All in Charisma (A LitRPG/Isekai Adventure)

[You have reached Level 9. For every crest you ascend, a newer, larger mountain awaits on the horizon. You are so close to determining your journey.]

The words stirred Justin from sleep, pulling him into wakefulness with a familiar rush of anticipation.

[You have one attribute point to distribute.]

Without hesitation, Justin allocated it to Charisma.

[Your Charisma is now: 20.]

He nodded in satisfaction at this new milestone. However, one more point in the attribute would prevent him from removing his Amulet of Equilibrium—a consideration for his next level.

[As a Level 9 Socialite, you have unlocked a new boon. Choose wisely! There is no going back.]

Justin lay still for a moment, glancing around. Bohemond and Kargan were still fast asleep, their deep breathing the only sound in the quiet room. Embraced by the stillness, Justin turned inward, ready to explore the boons that awaited him. He was pleased to see that both options were rare.

Insightful Gaze (Rare): Where others see mere expressions, you perceive the unwritten invitations and unspoken rejections of society's dance. You can read and interpret the facial expressions and micro-expressions of sapient races with uncanny precision. The effectiveness of this boon scales with your Charisma attribute.

Unflappable Demeanor (Rare): Your composure remains as unruffled as a perfectly pressed cravat. Gain resistance to the mental status effects of Intimidation, Fear, Charm, Berserk, and Mind Control.

Justin weighed his options.

Insightful Gaze seemed the most practical. The ability to read someone's emotions or detect deception would be incredibly useful. Deception often hid behind polite smiles, and this boon would allow him to cut through the facade. As a boon, there was no cooldown; he would simply be better at reading people—arguably the most important skill for his class.

However, as powerful as it sounded, the description didn't guarantee anything. It would enhance his natural abilities rather than make him an outright mind reader. And of course, he still needed to act on the information. Would he be quick enough to utilize the knowledge it provided?

Unflappable Demeanor provided protection against mental manipulation, but with his Top Hat of Mental Clarity, he already enjoyed immunity to such effects. He would gain extra resistance to Charm and Berserk, although he had yet to encounter either. They sounded challenging to deal with, but it was possible that his Charisma was already high enough to afford him a decent amount of resistance. This would only increase as he continued to enhance it.

He suspected that if this particular boon upgraded at Level 18, it might even grant full immunity to all these status effects. Now that would be far more valuable. Even though it was somewhat redundant for now, given his current gear, he didn't want to be reliant on his Top Hat of Mental Clarity whenever he needed protection. Taking this boon would provide him greater freedom in selecting his gear in the future.

After some consideration, Justin decided that his high Charisma attribute would synergize well with Insightful Gaze, making it the ideal choice for his current build. While he appreciated status resistance and the potential for immunity down the line, full immunity was not guaranteed.

Additionally, he had to remember that Insightful Gaze would upgrade eventually, too. It was already quite powerful, so an even stronger version in the future would be welcome.

He locked in his selection.

[You have chosen: Insightful Gaze. With every word you speak, hearts sway and doors open…]

The others soon woke up. As they ate breakfast, Justin wondered if Kargan had leveled up to 6, given how much he had used his magic since arriving in Drakendir.

"Did you level up, Kargan?" Justin asked.

"I did," Kargan replied.

Justin almost asked what it was, but he noticed a hint of discomfort in Kargan's expression, so faint that it was nearly imperceptible. Was it his new boon at work? Whatever the case, it was clear that Kargan didn't want to discuss it. It was likely some Blood Magic skill he preferred not to share with Bohemond.

Justin changed the subject. "Well, my new boon will come in handy, especially for this investigation."

"How so?" Bohemond asked, tearing into his boar meat.

"It helps me read facial expressions better. It will help me spot lies."

"Good," Bohemond grunted. "The sooner we're done with these goblins, the better."

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. Justin opened it to find Borgruk waiting.

"All ready? I've arranged an interview with Zildur. She's waiting for you in her room."

"Sounds good," Justin replied.

They followed Borgruk past the empty throne room; the Queen wasn't present. The goblin led them down the same hallway where Nyrissa's room was located. A few doors down was Zildur's chamber—quite close to the Princess's. The Shaman was well-placed if she was the culprit.

Borgruk knocked before opening the door. Inside, Zildur sat by a hearth, wrapped in a shawl, her sharp features and gray hair framing intense amber eyes. Despite her outward expression of defiance, Justin sensed unease beneath the surface.

Zildur lifted a kettle from the fire and poured herself a cup of light green liquid. "Grimroot tea? I can't start my mornings without it."

"Let's skip it, given the circumstances," Justin said.

This elicited a dry chuckle from her. "Well, I'm sure you have your questions, so out with them."

"You're married to Grashuk, then?" Justin asked, watching for any subtle reaction.

Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly before settling back into place. The movement felt drawn out, as if he were perceiving every nuance in slow motion.

Interesting. That was new.

One thing was for sure: there was animosity between the two of them.

"Yes, Grashuk is my mate. Going on twenty years now," she replied, her voice steady.

"He seems to really love you," Justin added, testing the waters.

This time, her reaction of distaste was more obvious. "And how would you know that?"

Justin shrugged. "I caught him in prayer at the Shrine of Nyriss last night."

Zildur pretended not to care, but Justin felt the weight of her attention lingering on his words. She was definitely interested in her husband's exploits.

"Oh? He's not much of a praying goblin, so that's rather strange."

Justin mentally filed that away. "He said something interesting."

"And what's that? Out with it, young human. I'm too old for riddles."

Justin recalled Grashuk's words with perfect clarity: "She didn't mean to go this far. Heal the girl. That's all we ask. What I wouldn't give to go back! I told her it was a bad idea, but she won't let go."

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Zildur fell silent, her gaze distant. The pause lingered uncomfortably as she thought deeply.

"I'll come out and say it," Kargan said, breaking the silence. "It was you, wasn't it?"

Zildur remained quiet for a long time before letting out a breath.

"It's…my failure. This is probably what I deserve."

"You poisoned her," Bohemond said, his tone accusatory. "We know about your daughter, your resentment, your desire for revenge. You have easy access to the kitchens, and while Glamshara's skills may surpass yours, you know enough about poisons. You wanted to kill the Queen but ended up poisoning Nyrissa instead. It was always your plan to frame Glamshara and perhaps eliminate her later. Grashuk is trying to cover for you. You say it's what you deserve because you never intended to poison Nyrissa. Your guilt and shame must be unbearable."

Zildur chuckled. "Oh, you think you have it all figured out, don't you?"

"You said the Hand of Fate was finding the Queen," Kargan replied, his voice low. "We have a witness who attests to that."

"Grashuk?"

"Does it matter?"

Her expression was cold and defiant. "Oh, all this was cleverly done. You won't hear me argue against that."

Despite her defiant words, Justin could read her clearly. The way her eyes crinkled revealed the pain of being unjustly accused, a contrast to her cold demeanor.

The certainty settled in his chest like a stone.

"It's not you."

Both Kargan and Bohemond looked at him in confusion. Even Zildur seemed surprised by his sudden shift in demeanor.

"What do you mean?" Bohemond asked.

"You blame yourself for failing the Princess," Justin said, his words more revelation than accusation. "That's why you're not fighting back. Regarding what you said about the Hand of Fate, it implies the poisoning was beyond your control. Therefore, you didn't do it. Yes, you blame the Queen for what happened to your daughter, but you love Nyriss as if she were your own. Now, for failing to protect her, you're willing to die rather than help us find the real culprit."

Something flickered in Zildur's eyes—a moment of calculation followed by decision.

"You see much, human," she said. "More than is safe for any of us."

"Justin," Kargan said, his brows furrowing. "What are you saying? Who else could it be?"

"Is it Glamshara?" Bohemond asked, narrowing his eyes.

"I'm not entirely sure," Justin admitted, shaking his head. "But I know it's not Zildur."

"The Head of the Kitchens, maybe?" Kargan suggested. "Halkra, right?"

"We can question her if needed," Justin replied, glancing back at Zildur. "But for now, we need to find Zogmar. Something has been nagging at me. We're still missing the most important piece of the puzzle."

Zildur's voice was quiet, almost resigned. "You are missing something."

"Like what?" Bohemond demanded. "If you know something, tell us! It's so frustrating that you can help us but you're holding something back. Don't you love Nyrissa?"

Zildur watched him for a moment. "If I'm right, speaking this aloud would only ensure Nyrissa's death."

"What do you mean?" Justin asked, his attention sharpening. "Are you saying someone is listening to us right now?"

"Nothing like that." Zildur's eyes met his. "I'll say this much: there is a reason I've never left Nyrissa's side. Not since she fell ill."

"I need more than that, Zildur."

"Ask Zogmar if he knows about 'it,'" Zildur said, ignoring Justin's statement. "Tell him that exactly. If I'm going to die for this, I'll do so knowing I've given you all I can without making things worse. That's all I can say."

"Come on," Borgruk said.

Justin nodded at her. "Thank you. We'll do that."

As they left the room, Justin glanced back. In that brief moment, he saw Zildur watching them with a strange mixture of hope and dread—the look of someone who had placed a desperate bet and wasn't sure if it would pay off.

When they entered the potions workshop, they found Zogmar scrutinizing a mixture under the light of a glowing crystal. The old goblin jumped at their sudden entrance.

"By Nyriss, announce yourselves next time!" he snapped, almost spilling the contents of a vial. "I almost ruined this healing potion."

"We have more questions," Justin said, skipping the pleasantries. "Zildur mentioned you might know something. She said, 'Ask Zogmar if he knows about it.'"

Zogmar looked at each of them, letting out a long, suffering sigh. "I'm too old for this."

"Nyrissa's life is at stake, Zogmar," Kargan said. "If you know something, now is the time to speak. There won't be another chance. Otherwise, we'll have to assume you're part of this conspiracy."

"I know nothing about it, whatever 'it' is. As for whether I'm part of this, witnesses can account for every minute I've spent from when we discovered the excavation to the poisoning. You've got nothing on me."

Justin knew for a fact Zogmar was lying about not knowing anything. It wasn't just what Zildur had said—he could see it in the Potions Master's eyes, clear as day. His new boon was working, and Zogmar's discomfort was evident.

Justin stepped forward, his voice low and steady. "Zogmar, I can see right through you. You're a smart goblin—too smart to think we'd fall for your lie. But if you keep hiding the truth, the Princess's death will be on your hands. And when it all falls apart, you won't just be known as a liar. You'll be known as the goblin who could have saved her but chose to stay silent. Do you want that on your conscience?"

Zogmar's face tightened, his eyes darting between them. He opened his mouth to protest, but Justin wasn't finished.

"We're not here to take you down, Zogmar. We're here to stop a would-be murderer and save Nyrissa. But if you don't talk, she dies. And what's more, your potions won't save you from what comes next."

Zogmar studied Justin's face for a long moment, weighing his options. Finally, with a reluctant sigh, he shut the door to his workshop.

"All right," he said. "I didn't want to say anything before. I still don't, honestly. If this goes wrong, everything will point back at me."

"We can't finish the job without all the facts," Justin said. "It's a risk you'll have to take."

Zogmar sighed, his expression growing more resigned. "Fine. It's not direct proof, but it's about Grashuk and Glamshara."

"What about them?" Justin asked, leaning in.

"They're having an affair," Zogmar replied.

Justin raised an eyebrow. "Grashuk hates Glamshara. Are you suggesting his hatred is a misdirection?"

"Well, hate is too strong a word," Zogmar corrected, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "It's more like indifference that has turned into hostility since this poison business came up."

"So how is it that they're having an affair?" Justin asked.

"I can't prove it," Zogmar admitted, "but ever since that expedition uncovered the lab, I caught them together once. This was before the poisoning but after the expedition. They were… clearly involved."

"Involved?" Justin asked. "Where and when did this happen?"

"The day after the expedition," Zogmar replied. "I went to check on some herbs in the underground storage chambers. It's a secluded spot used for keeping volatile ingredients."

"Is that where you saw them?" Justin asked.

Zogmar nodded. "I wasn't expecting anyone else to be there. I turned a corner, and there they were—Grashuk and Glamshara. They didn't see me. They were… preoccupied."

Justin frowned. "Preoccupied how?"

Zogmar shifted. "They were… in an embrace. Clearly more than just talking."

"And you're sure it was them?"

"I didn't stick around, but it was unmistakable. I… tried to tell Zildur, of course. We work together a lot. But before I could say anything, she stopped me. I guess she already knew."

"Yesterday, Grashuk offered us a reward to apprehend Glamshara," Bohemond said, his brow furrowing deeper. "That doesn't sound like they're having an affair."

"Either that, or he's stabbing her in the back," Kargan suggested.

"I'm only telling you what I've seen," Zogmar said. "As for the sudden turnaround, I have a theory about that."

"What theory?"

"Glamshara has bewitched him. The excavation site definitely had all the right ingredients to create a powerful love potion."

"A love potion?" Justin asked. "Is that even possible?"

"Minor ones can be made from common ingredients found right here in Drakendir Cavern," Zogmar replied. "These can induce a slight infatuation, though they come with some adverse side effects. However, if I'm right, the potion affecting Grashuk would be extraordinarily potent. It would last much longer and make him completely beholden to her."

Justin could finish the rest himself. Maybe Glamshara didn't have ready access to the palace, but Grashuk did.

"Can't we test his blood?" Justin suggested.

Zogmar smiled bitterly. "Do you really think Glamshara would allow that? He would never do so willingly. Besides, attempting it would tip her off that we're onto her. We need to be more subtle."

Bohemond's frustration boiled over. "Then why didn't you tell us this from the beginning? You could have saved us so much trouble!"

"I got the idea about the love potion last night, after you went into the Underdeep. The concept still needs testing. If it can be proven, then Glamshara is behind it."

"How would we go about proving it?" Justin asked.

"There is a way," Zogmar said, rummaging through a chest and pulling out a small blowgun.

"What's that?" Justin inquired.

"What do you think? A blowgun. I can prepare a basic antidote that works on all love potions. You'll need to find a suitable spot for an ambush and then hit him with this. If I'm right, the potion's effects will wear off immediately."

"How do we know you're not lying to us right now?" Bohemond asked. "Maybe this is poison, and you're the real poisoner."

Zogmar bristled at the accusation. "What would I gain from killing Grashuk? It's Glamshara who's behind all this! She's created these distractions to cover her tracks."

Justin observed Zogmar but couldn't detect any obvious signs of deceit. He sensed that Zogmar was quite clever for a goblin and genuinely believed that a love potion was in play.

"We're not using that weapon yet," Justin said. "But we still need to prove that Grashuk is under a spell—something that will bypass any orders Glamshara might have given him."

"There's one way," Zogmar said after a moment. "If Grashuk believes Glamshara is in danger—truly in danger—he'll act irrationally, regardless of any orders he may have."

Justin noticed Kargan's eyes widen as if an idea had struck him. Justin raised a hand, signaling for silence; he didn't want to reveal everything just yet.

"Anything else?" Zogmar asked, still nervous. "Are you sure you don't want to try the blowgun?"

"We'll keep it as a backup plan," Justin replied. "But I have one last question."

"What's that?" Zogmar inquired.

"What color is the Heart of the Moonflower?"

Zogmar blinked and then answered, "It's a vibrant silver, like the surface of the moon. When ground up, it glows. It's simple to turn it into a potion: dissolve it in water, heat it, and then administer it."

Justin nodded. "Thanks for the information."

He motioned to the others, and they left Zogmar's workshop.