All in Charisma (A LitRPG/Isekai Adventure)

The woods north of the ruins of Eldareth were much kinder than the Darkwood. Gently rolling hills met them, with tall pines and spruces, as they headed north under the guidance of Eldrin and his Pathfinder's Pace. The Umber Range remained to their left, and any streams they came across were shallow. Justin had no issue keeping his feet dry with his new Ilvari boots. Even when the water rose to his calves, it was magically repelled from entering. Beyond useful.

Shadowflight returned with news around mid-morning. Eldrin relayed the bird's message.

"Gareth and the rest have figured out the ruse. They are heading northeast, toward Darkstream Crossing. They should make it in a day. From there, they'll probably travel northeast on the Plainsway. After that, only the gods know."

"How long will it take them to get to Windfall?" Lila asked.

"Five days at the earliest," Eldrin answered. "Thankfully, they don't know that's where we're headed. On the Plainsway, they'll have no opportunity to turn west until they come to the Northway. We should be two days ahead of them by the time we arrive."

"Enough time for a well-earned rest and resupply," Justin said.

"And maybe some shopping," Lila added.

"I'll allow one night at most to be on the safe side," Eldrin said. "Unfortunately, we can't go east on the Northway without risking running into them."

"So, we need to head off the trail again," Lila said. "Well, we're used to that by now."

Eldrin nodded. "There are back roads we can take north of Windfall, but that would take us into the foothills of the Seraphim Range. It will be cold, of course, and there will be some nasty creatures up there."

"Nasty creatures," Kargan said. "Glad I'll be gone by then."

"Might put our coin to work and fill out some missing gear while we're in town," Eldrin continued. "Windfall is a grand city, famed for its markets. I suspect we can't find much better except in Belmora or Eribar."

"Eribar?" Justin asked, looking at Lila. "That's where you're from, right?"

She nodded. "It's the capital of Daeloria." Then, to Kargan, she said, "Careful what you say. I was hired as a guard, and I still haven't found a way to gracefully extricate myself from this situation."

Kargan grunted. "Well, I'll admit. That Vault was quite profitable. But I'm going to need to earn a lot more to make this worth it."

"So," Justin said, trying to get the conversation back on track, "I guess the plan is to cut east using these back roads before coming back down to the Northway?"

"That's the idea," Eldrin said. "We'll have to go at least two solid weeks before risking the Northway. It's hard to say what Gareth's next move will be. Either he spreads his men out to find us, or he simply heads toward Mont Elea, setting up somewhere on the Gulfway to intercept us. The latter would be simpler but would require more patience on his part."

"It would make more sense for you guys to head straight there, then," Kargan said. "Avoid Windfall and keep your lead."

"Yes, that's an option. But that would bring us quite close to him, since he's already farther east. I'd rather not run the risk. His skills are far beyond what any of us can deal with."

"Why not head to Draegor's Keep?" Lila asked. "It's a port, and we have the money to hire someone to ferry us down to Mont Elea. That would keep us off the Gulfway."

"Not a bad idea," Eldrin said, "but we're risking the foul weather of the Seraphic Sea. The wind blowing down from the mountains can be treacherous as the season turns cold."

"We can play it by ear, too," Justin said. "There's no need to decide right now."

He remembered Lila saying she was going to stop at Draegor's Keep. From there, it would just be him and Eldrin. But that was still a while away, so he wasn't too worried.

What he was worried about was what happened after Mont Elea. It was still weeks away, months even. Once he got the Death Mark removed, then what? Would the Baron really leave him alone?

Somehow, he doubted it, but hopefully, he would have the protection of these Templars.

Justin tried not to think about things too much, but it was impossible for questions not to form in his mind. They ate a light lunch since they were getting low on food before continuing north.

Around early afternoon, Eldrin motioned them down at the top of a hill. At first, Justin thought there was something wrong until, at the bottom of the incline, he spied a large wild boar rooting around in the underbrush. The creature was sizable.

Eldrin took his time, his movements deliberate as he nocked an arrow. It wasn't an easy shot, but Justin was confident he would get it, especially when Shadowflight fluttered down in a nearby tree. The Ranger would certainly use his new skill, Falcon's Mark, to ensure a perfect hit.

With a steady hand and a keen eye, Eldrin released the arrow as Shadowflight circled above, striking the boar cleanly behind the shoulder, piercing its heart. The animal fell swiftly, ensuring it didn't suffer too much.

"Nice shot," Lila said, impressed.

"We'll set up camp near our kill," Eldrin said. "It'll take the better part of the day to prepare the meat."

It took them ten minutes to actually reach the fallen boar and another two hours to butcher and prepare the meat. First, Eldrin used his knife to bleed the boar, ensuring the meat would not spoil quickly. Next, he skinned the animal, removing the hide in one piece to sell in town later. He then gutted the boar, removing the entrails and setting aside the liver and heart for cooking. Once the boar was fully dressed, they cut the meat into manageable pieces, separating the loins, ribs, and haunches.

The task was laborious, but the reward was worth it; they were down to some stale bread and perhaps one meal of oatmeal, so the meat would be welcome sustenance, providing enough to feed their party for a week, if not more.

They set up a makeshift fire pit using stones they found nearby and gathered dry wood and kindling from the forest floor. Eldrin had a steady flame going within minutes.

They crafted a spit from sturdy branches, skewering the larger pieces of meat and positioning them over the fire. As the meat cooked, they turned the spit slowly, ensuring even roasting. The sizzle of the pork and the aroma of roasting meat were tantalizing. For the smaller cuts, they fashioned a grill from green branches, placing it over the fire and laying the ribs and loins on top. The meat cooked to a golden brown, the fat dripping into the flames and creating bursts of savory smoke.

Eldrin seasoned the liver and heart with salt and herbs from his pack, then wrapped them in large leaves and placed them directly in the embers to cook. The liver and heart would be ready first, providing a quick, nutritious meal while the rest of the meat roasted to perfection. Neither would have been Justin's first pick in his old life, but hunger had a way of changing a man's opinion.

By twilight, Kargan had cast Blood Aegis and everyone had a full belly. They wrapped the remaining meat, about twenty-five pounds' worth per person, in cloth and secured it with rope, using Eldrin's salt to preserve it. Justin's pack was also enchanted to extend the shelf life of perishable food, and apparently, so were the others. It seemed to be a common enchantment, not too expensive to shell out for.

As Kargan and Lila settled down to sleep, Justin and Eldrin stayed awake. The Ranger was smoking a pipe thoughtfully, staring into the flames. Justin would have slept, but too many questions were bouncing around in his mind. Questions for which only Eldrin had the answer.

"Eldrin, can we talk a bit? Away from the camp."

The Ranger looked up. "Sure thing, lad."

They stepped away from the fire, a suitable distance away, but still in sight.

"What's on your mind?" Eldrin asked.

Justin gathered his thoughts. "I have questions. I know I wasn't supposed to be listening at the door at the inn, but the point is, I was, and I heard some things. Things I'd like answers to."

Eldrin nodded. "You want to know what the Baron saw in you, no doubt."

Justin nodded. "Yes. It seems extreme to go through all this trouble over a low-level Socialite. Why did he set the Death Mark on me in the first place? Did Alistair tell you anything?"

"He told me what he cared to tell me," Eldrin said. "I've deduced a fair bit on my own. We were going to tell you when the time was right. But of course, things went sideways..."

"The time is right now, Eldrin. I deserve to know."

The Ranger let out a smoke ring, watching it dissipate into the frigid night. "I expect that you do."

Justin waited patiently. He knew Eldrin wasn't hesitating. He was just trying to figure out the best way to deliver the information.

"As for why he placed that Death Mark on you, Alistair and I agreed that he probably didn't know what he had," Eldrin said. "At least, not at first. He saw you were isolated and alone, and no one would go looking for you. Plus, you have something of a rare class. That can be useful to a man like Valdrik."

Justin frowned in thought. "He assumed I was nobility. I made up some name."

"He's probably heard of every major and minor house in Aranthia, and even beyond its borders," Eldrin said. "If he didn't recognize yours, he saw through the fabrication. He simply saw an opportunity and jumped on it. As for the rest...he didn't figure that out until later."

"What do you mean, 'the rest?' I get that I have a rare class, but surely it can't just be that."

Eldrin nodded. "You're right. Normally, when someone is killed and then raised by a Necromancer, they are mindless, compelled to obey their master. Think of those zombies that attacked us back in Silverton, or the ones we fought in the catacombs. Terrifying in large numbers, but they have no mind or will of their own."

"Okay. So what would make me different?"

"You have a class. That changes everything. You would still be enthralled to the Necromancer, but you'd still have a mind and a will of your own. But a part of the master will always live there with you. You can't do anything that's against your master's wishes. Do you follow?"

Justin swallowed. "I believe so. Wouldn't other people know I'm undead?"

"It would become pretty obvious. Most classed undead, for that reason, stay away from towns and live at the beck and call of their master. Valdrik's men, for example, probably reside somewhere deep in his mansion or in the mountain behind it. At the same time, there are some undead who can hide their condition. They will get a boon that allows them to blend in. It probably wouldn't slip by a proper Paladin or a high-level Priest who has the ability to detect the undead, though."

"I see," Justin said. "So, I would be an undead Socialite. And that's valuable to him."

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"My best guess, with you being a charm-based class and undead, is that you would meet the requirements to become a vampire. They are one of those forms of undead I mentioned that can blend in with the living. That would be incredibly useful to a man like Valdrik."

"A vampire?" Justin asked, horrified.

"Possibly. Some of these things are beyond me, admittedly, but Alistair mentioned it."

"Okay, that begs the question. If he really wanted to take control of me and make me his little vampire servant, why allow me to leave his mansion in the first place? That seems like a dumb move."

"It wasn't dumb. It was very astute. You were turning in a job for the post office. If he apprehended you, they would see the parcel was accepted, but the courier never came for payment, and that wouldn't be updated in the Universal Ledger. And if there's anything the Royal Mail takes seriously, it's the Universal Ledger."

"Makes sense," Justin said. "But at the same time...it doesn't. I mean, he killed Alistair over this. He's a Paladin, and when he turns up missing, that'll lead to questions."

"Again, you're right," Eldrin said darkly. "There's more."

Justin waited as Eldrin gathered his thoughts.

The Ranger continued. "One of his men was certainly there that night at the Moonlit Alehouse, listening to every word. My greatest failure was not noticing it; I was too deep into my drinks. No doubt, that spy was learning everything he could, so that the Baron wouldn't lose track of you."

Justin's eyes widened. Of course, that made sense. It was chilling to think about.

"The Baron was forced to move faster when Alistair got involved," Eldrin went on.

"That's another thing," Justin said, interrupting. "When Gareth saw Alistair, it seemed he knew him. Do you know anything about that?"

"They trained together at Mont Elea two decades ago," Eldrin said. "They were friends once. Gareth...took a different path. I can't speak to the reasons."

"Huh," Justin said. "That sounds like a story."

"Aye, it does. But you were asking what else Valdrik saw in you. Well, you should know yourself. You said it loud enough for half the tables to hear."

"The Prismatic Core," Justin said in realization.

The Ranger nodded. "That's right. They're rare—beyond rare. And you don't know what a person would do to get their hands on one. Unlike other class cores, which disappear when someone dies, Prismatic Cores simply become unbound, available for anyone to use again. At some point, after changing hands a few times, they run out of power and disappear altogether. Even so, if people figure out you have one, you're going to be hunted down."

Justin felt the blood drain from his face. "I was an idiot."

"Maybe," Eldrin said. "You were also a little drunk, and you didn't know better. Then Alistair got involved. That's why the Baron made his move despite the risk. Of course, if he kills you, you'll be enthralled by him. But my thinking is that he'd rather destroy you entirely to gain access to your Prismatic Core. At first, maybe it was about getting a useful new servant. The core just upped the stakes."

Justin suppressed a shudder. "How much is a Prismatic Core worth? From what little I understand, it gives you any class you want. Valuable, to be sure, but is it really something to murder someone for?"

"Well, I'll answer the easy one first. There's no way to quantify how much a Prismatic Core is worth. For one, most people don't think Prismatic Cores exist. Such a thing is beyond price. It might be worth more than the entire Queendom of Aranthia to some."

"I feel like I'm missing something."

"Well, for one, it gives anyone an extra Core Attribute and a class. Try to think of the implications of that, lad."

Justin thought about it. He didn't think he was stupid, but he was coming up short.

"I can only think of what it did for me. I had no Core Attribute or class to begin with. The Prismatic Core gave me both."

"Yours is a special case. I assume you'll get to choose your second Core Attribute upon reaching Level 20, same as others. Or you might get nothing at all. You're not from here, so I can't say. What I can say is that every human on Eyrth is born with one of the six attributes. And when they reach twenty years old, they have to pick a class core to match. It's the Creator's way of balancing us."

"I have to admit, I'm still lost. I don't understand why the Baron would want my Prismatic Core. After all, he already has his advanced class." Justin thought it over a bit. "Unless my Prismatic Core would give him another Core Attribute and class on top of what he already has."

From Eldrin's grim expression, Justin realized he'd hit the mark, or was at least close. "That's what we're trying to prevent. Normally, such a thing isn't possible. You get two Core Attributes, one at birth and one at Level 20, if you manage to reach it. You don't choose the first one, but you do choose the second one. A Prismatic Core bypasses all that. It would allow Valdrik to take on a third Core Attribute and unlock a class even more powerful than the one he already possesses. An Ascendant Class."

"Ascendant Class? What's that?"

"The most powerful tier of classes," Eldrin said. "It's said to be only possible with a Prismatic Core and an Advanced Class. Four Prismatic Cores are said to pop up a year, and most go undiscovered. They only appear in Eyrth's most dangerous Vaults on either a solstice or an equinox. Only a handful of people in all of history have actually been documented to have an Ascendant Class. One of them was the head of the Shadow Empire, Belshar the Nightbringer. His Ascendant Class was something called the Eternal Sovereign Class."

"Eternal Sovereign. Sounds powerful. And…evil."

"Powerful enough for him to rule his empire for centuries, never aging, until he was finally overthrown and destroyed."

"What happened to his Prismatic Core?" Justin asked.

Eldrin shrugged. "Who knows? At this point, it's faded to the Aether or someone else has it. Maybe it's yours. That's how rare they are."

Justin shuddered to think about it. "Could it really be?"

"It's not likely," Eldrin said. "The way you described coming upon it is...strange. Did you really just find it in a meadow? There was no Vault, no other dangerous enemies around?"

"I went through that portal, got knocked out for a while, as far as I can tell. When I woke up, I saw it there. So I grabbed it. There was nothing more dangerous than a few goblins, which came later. As soon as I picked it up, I heard the Voice, and it gave me the option to choose any class. So, I picked Socialite. It seemed the best choice at the time."

"I see," Eldrin said, his brow furrowing in thought. "And after you selected Socialite, did it give you a Charisma core to match it?"

Justin nodded. "It did."

"Hmm." Eldrin was silent for at least half a minute, stewing over Justin's story. "It almost sounds as if..."

As he trailed off, Justin watched him closely. "Almost as if what?"

But Eldrin, infuriatingly, didn't answer him. "It's beyond belief, lad. Alistair said the gods had their hands in this, and now I believe it. Paladins have a sense for these kinds of things, even if they don't understand them entirely."

Justin frowned. "So, if a Prismatic Core gives a new Core Attribute and any class, does that mean if I had found another class core first, and then the Prismatic Core, I could have taken an Advanced Class early?"

Eldrin shrugged. "Maybe. But I've never heard of anyone taking an Advanced Class before Level 20. But that doesn't mean it isn't possible."

Justin gave an ironic laugh. "Just my luck, huh? It was basically wasted then. Instead of getting two Core Attributes from the get-go, I only got one."

"Well, think of it this way. It's still better than no class core at all. And you couldn't have known that at the time. You should still get your second Core Attribute at Level 20. Well, I can't be really sure you will, but it's hard to imagine that not being the case."

"It feels like a missed opportunity," Justin said. "Just like taking on the Socialite class instead of something more useful."

"Now, your class definitely has its uses. You should know that as well as I do. No one class can do everything, and we cover for each other's weaknesses."

"I suppose," Justin said. "So I have to wait until Level 20 for the second Core Attribute."

"That's the most likely outcome. That's a long way off, but it means all you have to do is find another core that's compatible with the Socialite Class. Either way, none of that matters unless we can get the Baron off your back."

Justin sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I won't be safe for the rest of my life, will I?"

"Well, your secret is safe with me and Lila. I have a keen eye for character, and she's a good one." He paused thoughtfully. "If I were you, though, I wouldn't tell anyone else. I doubt Valdrik is telling anyone, either. He'll want the prize for himself."

"There's the one who overheard the conversation in the tavern."

Eldrin gave an ironic smile. "That man is dead. I guarantee it. Either that, or he's undead and completely beholden to the Baron."

Justin swallowed. The cold logic made sense. "Do you think Gareth knows?"

"I can't say. My guess would be no, but anything is possible."

"So, that leaves the Baron and possibly Gareth," Justin said. "But there's no way we can bring either of them down. I'm just a Level 6 Socialite right now."

"Well, we'll get there when we get there," Eldrin said. "The goal is getting to Mont Elea and getting the High Priest of Arion to remove the Death Mark. From there…well, we'll just have to see. Whatever the case, never tell anyone about the core. I guarantee you'll regret it."

"I should still get an advanced class early," Justin said. "It just...feels like I'm being punished a bit."

"Punished?" Eldrin chuckled. "Hardly. Having a class is something most people never get. They say only one out of a hundred ever gets one. It opens doors for you that don't exist for most."

Justin understood his point. "Still."

"It's also possible that even if you found the Prismatic Core first, the Creator would still require you to reach Level 20 first. The truth is, your situation has probably never happened before." He cleared his throat. "Well, maybe you weren't the first."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's a long story. But there was a woman thousands of years ago. People here in Serenthel call her Ayla. She basically saved all of Creation. She's a special case, though, and nobody agrees on a lot of the details. She basically became a religion, what you know as the Church of Light."

"She's a religion?" Justin frowned. "Then why haven't I seen her anywhere? In art, I mean."

Eldrin gave a mysterious smile. "Have you seen that phoenix all over the churches, on Alistair's armor?"

"Is that her?"

"That's right. What they say she became. Anyway, it's just a story. And in part because of that story, they say Prismatic Cores carry the blessing of the Creator Himself. I can't say if it's true, of course. But certainly, you've attracted some strange happenings. For example, we've run across three Vaults in the last week, and I don't think that's a coincidence. Some might say it's the Creator's luck."

"That's not luck!" Justin protested. "We almost died every single time."

"Think of it this way. Normally, the only person who'd even have access to a Prismatic Core would be someone who wants access to advanced Vaults and treasures. The Prismatic Core would be a way of getting that. It's also said to influence the rarity and power of items you receive from Vaults, and even in the presentation of rare skills and boons at level-ups. It's worth more than the possibility of an Ascendant Class."

Justin thought it over. Yes, it would make sense. They had run across three Vaults, and even Alistair had mentioned that it was strange. Then there had been the enchantment on his Cane of Valoria that had given him a one-time boost to his base Charisma. Gribble the Snow Goblin had mentioned the extreme rarity of that enchantment, to the point where he had sent some goons after him. Even Alistair mentioned that the Cane of Valoria, a silver-tier weapon, had the properties of a gold-tier weapon.

None on its own was definitive proof in isolation, but altogether, it painted a picture.

For the moment at least, Justin was more worried about Baron Valdrik. He was already incredibly powerful. It wasn't just his class, but the power and soldiers under his command.

What was his game, anyway?

"What does Valdrik want?" Justin asked. "Not my core, I mean. He's a Necromancer. That's not a class, is it? He's already a Lexicant."

"Necromancer is not a class," Eldrin confirmed. "It's called an Aspect. Kind of like a Focus, but not really. It's not anything you unlock by leveling, but rather by undertaking certain actions."

"Certain actions? Like what?"

"Such as pledging your core to Morvath, the God of Death. Or doing some other nasty things."

"Oh."

"As for what Valdrik wants, we don't know. Alistair came to Silverton to find out where the bodies were going, and it all pointed back to the Baron. The Baron getting his hands on your Prismatic Core is just about the worst thing that could happen. The last thing we want is to face a tyrant with that kind of power."

"So that's what he wants? Power?"

"What else could it be? The more thralls he has, the more experience he gets. That was how the Eternal Sovereign got his start back in the day, and it's why all power-mad fools are drawn to Necromancy. The trouble with budding Necromancers is getting caught too early. That's what we have the Templars of Arion for, and they are quite effective at rooting out Death Magic practitioners. But if you don't catch the Necromancer in time, it can get bad, really fast."

"How bad?"

"Well, the Nightbringer started the Shadow Empire. Turns out, it's easy to conquer all your neighbors and create an empire spanning two continents when you have access to an Ascendant Class and can easily recycle dead soldiers, even if they don't fight as effectively as the living. Not to say Valdrik will be like that, but with Alistair dead, we're all that is left to deliver the news to the people who can actually do something about it. That's why I'm risking my neck for no guaranteed payout."

At last, Justin felt as if he understood Eldrin's motivations better. He was a good man, but helping Justin was also in his best interest. It seemed he truly believed every word he had spoken.

That terrified Justin, but there was nothing else he could do. He was stuck in this world with no way out. So there was nothing left but to see it through.

"Thanks for everything," Justin managed. "I have more questions, but this is already too much to take in."

"Aye, that it is. But for all the doom and gloom, remember that not everything is about levels, skills, and classes. There are the choices you make. You become those choices. Every day, we face decisions, and those decisions shape us. Always do the right thing so long as it's in your power. Attribute boosts aren't everything; your own strengths do matter. If you work hard, you can punch above your weight."

Justin nodded, letting out a sigh. "It doesn't feel that way, but I get your point."

The Ranger clapped him on the shoulder. "Let's get some rest. Tomorrow is another long day."

As they returned to the fire, Justin's mind buzzed with the new information. The road ahead was dangerous, but at least now he understood the stakes better. And he understood why Alistair and Eldrin had hidden it for so long. It was a lot to absorb.

He felt motivated, as he never had before. It was a reason to get stronger. Maybe he was a Socialite, but tomorrow was a new dawn and a new level-up.

Level 7 might not be much, and Socialite might be a maligned class. But all the same, Justin resolved to become as strong as he could.

As he settled down on his bedroll, the fire at his back, he reached for the Amulet of Equilibrium. Assuming he could keep boosting his Charisma and get the Baron's Death Mark removed, the Amulet would do a lot of work on its own, boosting his other attributes far beyond what they had a right to be.

So far, it had only been about survival. And it was going to continue being about that for a long time.

But one day, with luck, he would be strong enough to punch back.

And he looked forward to seeing Baron Valdrik's face when that happened.