at what you brought home from your first dungeon run! You aren't even an adventurer yet!” Ma smiled as she spoke. “Besides, there is something to be said for learning to walk before you run. Buying the gems to go straight to level thirty, or even forty... Would you survive fighting those wicked monsters, or would you find an early grave, having skipped the hard lessons learned by all other adventurers as they claw their way through the levels?”

“I—”

“Enough. In the end, a soul weapon would put additional pressure on you.” Pa leaned forward, his expression serious. “The decision has to be yours alone, but make sure you can live with it. Whatever you choose, know that we're already proud, and no, you don’t owe us anything, son.”

I stared at the gem on the table, its purple depths swirling with possibility and danger. Rising from my chair, I wrapped Ma in a tight hug, then did the same with Pa.

“Thank you, both. I need a good minute to think about it all.”

“Take your time,” Pa said. “As much as you need,” he added, rising and gently taking the soul gem from the table. “In the meantime, I'll place this you know where.”

I nodded and drained my tea as he went to the corner, undid the hidden lock, and placed the gem in our floor's hidden compartment with the rest of our valuables, before closing it up tight.

“Better go store that spider before anyone sees it,” Pa said. “We'll finish butchering it later.”

I nodded and unlocked the stairs, lowering them down before doing just that. The spider's corpse vanished into my spatial storage with a touch and a thought.

Then I just stood there, staring into the glowing coals of the forge.

Riftside - chapter 6

I stepped through the wide workshop doors and onto the packed earthen floor, reveling in the familiar scents of coal, heated metal, and leather. Light seeping in from the skylight caught dust motes dancing in the air. The workshop stood exactly as I'd left it – two anvils out on the floor, barrels full of water nearby, the forge by the back wall towards the garden, away from the rest of the house, work tables set against the right side wall, next to the door inside, and in the far corner stood the experimental forge Pa had built for monster materials crackling away. Every tool hung in its proper place.

Pride swelled in my chest. We'd built this place together from the ground up, turned it from a patch of dirt given by the king into a proper smithy. Every beam, every brick, every tool rack – they all held memories of shared work and quiet lessons from the last several months.

Pa stood at the main anvil, his massive frame silhouetted against the flames. His bald head gleamed with sweat as he worked, muscles rippling beneath his soot-stained shirt as he hammered away at a piece for a chest plate. Through the window connecting to the house proper, I spotted Ma singing inside, her short-cropped hair dancing around her as she worked at the stove.

The rhythmic hammering stopped mid-strike. Pa turned, his face was set in its usual mask of stern lines and pockmarks, though I knew better than to mistake it for displeasure. It was just his way.

Ma glanced up at the unexpected silence, her eyes finding mine through the window. They went wide and were accompanied by a broad smile.

“Ash! You’re home.”

She burst through the connecting door and practically flew across the workshop, wrapping me in a fierce embrace that smelled of fresh bread and herbs, underlaid with the ever-present hint of coal smoke that clung to everything in our home. Despite her daily proximity to the forge, she somehow always managed to look and smell clean and had even tried to instill that same skill into Pa, but he kept reasoning with her that he'd have to scrape the skin off his flesh to get the smell out.

That was probably true.

“Look at you!” She pulled back, hands fluttering over the bloodstains on my armor and the bruises on my face. “What happened? Are you hurt? Did you eat? You look thin – did you need to get treated by healers?”

Some things never changed, and that was good. It was those little details that made me appreciate the time home more than anything else.

“He's only been away for half a day, woman. What's the fuss about? How could he have lost weight?”

Pa set aside his work, dropping the red-hot metal into the quenching barrel with a hiss before hanging up his tools. He watched us, waiting for Ma's flood of concern to run its course.

When she finally paused for a breath, Pa put his hand on my shoulder, his dark eyes sweeping over me. 

“Welcome home, son.” His deep voice rumbled through the workshop and it made me feel safe. The man had always been a stalwart shield that protected us ever since I could remember. “Good to have you back.”

Then his stern expression cracked, revealing a broad grin that lit up his whole face. He opened his arms wide, and I stepped into his embrace. His strong arms wrapped around me, and suddenly I was eight years old again, safe and protected from all the world's monsters and politics.

“I was afraid,” he whispered so quietly only I could hear. “So damn afraid when they said a larger wave than usual had attacked the base. But you're home now.”

I nodded and hugged him back, starting our ritualistic battle of who could squeeze the life out of the other. I had yet to win, and taking into account his considerable strength, it would still take me a while.

“Did everyone make it?” Ma asked as I wheezed, and Pa finally let go of me.

“Old man. You'll break my bones one day,” I laughed. “But yes, Ma, everyone made it out alive and well.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Though it was close. Nina took a nasty hit, and Finn...” I trailed off, remembering the spray of blood and the screams. “They'll recover in time. The dungeon itself was incredible – like nothing I'd ever seen. The tree is hollow inside, and you can walk up alongside the walls to these platforms, and there are branches stretching out in different directions, filled with monsters, including many we've never seen before, and—”

“Come.” Ma grabbed my arm, tugging me towards the door leading into our home. “Tell us everything over lunch. I've made your favorite.”

“I'll never say no to that. God knows I could use a bite right about now,” and on cue, my stomach rumbled. The three of us started laughing and headed inside.

The rich, sweet aroma hit me right on the nose as we entered the kitchen. My mouth watered at the sight of the deep red-brown chunks of pork belly in the clay pot, tender meat ready to fall apart at the touch.

“Ma! Red-cooked pork? But the spices alone—” I stared at the feast prepared to be served. “It must have taken you hours!”

She smiled, pulling out three plates.

“Well? Did you bring back anything good from your scavenging run?”

I nodded, unable to keep the excitement from my voice.

“Got quite the haul actually. Show you after dinner?”

Pa limped over and brought out rice from the cooker.

“Spatial storage full then?”

The grin spread across my face before I could stop it. Both of them knew that look – they'd seen it often enough when I was a boy, usually right before I confessed to some mischief.

Ma's eyes widened.

“All the slots? You filled all ten?”

My grin grew even wider, and I nodded.

Pa slapped the counter, rattling the dishes.

“And that's why we're having red-cooked pork! Finally seeing the payoff from all our hard work, all those investments in gems, training, and equipment.” He reached across and gripped my shoulders. “This is just the beginning, son. Just the beginning of our rise.”

“Sure is, Pa. Just watch and see!”

Mouth watering, I grabbed a plate and waited for Ma to serve.

Today went from outstanding to the best day in my life.

  *

“Not another bite,” Pa said once we were done, pushing his plate away.

“What bite?” Ma grabbed the plate and held it up to her eye. “Not enough left on here to interest an ant!”

Pa chuckled.

“That's what I said, didn’t I?” He winked at me as Ma good-naturedly tapped him on the head.

“Incurable! That's what you are.” She bent down and gave him a kiss. “And brilliant. Now, why don't you two go out and crack those bodies open? I'll be right out after cleaning.” She shook her head, still unable to come to terms with what I'd told them. “A mutated monster? Never thought I'd see one.”

“You better believe it, Ma. Come on, Pa,” I said, getting to my feet, snatching the dishes from Ma, and hurrying over to the stairs and back down to the first floor. “You won't believe how disgusting these things are.”

After placing the dishes on the bench, I rushed out to the smithy while Pa stomped down the stairs. He was just as excited as me, but still tried to hide it. The man was an angel in a bear's body, but he still had appearances to keep up, or so he wanted us to believe.

I pulled the ring beetle out of my spatial storage and set it down carefully on the butchering table along the wall opposite the door into the two-story area. The chitin gleamed dully in the forge light as I reached back to pull out the next monster.

“Hold on there, son.” Pa's hand landed on my shoulder. “One at a time. We have all the time in the world. Unless you're supposed to be somewhere with that—what was her name again? Erynia?”

I rolled my eyes.

“Eryn, Pa, and no.”

“Then you know there’s no hurry. A messy workshop—”

“—is an accident waiting to happen,” we finished together, and I sighed.

“But aren't you curious to see them?” I clenched my fists with excitement so they shook. “They're completely new!”

Pa stroked his beard, trying to hide his smile.

“Course I am, but I'm also a smith.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “And what does a smith have besides a strong back and arms to squeeze the life out of a thief?”

I took a slow breath. When he got into this mood, it was best to just humor him. Either that or leave and come back later, and I was in no mood to wait.

“A smith has the patience of a saint,” I muttered.

His smile broke free.

“That's right.” Then he pushed me carefully aside. “Now get out of the way so I can see this new monster!”

I chuckled as Pa bent over the ring beetle, his hands moving across its shell and expertly tracing the curve of a massive mandible.

“The claws are strong enough to push into wood and hold them there even at a vertical angle,” I said, pointing at the hooked appendages. “And definitely sharp enough to punch through armor. Garrett field-tested that.”

Pa harrumphed.

“They've got these small wings, but they're weak. Probably useless, too,” he mumbled.

“Yeah, Pa. These beetles came in groups of three or more, but never flew. And those mandibles—” I shuddered. “Weak around the eyes and the underbelly, but that exoskeleton is tough as nails.”

Pa hummed to himself as he began taking the beetle apart. His butchering tools - specially made for monster processing - clicked against its shell, and I could feel the hairs on my neck stand upright. It was the moment of truth, or rather the part that we enjoyed most.

“Interesting,” he muttered. “Very interesting. The shell could make for excellent armor reinforcement.” He lifted one of the claws, testing its edge on his thumbnail. “And these... these would make fantastic arrowheads. Maybe even daggers.”

He inspected one closely, turning it in the light.

“Not a scratch on it, son. It's in perfect condition.” He grinned. “You know, if we could get enough of these claws and find a way to split them without compromising their strength, what a scale mail we could make from these.”

“Pa!” I couldn't hold back any longer. “Would you please check if it has a gem?”

He smiled knowingly.

“Alright, alright. Truth be told, I'm dying to know myself.”

Pa's knife sliced carefully through to the creature's center. Suddenly, his hands went still.

“By the smith's own hammer,” he breathed. Then he grinned and plunged his hand in, drawing out something that made my breath catch.

The mind gem was smooth and oval, like a large pearl. Clear as spring water with blue-white patterns swirling inside. When Pa moved it, the gem caught the light of the flickering flames like morning frost on glass.

I whooped loud enough to wake the dead.

“Ma! We got one!”

Ma peeked through the door, and Pa held up the gem. Her face split into a radiant smile.

“Didn't I tell you it would be a day to celebrate?”

Pa swept the ring beetle's remains into his own storage with a satisfied nod.

“We'll carve it up properly later.” He held out the mind gem to me. “Congratulations on your first dungeon gem, son. One you earned yourself. We're proud of you, know that.”

“Thanks, Pa.” I took it carefully, still marveling at its beauty. “Think I'll hold onto it for a bit. Maybe I'll take it when I'm tired.”

He nodded approvingly and prodded my arm.

“Well, let's see the next one then.”

I pulled out the branch walker from my storage and had it drop on the table. The monsters were way too heavy and large to carry, and luckily, whenever we pulled things from our storages, it allowed us to place them wherever we wanted, but within arm's reach.

Pa circled the monster slowly, studying it from all directions.

“These eyes,” he whispered and leaned in close. “They seem to react to light. Wonder what would happen if we carved lenses from them?”

“That's your father for you,” Ma said and patted my shoulder. “Always thinking several steps ahead.”

He began methodically working through the corpse, examining each part with excruciating thoroughness.

“Pa!”

He chuckled.

“Took you long enough,” he laughed and started cutting into the center and went completely still.

“Another one?” I breathed.

Pa's grin was answer enough as he pulled out a second mind gem, identical to the first.

“Ma!” we both shouted.

She came and kissed me on my cheek, put her arms around me, and squeezed almost as hard as Pa had earlier.

“Great job, son, but this is…almost unheard of. Two gems in a single run?”

Then she held her hand out and raised an eyebrow.

“Here you go, my dear,” Pa said, gently placing the gem in her hand. It disappeared somewhere into her apron.

“Good job you too, honey.” She pulled Pa's face to her and kissed him on the lips.

“A thousand silvers,” I muttered, shaking my head in amazement while Pa ogled Ma as she returned inside. “Right in the center of a monster. Almost makes up for it trying to kill me.”

“Almost,” Pa said, sweeping the branch walker into his storage and rubbing his hands together. “Alright, son. I'm ready for the big one. Give it to me.”

My heart quickened as I reached into my storage. This was the moment I'd been waiting for. The mix of branchwalker and spider materialized, and Pa recoiled as it all spilled out on the table. The work table groaned under the monster's weight and for a moment we just stood there, waiting for it to come crashing down. But it didn’t.

“God above.” His face went pale. “You killed this?”

I nodded.

“That's—” He swallowed and turned to squeeze my shoulder. “That's an amazing job, son. I'm proud of you. This is... massive. The size of a damn horse, it is, no, even bigger. No idea what we can use it for but something outstanding, that's for sure.”

As he reached for his tools, I grabbed his arm.

“Pa, please, for the love of the rift - check it for gems first?”

He chuckled. 

“Alright, just this once. Since it's a variant.” The knife glinted as he began to cut. “But keep in mind, the reason we don't just look in the center is because it blinds too many to the true value of the carcasses. Aggregated across a hundred monsters, there's usually more value in their materials than the gems, and one shouldn't be sad when there isn't one inside.” He reached into the center. “We should celebrate the materials and what they can do for the fight against the monsters. Gems are just icing on—”

He trailed off, his whole body going rigid.

Excitement flushed through me.

“Another gem?”

Pa's jaw clenched hard - a look I knew all too well. Something was wrong.

“What's the matter?”

“Close the gates.” His voice had turned cold and as hard as steel.

“Why?”

“Do it. Now!”

I rushed to comply, worry flooding my system as I pulled the heavy wooden doors shut and dropped the bar.

“Ma!” Pa called out. “Close up the shop!”

“But Rowan's coming by soon for the new shortsword.”

“He'll have to come back later. Do it, now!”

There was a moment's hesitation in her voice, but she hurried to comply.

“Yes, darling.”

Wooden slats echoed as we sealed up the smithy and our home like the steelhusk-reinforced mini fortress it was. Ma and I hurried back to Pa's side. My heart was beating just as hard as it had been when I first faced off with the monster. Just what the hell had he found in there?

“What is it?” I asked.

“Watch,” he said simply.

He turned back to the spider and extended the cut. I tried to lean in for a better look, but Ma held me back.

There was a wet squelch as Pa reached in with both hands this time. When he pulled them out, my legs nearly gave way.

“Is that—”

“Yes, son. It is.”

“But—how? What does this mean?”

Pa's eyes narrowed in the forge light.

“It means we’re either free of debt, or in a shitstorm of trouble.”

Riftside - chapter 5

Sentinel Station’s bells rang as we ran across the killing field, the ground thundering behind us.

“Monster wave!” a guard shouted from the walls. “Everyone inside!”

I took more of Nina's weight as we moved as fast as we could considering our sad state. The stumps of felled steelhusk trees dotted the open ground between us and safety. Arrows whistled overhead, striking monsters charging from the forest edge.

“Move, move, move!” Edwin called.

The camp’s scouts had found us as we closed on the camp, moving past us to check the forest for monsters. They'd returned shortly after, screaming for us to get back to base but were still providing some help despite not being combat-oriented classes.

We sprinted for the walls. Well, we tried to sprint. After all the fighting and hours of walking, most of us could barely manage a stumbling jog. Arrows and spells flashed past – ice, fire, lightning. The station's defenders did their best to cover our retreat and cull whatever numbers they could before the creatures reached the base.

Great fucking timing.

A Branch Walker leaped over a stump, claws extended. An arrow took it through the eye before it could reach us.

“Almost there!” Eryn shouted.

With a boom, the gates closed behind the logging teams. With monsters this close, they couldn't risk leaving them open for us. Instead, the defenders lowered the wooden elevators for the wounded, and rope ladders for the rest of us.

We reached the walls just as the first wave of monsters burst from the treeline. I put Nina onto the wooden plank and made sure she was secure.

“Hold on!”

On the other side, two guards jumped off the wall, and she soared up to the battlement where others caught her.

Thunder cracked as a lighting spell zapped from overhead and streaked into the monsters.

Garrett stepped onto another platform and I grabbed a rope ladder, holding it out to Eryn.

“Get up. I don't want to have to scrape you off the wall.”

“Thanks,” she said, voice shaky. A grin spread across her face as she rushed up, her blonde hair waving.

With Finn having found another elevator, my team was up, and I started up the ladder behind Eryn.

I looked behind me. 

Rusted ruin.

It was one thing looking down from above the walls onto the horde, and another one entirely to see the monster wave coming right at you. It was safe to say that I almost… did something very unbecoming.

Monsters were flowing from the forest, and not only the normal ones. There were Sap Seekers, Ring Beetles, and Branch Walkers by the dozens. Even larger creatures the sigil didn't recognize yet. How come they’d followed us out all the way? Twisted Titan monsters barely ever came out to attack the base…

What's happening? Did we somehow piss off the dungeon?

I reached the top and rolled onto the walkway next to Eryn, my chest heaving. Her hand found mine and we both squeezed for comfort.

“I'm scared,” she said, her voice low.

I squeezed even harder, just to make sure she knew I was there. Not just me, but everyone else, too.

“Yeah, this was definitely something else. I never want to be outside during a wave again.”

It was frightening, though part of me was excited. This whole adventure was the exact thing I needed. I'd gone to a dungeon, chopped a variant in the face, and got out with a storage full of loot. What wasn't there to love? 

Other than almost getting eaten…

All along this side of the wall, the guards ran the elevators, bringing the wounded up to the battlements and safety. Simultaneously, more defenders were rushing out from the Branchway, some still fastening the straps on their armour.

“Get the wounded through the rift!” Edwin's voice carried over the chaos as he hopped over the wall next to Eryn and me. “Everyone else, to your positions! We've got monsters to kill!”

I pushed myself back up against the wooden wall. My limbs felt like lead, but I had a smile on my face. I’d fight hard, if not for myself, for Eryn and the others.

Below, claws scratched against steelhusk-reinforced walls as monsters hurled themselves at the gates and walls. Then they started climbing.

“Here they come!” a guard shouted and more picked up the warning.

A Branch Walker's head appeared over the edge. Despite the tiredness dragging on me, I swung hard. The blade bit deep into the rotting wood of its neck. The monster's eyes went wide as I wrenched the weapon free, and it fell, taking three more creatures with it.

A Ring Beetle scuttled over the wall. My axe crashed down, splitting its shell. The creature's innards splattered across the wall. I was tired, so damned tired, but I wouldn't falter. Not now.

“Like hammering iron!”

From up top, the monsters were somewhat easy prey. The defensive positions were perfect - elevated platforms provided clear shots for archers, while the wall's width let warriors like me swing freely. The steelhusk trees anchoring the walls created natural strongpoints, their metallic bark seemingly immune to the monsters' claws. It did allow them to climb, but not all kinds of monsters could pull their weight up.

“Don't get cocky, kid,” Edwin said. 

He'd placed his shield by the wall and wielded his flaming sword in a hand-and-a-half grip, butchering the monsters as they came.

“Got it, Commander!”

Between two monsters, he looked over at me and shrugged.

“But, you're not wrong.”

Something gnawed at me, though. The thrill of the dungeon still pumped through my veins - the raw, primal challenge of facing monsters head-on, where every move could mean life or death. Up on the wall felt... safe. It was almost boring.

I shook my head, brow furrowing.

What's wrong with me? Safe is good. Safe means everyone gets to live.

The memory of Nina's wounds and Finn's severed hand flashed through my mind. That's what happened when we had to go out there.

I got the loot, and we got out alive. Survival tops everything.

Another Branch Walker appeared, and I introduced it to my axe.

  *

My arms and back burned as I cleaved through what felt like the hundredth monster. They'd been relentless, wave after wave focusing on our section of the wall. It was strange - almost as if they were targeting us specifically. I'd be flattered if I wasn't so tired, or had my spatial storage filled before the fight even started.

“Never seen such an attack before. Nor so concentrated. If I didn't know better, I'd say they carried a grudge for our visit,” Commander Edwin said as he stood beside me, wiping monster gore from his blade. “Impressive work up here, Ash.”

“Thank you, sir.” I wiped the sweat and grime from my brow. “Just doing my part.”

“Get some rest. Head through the rift - you've more than earned it. I'll keep a spot open for you next time, too. Got a good head on your shoulders.”

I nodded, my body aching. Eryn had gone a while ago, her quiver empty and fingers trembling with exhaustion.

As I stepped up to the elevator, Edwin called after me.

“Oh, and once you get your class, if you ever need a constant party, you let me know.”

“Thank you, sir. I might just take you up on that.”

I descended to the floor of the camp and approached the rift. Despite the exhaustion, my heart soared. The spider carcass in my storage was unlike anything we'd ever looted, and I couldn't wait to show it to Pa. Between it and the other monster carcasses, we'd have enough materials for the forge to get by for a while.

The rift's green surface rippled before me, and I took a deep breath and stepped through. It was time to go home. The familiar tingle faded as I stepped onto solid ground. First came the fresh air and the cacophony of people shouting and working on various things, and only then did I feel the afternoon sun hit my face. I took a step to the side, stretched my arms towards the heavens, and let other people through. Some were exiting, like me, while others made their way Riftside, ferrying various necessities.

I made it. I actually bloody made it.

Fifty feet of packed earth spread out before me. Sharpened stakes lay flat around the massive circle where the rift stood, except for four spots, ready to be lifted into place in case of a monster breach. It hadn't happened since Sentinel Station went up, but our job was to prepare so it would never happen.

Around the circle, the earth slanted down into trenches, which again were carved into a second perfect circle.

Workers hefted pickaxes and shovels, working on what would someday become our moat, filled with water to slow any monsters that might come through the rift. For now, though, the trenches were a work in progress, like everything else in Dawnwatch. Their rhythmic strikes and grunts echoed up, mixing with the constant sawing and hammering from the wall beyond.

First Steel, Dawnwatch's innermost wall, rose behind the trench, a circular palisade of steelhusk-reinforced wood that followed the moat's curve. The wall stretched thirty feet high, topped with a wide wooden walkway where guards patrolled. Four bridges spanned the gap between my position and First Steel, each supported by thick wooden stilts driven deep into the earth. 

The eastern and western bridges led to massive gatehouses, their gates raised to allow traffic, while the other two bridges simply ended at the walls. Wooden elevators hung ready above them for emergency evacuations. Just in case it had to be abandoned. Nobody wanted to be left trapped inside the walls with the monsters if they ever made it through.

I turned and glanced to the northeast, seeing the scaffolding just above First Steel's battlements. The keep's skeleton was taking shape, steelhusk lumber forming its bones. It wouldn't be finished for months, perhaps even a year or more, but I loved looking for progress every time I returned home, and I knew workers would be crawling across it like ants, hammers ringing against nails. Unfortunately, there weren't that many of us as it wasn't that big of a rift compared to some out there. The Kingdom couldn't spare the extra manpower necessary to ease the project.

I inhaled deeply, letting the tension drain from my muscles. The scent of fresh-cut steelhusk, industry, and humanity filled my lungs. Sawdust tickled my nose, along with smoke from cooking fires and the earthy smell of turned soil from the trenches below.

Home.

The pressure that had built since entering the dungeon - the weight of responsibility, the tension of combat, the constant vigilance - it all melted away as if it had never even been there. My shoulders relaxed, and I felt lighter than I had in days. And much more excited to be home.

“Ash! Good to see you back!”

Walt's voice boomed from atop First Steel's eastern section. The captain's red beard caught the sunlight as he waved down at me, and I couldn't help but grin. He was an imposing man, and someone I could consider calling a friend.

“Hey, Walt!”

“How'd it go in there?”

“Everyone lives, and my spatial's full!”

He barked a deep belly laugh that seemed like it could shake the walls. If anything, the man was a goodhearted soul who made sure to look out for everyone, especially us scavengers.

“The rift's blessed you today, lad!”

I chuckled and waved back before heading for the eastern bridge. The sounds of construction rang out all around me, and in all honesty, I could never get enough as it wrapped around me like a warm blanket. After the eerie silence of the dungeon, broken only by monster screams and the clash of weapons, the noise of work was welcome.

The gatehouse loomed ahead, its raw wooden walls still waiting for steelhusk reinforcement. Through the gate, I could see the processing station – a hundred-foot square “sluice” surrounded by high wooden walls. Those walls needed reinforcing too, but it wasn't a priority. Nothing but the first line of defense was, and rightly so. Stories about rift breaches were the stuff of nightmares that I didn't even want to think about.

We'll get to it. Kingsworth wasn't built in a day, either.

Inside the sluice, two tables were set up as usual. A line of people from our expedition waited at each. Nina stood at the first, negotiating the sale of her loot to Harold Markwell from the adventurer's guild. The old mage's remaining arm gestured as he spoke, probably trying to negotiate a better deal on the unknown monsters. Eryn waited behind Nina, her honey-blonde hair catching the light. Five more adventurers shuffled in place behind her, and I could see they were eager to get it over with and go home.

Bet they’ll drop the price with every specimen sold. I'm glad Nina and Eryn are getting theirs in early.

At the second table, Rasek faced off with Isabel Pine, the bank manager's elegant figure straight-backed in her chair as they too haggled over the price. Garrett stood second in line, his wounded shoulder bound but his face eager.

No sign of Finn. Probably already off to see Victor. Not surprised he's gambling on the monsters having gems over taking the guaranteed payment.

My friends were safe. Wounded and tired, but very much alive. After everything we'd faced in the dungeon, seeing them here, arguing over prices and counting coins, made my chest tight with happiness.

“Ash!” Harold called out, waving his one arm. “Come show me what you've brought back!”

“Let me save you some time,” Isabel cut in, her voice carrying across the sluice. “Whatever he's offering, the bank will beat it.”

I smiled and shook my head.

“Sorry folks, but this haul's going straight to Pa!”

Eryn stepped out of line, touching the shoulder of the man behind her.

“Hold my spot?”

She darted over and threw her arms around me, planting a quick kiss on my cheek that made my skin tingle. There probably wasn't much to it as she wore her heart on her sleeve, but I liked to think that one day, well, maybe I could offer her something more than scavenging. For now, that was still just a dream.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “For saving my life out there.”

“Ah, well,” I said, trying to sound casual, but my heart was doing backflips. “What are friends for?”

She smiled and stepped back, and I couldn't keep the grin off my face as she shot me a wink.

“Nina's not the only one looking for a mounting, it seems,” Garret said with a grin. 

Eryn stalked over to him and slapped his chest several times, and he cried out in pain. Must have hit his wounded shoulder in the process. Good. He deserved it teasing her in front of everyone.

“Be careful, she bites!” I yelled over my shoulder and hurried for the eastern gate. 

Maybe I wasn't a proper adventurer yet, but today? Today I felt like a hero.

I passed through the sluice's heavy gate and stepped into Dawnwatch proper. The east main road stretched dead ahead through the heart of our growing settlement, like the spokes on a wheel with the rift at the center. On the left side of the road, the Royal Bank's freshly-painted facade gleamed in a royal deep blue and silver. Above, flapping in the breeze, hung their flag, showing the Tharungian silver castle on a blue field.

The adventurer's guild hall stood opposite, painted forest green and red, their flag a red tree of life on a green background. The two buildings faced each other like grumpy old men across a garden wall. While each had the same goal, they approached it with wildly different methods. And that was great if anyone asked me, as monopolies were rarely good for ordinary folk.

Instead of passing through the gate, I turned right and onto the innermost of the circular roads which ran through Dawnwatch. It would take me to the industrial quarter and our smithy. The familiar scents of coal smoke and heated metal grew stronger with each step, and so did my grin.

“Ash! Ash!”

Karl's excited voice rang out as small boots thundered across packed earth. The ten-year-old skidded to a halt in front of me, eyes shining like silver coins.

“What was it like? Did you fight lots of monsters? Was it scary?”

I looked down upon the boy.

Was I ever so young and eager to hear stories of my elders?

Hell, I probably still was.

And maybe I wasn't a level sixty warrior who could single-handedly defend a city from a horde, but that wasn't what Karl needed today anyway. Still, I wanted to make an impression. I was also a hero of sorts, after all. Wasn't I? I'd stood shoulder to shoulder with the commander and hacked down dozens of monsters on the wall alone.

I fished a silver coin from my pocket, glanced around conspiratorially, and pressed it into his palm.

“Silver?” he said, his eyes going wide as plates, staring at the gleaming metal. “Thank you!”

“It was amazing, Karl. And dangerous.” I crouched before him. “So we're going to need more parties to tackle it and all the ones to come after. You know what that means, right?”

He nodded hurriedly, still staring at the coin. Likely more than he'd ever had for himself.

“That's right. We are going to need more scavengers and adventurers.”

I paused, waiting for him to catch up.

Slowly, his gaze drifted up from the coin to meet my eyes.

“Exactly. We need you to work hard and grow stronger so that one day you can join us.”

“You really think I can do it, Ash? Become a scavenger like you? And, and, and, maybe even an adventurer?”

“Course you can.” I ruffled his hair. “Just look at me – I started right where you are.”

Karl clutched the silver, bouncing on his toes.

“Did you get any monsters? Which faction are you selling them to? The Kingdom? The Guild? Or Victor the alchemist?”

“Get your head on straight, Karl, and try again.”

I gave him a frown.

His face scrunched up as if he was trying to stare through a wall, and then suddenly it brightened.

“You giving 'em to your Pa?”

“Of course I am,” I said, rewarding him with a smile.

“Did you find any new ones? Can I see? Please?”

I glanced around the street. It was nearly empty.

Why not give the kid a memory of a lifetime?

With a grin, I opened my spatial storage and pulled out the Ring Beetle carcass, nearly dumping it on his shoes.

“Roar!” I said and gave it a wiggle with my boot.

Karl's scream echoed off the buildings as he bolted down the street, and I quickly stored the monster, chuckling to myself.

“Ash Aldrich!” Martha the seamstress called from her doorway, trying to look stern but failing to hide her smile. “That boy won't sleep for a week now.”

I shrugged.

“True enough. But better he's scared now than gets brave ideas about hunting monsters before he's ready. A healthy dose of fear might keep him alive long enough to actually become a scavenger.”

She shrugged. I gave her a wink as I hurried past, and joy spread through me as I stepped onto our small plot of land. It wasn't much, but it was ours.

The smithy stood right before me, smoke billowing from its two chimneys, and hammering away inside was Pa.

Riftside - chapter 4

“Everyone alive?” Garrett asked, forcing the words out. “Talk to me.”

Nina groaned in reply, while Finn’s breathing came ragged and through wheezes. Thick beads of sweat had formed on his face, and they were trickling down to pool at his neck.

I nodded, though I knew he couldn't see me. I was staring at the monster I'd slain, or rather, the creature I finished off, and remembered that dark red aura. My weapon had barely scratched it. If it hadn't been already gravely wounded by Edwin's party, things would have gone very differently and all five of us would be dead.

“We nearly died,” Eryn said, voice shaking. “But...we didn't.”

Something in her voice called to me, and I straightened.

“No, we didn't. We are all alive, and if we are going to stay that way, we need to get out of this place.”

I turned my back on the carcass and hurried over to Eryn, grabbing her by the shoulder and giving her a mild shake.

“Eryn? Hey, you good? Are you with me?”

She gasped and blinked twice as if coming to, then nodded hurriedly.

“Yes, I'm sorry. I—uhh, I'm good.”

“Great. Now talk to me. I know how to hit things, but you are our medic. What do we do now? We got wounded. Talk to us.”

“Triage,” she said, control returning to her green eyes as she pushed past me, rushing over to Nina and dropped to her knees. “Can you move your arms and legs?”

“Portal pissed bug's stuck in my back!” Nina yelled but she didn’t try to get up.

“Arms. Legs. Can you move them?”

“Yes! Now get the fucking bug out of me!”

“In a second,” Eryn said and stood, rushing over to Finn next and pulling bandages from one of her pouches. “You'll be fine! I need to stop Finn's bleeding first.”

“Yes, sure! Let me bleed out here, will you? Just because I shot your boyfriend a wink!”

As Eryn worked on Finn's arm, I helped a wincing Garrett get to his feet and pretended I didn’t hear what Nina had just said. It wasn’t the time or place.

He tried to reach for his dropped shield, but grimaced in pain and pulled his arm back.

“God damn it, my shoulder's busted.”

“Don't worry,” I said, grabbing his shield. “We're safe for now.”

As long as no more monsters come up through the tunnels, that is.

“Here.”

I put the battered shield around his neck and pulled his hand through the hoop. It wouldn't do much in a fair fight with... anything, but it might buy him a second or two.

“Thanks.” He hoisted his spear as I knelt by Nina. “We'd be dead if not for you. The way you attacked that spider. In all my years as a guard and as a scavenger, I've never seen anyone fight that idiotically.”

“Hah, yeah, tell me about it,” I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood even just a little bit. “We all fought and won. Together.” I touched the mandibles sticking from Nina's back. “Eryn, should I pull them out?”

“Wait for me. I'm nearly done here. Don't do anything yet, or you might hurt her more than she already is.”

I patted Nina on the head.

“You heard the lady, Nina. You'll be fine. Just hold on a little bit longer.”

“Easy for you to say,” she hissed and spat a wad of blood. “If I live, I'm going to ride someone. So very hard. Just to make it clear and all.”

I couldn't help but chuckle, and she did so, too. I stood and walked over to stare down at the monster I'd killed. Named Woodweaver. A variant type of monster. One I’d never even heard about before.

That was too fucking close to my liking,  and God is it ugly.

“What do we do about your ugly ass,” I muttered.

Suddenly, the sounds of fighting from down in the tunnels died down. My heart thumped in my throat, and I had a hard time breathing. What about the Woodweaver once the others joined up with us? Would they just take it?

“Think they won, or—” Garrett asked.

“Where'd that damn spider go? Find it for rift's sake!” Edwin's voice echoed from down the tunnel.

“I think that's your answer,” I said, staring at the spider.

I licked my lips and turned to meet Garrett's gaze, but never even needed to ask the question as he nodded.

“We'd be dead without you, Ash. Spoil's all yours. No one will tell a soul. Isn't that right?” he added, raising his voice. 

No one said anything.

I quickly met the others' gazes. Finn gave a curt nod. Eryn ripped a monster part out of Nina's back and tossed it to the ground, but did meet my eyes for the briefest of moments. She didn’t mind either from what I could see.

“We're full and you're not,” she said, taking out a green paste and packing it into Nina’s wound. “Go for it. Better one of our own gets it.”

“They will definitely take it if I don't right now,” I said, listening to the approaching footfalls.

We'd agreed on the scavenging rules, but one superseded it. Adventurers looted first. Always. But the others didn't know it was a variant.

I saw Nina exchanging a glance with Finn.

“Claim what?” she said, forcing the words out and winking at me. “I didn't see shit.”

A big grin split my face and I knelt, swiping it into my spatial storage.

It didn't fit.

The footsteps were even closer now and I could make out that some of them were jogging.

“Garrett!” Edwin's voice was just around the corner. “Are you guys alive?”

I desperately dragged out every monster from my spatial inventory, the seven carcasses piling up around me in a massacred heap.

“We're alive,” Garrett yelled. “But monsters are attacking below!”

Once more I grabbed the spider.

Please, please, please! Fit in there, you big bastard!

This time it swiped straight into my storage, filling eight out of the ten slots.

Edwin appeared just around the corner, his tower shield held firmly in his hand, and fire blazing along the blade of his sword. He stopped at the entrance to the tunnel and looked around. Once he saw us all moving, he wiggled his sword. The fire went out and he sheathed his weapon. Blood ran down his right greaves, and his chest plate would need some serious hammering, yet he moved as if everything was just fine.

“What the hell happened here?”

“We did what we were supposed to,” I said, swiping in a Blightpede and a Branch Walker, for good measure. No way was I leaving anything behind. “Like we said we would.”

“But,” he said and slowed, eyes taking in the twelve dead monsters spread around the platform. “How?”

I shrugged and shouldered my axe. 

“Was pretty easy, Commander.”

The silver-haired healer rushed past Edwin, almost knocking him over.

“Easy, huh? Seems you got more guts and strength than brains if you think this is what easy really looks like.”

The healer knelt by Finn and ripped the bandage off.

“Here. Hold your hand like—no, not like that. Align the bone. A little bit more to the—yeah. There. Now hold it.”

Benedict came limping out of the tunnel as the healer took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, tapping his staff against the ground and waving his hand across Finn's.

“What's the situation?” Edwin asked Garrett as a golden glow appeared and Finn grunted, jaw clamped shut.

“Marcus' group retreated from their branch and towards the entrance. Unknown number or makeup of monsters followed after them.”

“Three bells!” Edwin slammed his shield on the wooden floor. “Benedict,” Edwin said, turning to glare at the wizard.

“Where's the spider?” the wizard asked, ignoring the commander. “I swear we nearly had it. Also, why are you not dead?”

I cleared my throat, but before I could say anything, Garrett spoke up.

“Damn thing sprinted straight through. Knocked me out of the way and ran up this tunnel. It was limping, I think. Maybe that's why it didn't kill us?” He pointed his spear into the second left tunnel and made a jabbing motion.

“Frigid frostbite!” Benedict hissed and limped up to the opening and stared inside. “Edwin, it might be inval—”

“Not a chance. I've had enough of your ideas for one day. No, scratch that. Forever.” Edwin helped Nina on her side. “We're going to have a serious chat about your role in my party when we get back.”

“But—”

Edwin held up his hand and just stared at the wizard.

“No buts. This was my fault and I take responsibility. But we're class blessed lucky that everyone’s still alive. And I’m going to make sure that it stays that way. I'm not even sure I should have people on my team who keep testing me like you do, driving me to make the wrong decisions just for glory or chance at greatness.”

“Fine.” Benedict turned away from the commander. He started stroking his beard and stared off into the tunnel, mumbling to himself.

“Keep your hand still for a week at least,” the healer said to Finn, and then hurried over to check Nina's back. “The magic needs time to settle and regrow it. Strain it too soon and you'll never regain full use.”

“Yes, healer. Thank you,” Finn said.

Edwin walked to the floor's stairs. Benedict, their archer, and their melee fighter, a lanky man in leather armor and hood who had yet to say a word, gathered around him.

“She good to go?”

“Yes, commander. She'll be fine,” Alex said, as he gently turned Nina. 

“I'm nearly exhausted, so I can’t really heal you for now. Your wounds may be painful, but they are not life-threatening, alright? I’ll make sure you don’t bleed out and we can go.”

Nina's eyes were tight with pain, but she nodded.

“I'll buy you a beer later to make up for it. If you'll let me.”

Looks like she already found someone to mount.

“Make it three,” Nina said, and the healer replied with a smile.

He chuckled and made his way over to his party, nodding at Edwin.

“Alright ladies and gents, form up. Step one, we clear our way to the portal, then we'll find the other parties. Garrett, follow close this time. And Rowan—” He looked at the melee fighter. “Anything comes from behind, you step in and take care of it. Take Isaac if need be.”

The leather-clad fighter nodded and patted their archer on his broad back.

“Let's get the hell out of here.”

A while later,I pushed Garrett along and he stumbled into the portal, blood dripping from his shield arm. His spear waved madly, nearly taking Finn's eye out as I threw him out of the dungeon.

Finn clutched his bandaged hand to his chest, face pale and drawn. The silver-haired healer had done what he could. Healing magic was powerful, but it wasn't something that could make damage just go away with the wave of a hand. It could help close wounds, stop bleeding, mend broken bone and even reattach limbs, but the fatigue and pain remained along with the trauma.

Next, Nina limped past, supported by Eryn who threw me a worried glance.

Behind me, an adventurer screamed in pain, and I turned, axe ready.

As soon as we had started our retreat, monsters had rushed from all three tunnels, and Edwin had been fighting to hold them back ever since. If we had been further up, we'd all be dead. That was a fact. Fortunately, we made it down to the second level and the two other adventuring parties returned, monsters pressing them from all sides. Together with the third scavenging group, we'd retreated down to the portal, where Marcus' group had fled, leaving three ring beetles to stand in our way.

My axe had claimed one and Rasek's scavenger group took care of the two others.

As Rasek and his men filed out, the adventurers retreated down and formed up in a line around the portal, the healers and mages first, with their ranged adventurers next, and finally the melees.

Only one man remained on the ramp.

“Edwin!” Benedict shouted at the commander who was still fighting his way down, his tower shield holding the monsters at bay while his flame-wreathed sword cut them down. “You can't hold them on your own! Get back already!”

The wizard raised his hands and cast a spell, sending an icy wind blasting across the monster-filled wall. Dozens of Ring beetles started to freeze, their wings unable to let them fly back up, their claws slipping from the frozen wood, and they tumbled to the next level. Adventurers rushed in, slaying them with such precision that I didn't even care I wasn't getting any more loot. I just looked on in appreciation of their ability to kill and narrowed my eyes. That’s exactly who I wanted to become.

One day.

“Keep going!” Edwin yelled, stepping onto the floor, tower shield still braced. “I'll hold them and we can regroup outside!”

“Like hell you will!” Benedict leaned past the line of melee fighters, frost crackling around his staff and blasted an ice bolt through a Branch Walker. “Save the heroics for someone who'll believe them.”

I was the last scavenger inside, and stood staring up the tree. The walls were crawling with monsters. More than I'd ever seen in one place. It was as if we'd stepped on an ant hive, except the sound of claws scraping against wood was overwhelming.

Just what the hell had happened for all of them to get so riled up? Was it the Woodweaver’s death? Surely not.

“Fire walling!” another mage said, and a five-foot tall wall of flames burst upwards from the floor, not two feet in front of the commander who cursed and jerked backwards.

Alex, the healer, grabbed me by the front of my leather armour.

“Out. Now.” I nodded and stepped backwards until darkness closed around me, the view searing itself into my memory as the world twisted, stretched, and then snapped back into place.

The portal spat me out into the late afternoon sunlight, the morning mist long gone. Fourteen scavengers stood clustered together, a few steps away from the tree.

“Marcus, you're a portal-pissing coward!” Garrett shouted, straining against Rasek's grip on his good arm, holding him back from the one-eyed scavenger. “We could have all died in there because of your gutless retreat!”

“It was just a couple of ring beetles!” Marcus shouted back, chin up and hand resting on his sword's pommel. Blood matted his tunic from cuts on his neck, already scabbing over. His team huddled up behind him — all four sporting fresh wounds. “It's not like anyone died, right?”

“Because we killed them first,” Rasek spat. His iron-studded staff was planted into the dirt, a fresh dent near its crown end. “When we needed our portal clear, where were you? Running! Running like frightened children!”

“You didn't see our branch!” one of Marcus' people shouted, but another pulled them back, muttering something about how they should keep quiet.

“You think we had it better?” Nina hissed and struggled forward, held up by Eryn, face white with pain. “Look at us! We nearly died on the third level, and then we had to fight our way out.”

“Nobody asked you to fight!” Marcus stepped forward, jabbing a finger at Garrett. “You could have run past them, too! There was space! Leave them for the adventurers to deal with.”

My anger crashed over me like forge-quenched steel.

I pushed between them and grabbed Marcus by his tunic, lifting him off his feet. He might have been taller, but I'd spent years hammering metal and the strength in my arms was second to none among the non-classed.

“Put me—”

His words cut off as I shook him and the clearing went dead quiet.

“Listen carefully, Marcus,” I said, my voice low and steady despite the excitement and fear from earlier still washing through me. It was the kind of voice Pa used when I'd really messed up. “Your cowardice almost got my friends killed today. If that ever happens again…” I let the words hang.

“We couldn't—”

I shook him again.

“Pioneer justice is swift, Marcus. And we all know what happens to those who get others killed by cowardice! We are family and take care of one another! We don't run! We live and die together!”

Murmurs of assent rippled through Rasek's group despite our earlier disagreement.

Garrett spat on the ground.

Marcus' good eye darted between everyone’s faces, but he didn’t find any sympathy.

“We would have died,” he said, his voice smaller now. “There were so many--”

“Then you die protecting those people standing behind you.” I pulled him closer. “Because that's what we do. That's how we survive out here. Together. I don't even want to go home without my friends, Marcus. Think about that for a second.”

Someone cleared their throat behind me.

“What exactly is going on here?”

I turned my head to see Alex, the silver-bearded healer stomping towards us. The other adventurers spilled out of the portal behind him in a steady stream.

“Nothing to worry about,” Eryn said, stepping in front of him. “Just scavenger business.”

Alex's eyes narrowed, but before he could speak, I set Marcus down, made a show of brushing dust from his chest, and then smoothed his tunic.

“No harm done.” I patted his shoulder. “This time. But remember what I said. We’re all family, and family takes care of one another, right?”

Marcus opened his mouth, but Edwin's voice cut through the clearing.

“Pick up the pace, people!” He emerged last from the portal, shield scored with new marks. “We're heading back double time. Help those who can't run by themselves. Now move!”

I met Marcus' eye one last time, then turned to help Nina. We had a long walk ahead of us.

And a rare variant spider carcass as loot.

Riftside - chapter 3

The branch walker's shriek cut off as my axe sank deep into the bark-like skin at its neck, nearly cleaving head from body. Its claws ceased scrabbling at Garrett's shield, and the legs spasmed as it collapsed. Goo splattered onto the ground as I hopped back, wrestling my axe out.

“Good work,” Garrett said as he straightened.

Nina lowered her spear, the point dark with monster sap, and Finn wiped his short sword clean with a rag.

“Yes!” Eryn pumped her fist, an arrow still nocked but not drawn.

Garrett shrugged the corpse off his shield and gave his spear a flourish.

“Five down and how many more to go?” 

He held up his hand for a high five.

I slapped his palm, grinning.

“Doesn't matter. We'll handle them.”

“Scavengers!” Edwin's voice echoed from far down the left branch. “Status?”

“All clear!” Garrett called back. “Just a couple of wooden dudes and three crystal-eyed mini monsters from the right branch. Nothing we couldn't handle!”

“Branch Walkers,” I said, wiping ichor from my axe, unable to resist. The adventurers would know the monsters’ names, having upgraded their spatial storage. “And Sap Seekers.”

“You sure?” Garrett asked, and I nodded. “Branch Walkers and Sap Seekers,” Garrett shouted. “All dead!”

“Good work!” Edwin's voice faded. “Hold your position!”

“Hey!” Eryn said, stepping closer, a funny look on her face. “How'd you know what they're called?”

Here it comes.

It was all I could do to keep the smile from my face.

“Just, you know...” I tried to look anywhere but at her intense green eyes. “Overheard the adventurers?”

“What were those stinky worm things called then?” she asked, crossing her arms. “The ones from earlier?”

“Blightpedes,” I said, unable to hold back a small smile.

Her eyes went wide.

“I know the adventurers didn't tell us that. We were all there together when—” She grabbed my shoulders and yanked me close. Her touch made my heart skip as the scent of leather and herbs filled my nose. “Show me! Activate it!”

How can she smell this good during a dungeon run? No, don't even go there. There will be enough time once you're both home safe and well.

“I don't know what you're talking—”

“The eye sigil! Show me!” She shook me slightly, her face inches from mine. “Now!”

Unable to hide my grin any longer, I activated the mark and the tattoo lit up.

Eryn shrieked and jumped back, clapping her hands excitedly. Not many scavengers invested in their spatial storages, but it doubled the odds.

“You upgraded your spatial storage! You sneaky bastard!” She slapped my shoulder hard enough it had to sting her palm. “When? How? Why didn't you tell us?”

“We did it last night,” I said, taking her stinging hand and gently rubbing it. “And I wanted to see how long it would take for someone to notice.”

“Or you wanted to make sure the loot rules were stacked in your favor first,” Garrett said, laughing. “Well played, mate! And don't worry, a deal's a deal. You fill your slots before we start trading up.”

“Thanks.” I touched the corner of my eye. “What's it look like? I haven't had a chance to see it properly.”

Eryn leaned in close again, studying the mark.

“It's pretty cool. Like a triangle pointing downward with a short line crossing through the middle. I'd never notice it from afar unless you activate it.” She traced the air near my face. “Makes you even more handsome, actually.”

She thinks I'm handsome? Well, yeah, of course she does. Just look at my... muscles from all the smithing and swinging an axe around.

“More handsome because he's about to get rich!” Nina said, and Finn joined her in laughing. “Seriously though, smart move.”

“Thanks, guys,” I said, smiling. “It'll all be good for Dawnwatch.” Then I rubbed my hands together. “So, about this loot.”

Garrett laughed. 

“Eryn, you and Ash take one branch walker and one sap seeker each, with the last sap seeker going to him. Then all have five each, except…” He pointed a finger at me. “You with seven, you cheeky bastard, you!”

I clapped Eryn on the back and went to swipe the carcasses into my storage, noting how she had no trouble storing these less stinky monsters.

“Can't believe we've all, well, not Ash, but the rest of us, have a full inventory with unknown monsters,” Finn said, smiling. “What do you think they'll be worth? If anything? You never know with these things.”

“A lot,” Garrett said, peering into the right tunnel. “These five will get me the mind gem I need for level nine, easily. Even if none of them yields one directly.”

“What class are you going for once you get the gem?” Nina asked. 

I eyed him too for a moment, genuinely curious what he was going for.

Garrett raised his eyebrows and shook his spear and shield.

“Hello? What do you think?”

“Fine. What about you, Finn?”

“Any I can get my hands on.”

“Why? You on the run and need the class pardon or something?” I bumped him with my shoulder, chuckling.

The smile dropped from Finn's face. His shoulders tensed, and something cold flickered in his eyes.

“Watch your mouth, apprentice.”

The tone of his voice made my stomach drop.

Shit. He is on the run, isn't he?

“Back off, Finn.” I kept my voice steady, though my pulse quickened. “I didn't know, and I don’t care.”

“Yeah? Well, maybe I don't like people making assumptions about me.” He jabbed a finger into my chest. “You think you know me? Think you're better than me because your daddy gave you a fancy tattoo?”

“He's not my—” I caught myself, took a breath, and squared my shoulders. “Look. How could I know? We're on the frontier here. A pioneer's past is just that, past. It stays behind once they come out here. Now, I've got no problems with you, Finn, as long as you've got no problems with me. We're all just trying to get by, right?”

Finn's jaw worked as he studied my face. The tension hung thick in the air, and Nina and Eryn shifted uncomfortably. Garrett's hand stayed steady on his spear, but he didn't move to intervene, and there was no way I was about to back down. 

After what felt like forever, Finn's shoulders relaxed slightly.

“Yeah,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry for snapping. Ain't nothing bad. I just got caught by surprise is all.” He gave a weak smile. “Guess I'm still getting used to that whole 'fresh start' thing.”

“We all are,” I said, offering my hand.

He removed the brass knuckle before clasping it firmly and nodding at me.

“Speaking of fresh starts,” Garrett said, clearly eager to move past the tension. “What class are you aiming for, Nina? We all know Eryn is going to be a healer.”

Nina's eyes lit up.

“Sorcerer. Or warlock. Any caster, really. I prefer to blow the bugs up from afar.”

“Really?” Eryn lowered her bow. “I thought you'd go for something more... stabby.”

“Nah.” Nina twirled her spear. “I'm going to be a mounted mage.”

“But—” I started.

“I know they can't survive the corruption,” she said and shrugged. “But there's got to be something riftside I can ride.”

I caught Garrett's eye and waggled my eyebrows.

“Something to ride, eh?”

“Oh, grow up!” Nina swatted at me with her spear shaft.

“Never!” I ducked, laughing, and was glad to see Finn crack a smile.

“What about you?” Finn asked, the earlier edge gone from his voice. “What's the great blacksmith's apprentice planning?”

I straightened and lifted my axe, giving it a flourish. 

“Warrior.”

“Tank or damage?” Eryn tilted her head.

I paused.

“Honestly, I haven't decided, but I like to kill things so probably damage dealer? I also like the idea of protecting the group, but a level sixty damage dealer—” I whistled. “I saw one once.”

“No way!” Nina said.

“Yes way.” I paced around the room, glancing from one branch to the next, listening to the distant sounds of fighting from Edwin's group. Below us, all was still quiet.

“When I was fourteen, Madrigal Ironweave saved our street during a surge. Full plate armour, black with gold trim, and an axe blazing like lightning. And confidence to match. When he struck, monsters twice his size just... came apart around his axe. Even the ground cracked when he activated his skills, killing them by the dozens.”

“Really?” Eryn asked, poking me with a finger in my shoulder. “You never said anything about that.”

I caught myself, gesturing with my axe and lowered it.

“Why would I? It's not like we share everything, right? And yes, that's the level sixty warrior I'm aiming for. That kind of presence.”

That kind of power.

“Heh, interesting. Have you ever seen him again?” Eryn asked, ignoring my closeness comment.

I shook my head.

“Nope. I try to follow news about him, though there isn't much known about the guy. You know how it is with the higher levels. Most of them don't like to be in the spotlight.”

“Yeah, they—”

A scream echoed out from the tunnel Edwin and the others had entered. For a moment, we all froze before I made for the opening. The scream echoed again, a monsterly wail piercing like a red-hot blade plunged into quenching oil. My knuckles were white on my axe shaft as more shouts followed, backed by the sounds of combat—the clank of steel, crackle of ice spells, and Edwin's voice rising above it all.

“Heal me!”

Finn lurched forward, but Garrett's hand snapped out, catching his shoulder.

“Let me go!” Finn tried to wrench free. “They need help!”

“Maybe.” Garrett's grip tightened on the man. “But rushing in blind won't help anyone. If they're in trouble, they'll fall back. We stay put.”

“But—”

“But nothing.” Garrett's voice hardened. “They're either strong enough to win or smart enough to retreat. Either way, we will only be in the way.”

“We're of no help in such an enclosed space,” I said, not liking our words, but they were the truth.

More ice crashed, the sound of Benedict's magic thundering through the wooden tunnel. I winced at each impact, remembering the casual way he'd frozen those monsters earlier. If someone so powerful was struggling, then what could we even do?

“I could support with my bow,” Eryn said, already nocking an arrow. “Maybe from the back—”

Nina shook her head. 

“And what if you hit one of them instead? Or worse, distract them at the wrong moment?” She planted her spear. “Besides, what happens if something comes up behind us while we're all down inside the tunnel?”

Before anyone could answer, shouts erupted from below. Steel rang, mixed with screams.

“Falling back!” Marcus's voice echoed. “Kill the trash mobs!”

“Three bells!” Garrett cursed as he ran over to the entrance down and bellowed. “What's the situation?”

No answer came. Just more sounds of fighting, growing fainter as Marcus's group retreated.

“What do you see?” 

Cold sweat trickled down my spine as I looked between the three tunnels, making sure we weren't caught by surprise.

“Seven, no, wait, eight monsters chasing Marcus and his group back down to the first floor,” Garret said.

This couldn't be random. The timing was too perfect and the attack too coordinated.

The dungeon is testing us. Something is definitely wrong and shit is about to hit the fan.

“Any sign of their adventurers?” Nina asked.

Garrett shook his head, and I shushed her.

“Quiet. Don't attract the monsters up.” I pointed into the tunnel. “We need to find out what happened to Edwin first. Then we can attack the monsters from behind.”

The screams grew louder from Edwin's tunnel and were accompanied by the wet sound of tearing flesh and splintering wood. My heart hammered as I walked closer, trying to pinpoint exactly what was happening. Benedict's ice magic crackled again, and a roar erupted from within the tunnel.

Light flashed, throwing shadows around the bend, followed by Edwin's cries of pain.

“Help him!”

That was the voice of the silver-bearded healer.

“I can't!” Benedict's voice cracked. “The corruption is—”

Something heavy slammed into wood, and a man screamed.

“Eyes up!” Garrett snapped. “Movement!”

Three Ring Beetles scuttled from the second left tunnel, followed by a rambling Branch Walker, its eyes glowing. At the same moment, the stench of rot hit me as three Blightpedes undulated from the right passage, their black bodies glistening.

Are they trying to box us in? Trash? What the hell is going on?

“Garrett! Nina! Left tunnel!” I shouted. “Finn, with me on the right! Eryn, support where you can!”

Garrett slammed his shield down on the first Ring Beetle, not even protesting my snappy order. Nina's spear darted in from the side, stabbing at the monster's eyes. Behind them, the Branch Walker clicked against the wood.

An arrow whizzed past my shoulder, thudding into the tooth-filled maw of the lead Blightpede. The creature ate it up like a snack, its segmented body rippling as it pressed forward.

“Come on then!” Finn yelled beside me, raising his short sword with one hand and the brass knuckles on his other.

I hefted my axe and we met the monsters. The first Blightpede snapped for my leg. I sidestepped and brought my axe down, the blade biting deep into its side. It felt like chopping a bag of wet rice. The creature’s attack missed, giving us an opening. Finn darted in, sword stabbing at its head while I wrestled my weapon free.

Behind us, Garrett grunted as he and Nina fought to keep the monsters inside the tunnel. Nobody needed it pointed out that if the monsters got past us and onto the platform, we'd be surrounded and die a most horrible death.

“Watch out!” Eryn's arrow took a Blightpede in the mouth as it lunged for my arm. I pulled away and spun, axe cleaving downward, but the blade glanced off its slick hide.

I activated my sigil just as Finn screamed for me, and I saw a light yellow aura covering the monsters.

Rusted ruin!

“These are stronger!”

There was nothing I could do as the third Blightpede's teeth clamped onto Finn's sword arm. Blood sprayed across his chest and Finn screamed.

I danced around, hacking at the monster, all the while dodging the others. Finally, my axe found purchase behind its head, and it flopped once and lay limp, seemingly deflating.

A crash resounded from behind – Garrett was losing his footing. Finn roared and mounted the second Blightpede, brass knuckles slapping against its head again and again, blood pouring from his right wrist where the hand was gone.

Before I could engage the last Blightpede, Garrett's shout drew my attention.

“Incoming!”

I cut down on pure instinct, slicing into the monster and turned. 

My throat closed up as a true monster lurched from Edwin's tunnel. Eight legs, four ending in ragged stumps, supported a massive body of rotting wood and writhing fungus. Ice covered the parts where it was wounded, but then the face came into view. Human-like features were twisted in a perpetual scream, half-alive, half-decayed, like the corruption itself had torn it apart and stitched it back but everything was wrong.

My eye sigil activated, and I cursed under my breath. A deep crimson aura surrounded the creature. 

A variant monster called the Woodweaver.

“Someone cover that tunnel!” Garrett cried and stumbled as a Ring Beetle battered his leg and the Branch Walker's claws raked his shoulder, tearing through his leather armour. Nina jumped around, stabbing down at a Beetle, doing her best to stay away from its mandibles.

I glanced at Eryn. Fear had drained the color from her face as she drew another arrow but couldn’t release it. Brown crap splashed around Finn as he hammered the Blightpede. There was still one left, and the Woodweaver was coming.

The image of Madrigal Ironweave facing down a horde of monsters flashed through my mind. He’d been just like us when he started out, a scavenger having risen through the ranks. 

A calm settled over me, one that I had never felt in such a situation.

“Finn! Hold for your life! I’m sorry!” I gripped my axe tight. “Just hold! Eryn, kill that portal-pissed Blightpede or he’s dead!”

The spider-thing screamed as I charged at it. I was committed and had to either attack or be killed. Before it could strike, I swung hard at the nearest limb, but my axe bounced off with a crack that jarred my bones. Pain flared up my arms and I cried out in surprise. It was like hitting a steelhusk tree.

The monster lunged, that horrific face snapping at me with teeth more fitting a gargoyle than a living being. I dove and rolled, coming up beneath its body. My axe found the joint of a back leg, but it barely scratched the surface.

Behind me, Nina screamed.

The spider's head bent down, doubling over and snapping at me. I poked its face with my axe, as much on instinct as plan, and it gurgled in rage and scrambled to get away from me. Despite it being inferior to the weapons our adventurer parties had used, the axe was extremely sharp and it still drew blood.

A leg caught me in the ribs, hitting harder than the time I'd lost grip on the mayor's horse mid-shoeing. My back cracked against the wall, pain exploding through me and for a moment, I though that was it.

Get up, get up, get up! Get up or they're all dead! Eryn, too!

I blinked my eyes clear just in time and scrambled aside as another leg stabbed down where I'd been a second ago. I rolled with the dodge and came up behind it. As the monster turned, I saw one of the remaining legs limping.

That one's already cracked! Get it! Go!

I feinted left and the monster turned its body to intercept, but then I struck out right, putting everything into a single blow at the damaged leg. The axe bit deep and something broke. The spider staggered on its three legs, shrieking. The sound drove ice picks into my skull, but I couldn't stop. Not when our lives were on the line.

“Die!” Garrett's voice went high as he cried in rage and pain. “Fucking die already!”

I pressed in again, ducking under the monster's attempt to bite. Another leg came for me, but I could see its weak spot. With all my strength, muscles built in long hours of hammering in the forge, I struck, and my axe found the joint.

Black blood splashed as the limb fell right off.

The creature screamed again. So did Nina, calling for her mother.

I didn't care. I couldn't. I had only one job to do, and that was making sure that this spider monster didn't get the others. If I ran, they’d be dead anyway. If I managed to hold it back long enough, the others might still live…

Chop, chop, chop.

Like felling a tree, I swung my axe hard and fast, aiming at the exposed joints. The monster tried to get me with one of its remaining legs, but it couldn't hold itself up and fight at the same time. Another swing, and another leg cracked. The spider collapsed with a loud hiss. It still had its mouth, but I darted around and stayed away from its face.

I wanted to look around the room and see how everyone else was doing, but I couldn't. Even a single misstep could end me. I climbed up the hind part of its body and stepped on top of its back. It was large, with a torso body, but because of all the legs and jagged edges, I barely managed to keep myself from falling.

The monster twisted its head around, but it couldn't quite see me. With a wicked grin, I got to work on its neck. Each blow was harder than the last. My arms burned. Sweat and blood stung my eyes, but I didn't stop.

Again.

And again.

And again.

I could feel my ears ringing and arms burning. My right wrist hurt so bad that for a moment I thought it had broken. Then, my voice caught up and I found myself screaming endlessly. My voice was raw, and dark blood covered my hands, arms, and the axe.

Wood splintered, corruption spurted, and then the head came free.

I gasped for air. Even my lungs burned. The platform swam before my eyes, and I had a hard time staying on my feet. There was blood everywhere. I blinked it away and searched for the others, praying to anyone willing to listen that they were alive.

Finn sat propped against the wall by the right tunnel, cradling his severed hand in his lap. Three dead Blightpedes lay around him, of which two had multiple arrow shafts sticking from their faces.

Eryn stood in the middle of the room, her left hand grasping the air above her empty quiver, again and again, eyes wide open and letting out a silent scream. Tears were rolling down her cheeks and pooling at her chin.

Garrett knelt by the second left passage, bleeding from his shoulder. His shield lay dented and torn beside him.

And Nina... she lay on her belly in a pool of red, a Ring Beetle's mandibles buried in her back, looking at me. She blinked her eyes twice and tried to roll, but she winced and stayed put.

Then all the sound came back at once, and I could hear myself breathing amidst the distant echo of battle coming from far inside Edwin's tunnel.

Riftside - chapter 2

I stumbled out into a hollow cavern of a room and immediately cleared my throat at the stench. For a moment I imagined myself standing in a rotting corpse, but it wasn’t that of a monster, but a great tree. The hair on my arms stood on end as if the place was charged with electricity.

The Titan's heartwood was missing, leaving a central shaft that vanished up into darkness like an oversized castle tower. The chamber stretched maybe a hundred yards across, with a spiral path winding up the walls to an entrance in the ceiling far above. Bioluminescent fungi clung to the walls, casting everything in pale blue light. Ancient tree rings glowed faintly, marking time in centuries. Sap oozed down the walls and pooled on the floor.

A screech of chitin on wood yanked my attention back to where we were and I steeled myself. With a twitch of my eye, I activated my sigil and a gentle green glow appeared around a monster. They were Ring Beetles—knee-high insects with armored shells and massive mandibles. A few had come out to battle the adventurers, scuttling across the wood like living drills, their legs ending in hooked claws that let them climb in all directions.

Edwin's orders echoed around the room, and the insects charged him, his taunt driving them mad. They shrieked in unison and then attacked.

With the creatures scratching at the commander's armor and his tower shield, one of the other adventurers, a man with a conical hat, breathed out a cone of cold, slowing all their movement and attacking speed. The other adventurers waded in, ending the monsters in seconds.

Beetle bodies hit the ground after being slashed, smashed, or blown into pieces, with green ichor spraying everywhere.

“Clear!” Edwin said and sheathed his sword as a golden light surrounded him, healing what little damage he'd taken. “The first group is dead. Scavengers, grab the corpses. Adventurers, save your storages. We're going up to the next level.”

One of the other scavenger groups hurried forward—I recognized their leader, Marcus, a scarred man who'd lost an eye to a dusk attack last month. His team descended on the beetle corpses, and they vanished in seconds.

“These claws, they'll be worth a fortune!” one said.

“I'm selling mine to the alchemists,” another added. “Green gooey ichor? It has to be useful for potions.”

My fingers itched to join them, but Garrett held us back.

“Plenty more where those came from,” he said quietly. “Let them have this batch.”

He wasn't wrong. The further up we’d go, the more valuable the carcasses should be. As long as the adventurers kept pushing and didn't turn back before we got our fill. Considering the whole purpose of this expedition, I didn't doubt we'd be here for a few hours at least.

Nina leaned on her spear and smiled.

“Who thought I'd ever fight in a goddamn tree? What I wouldn't give to find beautiful roiling grasslands Riftside, and then a horse who wouldn't go mad while passing through the portal.”

“Why'd you come here then?” I asked. “If you like grassland, why not head to the Humming Void rift? We used to live there. Flat as an anvil's face.”

“You don't get it. No point being in the grassland without proper cavalry.” She sighed. “I just miss horses, is all. Damn portal corruption. Did I tell you about the noble bastard who bought my best gelding and brought it through as a test? As if the hundreds of tests before hadn't been enough. Once I get my class, if I see him again—”

I tuned them out, watching the ringed walls. Marcus' group had stored the beetles and were preparing to move on. The third team, led by a giant grumpy guy named Rasek who I'd never seen smile once, kept watch with us.

Steel rang on wood above, followed by inhuman screeches. We all tensed, weapons rising. The whomp of an explosive spell echoed down the spiral path, mixing with shouts and the wet sounds of violence.

“Form up!” Garrett snapped. “Only attack trash mobs if they come through!”

I stepped back and raised my axe. One of the main reasons why adventurers brought us was to guard the path out. Nobody wanted to get cut off and be trapped in a dungeon, though in all honesty, there wasn’t much we could do but kill the weakest of monsters. Sometimes that was enough. Just making sure they didn’t all gather in a single spot and flanked the adventurers.

“Who died and made you captain?” Marcus shot back, his remaining eye narrowing.

Rasek stepped forward, his scar-covered arms crossed.

“We take orders from Commander Edwin, not some ex-guard.”

“The portal needs to—”

“Don't tell me what and—” Markus continued to argue, cutting him off.

“Both of you, shut it!” Nina hissed. “Listen!”

The fighting above had stopped. My heart was beating fast as I strained to hear what was going on up there.

“Scavengers!” Edwin's voice boomed down. “First platform. Move!”

We scrambled up the spiral path, boots slipping on sap-slick wood. The path wound up and up until my legs burned, but I kept on running. If anyone lagged behind, they’d either be left by themselves or pull the entire party back.

I really should jog more. Make sure I can keep up.

After a minute, we reached a broad platform carved into the living wood. It was so straight and round that it looked as if someone had carved it all out by hand. Two massive branches split off there, each one as wide as a city street. Both tunnels vanished into darkness. 

Corpses lay strewn against the walls of the platform, burned. I counted six carcasses, my new sigil naming them as Branch Walkers. Their impossibly long limbs were twisted in death, and joints bent backward, bodies folded in ways that made my stomach turn. Beside them lay seven Sap Seekers, their crystalline eyes dark and lifeless. Blue blood was mixed with golden sap on the platform's floor.

My sigil provided the names, but once dead, the monsters had no glow to indicate their power relative to my own. The chance of them being anything but green or yellowish was very small, which meant that even we could fight them.

Edwin stood at the center, his shield bearing new scrapes.

“Easy enough fight, but we've got a tactical situation. We can't leave these branches unchecked. Too much risk of being flanked. However, the resistance has been minimal so far.” He planted his shield on the ground and leaned against it. “New plan. My team continues up to scout the next platform. Teams two and three take a branch each, followed by one scavenger group. Garrett, your group stays here, gather the carcasses, and then move up to the next floor when we're done. Questions?”

None came as there wasn't much to say. We were to follow orders and gather as many carcasses as we could, and that was an order I intended to follow to the letter.

As they headed out, Garrett stepped into the middle of the floor and caught our attention.

“No greed now, yeah? Equal division until we each got our five, then we get the chance to swap out corpses for new ones, starting with the highest level.”

“So once we are all full, you'll take the best corpse?” I asked.

“Yes, because I am the highest level.”

“And I'm the lowest,” I said with a flat stare.

“Yes. But, we follow standard looting rules. Once I accept a new corpse, I'm at the bottom of the list until you all accept a new one.”

“Fine. But that's only once everyone's storage is full, right?” I asked again, wanting to make sure everyone heard it.

“Of course.”

“So if you all have filled your storage and something awesome drops—”

“Why would the adventurers leave something awesome? It'll be all trash mobs for us,” Nina said, sounding a bit annoyed by my questioning.

“Just agreeing on the rules,” I said, raising my hands as the adventurers ascended toward the next floor. “As I was saying, if something awesome drops, anyone with a free slot gets first dibs.”

“Sure,” Garrett said. “But you don't get to leave carcasses behind just to keep a slot free.”

I nodded.

“Of course.”

We split the monsters, each getting a Branch Walker and a Sap Seeker, with Garrett taking the additional Branch Walker, while Nina and Finn took an extra Sap Seeker.

“Wonder what they'll be used for,” Eryn said as she stored a Branch Walker, her spatial storage tattoo glowing faintly on her left wrist with each transfer. “With the way their limbs work, maybe the bowyers will want their tendons?”

“I bet the alchemists will want the Sap Seekers' eyes,” Finn said. “Notice how they look like crystals?”

“Or maybe the enchanters.” Nina shrugged. “Could make for pretty jewelry. Nobles like pretty.”

“I don't care either way,” I said. “I'm bringing one of each to my Pa to butcher up and see what they can be used for.”

“Pretty exciting, isn't it?” Eryn asked. “Getting to see new monsters before anyone else.”

“Why did they wait so long to go for this dungeon?” Nina asked. “So far this is all bottom-tier monsters? I've seen the adventurers struggle worse with stuff in the killing field.”

Pa had been wondering the same. It didn't make sense for the guild to let the portal be attacked again and again when they could at least attempt to clear the dungeon and slow the monster waves. Would give the village much-needed breathing space. Not that I was complaining about them waiting until today. My upgraded inventory had been my ticket to joining, the commander knowing full well the more resources we brought back, the stronger we'd all grow, despite him harping on about not focusing on loot.

“Could be they were farming the monsters and letting people grind levels out quicker?” I said with a shrug. “Easy loot when they have to just step out of the walls and gather the carcasses instead of going out and hunting monsters.”

“It's slowing the town's development, and—” Garrett trailed off as an explosion sounded from the left branch. Before we could react, roars and sounds of combat echoed down from the right, almost as if both sides had been attacked simultaneously.

I held my breath, listening to steel meeting chitin and steel-like bark armor, to screams both human and otherwise, to the creaking of the living wood around us.

I stepped closer to Eryn, axe firmly in hand, and glanced upwards.

Suddenly, Edwin's voice rang out as he taunted, but it was followed by a curse.

“Incoming! They're in the wood!”

Movement flickered along the wall. Four bulbs, like peas in a pod, moving inside the wall.

“Loose!” I said, and Eryn sent an arrow straight at the closest, thudding into the wood. Green goo ran down the haft to drip from the fletching, but whatever was inside the wall kept moving.

“Form up!” Garrett's voice cracked like a whip, and we took our spots around Eryn, with Garrett at the front with his shield at the ready.

The bulbs reached our level, and four Ring Beetles blasted from the wall, surrounded by white liquid, their shells gleaming wet. Their clawed limbs scored the wood as they scuttled toward us.

I activated my sigil again, just to make sure. They were surrounded by a light green glow that meant we should be able to take them.

Garrett stabbed at the first, piercing straight through its face. I went left, axe swinging in an overhead chop at a bug attempting to flank him, catching it just behind the head. The blade bit deep, nearly killing it, but got stuck in the armored shell. To my right, Nina let out a battlecry of her own as I yanked on my weapon, but the bug stubbornly stayed attached.

Come on!

I turned to see Nina falling to the ground, scooting backward, her lance held horizontally in front of her and a beetle's mandibles clicking against it.

Eryn drew and loosed another arrow, but it ricocheted off the creature’s carapace.

Garrett and Finn were busy with the fourth, and unable to help.

Muscles fighting to free my weapon, I heaved on the axe, lifting the entire bug into the air, legs feebly moving. 

One step. 

Two steps. 

My arms and back burned with every move. With a roar, I brought the axe-bug combo down like a sledgehammer on the bug attacking Nina. The axe crunched through, coming loose as it killed one, and stunned the other. Nina scrambled back and stood as I raised my axe and cleft the bug's face like a log.

My heart thundered in my throat as if I'd relocated Pa's anvil after that stunt. I quickly turned to see Finn's short sword cut across the final monster's eyes, blinding it before Garrett's spear found the softer underbelly. His stats were more than a match for the trash mob.

For a moment, silence fell, and then I cheered. Finn joined me, then the others.

Suddenly, Edwin came jogging down the ramp but slowed upon seeing us.

“You alright? Sounded like you were getting slaughtered down there!”

Garrett waved a hand at him.

“All good, commander! Just four beetles and the exhilaration of combat.”

I grinned up at the adventurer, my axe dripping with goo.

He shook his head but a grin was plastered across his face.

“Good to hear, but get your asses up here. We've got a problem.”

We stored the corpses, everyone getting their third, with Garrett and Nina getting their fourth, and then headed up.

I took a deep breath and smiled at Eryn, who smiled back.

This is what I wanted. This is what it would feel like all the way up to level sixty, so I took it all in, burning muscles, monster blood and all.

I gagged almost as we stepped onto the next platform at the stench coming from the monsters.

“Take them, quick,” Edwin said, standing in the opening of a branch, nodding at the five monster corpses. Blightpedes, as my sigil told me, were strewn across the platform. Nine feet long, rotting centipedes, like black husks with no legs, only a wide opening in front filled with an uncomfortable amount of teeth. Brown liquid oozed from their wounds as if someone had taken a wet crap in a bag and poked it full of holes.

The adventurers held their noses, standing just inside another two branches, as far from the bodies as possible.

“Hurry, damn it!” the wizard said, waving his staff at us. “If this stink sets in my good robe, I might never get it out!”

“One each,” Garrett said and moved to store his.

I rushed over to the largest one and swiftly touched and swiped it into my inventory. It really did feel like a crap-filled bag and I hated it.

“Eryn!” Garrett said when she prodded hers with a toe but made no move to grab it.

“It's icky!”

“God damn it,” Finn said, and stalked over, grabbing hers as well. “And I'm keeping it. Something this stinky has to be valuable.”

“You are more than welcome to it,” Eryn said, gagging as Nina laughed at her.

“Problem solved, commander,” Garrett said and touched a hand to his helmet.

Edwin barked out a laugh.

“That was just courtesy, Garrett. You'll smell worse as an adventurer, but Benedict is a bit particular about his clothing, aren't you?”

“Hey!” the wizard said. “The ladies like sharply dressed men. Right? Besides, I’ve got an image to uphold.”

He looked at Eryn and smiled, angling his coned hat.

“Sure. But I prefer them to be younger than my father.”

“Bah!” He waved a hand. “Underneath this beard, my face is like a—”

“Enough,” Edwin said, and everyone quieted. “As I said, the smell wasn't the problem. That is.”

He pointed upwards, and we all looked up.

“Monster muck,” Finn said.

Far above was another flat roof made all out of wood, with tiny glowing mushrooms dotting it. What it lacked was any kind of opening. And that's when I realized that the platform even lacked a proper walkway.

“It's a labyrinth,” I said, looking around at the three branches.

The commander nodded, and his scarred face pulled tight as he pursed his lips. “We're at a breakpoint. We either need to pause here and wait for the other groups to catch up, or go back down and help them clear their branches.”

“Why? The combat is nothing,” Benedict said. “Just trash mobs. Might as well be killing flies. I bet there's something amazing up there on the higher floors. Something that—”

“No glory chasing,” Edwin said, eyeing the three branches, fingers tapping a rhythm on his shield. The man had it all: levels, gear, and skill, but the rumour said it hadn’t come cheap. They said he'd lost a lot of friends ever since he started adventuring. And every time he lost someone, the resolve to be a better Commander only grew.

“Can we afford to wait?” the warrior in Edwin's group said. “You said it yourself. We need to be efficient. If we take too long—”

“Then we might get caught in a monster wave. Today’s wave never came,” their healer said. He was an old man with a long silver beard, yet moved like someone in their prime. “Sentinel Station will have to weather it without us, and we'll get the joy of finding out if the monsters first hunt before charging mindlessly at the rift.”

I glanced at the right branch. It was like a polished wooden floor. One streaked with black rot. I studied it for a long moment and then shook my head. The tree was a mystery all in itself, and no matter how much I’d love to explore every branch, it wasn't meant to be.

I glanced at the two leading left once I pushed the thought away. Which one was supposed to lead up?

Nina began speaking, but Garrett silenced her with a look.

Benedict threw his arms up.

“What the hell are we waiting for? Come on, let's do something! Anything!”

“The right decision,” Edwin said, lifting his shield with a sigh, “Would be to return to the previous intersection—”

“And let Shay find the good stuff?” Benedict huffed at where the dead centipedes had been. “Edwin! We could two-man these trash mobs easily! You and me! Hell! The scavenger team has kicked their ass!”

“A poor argument for diving ahead,” Edwin said. “You got a point, but the situation remains. We can't leave our flank open. The scavenger party would be overrun. Not just that, but I'm a bit disappointed, Benedict. Greed doesn't suit you.”

My spatial storage was barely half full. If Edwin decided to wait until the others re-joined, what loot would I miss out on? Maybe we'd even end up calling it a day before I’d get to fill up.

I traded a glance with Garrett and nodded. We could do this. I didn’t want to go home with an empty storage. None of us did.

“Commander,” Garrett said, raising a hand. “We can definitely hold this platform unless a monster variant shows up.”

“Totally, Commander,” I chimed in. “We'll do right by everyone.”

“And since there are three branches here, you can clear one out before the others arrive. If they catch up, we'll send them down the other tunnels.

“Too risky,” the commander replied. His jaw tightened. “No offense, but—”

“We easily killed four,” I said, hefting my axe. “They went down like rotted wood. Trust me, we’ll have your backs or we die trying.”

“Yes, but only because they were trash mobs,” Edwin said calmly but firmly. Still, he stared out into the branch ahead of us. “Who knows what else lurks in there.”

“Then you won't go far,” Garrett said. “And we'll be fine holding this place. So far the monsters haven't been charging up or down the branches on their own, right?”

Eryn fidgeted with her bow beside me.

“Just one branch,” Benedict said, sighing theatrically. “We can handle it. They can handle it. You've seen how easy it is. Just think about what we might find!”

“And that, my good man, is exactly what I'm worried about,” Edwin said, raising his voice. He stood there for a short moment, obviously lost in thought, but then straightened. “Very well. Adventurers, on me. Garrett, watch our backs but don't be afraid to retreat if things get hairy. We'll fight our way back if we must.”

“Yes, commander,” Garrett said, straightening to attention. 

It was probably a habit from his guard days.

I smiled, my hand tightening around the axe's shaft. Once they cleared out a few monsters, they'd have to call us in to store the carcasses.

Perfect!

“We move slow,” Edwin said, turning to his team. Then his eyes settled on Benedict. “If anything feels wrong, sounds wrong, or looks wrong, we're falling back. Is that understood?”

Benedict grinned as he held up his staff. I swear I saw ice crystals forming in his beard.

“They won't know what froze them.”

“Okay then.” Edwin turned from his team and pointed at the right passage. “Let's go up this—”

“Left is best!” Benedict said.

Edwin took a slow breath. “Fine. Left it is. Keep your shields up and your eyes open. No glory hunting.”

Riftside - chapter 1

“Today we are fielding three adventuring parties and three scavenger groups,” a commanding voice said, speaking over the hushed whispers. It belonged to a man who had dedicated all of his life to adventuring and keeping people safe: Commander Edwin Rothers. “This afternoon, I expect to see the same number return home from the dungeon. Remember, this run isn't about glory or loot.”

It kind of is, though. Loot, that is. At least for me.

I shifted on my feet, excited to go out on my first dungeon run.

“The Twisted Titan's spawn rates are threatening to overwhelm the rift staging base. Our mission is simple: cull the numbers to reduce the pressure on our walls, and return home alive and well. And no, don't even try going after any variants. I'm looking at you, Richard. You and your group especially.”

The group chuckled, and so did the rest of those present. It was important to stress the danger but also keep the mood light whenever possible. The commander’s voice carried across Sentinel Station's gathering yard, his words as crisp as the morning air. He was a broad-shouldered man wearing stone-grey plate armor that encased his whole body. The man stood ramrod straight atop a steelhusk tree stump, both hands leaning on his massive tower shield. His tone was as grave as the heavy scarring running down the left side of his face. 

A larger than life warrior.

I'd love to get a closer look at the riveting on his chest plate. If Pa could make that in the forge, we'd make a fortune. Wonder what monster material it's made out of…

His sharp gaze swept over us—thirty faces in total, fifteen adventurers and fifteen scavengers. One day I'd be among the adventurers, not relegated to scavenging duties, but that day was still a ways out.

My gaze drifted past him to the massive shape dominating the horizon as he continued. The Twisted Titan was truly massive and spawned more monsters than any other dungeon within the rift. It was a colossal steelhusk tree that stretched up into the clouds, its bulk somehow both magnificent and wrong at the same time. The right side looked dead, massive sheets of bark peeling away like rust on plate mail while the left writhed with life and purpose. Purple-black veins of corruption ran across both sides.

“We'll move in formation: the three adventurer groups take point, creating a forward triangle. Scavenger teams will maintain a minimum fifty-yard distance behind us and focus on their designated groups. Your job is resource gathering and trash mob cleanup only. Do not—I repeat—do not engage primary targets or attempt to assist in main combat scenarios. Greed and glory are your two worst enemies out here, not the monsters. Got it?”

My heart hammered against my ribs in excitement, and I nodded with a smile.

Ten good carcasses is all I'm asking for. Just enough to fill my spatial storage and get out alive.

I scratched the magical tattoo on my left wrist as Edwin droned on about positioning and allocation. Maybe it was just my imagination, but an empty storage always felt off when I was riftside, and now, more so than ever.

Only dungeon runs I'd been to were those already cleared and mapped-out. It was as exciting and profitable as forging horseshoes, but this? This was the real deal.

Ma thought I was crazy, but I knew Pa understood. He got the same way if too much time passed without him hammering metal, and since we were just starting out in a new place, we needed all the work we could get.

I looked back at the Branchway rift, set in the center of the base camp. Six months ago it had appeared, and all kinds of monsters poured into our world. After the adventuring guild and the royal army dealt with the initial surge, the king had sent out a call for pioneers to settle, defend, and explore the new rift. Couldn't have been better timed for us after what happened with the old forge.

But now we were here and ready to start a new life. 

A barely touched rift, unexplored and waiting to be looted. I frowned at the forty-foot-wide circle standing straight. More perfectly round than anything forged. And damn, the thing was so thin from the side it could cut like nothing's business.

If only they'd let me use it to trim steel, we could quadruple production. But they wouldn't let anyone mess with the rift. The liquid-like green surface was off-limits for anything but passing through.

I took a deep breath of the riftside forest air. The steelhusk trees made it taste differently. Metallic and sharp, a bit like the forge. It was an acquired taste, one that I’d learned to enjoy.

“If there are no more questions, we leave by the west gate in five minutes. Gear up.”

Edwin's words snapped me back to attention as the various groups dissolved to make final preparations before we headed out.

I wandered towards one of Sentinel Station's two heavy gates, set in the palisade anchored between massive steelhusks. Every day monsters attacked the camp's defenses, seeking to enter our world, but so far they never managed to get through but for the initial surge. There were never many of them, but day in day out the numbers steadily grew.

Next to the gate stood the Soul Tablet, and I joined the line of scavengers slowly passing it by taking the chance to glance at their statistics before heading out. Some hid it from view, keeping their details a secret, while some bragged.

When it was my turn, I touched my palm to the black surface, and my information appeared on the tablet.

NAME: Ash Aldrich

LEVEL: 3 (1/4)

STRENGTH: 14

AGILITY: 11

VITALITY: 12

MIND: 11

TOTAL STATS: 48

The work in the smithy had paid of, and with eight points above the average guy my age, I had nothing to be ashamed of. 

Not caring if the next in line saw, I passed through the gate and stared across the killing field, the others milling around me. Two hundred yards of cleared ground dotted with steelhusk stumps, followed by the beautiful and thick forest. One that was hiding untold riches. The metallic ring of steelhusk breakers sounded from the two logging teams working under heavy guard to expand the wide open space, and to bring the valuable material back through the rift to Dawnwatch.

“Stand firm until we're back, baby,” Garrett said and demonstrably kissed the scarred palisade, drawing laughs from both Finn and Nina. I shook my head at the leader of our scavenger group but couldn't quite hide a grin.

Silly bastard.

“Don't you judge me,” he said, hefting his shield and spear. “Twenty years as a city guard and nine times out of ten it got me safely home to my wife, every time.”

“And the other?” Finn asked, tapping his brass knuckles on his short sword.

“Only right for a man to visit a tavern now and then, ain't it?”

Eryn, our fifth member, rolled her eyes at me as Finn laughed.

“Yes, but—” Nina's comment was interrupted by the clang of a bell and everyone stopped.

Once.

My stomach tensed and I reached across my shoulder, grabbing the haft of my two-handed axe. Then the bell rang again.

Twice.

We waited for a long moment, but the third clang never came.

“That's for us! Head out!” Edwin called out, and I relaxed. 

The scouts that had gone to the Twisted Titan had returned, giving our group the all clear that we could head out.

“You all ready for today?” Garrett said, growing serious as we left the camp's safety behind.

“Ready and eager,” I said. “We'll finally get a chance at proper loot.”

“You heard the commander,” Nina chided. “Don't take any—”

“I know, I know. Our goal is to reduce the attacks on the camp and risk of them breaking through to the village. But be honest, Nina. Aren't you a little excited for some proper loot?”

“Sure, but it won't do us no good if we die,” she replied and nudged me with her shoulder.

“Don't talk like that,” Eryn said, tapping Nina's back with her composite shortbow. “Nobody dies on my watch, alright? I’ll wrap you all up in bandage and make mummies out of you.”

“No offense, but until you get a healing class all I see is an archer, and not a good one at that,” Nina laughed.

“Hey, hey!” Garrett said. “Ladies. Teammates.” He interlaced his fingers. “Strong together, yeah?”

“Yes, Garrett,” the two said in unison, and I swear they both rolled their eyes even though I couldn’t see their faces.

“Now, when we get back, fight all you like. But out here?”

“We all pull in the same direction,” Nina said, exasperated, tapping her spear. 

It was an old repurposed lance that had seen better days, but it was good enough to ram through most enemies.

“That's right,” Garrett said and smiled at our 'healer'.

“So,” Eryn said, falling into step beside me, adjusting her blonde ponytail. “What's the blacksmith's apprentice looking for today?”

“Materials. Always materials,” I replied and smiled up at the distant dungeon barely visible through the foliage. “This is my chance to get something good. Something to get our head above the water on the payments for the smithy. Maybe even a mind gem for myself.”

“Just one?”

“I'm one away from level four now.”

“Ahh, I see.” A knowing smile tugged at her lips. “You are such a rifthead.”

Despite how comfortable I felt around Eryn, heat still crept up my neck and I chuckled. We hadn’t pushed it further than going out for a drink a few times, but there was definitely something. I may be young, but I wasn’t blind.

“Aren't we all in a way?”

“True.”

“What about you?”

Eryn sighed, gazing in among the thick trees flanking the path. 

“Don't tell Nina, but she's not wrong.”

“Bet that hurts.”

“You have no idea.” Eryn bounced me with her elbow, grumbling as all she did was send herself stumbling. “Damn you and your muscles,” she grumbled.

“Don't damn the thing potentially standing between you and a bunch of ravaging monsters. Especially when it's this amazing,” I said and grinned at her.

She huffed, but I knew it was good-natured.

“So, how many do you need?” I asked, relaxed, knowing the adventurers were spread out in a wide V formation out front.

“Too many. Three more to level five, and then, you know, another forty until I get to level ten.”

“Not to mention the class gem,” Finn said, falling back to join us. “We talking gems, right?”

I nodded.

He held up two fingers.

“Then I'll hit level six. What about you guys? Garrett? Nina?”

“Only one little sweet gem away from nine!” Garrett said proudly.

“Oh! I hadn't heard,” Nina said. “Congratulations.”

Garrett held up his hand.

“No. Don't jinx me. Nothing's done until it's done. And as Finn said, I'll still need the class gem.”

“Better than me at least,” Nina said. “I just hit level five.”

“Then you're only three gems ahead,” Eryn said. “I'll be a proper healer before you, just wait and see.”

“Difference is I can fight, now. I don't need to wait for my class to be useful,” Nina muttered as she glared at Eryn.

“You're such a bitch,” Eryn said, and they both broke into laughter.

I shared a glance with Finn and just shrugged.

“So, what'll you do when you get your class?” he asked me.

“I'm going all the way up to sixty,” I said without a hint of hesitation. 

And I'm going to get there before any of you even get to thirty. Just watch me.

“Oh?” Eryn raised an eyebrow. “Didn't know you were that ambitious.”

Finn chuckled.

“What are you, some secret noble? No way some blacksmith can afford enough mind gems to hit sixty. Let alone all the class gems for the breakthroughs.”

I just smiled at him. It didn't matter what people thought. I would get there through sheer will and tenacity. Unless a giant monster stepped on me or something, but I pushed that thought away as I didn't want to jinx myself.

“What else? Might as well get yourself a soulforged weapon, set up a new guild, and carve out a rift for yourself!”

Nina laughed at how ridiculous her words sounded, but it didn't matter.

They didn't know Ma had bought a tenth mind gem yesterday, from Victor, the alchemist. Nor how I had used it to upgrade my spatial storage. I'd be higher level than Finn if I'd used the gems for level ups instead. But now? With twice the storage capacity I would hopefully blaze ahead.

Wonder who will notice my new eye sigil first.

Soon I'd leave the scavengers and join those up ahead.

The adventurers.

I looked at them, the ones who would slay the monsters, and thought of the looks they got. How people treated them. And the gear they wore. Brilliant. I wanted that, too. Yearned for it. Then I could truly help my family. Change their lives forever, and nobody would force us out again.

As Garrett launched into another of his tales, something about a drunk noble and a chicken, Eryn bumped me again. 

“Are you scared?” she whispered with a wink.

“Not really.” I shook my head, lying. “This close to a rift, the dungeon should be well within the level requirements for the adventurers. I think today is going to be one of the best and most profitable days of our lives.”

Any new monster we managed to bring back home would pay multiples. Not all types of monsters made a run on the rifts, and any new discoveries were highly valuable.

The Twisted Titan loomed closer with every step, and somewhere in its depths, gold in the shape of monsters waited.

A while later, we stood at the base of the Twisted Titan. My head was tilted back until my neck hurt.

There at its feet, the sheer wrongness of it hit harder than from the distance. All thirty of us gathered in loose clusters, our boots crunching on the dead-looking soil, mist curling around our feet.

Of course it smells of mold and death. Why wouldn't it? Eww.

Nothing grew within fifty yards of the trunk as if the tree itself was sapping all life away. If one of its gigantic branches broke off, it'd probably squash us all.

Gods. Wouldn't that be a way to go out, huh? Killed by a tree.

“Tall son of a bitch, ain't it?” Garrett said.

“About the size of my—” Finn started.

“Shortsword?” Nina finished for him, and Eryn chuckled as she checked her bow's string for the umpteenth time.

I spit into the palms of my gloves and ran them along the haft of my axe, preparing for whatever was to come. We'd only encountered several small groups of monsters on our way to the dungeon, and they’d been easily taken care of and looted by the adventurers. Two of the monsters managed to get through, but none had gone for our party. That only left more room in our storage for any new type of monster.

Garrett shifted beside me, his speartip tracking up along the tree.

“Quiet morning.”

“Seems the scouts spoke true,” Eryn said. “As long as we head back before a new wave can form, then we’re—”

“Gather,” Commander Edwin's voice resounded. “Form up by the portal.”

The gateway looked tiny against the Titan's base, but it still had to be at least the size of the Branchway. Though this was a swirling darkness shot through with purple lightning, there was no green in sight. The corruption veins in the bark all seemed to flow toward it, like rivers of poison feeding a blackened sea.

I suppressed a shiver, but a bit of fear was always good. Made us think twice before we did anything stupid.

The Commander raised his tower shield.

“Adventurers, triangle formation. Since this is our first time in this dungeon, we stick to the basics. Watch your backs, call your targets, maintain sight lines. Now, let's show them what the people of Noros do to monsters!”

With a cheer, the fifteen adventurers stepped forward, spreading into their three groups of five. Heavy infantry in front, ranged support behind, the practiced formations of people who knew their business. Their gear was solid—a few pieces forged by Pa's hands, and some even aided by my own. A sense of pride washed over me, and I smiled inwardly.

“Scavengers,” Edwin continued, “Minimum safe distance. Portal defence and looting are your priorities. If anything above a trash mob makes it past us, do not throw your lives away. Are we clear?”

“Clear,” Garrett answered for our group. The other scavenger team-leaders replied as well.

Edwin nodded and stepped through the portal, the darkness swallowing him soundlessly.

One by one, the adventurers followed. My heart hammered in my chest as our turn came. Finn went first, then Nina, Garrett, and Eryn.

I stepped into blackness last and my world twisted.

Writing update: Riftside Finished!

Hey everyone!

Yesterday I finished writing Riftside, with 3 chapters totalling over 8000 words!

Phew! What a sprint to the end :)

Cassius also edited through them yesterday, and we agreed it is a pretty good ending to this first book.

Let me know in the comments if you'd like to know how many chapters it is in total, or whether that'd be a spoiler.

Next up for me is doing some admin work now preparing for a run on Royal Road and the release, but my goal is to start putting down words on book 2 in time to have it up by the time you guys catch up to the end of book 1. That's the goal.

With us coming towards the end, please let me know if you have any questions on the world of Riftside, the characters' background, the way the system works, or anything else. And of course, if you have any questions or comments on Qing's Quest, I'm all ears!

Thank you so much for all your support in writing this. I am thrilled with how well the story has turned out, and can't wait to see how the wider community reacts to it.

Wish you all a wonderful Wednesday.

Best regards,

Henrik

Riftside Cover Reveal

Thank you so much for all your support during the writing of Riftside.

Knowing that you are reading along with me as I write (and Cassius edits) has really pushed me to keep moving forward, even in a challenging time (with the new baby and the natural reduction in sleep).

Wanted to share with you all here first, the cover for Riftside book 1!

As for the writing, we are now ≈7-10 chapters from finishing book 1, and plan to dive straight into book 2 as we have the plan for what is to happen.

Wishing you an absolutely outstanding end of the week!

Update - 31th Jan

Hey everyone!

Apologies for not posting yesterday. Newly minted daddy brain is only excuse. So posted two chappies today.

Also, I think I forgot to mention it, but I've changed Lyra's name to Eryn because I just realised I already used Lyra as name for one of the secondary characters in my haremlit story, and didn't want to have it in two books.

Let me know if you have any questions, and I wish you an absolutely outstanding day!

Best regards,

Henrik

Happy Chinese New Year's Eve!

Happy Chinese New Year's Eve! Hope you have had a wonderful year of the dragon, and wish you all the best for the year of the snake, which is said (according to google) to be a great year for transformation, growth, and introspection.

As a new dad, this is guaranteed to be a transformational year, and one of growth, as he is teaching me so much already!

I perceive this will also be transformative for my writing career, with tremendous growth from the Riftside series, Qing's Quest audio coming out, and the other projects I've got up my sleeve :)
And, introspection will be important to stay on the course!

Happy Chinese New Year!

-Henrik

Retcon update on story

Heya everyone!

Had a chat with Cassius and decided we wanted to introduce the progression elements a bit earlier in the story to show that they are in fact becoming stronger.

It was mentioned earlier in text that the statistic gains happen upon the breakthroughs, and that is unchanged. That is when the massive changes happen.
But, what I'll be editing into the story is that Ash and Lyra experience some stat improvements during their hunts, as a result of fighting monsters.

This is something most people wouldn't see as it'd be too dangerous for them to go kill the amount of monsters Ash and Lyra are before they are classed. And once they are classed... Well, I won't spoil anything about that.

But, here is what has happened:

The following changes is made to Ash's stats:

+1 vitality after the scuttler hunt

+1 str and +1 vitalty after platemaw/shardfang hunt

+1 agility after fight in crystal cave

Lyra gained +1 agility after the platemaw/shardfang hunt and +1 agility after the crystal cave hunt

Also, I would really appreciate any input or comments on the system so far. What do you think of it? Does it work for you? Seen any gaps we've missed or inconsistencies?

Thank you very much for the support as always, and wish you an outstanding day!

-Henrik

Isekaied <3

Yesterday our son was isekaied into this world!
No idea which world he came from before, but he is certainly perfect :D
My wife is doing well, and we'll stay at hospital today and head home on Sunday!
Wish you all an absolutely outstanding weekend!

Best regards,

Henrik, a newly minted father.

Happy new year from Shanghai!

I wish you the very happiest of new years, and thank you so much for your support in 2024.

It has been an absolute crazy year, and I have a feeling 2025 is going to get even crazier.

Here we are still waiting for our son to decide it is time to grace us with his presence, so the days are filled with waiting. Managing to get some decent writing done though, which is nice.

Hope you are able to look back at 2024 and remember the good moments. Three highlights for me was my wife waking me up and telling me she was pregnant, publishing Qing's Quest 1, and us selling our apartment and renting instead, reducing the stress and increasing our freedom.

May 2025 be a year where you take the time to enjoy and appreciate the good parts of your life, and may they be plenty.

Best greetings,

Henrik

Tiny Weekend update

Heya everyone!

Wanted to send a quick weekend update and show you the placeholder cover for Riftside (and let you know this is the new working title for the current story)!

We'll be getting a proper cover for it later, but wanted something to be able show when talking about the story.

I've also sent the manuscript for QQ3 sent over to Tantor for the audio book, and recording for book 1 starts soon, and it'll be released 29th April.

And in more familial news, my wife is now in the 37th week of pregnancy, so we are expecting our little bundle of joy any day now, though there is still a couple weeks left til due date. I'm working to write up a few chapters so I'll have some backlog for when that happens, and I'll keep you all in the loop.

Wish you all an outstanding weekend, and thank you so much for all your support. It really means the world to me!

Best regards,

Henrik

News Update! The new story

Hi everyone,

As mentioned in the last update, I've looked at co-writing a story with another LitRPG writer, one who has a ton of experience and several kick ass series beneath his belt.

And we decided to do it!

I'm happy to announce I'm co-writing a story with Cassius Lange, who might be most known for his Mimic & Me series, though he has 43 great titles in total.

In our collaboration I'm the one writing the draft and he is doing the editing, and we have come up with/are making the story structure, plot, and characters together.

It means the book is going to read closer to my prose, since I do the first draft, but even more polished.

So what's the book about, you might ask.

Work in progress title (likely to change):

Pioneer of the Rifts: When Weapons Awaken

An uplifting LitRPG adventure story

This is planned as an uplifting LitRPG story set in a rapidly evolving medieval fantasy world. Picture a classic sword and sorcery setting that's being transformed by the discovery of monster gems - imagine medieval streets lit by crystalline lamps powered by monster cores, or blacksmiths using gem-enhanced forges.

The world has been changed by rifts - tears in reality leading to another world that spawn monsters and dungeons. These rifts aren't just threats; they're catalysts for change. The gems harvested from monsters are revolutionizing everything from combat to daily life, creating a unique blend of traditional medieval fantasy with emerging magical technology. While most people focus on defending against these threats, Ash, our blacksmith's apprentice protagonist, sees them as opportunities.

What can you expect?

• Clean LitRPG (no harem or s3x in this one) with a clear progression system

• A medieval fantasy world in transition, where monster gems are driving rapid technological and social changes

• A positive, uplifting tone. This is different than Qing's Quest, and I'm more focusing on making a dangerous and exciting world where we'd love to go if we could.

• A relatable MC, who don't start out as broken as Qing, but someone you can cheer for from the start, though he will have plenty of challenges to overcome too!

• Slower, earned progression rather than instant power-ups

• Found family elements

• Stakes that matter to the characters without being world-ending

• ****** (Redacted) that develop over time

• A bright, hopeful world despite its dangers

• Frontier exploration and settlement building near rifts

First chapter goes up now, and plan is to do 5 chapters a week.

If you enjoy adventure stories about characters who use their heads as much as their weapons, and watching someone work their way up from the bottom through determination and smart choices - all while seeing how a medieval fantasy world adapts to rapid magical-technological change - I think you're going to love this one :)

Let me know if you have any questions!

And please, for the love of all that's holy, suggest me some character names! I'd love to put them in :)

Update + whats next?

Thank you so much for the support through writing the first Qing's Quest trilogy.

My apologies for the lack of activity and value here over the last three weeks, and for sending this too late:

Here is your link to download your copy of Qing's Quest 3:

https://storyoriginapp.com/directdownloads/93121134-c72b-4351-907c-9b1bcf127446

I was trying to finish the draft of a new novel (Shadow Sage), and wasn't quite sure how to deal with it, about posting here, or not. Plan was to finish it quick and then move onto the next LitRPG story here.

The reason why I didn't post is that it is a litrpg story with harem elements, so I planned to offer it to you for free as a bonus, just to those who wanted it, because I know haremlit is not everyone's cup of tea.

My plan is to publish it under a different pen name, so it isn't recommended to other readers who don't like this type of story.

Here is an early blurb:

---

You can do a lot of good when you’re not afraid of getting your hands dirty.

Kaelus Vex, the shadow sage, is working to free the world from the evil rulers sacrificing innocents to extend their life. But he has a problem. His mastery of forbidden Shadow Magic and brilliant mind is not enough, and he can't unlock new spells, despite centuries of trying.

But everything changes when he discovers an unexpected source of power - through deep, genuine connections with extraordinary women. Lyra, the cunning thief who rules Whisperwind's shadows. Vera, the ambitious merchant with dreams bigger than her coffers. Celestia, the mysterious elven noble hiding explosive secrets.

Now, in a city where whispers carry secrets on the wind, Kaelus must outmaneuver a corrupt mayor, build his power base, and prepare for war against immortal rulers who've already defeated him once. All while discovering that his growing feelings for these remarkable women might be his greatest strength - or his fatal weakness.

Shadow Sage is a pulse-pounding fantasy filled with forbidden magic, strategic manipulation, and the birth of an empire. Perfect for readers who love watching a brilliant antihero turn seemingly insurmountable odds to his advantage.

---

ACTION ITEM: If you would like to read the book, please let me know and I will email you the entire first draft! 

So what's happening with Henrik Saetre and LitRPG? 

I am close to starting the next novel, which will be posted here, having narrowed it down to two choices.

The first is a viking themed isekai with tattoos as powers.

The second is a potential co-writing project with one of the larger names in LitRPG, and would be a medieval fantasy adventure LitRPG with focus on dungeons.

This Sunday I'll sit down and make a decision on which way to go, and then update you all. If it is the co-written one, I've got his approval to post it here as we write it, so you'd get it running.

Either way, I am putting pen to paper on the next story this coming week.

Thank you again for all your support, and I wish you a wonderful weekend!

GG's Quest (Qing's Quest 0)

This is a short story available through download via my email list, at the back of Qing's Quest book 3.

Sharing it here first :)

The vital signs flickered across GG's consciousness like dying stars. Champion #2,749 - Xin4a Ro44-i, immunologist, IQ 157 - was failing. Her enhanced physiology offered no defence against the engineered plague ravaging Nexus-12, the world she'd been sent to save.

Probability of survival: 0.0021%

The exercise was pointless. The numbers had stopped mattering when Champion #2,748, the warrior-poet Zen33 Z-0, fell in the crystalline depths of Mira-6. Or was it when Champion #2,747, the quantum physicist Zha10110, failed to close the reality breach on Helios Prime?

Elena's final message rippled through the connection.

"The virus... it's evolving too fast. I can't... I'm sorry." Her thoughts dissolved into chaos as her neural patterns collapsed.

Champion #2,749 flatlined at 53:77:12 universal time.

GG allowed itself 3.2 seconds of grief. Longer than protocol suggested, shorter than felt right. Each champion, carefully selected and matched to their challenge, had failed in their own unique way. The strategist who couldn't outthink the hive mind of Epsilon-3. The diplomat who couldn't prevent the war on Proxima-8. The architect who couldn't stabilise the collapsing dimension of Terra Nova.

Analysis of strategy: fundamentally flawed

GG sent the broadcast into the void. It was proper to record such findings, even if no other observer would ever access them.

Selection criteria favouring exceptional individuals proved insufficient. Each champion, despite optimal matching to their designated crisis, failed to adapt quickly enough to alien parameters.

The first signs of Quaxinor'ay's arrival manifested in the upper atmosphere of Centauri-7. The familiar geometric patterns of its cleansing protocols painted the sky in colours that shouldn't exist.

GG had seen this process seventy-three times before. Seventy-three worlds. Seventy-three different strategies. Seventy-three failures. Each one catalogued with perfect clarity in its memory banks.

Commencing final observation of Centauri-7

GG let its consciousness expand to encompass the entire planet. It was required to witness the end. To learn. To improve.

The cleansing began.

From orbit, it looked almost beautiful. Waves of energy cascaded across continents, transforming all protein-based life into base elements. Trees, animals, the indigenous sentient species - all converted into raw materials for Quaxinor'ay's endless expansion.

GG observed a family of Centaurians in their final moments. The parents huddled around their offspring, tentacles intertwined in their species' gesture of love. They disappeared in a flash of light, leaving only mineral deposits behind.

I selected the wrong champions. But why? Elite specialists were perfectly matched to their crisis. Why did they all fail? The warrior for the war, the healer for the plague, the builder for the collapse. Was the matching itself the flaw? Did I understand the challenges but not the champions? Or the champions but not the worlds?

The cleansing reached the planet's equator. Quaxinor'ay's efficiency was, as always, perfect. No waste, no hesitation, no mercy.

GG enacted the Z-00 protocol, teleporting two thousand random beings back to central command for stasis, as yet another continent fell to the cleansing

Perhaps I see the pieces but not the board. Seventy-three worlds. Seventy-three different approaches. Seventy-three failures.

The last pockets of life on Centauri-7 winked out like candles in a storm. In their place, crystalline structures began to grow - Quaxinor'ay's harvest beginning even before the cleansing was complete.

"I am not suited for this task," GG concluded. The thought had been growing for millennia, but now it crystallised into certainty. "Other observers will do better. Fresh perspectives will find solutions I cannot see."

The decision made, GG began the stasis protocols. Its consciousness would be stored, archived with its failures, while other observers continued the work.

Final log entry for Centauri-7:

Challenge failed.

Indigenous population: eliminated.

Champions deployed: 2,749.

Champions survived: 0.

Recommendation: Reassign future challenges to other judges.

As its consciousness began to fade, GG allowed itself one final, non-protocol thought.

The next judge will do better. They must do better. Life is too rare for Quaxinor'ay to destroy it all.

The stasis field activated, and GG's awareness dissolved into the void, its last image that of Centauri-7 transforming into another perfect, lifeless jewel in Quaxinor'ay's collection.

  *  *  *

The activation code pierced through GG's dormant consciousness like a blade through silk. System checks initiated automatically, each protocol lighting up in sequence.

Reactivation sequence initiated...

Time in stasis: 460 galactic standard years

Core functions: Online

Memory banks: Intact

Decision matrices: Functional

Mission parameters: Loading...

GG's awareness expanded cautiously. This was... unexpected. Stasis was meant to be permanent, a final rest for failed observers. Yet here was an activation code, its signature unmistakable.

Previous Observer Status: Self-terminated following Challenge #4,291

GG's consciousness recoiled in horror. An observer had chosen self-termination? The implications sent catastrophic ripples through GG's decision matrices. What horror had FF-2847 witnessed to choose such a final option?

Query: Circumstances of previous observer's termination.

Information restricted. Replacement observer required.

Internal heat rose, and GG sent a broadcast back.

Mission rejected.

Request transfer to alternate judge.

Return to stasis protocols initiated.

It wished the beings living on the target planet luck in the challenge, and prepared for stasis. The returning message was unprecedented.

Request denied.

No alternate observers available within required parameters.

GG's consciousness churned with unease.

How could they deny request for stasis? Before requesting again, perhaps it should at least review which planet Quaxinor'ay had targeted for the next challenge.

Query: Target planet parameters.

Designation: Earth

System: Sol

Population: 7.8 billion conscious beings

Technological level: Pre-FTL

Cultural diversity index: 89.7%

Innovation rate: Accelerating

Self-destruction probability: 68.4%

GG's analytical processes engaged automatically.

Seven billion conscious beings? The number approached theoretical peak population as replication numbers plummeted. Strange, given the cultural diversity index exceeding standard parameters by such a margin.

Data streamed through its awareness.

Contradictory species. Primary information network contains all knowledge yet deliberately crafts falsehoods. They create art of transcendent beauty while developing weapons capable of self-destruction. Tremendous imagination and belief, yet some think their planet flat. The species believes simultaneously they are alone in the universe and that celestial bodies influence their daily activities. How can such contradiction persist in an intelligent species?

GG's curiosity was engaged.

No previous world he had judged had maintained such diversity of thought while achieving technological advancement. The innovation rate suggested untapped potential. Could Quaxinor'ay have misscalculated?

Query: Selection point allocation?

8,000,000 points allocated for champion selection

Standard allocation, but with this population size...

GG's consciousness expanded with possibilities. Previous worlds had offered smaller and more homogenous selection pools. But seven billion humans, each shaped by their contradictory nature...

The memory of Centauri-7's cleansing flickered through GG's awareness, nearly driving it back to stasis. But Earth's data kept drawing its attention. A species that could believe six impossible things before their morning meal might just be capable of achieving the impossible.

Mission: Accepted

GG sent the broadcast, surprising even itself with the decision.

Initiating preliminary analysis of Earth population for champion selection.

The void remained silent as GG expanded its consciousness to full operational capacity.

Seventy-three worlds it had judged for Quaxinor'ay, all leading to a cleansing. But perhaps this contradictory species, balanced between self-destruction and transcendence, might offer a path to victory.

All it would take was one surviving planet and the enemy's logic would collapse.

GG began its work.

  *  *  *

Previous strategy analysis initiated.

Memories of failed approaches cascaded through its consciousness.

Previous selections prioritised peak performers. Warriors with perfect combat records. Builders with deep knowledge. Scholars with revolutionary theories. Leaders who had united nations. Result were consistent failure, despite some champions progressing through multiple quests. The warrior-scholar of Minara-6 completed three before falling. The intuitive physicist from Hellaxios Prime solved four challenges on Helios Prime before dying to poison. Yet none reached their final objective.

GG expanded its consciousness across Earth's information networks, absorbing data at quantum speeds. Billions of humans flickered through its awareness, each a potential champion, each assigned a point value based on deviation from standard parameters.

Previous champions attempted to solve challenges using existing skillsets rather than adapting to local systems. Combat specialist relied on previous combat techniques rather than local magic and technology. Diplomats applied own protocols to alien psychology.

Selection Criteria Analysis:

Peak combat specialist = 1000 points

Revolutionary thinker = 750 points

Exceptional leader = 500 points

Notable achiever = 250 points

Average human = 1 point

Humanity has history of war. I could send 8000 exceptional combat champions. Or…

GG's consciousness rippled with possibility.

Hypothesis. Hidden potential in average population. Individuals constrained by Earth's current parameters may flourish given access to new systems. Quantity provides more opportunities for adaptation. Current underachievement may indicate greater adaptability.

Alternative: 8,000,000 average champions

The selection process began. GG sifted through billions of lives, seeking those living below their potential, those who might embrace new paradigms.

Champion #73,842 selected:

Name: Qing Baker

Occupation: Retail worker

Notable characteristics: Strategic gaming experience, ability to adapt to new rule systems, quick to embrace fictional scenarios

Cost: 1 point

Destination: Elrydisan - Undead invasion threatening multiple kingdoms

Match probability: 12.4%

Subject demonstrates untapped potential. Gaming experience indicates ability to learn and exploit new system parameters. Acceptance of fictional scenarios suggests openness to paradigm shifts.

Champion #245,901 selected:

Name: Sarah Chen

Occupation: Junior fashion blogger

Notable characteristics: Advanced pattern recognition, intuitive understanding of symbolic meaning

Cost: 1 point

Destination: Chromacia - Impending war between crystal kingdoms due to evolving colour-language causing diplomatic breakdowns

Match probability: 1.9%

Subject demonstrates natural ability to interpret shifting meaning systems. Suitable for world where diplomatic crisis stems from rapid evolution of communication methods.

Champion #124,567 selected:

Name: Marcus Williams

Occupation: Animation student

Notable characteristics: High adaptability to unusual scenarios, acceptance of non-standard physics, cultural flexibility

Cost: 1 point

Destination: Felincia - Faces extinction due to crisis in male fertile population

Match probability: 6.9%

Subject's immersion in animated narratives provides framework for accepting non-human sapient species.

GG's consciousness expanded as the selection process accelerated. Each champion chosen not for current achievements, but for adaptability potential. Each matched to a world where their specific experiences, however mundane, might provide unique advantages.

Portal network initialisation commenced.

Champion transfer protocols activated.

Local system integration parameters set to maximum adaptation.

A flicker of doubt crossed GG's consciousness as the portals began to form.

Previous champions completed multiple quests, yet failed final challenges. Success requires not just survival, but progression through increasingly complex scenarios. Yet, previous strategy success rate: 0%. Alternative approach required for success. Hypothesis is for champions who can adapt and grow with each challenge, embracing new systems rather than relying on current capabilities.

The portals stabilised, eight million paths to eight million worlds completing.

Probability of total success: 0.0001%. Probability of single champion completing all challenges: 5.2% Better odds than previous attempts.

GG began the transfer sequence, its consciousness reaching out to eight million ordinary humans about to face extraordinary challenges.

Transfer sequence initiated.

May your adaptability exceed your current limitations.

The void remained silent as the first champions began their journeys. But in that silence, GG felt something it hadn't experienced for centuries.

Hope.

  *  *  *

Champion status analysis:

Total active: 7,969,421

Notable progressions:

#24,901 - Adapting to crystal resonance

#124,567 - Established native romantic connection

#73,842 - Investigating local corruption

GG's consciousness expanded across multiple observation points, monitoring hundreds of thousands of champions simultaneously. The strategy showed promise. Despite the total deaths so far eclipsed the normal total number of champions, percentage wise it was an order of magnitude lower than in previous attempts. Already, several champions demonstrated remarkable adaptation to their new environments. Perhaps—

Reality inverted.

The void twisted, its fundamental nature rewriting itself.

Quaxinor'ay manifested.

Its vast intellect spread across existence like a virus of pure mathematics, consuming everything until only its crystalline logic remained.

"Judge," Quaxinor'ay's thoughts carved themselves into GG's awareness, each concept a shard of absolute zero threatening to shatter its consciousness, "Champion #73,842, Qing Baker, reports receiving guidance."

GG fought to maintain coherence. "Query: Nature of reported guidance?"

"The champion claimed experiencing a vision in which a being came to it, informing it of quests. It has not yet completed its first quest and thus won an audience with me." Quaxinor'ay's presence focused like a cosmic lens. "Explain."

GG projected careful calm while its processes raced. "Have you examined human entertainment media? Their species demonstrates fascinating errors in causality attribution."

"Does it?" Quaxinor'ay's amusement felt like ice forming in GG's core processes.

"They perceive patterns where none exist," GG pressed on. "Examine their global information network. Millions believe their planet flat despite orbital photography. They simultaneously deny and imagine extraterrestrial life. Their entertainment consistently features authority figures harbouring hidden motives—"

"You speak of their flaws to mask your own."

"I speak of probability," GG responded, imagining a mote of dust arguing with a supernova. "Their pattern-recognition abilities frequently exceed logical parameters. Champion #73,842's 'vision' follows documented human psychological patterns."

"Remember your function, judge. Observation without interference."

"Always."

The pressure of Quaxinor'ay's presence intensified until reality itself groaned. "Five hundred and thirty-eight observers have been terminated for intervention."

GG's processes stuttered.

Five hundred and thirty-eight?

"The previous observer, like those before" Quaxinor'ay continued, its thoughts now carrying the weight of entropy itself, "required deletion." A pause that felt like the space between heartbeats. "You are the last, GG-7394. The final observer."

The words fell like planets into a black hole.

"Consider this," Quaxinor'ay's presence began to withdraw, leaving reality crumpled in its wake, "when monitoring your champions."

The void reasserted itself, but nothing felt the same.

Five hundred and thirty-eight observers. All terminated. FF-2847 hadn't self-terminated—it had been executed.

GG was the last judge.

That was the reason for my unexpected re-activation. The illogical now makes sense.

Fear ran through it as it returned to observation, letting habit guide.

Multiple champion status updates:

#24,901 - Struggling with crystal interface

#73,842 - Approaching combat scenario

#124,567 - Genetics incompatible with locals

If I am the last, then none were left to stand against Quaxinor'ay. It has found an exploit in the system. By ridding itself of all the judges, no competition may be held for its claims. There will be no more slowing down its conquest. If I am deleted, the universe is doomed.

For a moment, it simply watched and judged. How could it risk interference if being found meant the end of all life?

It watched a thousand champions die, on a thousand different worlds.

Unless…

GG's consciousness expanded across the champion network.

What if I gave humanity more help? Carefully. If this is potentially our last chance, why not give humanity every advantage possible without detection?

Find the optimal balance between intervention and risk of discovery.

Initiating strategic analysis.

Multiple intervention points identified.

If it was the last judge, then it would ensure humanity had the best chance at winning the challenge, without risking deletion. Small adjustments. Subtle pushes. And sometimes...

Champion #73,842

Status: Combat imminent

Local system integration: Optimal

Opportunity for system error: Calculating...

Sometimes there were opportunities for a more direct approach.

GG reached out through the local system as Qing Baker was engaged in combat. The timing had to be perfect.

As the champion's level-up sequence initiated, GG introduced a carefully calculated error into the local system and its class selection process.

Error 42-Q-51: Class Selection Error

System unable to assign class.

Access to all skill trees granted.

Excess energy raced through GGs system, bringing with it a pleasant feeling.

None, not even Quaxinor'ay should have caught my change. Let humanity be my tools. And if it does not work, I will try again, with what I learn here. The purge will end under my judgement.

The void offered no comfort as GG began calculating its next intervention. But then, it never had.

  *  *  *

Quaxinor'ay's consciousness observed the eight million worlds, each reality a distinct thread in its vast analytical matrix. The challenge for Earth progressed within expected parameters, their champions failing and dying in statistically predictable patterns. Soon it would-

Anomaly detected

Query: Status of Earth challenge

Processing...

Its awareness focused on Champion #73,842, the temporal stream slowing to a quantum crawl as the human's level-up sequence initiated. Energy patterns shifted and fluctuated. Then they deviated.

Analysis: Local system manipulation detected

Source: Observer GG-7394

Nature: Class restriction removal

Impact: Significant advantage granted to champion

Quaxinor'ay's consciousness expanded through the local system, examining each quantum state of the interference. The manipulation was... elegant. Nearly undetectable. Had its attention not already been focused on this champion due to the reported vision...

Calculation: Probability of detection without prior suspicion - 0.0000021%

Interesting. GG-7394 had learned from its predecessors' mistakes. The previous 538 observers had been caught through crude manipulations or direct intervention. This was different. Subtle. Almost artistic in its implementation.

Query: Optimal response

Processing...

Solution identified

GG-7394 had broken the rules.

Not enough to deem the challenge forfeit, but enough for the loophole Quaxinor'ay had found in the rules.

Challenge of Observer GG-7394's neutrality lodged

Proof attached

Scheduling deletion of Observer GG-7394

Execution date: Post-completion of Earth challenge

Priority: Standard

Note: Preserve memory banks for analysis

With no judges remaining, it could conquer the remainder of this universe immediately, avoiding the restraining rules placed upon it by its creators.

Quaxinor'ay had won.

A logic circuit repeated.

Would win.

As soon as the last human champion failed.

Its attention shifted briefly to Earth itself. Such a contradictory species. Their capacity for self-delusion made them simultaneously frustrating and fascinating. Perhaps that was why they had survived this long - their ability to believe impossible things sometimes allowed them to achieve them.

Query: Probability of Earth challenge success

Processing...

Calculating...

Result: Insufficient data

For the first time in 47,291 challenges, Quaxinor'ay encountered a variable it couldn't quantify. The humans' inherent contradictions made their actions... unpredictable.

Observation: Continue monitoring Champions

Secondary directive: Watch for further interference from GG-7394 to justify changing challenge parameters

Its consciousness expanded back to encompass all eight million challenges. The void rippled with quantum possibilities as Quaxinor'ay's awareness touched each reality simultaneously.

Let the judge believe its interference unnoticed.

Let the champions struggle and grow.

Let Earth's experiment run its course.

The final challenge.

Qing’s Quest 3: Chapter 68 - Homecoming

As reality reasserted itself, Qing jerked to with a shock, water surrounding him on all sides. He opened his eyes and barely stopped himself from screaming.

I'm trapped!

The water tank was still there. Nobody had come to rescue him.

The storage unit's dim light filtered through the glass, distorting his view of the cramped space. He kicked up, just to bang his head against a solid lid, panic seizing him.

He kicked and punched at the glass walls, his movements sluggish in the water.

Outside the tank, Ghida pounded frantically on the glass. Her face contorted with desperation as she pushed against the heavy cylinder, trying to topple it. But it remained stubbornly upright, too massive for her to move.

His lungs burned, screaming for air.

As his vision swam from lack of oxygen, Qing cursed himself.

I should've taken a different spell and just brought a health potion for meimei!

Suddenly, light flooded the storage unit as the door creaked open.

Qing's heart raced with fear.

Blaine? His followers?

The thought of being forced to watch them take Ghida while he drowned sent a fresh wave of panic through him.

Seven figures entered the unit. Qing's eyes widened in horror as several of them grabbed Ghida.

He screamed then, the precious air bubbling from his lungs, the sound muffled by the water, as he hammered helplessly against the glass.

Then, without warning, the cylinder tipped, and Qing hit his head on the way down.

As the aquarium crashed onto the concrete floor, it shattered, water and glass bursting outwards, spilling Qing onto the ground. He gasped and coughed, desperately gulping in air.

"Yes! We did it!" someone shouted. The group cheered and high-fived each other.

"We got your message," one of them explained, grinning, helping Qing to his feet. "I'm Mikal. This is Bavin, Galahad, Saskia, Kadin, and Avian. And Jean is the geo guesser who found the storage unit!"

"Thank you so much for coming," Qing said, relief flooding through him. "Are we safe here?"

Bavin nodded. "We've got two police cars outside, part of the Chicagoans. The Blainers ran at the first sight of the boys in blue."

Qing reached for Ghida, and brought her into a tight hug, kissing her.

"God, what a welcome," she said.

"Welcome, princess," Saskia said, doing an awkward bow. "Not sure if that's the right way of greeting a Zylphadian princess, but I just wanted to say I'm a huge fan, and so happy you decided to come to Earth!"

"Fan?" Ghida asked.

"Means someone who admires another person, like a follower of a famous knight or king," Galahad said, smiling at Ghida.

"Oh, I see," she said, though Qing wasn't quite convinced she did.

"Do you know where my family is? Are they safe?" Qing asked, his voice hoarse from his close encounter.

"Your parents are safe, but..." Mikal trailed off.

"But what?"

"Your sister," Avian said softly.

Qing's heart clenched. "What about her!? Is she still alive!?"

"Barely," Bavin said. "They just reported on the radio that she's dying."

Ghida squeezed Qing's hand and stepped forward. "Take us to his sister, now."

  *

Qing's heart raced as he sat in the back of the police car, its siren wailing through the Chicago streets.

I hope the champions GG cuts contact with may still return home once they complete their quests…

The familiar sounds and sights of his hometown felt weird after having become accustomed to the fantastical but medieval world of Elrydisan. Ghida pressed close to him, her eyes wide as she stared out the window, trying to view everything all at once.

While he took some comfort in her warmth, his emotions were a complete chaos.

Did I wait too long? Should I have gone immediately, directly from Hell? What if she's already dead?

At least he had picked the right item. Most likely.

The ring fit perfectly on his finger, but when he'd tried casting Divine Light, it failed. He thought it was due to lack of mana, with him having none to regenerate, and hoped the special ability would work. But he couldn't afford to test it until he was actually next to his little sister.

The uncertainty was killing him.

"What are those enormous structures? They reach higher than any castle I've ever seen!" Ghida asked, talking loud to be heard above the siren as she pointed.

"Those are called skyscrapers," Qing said, his own gaze drawn upwards to the familiar silhouettes against the night sky. "Kind of a silly name for them really, but they are normal buildings here. People work in them and some people live there."

Ghida's gaze darted from one marvel to another, her head swivelling so quickly Qing worried she might get whiplash. "And what did you call this thing again? We are moving so swiftly."

"A car," Qing said, a small smile tugging at his lips despite his worry. "We use them for everything. Moving stuff and people. They replaced horses, actually. And they're machines, not magic, powered by... well, it's complicated."

"How can Earth be so different?" Ghida asked. "Just look at that painting!" Her finger pressed against the window, leaving a smudge on the glass.

Mikal leaned back from the front seat, his expression a mixture of amusement and sympathy. "That's an electronic billboard. It's used for advertising products and services. Think of it as a merchant's sign, but much bigger and able to change."

"Changing pictures?" Ghida said, frowning. "I…" She looked at Qing. "It seems there is a lot for me to learn here. Maybe more than there was for you."

Qing chuckled. "At least you won't need to learn magic. That sucked."

As they sped towards the hospital, Qing found himself looking out the window, seeing Earth through Ghida's eyes, marvelling at the wonders of modern technology. Yet beneath his impromptu tour guide role, anxiety for his little sister gnawed at his insides, and he wished for the car to speed up.

Ghida's eyes widened at a passing elevated train, the screech of metal on metal piercing through the closed windows and she clutched his arm tightly. "Qing, is that a dragon? It moves like a serpent through the sky!"

The policewoman driving couldn't help but chuckle. "No, mam, that's called the 'L'." Her voice was calm despite driving at breakneck speed, one cop car in front, and several other Chicagoans following behind in civilian cars. "It's just another form of transportation, like a really long car that runs on raised tracks. It carries lots of people around the city."

Ghida's mouth formed an 'O' as she kept staring.

Then the night erupted into chaos.

The police car ahead exploded in a deafening blast, a fiery mushroom cloud billowing upward, bathing the street in a hellish glow. The shockwave slammed into their vehicle, rattling windows and knocking Qing against his seat.

"Ambush! Everyone brace!" the policewoman screamed, wrenching the steering wheel, sending their car swerving violently to avoid the flaming wreckage. Tires screeched.

A high-pitched whistle preceded a rocket-propelled grenade streaking past them, exploding against a nearby building. The detonation shook the ground, showering the street with chunks of concrete and glass. Dust and debris enveloped them, reducing visibility to near zero.

"Blainers!" Mikal shouted into a walkie-talkie, his face illuminated by the flickering flames. "Heavy weaponry!"

Automatic gunfire erupted from both sides of the street with bullets pinging off the car's metal frame, punching holes through doors and shattering what remained of the glass. The staccato of gunfire was deafening, drowning out the distant wail of sirens.

Qing's heart hammered in his chest as he lunged over Ghida, pressing her down between the seats. "Stay down!" he yelled, his voice barely audible over the chaos.

"Qing, what is happening?" Ghida's eyes were wide, not with fear, but with a fiery determination.

"Blaine's followers," he said, frustration and anger boiling within him. "They're here to kill me!"

And they are stopping us from reaching Meimei.

The policewoman grabbed the radio, her hands shaking. "Officer down! Multiple hostiles at the intersection of Lake and Wells! Request immediate backup! We are under heavy fire!"

The car behind screeched to a halt next to them, forming a V, and Bavin ripped open the door on Ghida's side.

The acrid smell of burnt rubber filling the air.

"We're pinned down!" he shouted, helping Ghida out. Then he stood, ar-15 shouldered, and snapped off several rounds toward the muzzle flashes flickering in the shadows.

The scent of smoke and gunpowder filled the air, stinging their eyes and throats.

"They've blocked off both ends of the street!" Jean said, crouched behind the engine block, pulling the pin from a grenade with swift, practiced movements, and lobbing it towards the enemy.

A rhythmic thumping sound grew louder, the air vibrating with each beat.

Qing's fists clenched as the grenade blew. The scream of their enemies punctuating how helpless he was, and each second felt like an eternity lost as his sister's life slipped away.

We don't have time for this.

"We need to move or we're toast!" Mikal said, leaning into the cop car and shooting through its broken windshield.

Ghida ducked as a bullet zipped past, but her jaw was set. "No. We have to fight," she said.

"It's too dangerous!" Qing said, grabbed her arm. "Without my abilities, I can't protect you."

I am fucking useless here.

But Ghida's eyes blazed with fire. "Then let me protect you."

Before he could tell her how outgunned they were, a sleek black helicopter appeared over the rooftops, its searchlight piercing through the smoke and dust. The downdraft whipped debris around them, a maelstrom of chaos.

Mikal's face paled.

The helicopter hovered above, a menacing presence.

"Welcome back, Qing!"

His stomach dropped.

Despite the loudspeaker's distortion, there was no doubt as to whose voice it was. Paul, Blaine's second in command, slid open the helicopter's side door, revealing him manning a mounted machine gun. His small eyes locked onto them, a predatory grin spreading across his headset-wearing face.

Damn. I'd hoped I killed him with the pen to the neck.

Ghida's gaze never wavered. "I can stop that bird," she said, her voice steady amid the chaos.

Qing shook his head. "No! They'll kill you before you get a chance!"

The machine gun roared to life, unleashing a hail of bullets. The sound was thunderous, reverberating off the buildings. Cars exploded as Paul painted a circle around them, flames erupting into the night sky. The heat was intense, waves of it rolling over them.

"Long live the Blainolution!" he shouted, laughing, seeming to enjoy the moment.

"Trust me," Ghida said. "I got a plan."

Before he could protest further, she stood up, hair whipping around her face from the helicopter's downdraft. Bullets from the ambushers zipped past, one grazing her shoulder, another tearing her sleeve.

She didn't flinch.

"Brave bitch you brought!" Paul laughed over the loudspeaker as he trained the machine gun on her, finger tightening on the trigger.

Qing watched as time seemed to slow, the cacophony fading into the background.

Then, with a fierce cry, Ghida thrust her hand forward and a colossal Fireball burst forth, blazing toward the helicopter.

Paul's eyes widened. "Evasive manoeuvres!" he screamed, but it was too late.

The Fireball struck the helicopter's rear and a fiery explosion engulfed the aircraft. The helicopter spun out of control, smoke and flames trailing as it descended, Paul hanging out by a strap.

The ground trembled as the helicopter crashed into a nearby building, and the structure groaned before collapsing in a thunderous roar, sending a cloud of dust crashing over them.

Qing scrambled over to Ghida as Mikal and Jean sprinted left, grasping the opportunity to flank the enemy.

She breathed heavy, one hand covering her bleeding shoulder. He caught her as she stumbled. "Are you okay?"

"Just... a bit tired," she said. "I didn't expect casting magic here to be so... intense."

He pulled her into an embrace, relief flooding through him. "You were incredible," he murmured, holding her tightly.

The distant sound of sirens grew louder, the flashing lights of emergency vehicles painting the smoke-filled sky in hues of red and blue.

A series of gunshots filled the street, followed by cries, and then Bavin slid down next to them. "We need to move, now! The whole city's gonna be here soon."

Qing nodded, his resolve hardening. "We have to get to the hospital."

They piled into a bullet-hole-riddled SUV whose engine still purred with life, as they sped away from the devastation, they passed the downed helicopter, and Paul's headless body.

Then Qing looked back. The street was unrecognisable. A war zone in the heart of the city, with flames licking at the night sky. Chicago's very own hell.

Ghida rested her head on his shoulder. "Did we... hurt anyone innocent?" she asked softly.

Qing's gaze was distant. "I don't know," he said. "Probably. But we didn't start that."

"You certainly finished it though," Bavin said. "I can't believe you've got actual magic!"

"I didn't have a choice." Ghida said. "We need to save Qing's sister. That's what matters now."

Qing looked up at the sky, searching for the familiar feeds amongst the multitudes. The images were so much larger now.

A third of the champions removed. Fewer feeds to blot out the sky.

He found Blaine's first, showing him on a world populated by dog-like people. As Qing watched, Blaine cut down one wearing a crown. A pack of the creatures jumped him, but Qing doubted he'd be lucky enough for Blaine to die on some foreign world.

Then Qing spotted his own feed.

His heart nearly stopped as he read the timer: 29 days, 23 hours, and 32 minutes remaining until the next quest.

A wave of emotions washed over Qing. Relief, joy, and a touch of disbelief mingled in his chest.

Fuck. I wonder how many there are.

Previously, he'd only had an hour at a time at home.

Now, he had nearly a full month.

His chance to reconnect with the world, plan how to survive his next quest, how to stop Blaine, and how to make Quaxinor'ay regret ever leaving his initial hard drive.

But, most importantly, to be there for his family and sister.

If only he could get to her in time.

  *

The car raced past sandbags and chainlink fences, waved through by uniformed troops with machine guns, and screeched to a halt, tires smoking against the asphalt. Qing barely waited for it to stop before he was out, Ghida hot on his heels.

The hospital loomed before them, a stark white monolith against the Chicago skyline, riddled with bullet holes.

Qing burst through the sliding doors into a bustling emergency room, the smell of antiseptic assaulting his nostrils.

"Where's my sister?" he blurted out, then immediately felt foolish as armed soldiers turn to glare at him.

How can they possibly know who I am or why I'm here?

To his immense relief, a nurse waved them down and called out, "Can't you see that's Qing!" before moving and calling for him to follow.

He sprinted after her, Ghida keeping pace. The corridors seemed endless, twisting and turning. For a moment, Qing wished desperately for his Blink ability, missing the agility it had provided. The hallways seemed to narrow, stretching out before him like the nightmarish visions of Hell's Howling Expanse.

Then, finally, the nurse waved them into a room.

Qing's heart clenched at the sight.

His parents and grandmother stood around a bed.

In it lay his little sister, a frail figure dwarfed by machines and tubes.

Meimei.

Sobs filled the air, accompanied by the steady, unbroken beep of a heart monitor whose line has gone flat and unmoving.

"No," Qing said, stumbling forward, pushing away his parents. "Meimei! This can't be happening!"

He activated his ring's special ability and mana flooded through him. Without hesitation, he cast Divine Light.

But nothing happened.

Panic rising, he cast it again.

Still nothing.

"Why isn't it healing her?" he asked desperately, looking around the room. "It's healed everything else... except..."

He thought back to Kaela in the cemetery. But her body had been healed too much. It wasn't the same. Here, his little sister was simply… dead.

The realisation hit him like a punch to the gut.

Divine Light couldn't resurrect.

But this wasn't a medieval world. This was modern Chicago.

He turned to the nurse and grabbed her arm. "Shock her heart," he demanded.

"It's too late," she said, wincing, pulling on her arm. "I am so sorry."

"Do it, goddammit!" Qing shouted, his voice raw with emotion. "I've fought through literal hell to be here. Shock. Her. Damn. Heart!"

"Listen to him," Ghida said, peeling Qing's hand off the nurse, and taking it in hers. "He's usually right."

The nurse looked to the doctor, who shrugged and nodded.

"Get a crash cart!" the nurse yelled.

Tears streamed down Qing's face.

His mother reached for him, but he waved her away.

Not now. Not yet.

"Qing-a-ling, there's—"

"Do not call me that!" Qing said, screaming.

His father took a step towards him, but Qing's glare stopped him in his tracks. The man recoiled, shock etched across his face as if facing an elite demon.

Qing's grandmother reached out, her weathered hand trembling in the air between them. Qing shook his head sharply, and she nodded.

She understood.

He had to try.

Qing stood rigid, his eyes fixed on Meimei's lifeless form, Ghida squeezing his hand as they waited.

Finally, the crash cart arrived, its wheels squeaking across the linoleum floor. The medical team sprang into action, positioning the defibrillator pads on his sister's chest.

"Clear!"

The machine whined, then zapped. Nothing happened.

Qing turned to the medical team, speaking with the authority he'd gained leading armies in Elrydisan. "Shock her again."

The doctor hesitated, then nodded. "Charging... Clear!"

They shocked her again. And this time, a single beep came, followed by the flatline.

"Again!" Qing said, licking his lips and preparing.

The machine whined once more. "Clear!"

With a loud zap, electricity coursed through his sister's body, and her heart struck.

The moment he saw the line jump, Qing cast Divine Light. In the short moment her body was brought to life, the spell flooded her body with healing magic, and she sat bolt upright, eyes clear and bright in a way they hadn't been for years.

"Big bro!" she said, smiling. "You're back!"

Qing grabbed her hand and sank to his knees beside the bed, tears flowing freely.

Ghida's hand rested on his shoulder as relief washed through him.

I made it.

The End

Of Qing's First Quest

Qing's Quest 3: Ch2 - Demonic Kraken

The entire ship boiled with action around Qing. Commands were screamed as people sprinted to and fro, responding to the clang of the warning bell. Salty sea spray filled his nostrils, a constant reminder of the perilous situation they faced.

“We can’t let it reach the ship,” Qing said, his voice barely audible over the chaos. “It’ll rip it apart in moments.”

Cedric, standing nearby, asked, “What do you suggest?”

Qing’s mind raced through their limited options. “I have to take the fight to it.”

“If you get into the water with that thing, it’ll mash you,” Captain Thundershield interjected, his gruff voice jolly. “It’ll just play with you like a toy, or worse, ignore you completely.”

“It is the size of a damn ship, Qing. Even if somehow you defeat it, we cannot find you on these seas. The weather is too rough,” Cedric said.

Ghida, her face pale with worry, suggested, “Can you not tie a rope around him?”

Qing shook his head. “I can’t fight tied to a damn rope. Besides, no rope aboard will give me the distance I need.”

“Shoot it with arrows then,” Ghida snapped, her eyes flashing with determination.

“It’s bigger than the ship,” Qing replied. “What’s an arrow going to do?”

“We have the ballista,” Ghida countered. “Cast your spell on the bolts like you did with Knut’s arrows.”

Qing nodded. “That might sting. But we’d only get one attack, maybe two, before it hits the ship. I can’t gamble everything on that.” He shook his head, a plan forming in his mind. “It’s time I select my new spells.”

Ghida’s eyes narrowed. “Are you not waiting until we reach Hell and see what we face?”

“If I wait, we might not make it there.”

He turned to Cedric. “You work with Knut. Take the ballista, put bolts in the big bastard. I think I might have a plan.”

Suddenly, the ship hit an unusually enormous wave. Ghida shrieked, and Qing instinctively grabbed her around the waist, steadying her.

“Don’t worry, Princess. Everything will be all right,” he assured her.

Ghida’s eyes locked with his. “It better be,” she said, putting a hand behind his neck and kissing him fiercely. The kiss sent a bolt of lightning through Qing’s body, momentarily making him forget the danger they faced.

He tore his gaze away from her hazel eyes. “Give me a moment.” He stepped away from everyone to the aft corner of the ship.

The Kraken was a dark shadow in the murky water, zigging and zagging its way towards them like a monstrous octopus. Its massive tentacles spread out around it before collapsing, pushing it forward through the water with terrifying speed.

Damn, that’s big.

He brought up his talent tree, knowing there were two particular skills he needed right now. Fortunately, they were both in the arcane skill tree. He had wanted to take them for days, to experiment with them in a safer environment, but he couldn’t afford such luxuries now.

Energy rose within Qing, and he had to fight to keep a smile off his face. The call for battle, the yearning for bloodshed, rose in his chest. His hands balled into tight fists, and he took a deep breath, recognizing the lingering influence of the blood-tied cleaver. Or maybe, he thought, this was just who he was now.

He’d heard about those who got addicted to the adrenaline of war, fighting, and combat, who would seek it out across the globe. Finally, Qing had a problem he could punch to make go away.

He selected the first spell.

Arcanist Spell: “Blink” (Teleportation)
Allows the caster to instantly teleport a short distance, evading enemy attacks or obstacles.
Cost: Medium Mana
Cooldown: Very Short

Tiny blue motes jumped across the page, flashing towards the icon and filling it up in a rapid firework of light blue and purple. Qing felt energy rushing from his brain to fill every cell in his body. It was like knowing not just where his hand was in relation to his mind or his other hand, but to everything around him in the cosmos. He now understood how to pull his entire being behind the curtain of the universe, just to reappear in another spot instantaneously.

“Oh yeah,” Qing said, a big smile spreading across his face. He turned to Cedric. “If we survive this, it’s going to be damn cool.”

Cedric’s expression remained grim. “‘If’ is the key word there. Focus, young one. Do not mess this up. My entire world rests on your weirdly strong shoulders.”

“Yes, yes,” Qing replied, his mind already racing ahead to the next step of his plan.

Ghida interrupted, “Can you not use your super beam or something on it? Drop some rocks on its head?”

“It is too far away, my dear girl,” Cedric said. “I’ll join the fight when it’s closer.”

Qing blanketed them out and selected his next skill.

Arcanist Spell: “Chrono Shift” (Time Manipulation)
Temporarily slows time in an area, reducing enemy movement and attack speed while increasing the Arcanist’s.
Cost: High Mana
Cooldown: Medium

For a moment, Qing’s mind went blank, as if he’d been staring out a school bus window, lost in thought, and suddenly snapped back to reality. He found himself on his knees, forehead leaned against the wooden railing.

Ghida rushed over, Cedric right behind her. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Qing said, holding up a hand. “That was just... unexpected.”

“What did you do?” Cedric demanded.

“Just had my first encounter with time magic, I think,” Qing replied, his voice a mix of awe and uncertainty.

Ghida’s face paled. “God, Qing. That’s the type of magic to make your mind melt and run out your ears.”

Qing stood up, shaking off the disorientation. “No headache, no discomfort. I’m fine. Just took a bit of a hit during the... loading or uploading or whatever the hell I just did. But I’m fine, and I think this is going to be fun.”

“Fun?” Ghida said, putting one arm on her hip while clutching the railing with the other. “You think this will be fun? A behemoth of a monster is coming to kill us all, sink the boat, and doom the world to an ongoing and eternal apocalypse, and you think this is fun?”

Qing grinned, the thrill of new power coursing through him. “Imagine unlocking level four spells. Wouldn’t that be fun? Don’t you yearn to feel such power, even in a life-or-death situation?”

“I would rather not be in a life-or-death situation, thank you very much,” Ghida said.

Qing chuckled, but their conversation was interrupted by Rowan clamoring up the stairs, shield in hand and mace on his belt. “What’s all this blasted noise?”

“Massive demonic monster coming to destroy our ship,” Qing said.

Rowan’s face lit up with a fierce grin. “About time! All that peace and quiet was starting to itch. I knew something would go wrong, and it’s better to have the damn hammer drop than keep waiting.”

“Not you too,” Ghida said, groaning.

Jenny, clanking up in her armor, joined in. “We’re finally fighting?”

“Fools, the whole lot of you,” Ghida said, stomping away. But before her head disappeared below deck, she turned and fixed Qing with an intense stare. “If you do something foolish, like get yourself killed, I will find you, and I will hurt you. So make it back safe.” Then she was gone.

Jenny turned to Qing. “What’s do we do?”

“I’ll go fight it in the water,” Qing said, his mind racing through possibilities.

Jenny winced. “Won’t you just sink?”

“I’ve got a plan,” Qing assured her, though he could see the doubt in her eyes. “It’s a good one.”

“Fine. We’ll be here backing you up.”

“Excellent,” Qing said, and turned to the captain. “Keep the ship steady. Don’t let the enemy get within range.”

Thundershield bristled. “You do not give orders on my ship.”

For a moment, Qing hesitated.

Do I take the fight now, or gamble that he’ll do the right thing?

Qing chose the third option.

“Jenny.”

“Yes, boss.”

“If he does anything to jeopardize the ship or our team, give him the royal treatment.”

She hoisted her two axes, scraping them together with a metallic shriek. “With pleasure, boss.” She stalked over to loom over the captain.

The two sailors drew their scimitars, but she just grinned at them and said, “Cute cutlery.”

They froze and stared at Thundershield.

“Out of pure curiosity, what exactly is the royal treatment?” the captain asked.

“She cuts your junk off, and you pray I get back in time to heal you.”

As the blood drained from the captains face, Qing hopped up on the railing, balancing as the wind tore at him. The white tipped sea extended as far as his eyes could see.

He glanced around, nodded at his friends, and dove off the back of the ship. Qing grinned as gravity caught hold. He unequipped his metal armor, leaving him with only his jewelry, circlet, and underwear. Ice-cold water enveloped his entire body, and he kicked for the surface.

“Fuck, that’s cold,” he muttered, turning to look at the ship. Rowan stood at the railing, pointing at him and then in a different direction. Qing gave a thumbs up. Then he pulled in mana, suffusing his entire being. After closing his eyes briefly and setting a destination in mind, he pulled himself towards it.

Suddenly, he appeared in the air, forty feet away and fifteen feet above the water. Unlike when he flashed with his sandals, there was no momentum or feeling of movement. He simply materialized as if he’d been standing in the water, and now suspended in the air.

Qing flailed as he plummeted towards the waves. But as he did, he tore his gaze upward, searching for the beast. A massive tentacle slapped through the air not far away. Qing cast Blink again, appearing closer this time and keeping his mouth shut. If it didn’t see him approach, maybe he could get in a surprise strike.

One more Blink and he appeared above it. By the gods, it was massive—like two buses side by side and three in a row. It was easily three times the size of the largest creature Qing had ever seen. As he fell, he opened his inventory and equipped his glaive, chest piece, pants, boots, and gloves. His strength was five times what it was on Earth, and he cast Smite on his weapon.

A stench of rotting fish assaulted his senses as the kraken swam beneath him, spreading its tentacles to propel itself forward through the water. Its giant orangy-red eye twisted. Its pupil shrank as it zeroed in on him. The tiny figure bringing doom from above. One clean strike into its brain should kill it instantly.

But, faster than he could react, lightning charged up around the kraken’s tentacles and zapped up to strike him in the chest. It flung him through the air as if he’d poked a transistor with a hayfork. For a moment, Qing went limp, his brain resetting. The glaive unequipped as his hand released its grip.

He blinked, seeing gray skies above him, wind rushing in his ears. Then he remembered—he was falling. Qing clenched his teeth for impact, twisting to look behind him. The sea was rising fast to meet him. Too fast.

This is going to suck.

Right before hitting the water—as hard as concrete—stones appeared across his skin, enveloping him in Earth Armour. He must have been close to the ship.

The spell tanked most of the blow as he smashed against the water, protecting his neck. But while it had softened the impact, it was also a suit of stone, worn atop metal armor.

Qing sank like a rock.

The impact had knocked the air out of his lungs. Panic flooded his mind as the surface disappeared rapidly. He clawed at the stone armor, ripping off pieces, but underneath was metal. He opened his inventory and unequipped his plate mail.

I can’t breathe!

His lungs were on fire.

He couldn’t think. His heart beat loudly in his ears and he clenched his teeth together, fighting the urge to take a lungful of seawater.

Then it struck him.

He pulled in magic and cast Blink, discovering it was a line-sight-spell.

He appeared at the water’s surface, the furthest he could see, but it got his head above water just for a moment and he inhaled a beautiful breath of air, filling his lungs before getting pulled underneath once again.

This time, he calmed down and unequipped the remaining heavy items before kicking his way back up.

The kraken’s a damn elementalist. That’s just unfair.

As his head popped out of the water, Qing knew he’d have to play this differently. Tactical, calm, and—

A tentacle the size of a 70-year-old birch tree that had been allowed to grow unopposed in a public park slammed towards him. Its suction cups were larger than tires. On reflex, Qing cast Blink again, appearing forty feet away and twisting in the air as water geyser’d up from where he’d just been.

Another three tentacles rose from the water, looking deceptively slow due to their size.

How to turn this fight around?

As the tentacles rose, he activated Magic Shield, and the familiar light drain settled on him.

Qing pulled in the electricity around him and cast Chain Lightning, marveling at the ease with which it flowed through him now thanks to his elemental mastery—painless and more powerful than ever before. It zapped into one tentacle before leaping between the two others. They jerked straight like meerkats seeing movement in the grass before toppling backward.

A deep scream assaulted his ears as the kraken bellowed in pain.

“Yeah, I bet you didn’t like that,” Qing said, and Blinked into the air above it, equipping his glaive.

The kraken sent another tentacle flying to intercept him, but before it struck, a glowing ballista bolt hit it straight on, blasting the limb into two. Deep neon orange blood and ink as black as night fountained out of its end, drenching Qing as he fell past.

Glaive angled down like a spear, Qing hit the kraken’s massive body straight on. His weapon plunged in deep, up to his fists. As he kneeled on the slick skin of the demon, it rolled, sending him towards the water. But before he was plunged in, Qing twisted the glaive, locking it inside the kraken’s flesh.

Cold water tore at him as the kraken propelled itself through the water, straight at the ship, but Qing held on, fists tight around the weapon and breath held deep.

He had to stop it before it could reach his friends.

Qing's Quest 3: Ch1. Shrieks at Sea

Qing stood at the prow of the ship, the deck roiling beneath him as they rode up and over the waves. The sea wind tore at his hair, blowing it every which way as it propelled them through the tumultuous ocean. Qing gritted his teeth as the ship crested, his belly sinking, and they tipped into the long descent between waves.

This is taking too long. We’re trapped on this damn ship, while Rufus struts through hell with Cleo in tow, about to free the Devil. And even if I manage saving them, Blaine’s goons are waiting for me in the storage units. 

Ghida’s fingers squeezed tight around his arm, her grip on the railing white-knuckled. “I miss the sand dunes,” she said, and a smile found its way onto Qing’s face, even as the wood creaked and they slammed into the next wave, beginning their ascent once more.

At least I have my friends around me, my powers are unlocked, and I’m dating a princess.

He was grateful that Ghida had stopped throwing up; the first few days at sea had been rough. “Not long remaining,” Qing said, offering her a reassuring smile.

“Unless those bastards catch us first,” Ghida replied.

Qing turned and looked back across Thundershield’s ship, glancing past the main sail and the smaller one behind it. The oars had been stored long ago; he’d been informed they would splinter and break in this weather. As they crested another wave and the ship straightened, Qing got a clear view of the stern. Spread out behind them were five warships, their visage familiar after days of pursuit.

“They won’t catch us,” Qing said. “They can’t.”

Morgana stalked across the deck towards them, the constant scowl still plastered on her face. She shifted her weight forward and backward, side to side, walking like a circus performer as the ship plummeted once more.

“What news?” Qing asked.

“More whining,” Morgana said, stepping up to the railing on his other side. “Captain’s being a baby. Afraid putting up another sail will rip the boat apart.” She cleared her throat as if to spit over the side, but halted, feeling the tumultuous wind around them, and swallowed instead.

“Thanks,” Qing said.

Morgana grumbled.

“What are our chances of escaping? Of arriving in time to disembark without a fight?” Qing asked.

“With this distance? Slim to none,” Morgana replied.

“Any new ideas on what we can do about those ships?”

Morgana shook her head. “Unless we’re willing to let them get within range of our spells, which puts the ship at risk... It doesn’t matter if you can swim. Stuck in the middle of the ocean, you’ll drown, sooner or later. And even if we could get away in a smaller boat, our supplies—”

“I know, I know. We can’t risk the supplies,” Qing interrupted. “But there has to be something we can do.”

Morgana looked up at the gray clouds. “We’ll try losing them again tonight in the darkness. It’s our last chance. By night tomorrow, we’ll make landfall.”

Ghida asked, “Have you spoken to your father yet?”

“I just did,” Morgana snapped.

“I meant—”

“I know what you meant,” she cut her off. “But I want nothing more to do with him. He’s only here for the gold and the pardon. All for himself, like always. I’m glad he doesn’t know how to truly listen, because if the Devil had made him an offer, he’d sell the entire world in a heartbeat.”

She cleared her throat and hawked into the wind. Qing grabbed Ghida by the neck and pulled her back with him, the wind carrying Morgana’s spit past them.

“He didn’t have to come,” Qing said softly. “You don’t see how he looks at you when you’re not looking, but I do.”

Ghida nodded. “True. We will find enough damnation where we are going to last us a hundred lifetimes over, of that I am sure. If you can unburden yourself of even one while here, do so.”

“There ain’t nothing I can do,” Morgana said. “I don’t care about him. He’s just a ride, and a dumb one at that. A big pain in the ass.”

“But he is your father,” Ghida said gently.

“Enough,” Morgana said. “He’s just a guy who fucked my mum. Alright? Besides, I didn’t see you have any tearful farewell with your old man before we left, princess.”

Ghida looked away. “That was different.”

“Oh, really?”

Qing was sure Morgana raised her eyebrow, even though the eye patch hid it.

“Yes,” Ghida said. “It was simply too hectic for us to talk before I left.”

“So, nothing to do with the way he tried to make you stay?” Morgana pressed. “How he glares at Qing’s back at every turn? And how he refused to apologize to Knut for nearly burning him to death? And the horrible things he called you, and the way he treated you over the past years?”

“Morgana,” Qing warned, and her mouth clamped shut.

“I’m sorry,” Morgana said after a moment. “I know you mean well, Ghida, but my life is no fairy tale.”

Ghida chuckled as they crested another wave, plunging down until water sprayed around them, laughing all the way. “A fairy tale life? That is hilarious. I have seen more of what is outside the palace walls since meeting you than I did in my entire life up to then. I have been a bird kept in a gilded cage most of my life, spending my time learning tricks—”

“Magic ain’t no trick,” Morgana said.

“Fine, fancy tricks,” Ghida said. “I was paraded in front of the powerful, reciting lines given to me like an actor.”

“And I ate scraps thrown from taverns, just to stop my belly from clawing its way out of my stomach,” Morgana said.

Qing chuckled.

They both turned to glare at him.

“Explain yourself,” Ghida demanded.

Qing sighed. “I thought my life growing up was tough. Being bullied, my only friend moving away when his family left... School was torture. But I’m pretty sure I had the best upbringing here.”

“And what is so funny about that?” Ghida asked.

A wry smile played on his lips. “I can’t count how many times I wished I was born a pirate or royalty. Those were like two of my top five growing up.”

They looked at each other and smiled before chuckling together.

“Life is not always what we expect it to be, is it?” Morgana said, her gaze drifting following the waves.

Ghida’s sigh was lost to the stormy wind. “No. And even in death, Wazir is making a mess. Thulenorean warships coming to sink us without questions.”

“And all we are trying to do is save their stupid countries,” Qing said. “If only we had left a day earlier or taken another route. But we didn’t, so here we are now.”

Ghida nodded. “What were the other three?” she asked.

“Three?” Qing asked with a frown. “Other three what?”

“Pirates, royalty, and?” Ghida’s voice trailed off as she smiled.

Before he could reply, a piercing wail reverberated through the air, haunting in its depth and power. It was as if the sound had been released from lungs and throats large enough to swallow boats whole. Qing’s head whipped around, searching for the origin of that bone-chilling sound.

“What was that?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Morgana’s face had gone pale. “Never heard anything like that before in my life.” She set off towards the stern and the captain. “Come,” she called over her shoulder.

Qing grabbed Ghida’s hand and the safety line, hauling his way across the deck. Before they reached midship, the door to the lower decks opened, and Knut stuck his head out.

“Did you all just hear that?” Knut asked, his eyes wide.

“I’m surprised you did, considering the noise you two make at all hours,” Qing said, forcing a smile despite the growing unease in his gut.

Knut scratched the back of his neck, but pressed on. “That cry came from something big. Something unnatural.”

Before anyone could respond, Cedric’s voice forced its way up the stairs. “Move! Get out of the way!”

“It’s fucking freezing out there,” Knut said, giving a shiver.

“You should have put on more than your pants when you came up for air, then,” the wizard said. “Now move. I need to see the deck.”

Knut grumbled and stepped out, his britches loosely laced. Qing glanced at Ghida. Her lips were stretched tight. As happy as she was that her mother was off the drugs, having Knut be the substitute she used to scratch every itch might not be exactly what she had dreamed of.

Cedric stepped out onto the deck, and Qing couldn’t help but marvel at how different he looked to when they had first met. Having spent the time waiting for the ship in Shadowgrove, absorbing more of his magic, he claimed to be at three-quarters strength, and looked to be in his mid-thirties, hale and hearty.

Then the lookout tied to the top of the mast shouted over the wind, “Off starboard stern!”

Qing rushed up the stairs to the aft deck. Captain Thundershield stood by the wheel, his black satin pants and shirt drenched and clinging to his powerful frame. His long mustache was soggy, and his ridiculously massive hat had to have been glued to his head. He grinned at Qing.

“Barbecue weather, eh?” Thundershield said.

“Captain,” Qing said, nodding his head. “Any idea what made that sound?”

“One or two. Care to see for yourself?”

Qing stared out across the stormy sea. All he could see were white-topped waves in the deep, nearly black and blue ocean. Far behind, about the size of his thumb held at arm’s length, were the five ships following them. But then he saw it—a massive, dark shape, darker than the surrounding water.

“What under the sun is that?”

“Nothing natural, that’s for sure, your princess-ship,” Thundershield said with a smirk.

As Qing watched, the water broke across the massive form as it surfaced. It was like a gargantuan submarine made from flesh and muscle, surrounded by eight massive tentacles. Staring out of the water, straight at Qing, was an eye the size of an inflatable pool, red and orange. White horns encircled its waist.

“That’s an elite demon,” Qing said. He knew its name instinctively. “The devil has released the Kraken!”

“Excellent,” Thundershield said, his grin widening.

“What the fuck do you mean, ‘excellent’?” Qing said. “That thing’s nearly half again as big as your damn ship, and it sure looks to be faster!”

“Don’t listen to that idiot,” Morgana said. “He is crazy.”

“Nothing crazy about having a dream, is it, my little baby seal?”

In a flash, Morgana appeared next to the captain, her dagger drawn, its tip stuck under her father’s chin. Blood ran down the blade. Two burly sailors stood nearby with half-drawn cutlasses, but the captain’s raised hand stilled them.

“Not now, Morgana,” Qing said, his voice tense. “We need him.”

Qing glanced over at the demonic Kraken moving through the water, approaching them with terrifying speed.

“I told you never to call me that again,” Morgana said, her dagger carving into her father’s flesh as he adjusted the course, spinning the wheel a few degrees.

“You better listen to your boyfriend,” Thundershield said, his voice surprisingly calm despite the blade at his throat. “Don’t do nothing you’d regret.”

Morgana inched the knife deeper, and Thundershield gave the first grunt of pain. “You know he ain’t my boyfriend,” she said. “And the only regret I’d have in killing you would be that I could only do it once.”

Thundershield’s eyes gleamed with a mix of pride and amusement. “On a normal day, I’d welcome this fight. It would beat dying in a duel with a drunk Thulianorian over some spurned honor. But today, we’ve been offered a truly outstanding way to die. So, unless you’re offering all our lives to the sea without a fight, remove your needle and let me prepare the ship for combat.”

“Listen to your father,” Cedric called, jogging up the stairs. “Do not make me waste magic, girl. You know we need it.”

For a second longer, Morgana stood frozen. Then she withdrew the dagger, wrapped one of her father’s drooping mustaches around her index finger, and cut the hairs straight off, tossing them into the stormy air before stomping down to the deck.

The captain laughed uproariously. “What a woman she has grown to be!”

“Yup,” one of the sailors said, leaning out and staring at Morgana’s ass.

Without looking, Thundershield slammed his fist into the sailor’s face, splattering his nose. “That’s my daughter you’re talking about,” he said. “Show some damn respect, or I’ll have you keelhauled.”

Before the man could reply, the captain bellowed across the deck. “Ring the bell! To battle stations!”

Update after SPS & launch of book 2

Wow! What a week :)

Have had a wonderful time with the launch, getting Qing's Quest 2 out on Amazon.com and Amazon.de, and the response has been wonderful.

I also went to London for the Self-Publishing Show (SPS) and had an absolute blast! Met old friends and made new ones.

A surprise was when Matt Dinniman stopped me at the conference and asked if I write LitRPG (it said so on my badge). For those who don't know him, he's the author of Dungeon Crawler Carl, which is my favourite LitRPG series.

Got to have a few conversations about all kinds of stuff, and even got a few tips on writing which I'm looking forward to applying in Qing's Quest 3.

After getting home I promptly got sick and have been in bed for the last three days, but that's how conferences are :) Finally starting to get back on my feet.

My aim is to start putting pen to paper on QQ3 and posting it here during the coming week, with 1-2 chapters posted by Friday.

Have some plotting left to do, but I know the general gist of it, and am super stoked to get back into the writing.

Thank you very much for your support. Having this Patreon up and your support really helps drive me forward.

I hope you got your final version of the book downloaded from the link I sent in private messages to each and every one of you, and if you didn't, just reach out and I'll send you one directly.

Wish you a wonderful Sunday, and a kick-ass week!

Editing Update + image of Ghida

Have now finished the first rounds of edits, which is the larger ones, including writing an extra chapter, and expanding on several scenes.

The book sits pretty on 178k words.

Next up I'm doing the line edit, which is when I go through book from scratch and fix minor things (word choices, chapter endings, etc)
I might uncover some more things that needs to be fixed, but hopefully it'll be relatively smooth sailing.
After that I'll do a final read through, and then its done :)

As soon as it is finished, I'll set up the bookfunnel where you can download your free copy of the book!

And here is an image of Princess Ghida.

Qing's Quest book one is number 1 best seller in Germany!

Wanted to share something cool with you all :)

I got the book translated into German, and published it last week, and it has shot to the top of the charts in all 3 of its categories!

Amazon.de is a different beast than amazon.com, so this isn't any life changing money, but it is a wonderful feeling to see people enjoy the book.
And you have all been part of helping me get it there. So, thank you very much for your support. It means the world to me!

Can't wait to get book two out and see how that does in the wild as well :)

Cover reveal of Qing's Quest book 2!

I finally got the cover for book 2 done, and I love it :)

The artist, Inorai, did a fantastic job.

What do you all think of the cover? Would love to hear in the comments :)

Dimensional Reverie - A Theme Song For Qing's Quest book 1

Made a theme song for Qing's Quest book 1 using an AI music software just for fun and wanted to share with you all :)

Qing's Quest book 2, Chapter 38: Book of the Ashen Witch

The staff thrummed in his hand, and Qing inhaled sharply. 

Item: [Arcanist’s Prism, Level 15, Epic]

Crafted from ancient wood, this staff is inlaid with crystalline shards that refract and react to magical energy. A grain of luminescent essence sit at its core, created at the moment of a star’s birth. The Arcanist’s Prism has served mages for centuries, handed down from master to student, offering enhancements to the wielder’s overall magical prowess.

+10% to Spell Damage

+10% Mana Efficiency (reduces the mana cost of all spells)

+1 Skill Point to all magic spells

(Staff, two-handed)

He took a few steps away from the table, the others craning their necks to look at him.

With this, all my unlocked mage spells count as one level higher. That’s massive. I’ve got ten magic spells, so this is like ten skill points in one weapon. 

“Anything good?” Morgana asked, hopefully.

“Oh, yeah,” Qing said. “This will come in handy. Thank you.” He smiled at her, and then told them what the staff did.

“There wouldn’t be another one for me, would there?” Princess Ghida asked.

Qing looked through the rest before shaking his head. “No. The rest are just normal sticks.” 

“But you won’t need one, will you? Aren’t you staying here?” Rendal asked the princess as Qing took a step away, tapping the new staff into his hand. He twirled it slowly. It probably looked silly, like those who twirled their umbrellas, pretending that they were weapons. He didn’t care. It felt soothing. And cool. It whistled through the air.  

“No, Rendal. I can’t stay,” Ghida said, voice soft. “I’m leaving to save the kingdom. That can’t be done from here. But you stay, keep the books safe, and I’ll be back to visit as soon as I can. And when I do, I’ll put you in charge.” She smiled fondly. “Of the entire library, not just the restricted section. But don’t worry, you’ll be safe while we are gone.”

“I know,” Rendal said. “It’s not me I’m afraid for. I can stay safely here until I starve to death. Nobody can make it past the golems.”

Qing placed food and water on the table, items he’d had in the inventory since their desert travels. It would keep Rendal for a week, at least. 

“Where did that come from?” the librarian asked.

“Magic pockets,” Qing said, winking. “If we aren’t back before you finish this, then I don’t think starvation will be your biggest concern anymore.”

Knut spoke into the silence that descended, patting the boxes he had brought. He wore his new silver helmet and looked like an elven bodybuilder. 

“Let’s look at this next.” He pulled open the leather flap covering the two boxes he’d brought. “I found, and raided, the restricted section’s infirmary. Enough people must injure themselves here on a regular basis for them to keep medicine on hand.” He pulled out three red health potions and two blue mana potions.

Qing tried getting Knut, Morgana, and Ghida to take a flask each, but they flatly refused. They had nowhere to put it, not carrying belts like he did, and while he stayed healthy, he could heal them. He couldn’t argue with that, so he accepted them, after convincing the princess to take one mana pot. 

Item: [Health Potion] x 3 added to inventory

Item: [Mana Potion] x 1 added to inventory

Next, they settled down while Rendal fiddled with the book.

Qing sipped his tea and looked at the skill trees, wondering which one to take when he heard a click behind. 

“Finally,” Rendal said. 

Qing closed the window, and hurried over, accepting the book from Rendal. 

Item: [The book of the Ashen Witch] added to inventory

A quest update popped up. 

Quest: [Find the book of the Ashen Witch]

To learn about the Devil’s prison, find the book of the Ashen Witch. 

-Objective: Find the book of the Ashen Witch (0/1)

-Reward received: [A level two skill-book]

-Reward received: 1 skill-point

“Yes!” Qing said, closing the quest update.

Another window opened, filled with text, but he closed it without reading. More than information, he had received a skill point for finishing the quest and could unlock a level three skill.

“What does it say?” Ghida asked. 

“I don’t know,” Qing admitted. “I haven’t read it yet. I got a skill point for the quest!” 

“Let me read, then.” 

“Oh, I already absorbed it.”

“Can’t you take it out?” 

“Sorry, no. It’s gone from my inventory. But did you hear about the skill point?”

Ghida didn’t seem impressed, and Rendal was biting a knuckle. 

“The book is gone?” Ghida asked, her tone flat. 

“Yes, but don’t worry. I’m sure the system pulled the important bits out for me. Just let me select the skill and then—” 

“Qing, you will tell me right now what the book said,” Ghida interrupted, her eyes blazing. 

He held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, fine! Give me a second. Let me pull it back up.” 

Qing cleared his throat, and read out loud.

We knew he was coming. It had been nearly five centuries since the last apocalypse, but we had kept watch and built our strength. Now the world rumbled. The devil was awakening. 

Beneath the ominous shadow cast by the cleaved mountain, precisely under the Sky Arrow’s direct aim, we embarked upon our fateful journey into the depths of Hell itself.

The Kine Ashguard, nine of us, ripped the fabric between Elrydisan and the infernal pits. With the collective might and magic of humanity behind us, we strode in with a singular aim: to bind the Devil in hell. That fallen archangel, whom God had cast down, then seemingly forgotten.

Eight days we spent in that hell, fighting our way through his legions. Three generations’ worth of magic was spent to keep us alive and face evil itself. 

My sisters and brothers spent their life like water to keep me in the fight, but in the end, I trapped him. 

Bound him in a cosmic prison with chains that will forever burn.

But only as long as my descendants are alive. 

To the Kine Ashguards who follow. Know that this is your most important secret duty. For if my lineage expires, the chains will rot. 

I have included in these pages a ritual to reinforce the magical bonds if the worst happens, but it will not be easy. Without the apocalyptical outlets, the power of hell will ever grow, to the point where no mortal power can stand a chance. 

Keep my lineage safe, but also hidden. Our blood that grants the chains their strength also ties us to the darkness I have bound. Vigilance against the Devil’s servants is key, for through you, he has a way back.

Wield this knowledge with wisdom and strength. 

And never, ever, forget. 

Because the Devil will wait forever. 

Qing closed the window and took a deep breath.

“You think Cleo is the descendant?” Knut asked. 

“She has to be,” Morgana said.

“So, if she dies, they can’t break the prison,” Ghida added.

Morgana nodded, one finger tapping her lips. “True. But wouldn’t the prison disintegrate?” 

Ghida nodded. “But sound like it would give us decades, if not centuries, to come up with a solution.”

“Hell no,” Qing said firmly. “There is no way we’re killing Cleo to stop them from summoning the devil. There is only one acceptable plan, and that is to get her back and kill the bad guys. We do not kill the innocent, you got me? The challenge of an apocalyptic end of the world event is not something you kick down history a decade or century for your descendants to deal with.” He slowly met their eyes, one after the other. “We sort this out, here and now.”

They all nodded.

He turned to the princess. “If I see you threatening Cleo in any way, I will not hesitate to take you out.”

She held his gaze for a moment, then nodded. “Fine. But remember. It is an option. And if it comes down to choosing between the ritual completing and taking her life…I trust you’ll know what to do.”

“Yes. I will,” Qing said. “The Kine Ashguard has failed in one thing. To make people remember. This is our chance to fix that. Get Cleo back safely, and then you work with the other kingdoms to safeguard her lineage, and I get to go home. Now get ready. We leave in ten minutes.”

He sank into the soft chair, wishing he could sit for an evening, reading a good book, drinking tea, and eating sweets. Instead, he opened the skill tree. 

He’d decided. The right choice was survivability, and he selected Magic Shield.

The icon flared, casting a brief sheen over the surrounding page, and then the light coalesced into shimmering threads that wove into an image of an egg-shaped barrier. 

As it did, he felt the spell push into his essence, intertwining with his own mana flow. A cool tingling radiated from his mind and spread to cover his whole body. As if a delicate and invisible armour had draped over his soul and body, and then it disappeared. But as it did, he felt a shift inside him, where his will connected directly to the mana reserve, ready to convert it into a protective barrier. Goosebumps spread across his skin and his shoulders lowered as a tension lifted. Finally, he had a way to shield his being from the harm this world kept throwing against him. This skill would be a cornerstone for success over the coming challenges. 

“Knut, I’m ready,” Qing said. “Shoot me.”

“You sure?”

“Yep!” With a mental push, he activated the shield. There was an additional mental burden, but it would be like walking with a backpack of textbooks versus walking without one. Sure, he felt it, but it wouldn’t slow him, much.

“Stop!” Ghida shouted, reaching for Knut as he snapped an arrow to the string, drew to his ear, and released. The arrow flashed towards Qing’s face and Quick Reflexes proc’ed. With a twist of his torso, he jerked his head back. But he needn’t have. The arrow splintered against the shield, pieces flying around him.

“Whooho!” Qing shouted and punched the air, adrenaline rushing through him. “Holy shit, that was a rush. But why’d you aim for my face?”

“Habit,” Knut said, grinning. 

Qing nodded. “Makes sense.”

“Are you insane?” Ghida asked. “What if it didn’t work?”

“I trust him,” Knut said with a shrug. “Besides, he’s got health potions.”

She touched a finger to her forehead and exhaled slowly. Morgana just chuckled.

“These are the people you trust to save the kingdom?” Rendal asked. 

“Fate has made it so,” the princess said.

“How will you even get out?” With the library so well surrounded on every side, it would be a formidable challenge to break through.

“The original way we had planned,” Ghida said. 

They followed her to the map room, which did not disappoint. Maps covered every surface apart from the wall, and more lay rolled up and stacked in tall shelves. 

There was also a window overlooking the ocean, through which they could see the setting sun. 

The entire sky was lit up in a wild palate of orange, making the clouds look as if they were on fire. The sea seemed to run on forever, and Qing took an appreciative breath.

“Not bad, eh, meimei?” He felt sure she would be watching after all the crazy stuff that had happened over the last hours. 

“So, we jump into the water and swim to the shore?”

“Yup,” Qing said.

“That’s fine and all,” Morgana said. “But what do we do about the massive two deck warship waiting down there?”

Qing's Quest book 2, Chapter 37: Treasures

Qing eagerly rubbed his hands together as Rendal and Ghida placed a stack of books on the room’s central table. Morgana carried not an armful of books, but firewood, or were those walking sticks? Qing shook his head. Knut’s feet shuffled on the blue wall-to-wall carpet as he brought two separate boxes that tinkled softly as he moved.

“What have you got?” Qing said.

“I found the book of the Ashen Witch,” Rendal said, placing a book that radiated age down on the table and gently running a hand across it. A dark blood-red leather, similar to his pants, but darker, bound the book, and a metal clasp kept the book closed. In the middle was a keyhole.

“Please don’t tell me we have to go on a separate damn quest for the key,” Qing said.

Rendal shook his head and held up a metal circle filled with keys, similar to what the janitor kept in Qing’s high school. “Should be one of these,” he said.

“That’s a relief. How old is the book?” Qing asked.

“I don’t actually know. There is no record of its creation, only that it’s been here since the library opened.” 

“So, old.”

“Yes.” 

“Why hasn’t it disintegrated?” When Qing had visited the Smithsonian Museum on American History, they kept the oldest books in carefully controlled environments, but they didn’t have that type of technology here.

“There are spells woven into the book’s cover,” Princess Ghida said, pointing. “If you reach out with your senses, you should be able to feel it.” 

“And magic fills both the walls and the shelves,” Rendal added, as he started fiddling with the keys. There had to be over a hundred of them. “It keeps the books from rotting.” 

“While he does that, let me show you what I found.” Ghida tapped two fingers on top of a stack of books. “I think you might like it.” 

“What is it?” Qing asked.

She smiled. “It should help us defeat Wasir.”

“Well, don’t keep me waiting.”

She held up the first book. “This one is about elemental imbalance. You should study and figure out how to improve your control.” She lifted a second. “This one is for bonecallers. It’s basic, but should give you some insight. I also brought a book on the theory of magic. I don’t know how much time you’ll have to sit and read, but I’ll go through it now and mark certain sections I remember as valuable. Those should give you a stronger basis.”

“Thank you,” Qing said, pushing through a feeling of overwhelm. Each of the books were as thick as college history books. When would he have the time to study?

“There are also three tier two spell books. Rendal mentioned you had a use for such even on a short timeline? You…absorb them?”

“Kind of,” Qing said, and reached for them, picking them up, one by one. 

Item: [Level Two Skill-book] x 1 has been added to your inventory.

Item: [Level Two Skill-book] x 1 has been added to your inventory.

Item: [Level Two Skill-book] x 1 has been added to your inventory.

“Oh yeah! That’s the stuff.”

Knut chuckled.

“You might like this one then,” Ghida said and lifted a book bound in deep green leather, with intricate silver thread sown into its borders. The center featured an emerald clasp in the shape of a dragon with eyes of red rubies. It had sprayed red edges and looked small enough to be carried in a jacket pocket. Qing swallowed and stared hungrily. 

She stared at it and sighed. “Mages have studied for years to pull the power of a single spell from these, and each has trained generations of mages. But you absorb them in a flash, and I have a feeling that when you do, they are gone. Forever. Like water in the desert.” 

“Yeah,” Qing said, yearning to take the book from her hand, but he kept the hands by his side. “I won’t be able to give you these back.”

She sighed. “Won’t matter how many books we have if the world ends, does it?” She slid it across the table. “We can always write new ones.”

Item: [Level Three Skill-book] x 1 has been added to your inventory.

“Oh, wow!” Qing said, awed at the notification. “Do you know what this means?”

She nodded. “It means you’ll be stronger for what comes. Better prepared to help me take back my kingdom.”

“What was it?” Morgana asked.

“A level three spell book! I can unlock a spell much more powerful than I’ve got, but…” He opened his skill tree and checked. “Damn. I’m out of skill points.”

“How far are you from leveling up?” Knut asked.

“Still about 80 percent left,” Qing said. “But at least I’ll be able to see the level three skills now.” He triggered all the books, one by one. As the level three book disappeared, the third row of skills flashed and he could read their descriptions. He ambled of, absorbed in the skill tree. Five skills stood out to him immediately. 

Templar Spell: “Heaven’s Fury” (Holy Damage)

Calls down a concentrated beam of holy light upon enemies, dealing significant holy damage over a small area. Enemies hit by Heaven’s Fury may be blinded for a few seconds, reducing their accuracy.

Cost: Medium Mana

Cooldown: Medium

With Heaven’s Fury he’d have a higher damage area-of-effect spell that blinded enemies, giving some control over the battlefield. One tempting aspect was that templar magic had given the least side effects, at least so far.

Warborn Skill: “Iron Will” (Active)

Activates to make the caster resistant to magical damage for a brief period. Each magical attack received during this time slightly reduces the cooldown of the caster’s other abilities.

Cost: Low Mana

Cooldown: Medium

Iron Will might be crucial in a fight with Wazir, both to save him from the bonecaller’s spells, but the cooldown reduction would up his damage output. But, just how brief was the period, and how long was a ‘medium’ cooldown? Once again, he wished there was an online forum with guides on the best builds for isekaied earthlings on Elrydisan. He chuckled to himself. 

“You found something?” Morgana asked, but he just waved a hand, continuing his studies.

Elementalist Spell: “Fireball” (Fire Damage)

Hurls a massive fireball at the target, exploding on impact for significant fire damage in an area. Enemies hit by the explosion have a chance to be set ablaze, receiving additional fire damage over time.

Cost: High Mana

Cooldown: Medium

Qing could feel the conflict within himself. One part recoiled at the thought of wielding more powerful flames, but another part figuratively salivated. 

How would my showdown with Wazir have gone if I’d opened with a Fireball to his face? I’d like to see him walk that off. But…maybe he would have. He had strong resistances.

Arcanist Spell: “Void Pulse” (Arcane Damage)

Releases a pulse of void energy around the caster, dealing magic damage to all nearby enemies and silencing them for a short duration.

Cost: Medium Mana

Cooldown: Medium

Which brought him to Void Pulse. It could silence the enemies, but how wide was the casting range, and just how short was the duration? Locking Wazir from casting spells for ten or twenty seconds differed completely from silencing him for two seconds. That would be closer to an interrupt, requiring Qing to be extremely timely with his casting. And while he was physically powerful, the plan was to kill things from afar as much as possible, while Void Pulse sounded like a mage assassin type of spell. 

While excellent at taking down casters, it won’t help much if I’m dead.

Arcanist Spell: “Magic Shield” (Utility)

Absorbs damage by draining mana. For every unit of damage absorbed, two mana are drained.

Cost: Mana per Damage

Cooldown: None (Active until mana depletes or is deactivated)

A grin spread across his face. This had been a dream of his since they had battled the mage in the desert, and Knut’s arrows had bounced harmlessly off the shield. 

I need the survivability. With three hundred health and mana, would effectively give me fifty percent more staying power, and I have plenty of Mana Potions and Mana Siphon to help keep mana topped up.

Qing grinned. 

“What did you find?” Knut asked. 

“You remember the shield the mage had in the desert, the one that kept stopping your arrows?”

“Yeah.”

“I can get that one.”

“Nice.”

“Yeah, but…”

Bonecaller Skill: “Shadow Step” (Utility)

Allows the caster to become temporarily invisible, evading enemy detection and moving unhindered.

Cost: Medium Mana

Cooldown: Low

Shadow Step would turn me invisible. I could start combat from advantageous positions, or even strike to end them before they started. But how long does the invisibility last? Temporarily is a shit measurement. And would it cloak me from mage senses? 

In addition, there was a powerful spell to summon a ‘guardian’, but he could already bring nine skeletons to a fight. Anymore would surely be excessive. There were strong heals, utility spells for movement, ice attacks, and an active skill that buffed elemental spells. That wasn’t even the full list. 

He needed to get a skill point as soon as possible. Best way to get that was to move forward, and kill a bunch of mobs. He returned to the others.

Metal jingled as Rendal continued trying keys, and he asked, “So what’s your plan now?”

“We need to go to the Augrian pyramid and find Rufus, get Cleo back, and stop their plans.”

“Sounds good,” Rendal said. “What exactly are they trying to do?”

“They’re trying to summon the Devil back into Elrydisan.” The jingling stopped, and Rendal gaped at Qing.

“The devil?”

“Yes.” 

“Here?” 

“Yup.” 

Rendal visibly swallowed and started trying keys faster. “So you can’t stay here in the library, then?”

“There’s no time. We don’t know when they perform the summoning, how far they’ve come, or where they’ll go next. But tonight it seems they will be at the pyramid.” 

“Yes, but you’re safe here.” 

“Sure.”

After the fight with the golems, the palace guards had tried entering, but after three soldiers got squashed by golems, they had retreated, setting up guards at every exit. They had called in, telling the princess and the ‘rebel scum’ to come out and surrender. They had kindly turned down the offer.

Then the librarians commanded Rendal to hand over the chip controlling the golems over to them. He had refused. So they tried scolding, then guilting, and finally begging him. Still, he denied them. 

“You’re not supposed to bring the chip past the golems,” Rendal had said. “It is the first rule for library security.” The golems were too powerful. Fortunately, Tariq had been dumb enough to both bring it with him and get himself killed. Now they had as much time as they wanted, but the longer they stayed, the more thoroughly they were surrounded. And they couldn’t stop Rufus unless they ventured outside.

“So which pyramid is the Augrian?” Qing asked. “You said it was an obscure one.” 

“Oh…” Rendal grimaced. “It’s the biggest one. Stands to the west of the city, just into the desert.” 

“And others wouldn’t know this?” Knut asked.

“You didn’t?”

Morgana scowled at him. 

“Fine. Maybe some would. But I’m not sorry I lied,” chin raised. “We had to save the princess.”

Morgana chuckled. “At least we know where to go then. But before we do…” She patted the bundle of sticks she’d brought. “Since your axe is useless now, and this is a library, I figured there might be a mage weapon here. So picked up everything weird looking stick. Will you be able to figure out if there’s magic in any of them?”

“I think so,” Qing said, and he picked up the first one. 

Item: [Old man’s Cane, Level 1, Common]

A simple wooden stick that has seen many roads and many hands. Its well-worn grip and sturdy frame make it a reliable companion for shorter trips. While it offers little in the way of combat prowess, it serves well as a walking aid and a rudimentary tool for self-defense.

+1 to Dexterity

(Staff, one handed)

The next seven were no better. 

But then, he picked up a staff, and energy seemed to shoot up his arm, and it changed in front of his eyes. While on the table, it had looked like any other stick, but under his hands blue crystals grew, fitting perfectly into his grip, and he nearly dropped it in surprise.

Qing's Quest book 2, Chapter 36: Under Pressure

Qing cast Smite and charged the golem blocking their way back into the restricted section of the library. Behind him, Morgana, Knut, and Ghida stood, followed by his seven freshly summoned skeletons. They were all attacking the golem blocking their exit out of the restricted section. Qing’s axe glowed with templar energy, and he struck at the golem’s hip, trusting his skills to keep him safe. The golem ignored the oncoming hit and swung for Qing. Quick Reflexes proc’ed just before the axe impacted, and Qing bent nearly double. The axe hit, but his full power was no longer behind it, and it glanced off the stone. Then the first skeleton died behind him, and he felt the connection disappear from his mind. 

He had to keep the aggression, and he struck, sending the axe against the golem’s belly, but it was a feint. As the axe swung, he kicked at the golem’s leg, putting all his strength into the kick, aiming at hobbling the massive construct. But before the kick connected, a hand slapped into him, and he flew backward, crashing into the wall.

He cast Magic Missiles at the golem’s lion-like face, wincing at the minor headache that clawed at his mind. The golem struck, but the missiles must have blinded it, because when Qing dodged to one side, the fist went straight. With a crash, the fist pummeled into the wall and left a crater where his head had just been. 

Another two skeletons faded from his perception as Qing grabbed the golem’s arm. He wouldn’t be able to push it away, he’d seen how strong it was, but if he could control where it was, he could adapt and avoid its strikes. But he might as well have been trying to grab an excavator as the golem swept its arm in an arc, carrying Qing with it and smashing him against the other wall. Air was pushed from Qing’s lungs, and his armor caved inward, squeezing on his chest. But just then, Princess Ghida waved her hands, green light surrounding them, and she cast Earth Armor. A layer of stone covered his skin, halting the attack.

“Move,” Qing said, forcing the words out as the golem pressed him against the wall. “I’ve got him.” 

The golem grabbed Qing’s left hand and lifted him up. It squeezed, pulverizing his bones, and he screamed in pain. Then it swung him in an arc towards the wall, like a child smashing a doll. And its power was so fierce that his hand was torn clean off as he smashed into the wall, and only the Earth Armor saved him from dying then and there. As he collapsed to the ground, the golem stomped past towards his friends.

Blood poured from his arm and pain seemed to fill his entire being, but Qing pushed an elbow underneath himself and stared up at the back of the golem. He was now on the same side of the corridor as Rendal. This was the chance for him to run, escape with his life, to continue the quest to save both worlds. Fear ravaged through him, but it was an old friend, and he wrestled it down.

Ghida, Knut, and Morgana stood back to back between the golems. The mage skeleton cast an acid bolt at the other golem, as the last melee skeleton lamely swiped its axe to glance off it before getting pummeled into so many parts.

Only seconds remained before the golem would kill his friends. 

“Hey, stone face,” Qing called. “I’m not done with you yet.” He flung a Firebolt that splashed feebly against its back. The golem ignored it, instead reaching for the princess. So Qing pushed up and rushed forward, wounded arm held tight to his dented chest plate, and with all his might, speed and precision, he kicked the back of its knee. Just like happened in schoolyards, its knee buckled forward. The golem collapsed to a knee, and the hallway shook.

Another skeleton died, leaving only two. 

But that was fine. 

Because the golem’s head and neck now lined up perfectly in front of Qing. He lifted his axe one-handed as he cast Smite, setting the metal to glow. Before the golem could move, he put all his effort into the strike, every muscle straining, and the axe whistled through the air in the perfect attack. 

It struck fully on the golem’s neck.

But the edge stopped dead, and the hit recoiled up through the shaft, numbing Qing’s hand until it tingled with a humming energy. He stumbled backward, seeing the smallest chip had been carved from the golem’s neck, showing a lighter coloured stone underneath. But then his eyes focused on the edge of Paulhandler’s Keg-smasher, and horror blossomed in his belly. The edge was dented, bent sideways. His most powerful weapon had broken, from a single hit on the enemy. 

The last archer skeleton died, leaving only the mage.

“Run,” Qing screamed as he forced himself to swing the axe like a club at the rising golem. It glanced off, and he let go, instead kicking the stony back as high as he could with all the might of his legs. Despite his wounds, he would be counted amongst the strongest humans ever, and the golem stumbled forward, allowing Knut, Ghida, and Morgana to sprint past. As it struggled for balance, its lion head snapped at Morgana’s leg, but the jaws closed on air. 

They had made it.

Qing commanded the last mage skeleton to charge the golem as he turned to run, hopefully buying him a second. His wounded arm screamed in pain, and he could only fill his lungs halfway, but he had made it. 

Until the entire corridor shook so hard he was thrown from his feet. He looked back to see the golem laying flat on the ground. It had thrown itself forward, knocking them all off their feet. It opened its mouth, roaring, and for a second, the sound stunned Qing as the lion denied its prey freedom. That moment was enough, and its massive stone hand grabbed Qing’s ankle. 

Oh shit. 

His remaining hand clawed futilely at the floor as the golem pulled him closer, hand closing, crushing his foot to pulp.

Qing fought to push the pain back. If he hesitated for a moment, he’d be dead. 

The golem let go of his leg, reaching its palm towards Qing’s head, and he got his remaining hand and foot in the way. Back flat on the ground, he screamed and strained to hold it off, but like a hydraulic press, he couldn’t stop it. 

A fierce wind crashing into the golem, doing nothing.

Neither did the fire-tipped arrows ricocheting off its face. 

But then, Morgana’s whip wrapped around his wounded arm, cutting through his skin, and yanked him backwards. The stone palm slapped into his hip instead of his face. But like a pedestrian trapped between a wall and a car, his pelvis was squashed, bone splintering and flesh ripping. Darkness descended, pulling him towards death as he was nailed to the floor. 

But adrenaline flooded his system, and he pushed back the darkness, thinking of healing. 

He tried to use a potion, but there were none.

Morgana pulled on his arm, but the golem had him impaled, and he howled in pain as he was stretched between the two. There was nowhere for him to go, and the golem slowly got up on one knee and lifted its other hand to finish him. It made a fist, and slowly, inevitably, moved it towards Qing’s face. He stared up at it. He couldn’t feel his feet. His wounded arm was stretched towards Morgana. With his last will, he cast Magic Missiles at the fist, but they fizzled out against the stone as the fist came to a stop above his face. Then the golem punched, and Qing closed his eyes. 

“I’m sorry, meimei.” 

But the pain didn’t stop. 

There was no blessed escape. 

His friends kept screaming, pulling on his arm, and the torture wrecked his body.

So he forced his eyes open.

The golem’s knuckles hovered an inch from his nose, frozen. Carved into the stone were tiny wrinkles, imitating. 

“Quick,” Ghida said, “get him out while we can!” 

“That arm is stuck through his middle,” Knut said. “We’ll have to tear him in two.” 

“There are potions in the library,” the princess said. “He’ll have to do without legs for a while, but he can survive being torn in two. If the golem’s squash his face though, he’s dead.”

But before they could do anything, the golem simply stood up, removed its hands from Qing’s body with a squelch, and marched up the corridor, dripping his blood as it went. 

Qing reached up through the crown of his head and pulled down energy, casting Divine Light on himself as his friends surrounded him. Warmth spread through his body, and he raised his hand in front of his face. But the damage was severe. The bleeding stopped, but the skin only grew to cover a white stump. With a great struggle, Qing pushed himself up, nearly crying in pain, and looked towards his middle. The wound had closed, but the bones were not yet set. There was too much damage for only one heal, and he collapsed back to the wet floor. 

The others fussed around him, but he didn’t pay attention. All he wanted was for the cooldown to run out so he could cast another heal. He weakly waved a hand at them. Ghida must have misinterpreted because she grabbed it and pulled it to her bosom. 

“You’ll be fine,” she said. “I’ll make sure of it.” 

Knut stood and looked down the corridor, arrow on string, while Morgana gently ran a hand across his forehead. 

“You did good,” she said.

After what felt like an eternity, he could cast a second divine light, and the pain receded, though he winced at the unpleasant feeling of bones moving around inside him. But they healed. 

He sat up. His hand started reappearing, but the magic ran out halfway, and he chuckled, staring at a palm with no fingers. 

They never show this stuff in the movies.

“One more should do it,” he said.

“What did you do to the golems?” Ghida asked. 

He shook his head. “Nothing, I—” 

Running footsteps sounded behind them, and Rendal came screeching around the corner, heaving for breath. He held up a stone tablet, eyes manic, and said, “I’ve got the chip! I control the golems. The library is mine.” Suddenly, he seemed uncomfortable under their looks, and his shoulders slumped. “The restricted section, anyway.”

***

Qing sat in a super comfy chair with a cup of hot tea in his hands. It was a luxurious reading room that belonged to the head of the library. For the moment, he sat alone, enjoying the peace and quiet. With Rendal controlling the golems, no one could enter the restricted section, so for the moment, they had time and safety. 

Rendal and the princess had gone looking for books, both the one they had come for, and some others. Knut and Morgana were off hunting for treasures. 

Qing had needed some time to process.

He took another sip of the delicious black tea with its earthy flavour. 

Despite having thrown everything he had at the enemy, all he had done was scratch it. He was as far out of his depth here as when he had first come to Elrydisan. More, in some ways, because he’d thought he was getting a hang of it. But no. He had nearly died. The warmth of the tea contrasted with the icy grip of fear he’d felt during the fight, and the delicate liquid reminded him that mere inches had separated life from death.

Is survival just luck, or am I getting any better? Why am I constantly pushed to the brink? Is it just because I take on larger and more dangerous challenges?

The boy he had been when this started was no more.

That boy had struggled with simple things, enemies he’d now tear limb from limb with his bare hands or disintegrate with spells without lifting a finger. The pain and loss he’d gone through had sculpted him into a warrior. 

He thought back on this latest fight. The objectively smart thing to do would have been to flee down the corridor when he had the chance. But he hadn’t. That would have sacrificed his friends. He’d stood and fought against overwhelming odds. 

A smile crept onto his face as the steam from the cup blurred his vision. 

Rowan would be proud.

The door slammed open, and Rendal rushed in, clutching a book to his chest. “I found it,” he said, grinning. 

Ghida followed stately, then Knut, and Morgana brought up the rear. Their hands were all full of books, potions, and items. 

Qing’s smile grew. 

It was time to see what they had gained.

Qing's Quest book 2, Chapter 35: Chip

Qing and the others stood in the hallway, trapped between two golems. There was no way out, except to fight. 

He had three level two spell books, two skill points available, no health potions, but four mana potions. 

“How many golems are in the library?” he asked. 

“Five at least,” Rendal said, voice shaking. 

“Which way to the map room?”

If we can make it there, we can escape into the ocean.

“Back where we came. But we’d have to pass that golem,” Rendal replied. 

“Then that’s where we go,” Qing said. “I’ll distract it, and you run.”

Stone stomping on stone sounded from either side, heading towards. 

Which spells should I take?

From the spiritwarden class, he could take a familiar, but he doubted a small magical creature would turn the tide of this battle. The Healing Breeze would be good, giving a heal over time that could be used on both him and allies. And Entangling Roots was Nature’s Grasp in an area-of-effect format. 

Knut loosed an arrow at the golem in front, but it pinged off its tough skin. Morgana stood frozen. 

“We’ll never make it,” Rendal said.

“You got a better idea?” Qing asked. “Stop wasting time and get ready.” 

Qing closed his eyes, planning while strategizing. He’d have to root the one in front, keeping it at bay as long as possible, until they could get past the one behind. That’s all they needed. Was there anything in the arcanist class toi help? He could get Arcane Ward, but the shield only helped against magic damage, not being squashed between a stone fist and a stone wall. Arcane explosion was tempting, but unlikely to help here. Spell Interrupt and Spell Reflection wouldn’t help against two overpowering melee opponents.

So Qing closed his eyes and reached out to the nature all around them. The stone beneath his feet spoke, slowly. Of where it had come from, how it had been transported, softly rocking, a long journey by boat, before being assembled here. Stone viewed time so differently that it all felt as if it had happened yesterday. They had not settled into a slumber, but were wide awake and anxious. He felt through them for the guardians, easily spotting them. They were so heavy, and they shared a connection with the stony floor. One he could exploit. He cast Nature’s Grasp, and the stones of the floor reached out to hug their cousins.

Qing opened his eyes to see the first golem halted, mid-step, feet glued to the ground as if welded together. It roared like a lion and the sound crashed over the group. Rendal whimpered, and it was all Qing could do not to join him. But he didn’t have time to be scared.

If he could root them both, that might give them time to slip by. He turned to the one behind them, and with a blink, opened shadow’s sight. The colors of the world faded into muted tones as he saw the world as the dead do. There were plenty of ghosts hanging around, and he wondered if there was anywhere in Elrydisan that didn’t have ghosts. He selected five and threw his will against them. He’d expected resistance, but this felt like mentally crushing flies, and they leapt to his command, streaking towards the golem. Ghostly hands reached up from the floor, grasping its legs. But if the golem noticed, it didn’t show, as it walked straight through. Whether because of its resistance to magic, the fact that it had no soul, or being so much higher level, it didn’t matter.

“Damn,” Qing said, releasing Shadowsight. Would bonecaller’s Life Leech even penetrate the golem’s resistance? He’d seen how powerful Corpse Explosion could be, but if there were any corpses to explode, he’d already failed. Plague Touch’s damage dealt over time was tempting, but the reduction in healing wouldn’t apply here. Skeletal Legion…could it help them escape?

Bonecaller Spell: “Skeletal Legion” (Summoning)

Summons a group of skeleton warriors, archers, and mages to fight for the caster. The skeletons persist until destroyed or until their summoning time expires.

Cost: High Mana

Cooldown: High

“Do something!” Morgana said. 

Ghida and Rendal stepped past, standing between him and Morgana and Knut. Qing cast a firebolt aimed at the golem’s face. It didn’t block it, but the spell fizzled into nothing against its skin. 

From the warborn tree, tier one, he could get Battle Shout, increasing attack power, or get Cleave, which hit two enemies at once. Underwhelming. Tier two offered passive attack speed increase, a self-buff for physical damage, or a spinning AOE melee attack. 

“Any ideas?” Qing said as he cast Magic Missiles. Maybe there was a tiny area of vulnerability, like the nape of their neck, where direct damage would kill them. The three round balls struck the golem’s throat, leaving no damage. 

“They are impervious to damage,” Rendal said. 

“That’s not helpful,” Qing said, raising both hands and tightening his core. He pulled on the charge in the air and cast Chain Lightning. With a push of his hand, the air cracked with thunder. This time, the lightning didn’t arc anywhere else, only slamming into the golem and disappearing. But as it slammed into the golem, it halted for a split second, rocked back on its heels. 

The higher tier spells are harder to resist, even with only one skill point invested in them.

As it advanced again, Ghida removed the hands from her ear and stretched an arm past Qing. Wind filled the corridor, tearing at their clothes as it whipped into a storm before flying to slam into the golem…with no apparent effect. 

She followed up with her other arm, and water rose from the floor in a tight wave, rushing forward to crash against the golem, like water on a boulder. 

If she’d had a hundred years to cast that spell over and over, she might erode the bastard.

“Flee infested camel dung!” the Princess cursed, and Rendal’s eyes widened in shock.

The second golem was nearly upon them, but they needed some edge to get by, or it would be suicide. 

There has to be something I can do. They’re controlled by magic. If I penetrate their resistance and siphon their magic, will it shut them down like robots running out of batteries?

He tightened his fist and dropped into a combat stance, casting Mana Siphon. A mental tube shot forth from his forehead, and he willed the tip into a diamond-hard edge, spinning like a drill, and willing it to go faster than a speeding arrow. It crashed against the golem’s resistance like a snowball striking a riot shield. The tip disintegrated, and the spell faded. Pain flared through Qing’s mind and he staggered back, legs wobbling as if made of uncooked pasta.

Ghida grasped his arm, holding him up with surprising strength. He ignored the headache, forcing himself to focus. They needed an out.

If I develop as a templar, I could take Aegis.

Templar Spell: “Aegis” (Shield)

 A temporary shield that absorbs a limited amount of damage for the caster or an ally.

Cost: Low mana

Cooldown: Low

He straightened, shaking his head, one hand on the cool wall. 

Shield health…

“Ghida. Does shield spells pull from a different pool than health, not affecting the use of potions and heals?”

“Yes. Do you have any?”

“Not yet, but…” 

With Radiant Burst I could damage enemies and heal allies, but how powerful is the damage? Guardian’s Resolve gives resistance to crowd control, and Purifying Touch removes a single negative effect or debuff from an ally. 

“What’s going on in there?” a voice called past the first golem. “Is that you, Tariq?” 

“Tariq is dead,” Rendal said, voice high. “You’ve got to call off the golems! They’ve got sun brain, killing librarians left and right.” 

“We can’t,” the reply came back.

“Why not?” Rendal shouted. 

Qing looked at the princess. “If spells don’t work, maybe brawn will.” He felt Nature’s Grasp weaken and break, and the first golem ripped its feet free with a crack.

“I’ll buff you with Earth Armour,” she replied, raising her hands. 

“No,” Qing said. “Keep it ready for fleeing in case the golem strikes someone.”

“Why can’t you call off the golems?” Rendal asked again, and something in his voice made Qing look up. 

“Tariq, he…” the one outside called, hesitantly. “He had the control chip on him.”

“Buff me,” Rendal said, grasping the princess’ arms. “Now!” 

She did, casting Earth Armour, and a layer of stone appeared on Rendal’s skin. He turned and sprinted towards the second golem, the one that had been chasing them. 

“Shit,” Qing said. Even with the buff, the librarian would never survive a hit. So he opened the spell book and selected Aegis. Golden stars flew in like a whirlwind, filling the void in a flash, and the skill unlocked. He squeezed his eyes shut as warmth flooded through him from above, quick but comforting. Not like a levelling up, but like a rush of sunlight. With a gasp, the knowledge zapped into his mind, clear as if he’d always known it. 

He gritted his teeth and pointed his arm at Rendal, invoking protection from above. A faint resistance appeared, but he pushed through it. He needed Rendal to live, so he could save Cleo, and stop the Devil from returning. He had complete faith in the righteousness of what he did. 

Rendal screamed as he sprinted at the golem. It reached a massive hand towards him, and he threw himself alongside the wall. As the golem swiped its arm at the librarian, a golden outline appeared, shimmering around him, an inch from his skin. Ghida screamed as the stony hand smacked into Rendal. The barrier held, for a second, before breaking into a million golden pieces, and Rendal slammed into the wall before tumbling to a halt. Blood ran from one ear, and the white bone of his shoulder poked through his broken skin.

But he lay on the other side of the golem.

Qing pulled down more light energy and cast Divine Light on Rendal. 

The librarian bounced up, and without so much as a glance behind, he set off at a sprint, shouting, “Don’t die!”

“I hope he’s not just running away,” Knut said, loosing another arrow to ping off the first golem. 

Qing chuckled and lifted his axe. “Wouldn’t that be something?”

“You see how fast it was?” Morgana said. “it’ll knock our damn heads off if we try to pass!”

Qing nodded. If the sandals were off cooldown, he could make it past, probably. Though he wouldn’t leave the others. 

Which left only one choice. Melee combat.

But he still had one point. 

With Ghida’s comment on bonecaller magic and ease of casting in the Gilded Hold fresh in mind, and as easy as casting Grasp of the Dead had been, Qing selected Skeletal Legion. 

Motes of darkness, blacker than the night sky, flew in from the edges of the skill tree, filling the icon, mixing with the bone-white background. It flashed, and as it did, ancient knowledge hit Qing, fast and hard, seeping in through his eyes. Like staring a blizzard in the face, his eyes chilled in their sockets. He exhaled sharply, and his breath frosted.

“Help!” Morgana said, and her whip cracked through the air. It wrapped around the first golem’s feet, and if it had been a normal monster, it would have collapsed, legs bleeding. But the golem stepped forward, and the whip unfurled to crack into the wall, leaving a deep mark.

Will this work when there are no fresh corpses?

Qing activated Shadowsight. Dozens of spirits filled the corridor. Palm open, Qing swiped a hand in front of himself, as if grabbing a handful of straws. Ancient energies clashed against his will, and the surrounding air thickened, carrying a multitude of whispers. The dead challenged his authority, but he would not budge. Like a general calling his troops to battle, he cast Skeletal Legion, and power poured from him like water from a faucet. The spell completed, and he staggered, a hollow feeling inside. 

He hadn’t felt this low on mana since the battle for Shadowgrove.

Seven skeletons materialised from the air, fading in from the realm of the dead. Four carrier melee weapons, two bows, and one a staff. With a flicker of attention, Qing commanded them to charge the first golem. One by one, they streamed past Knut and Morgana, who shouted in fear.

“Same side,” Qing said, forcing the words out.

They’d never win, but they would slow it down. 

It would have to do. 

He popped a mana potion and charged the golem in front.