NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25.1
The Hurricane safehouse was an unassuming building located in the lower city residential district. Though it looked decrepit and abandoned on the outside, its interior was surprisingly spacious and well-furnished. The walls and front entrance were also reinforced to prevent unwanted entry – and unlike the bandits' hideout, there was a hidden underground passage to allow for retreat if Helmund's soldiers came knocking.
Which...might become relevant soon.
Even in the relatively short time it took to reach the safehouse, Caelryn City had already started gossiping about a royal stronghold being assaulted by rebels. The streets were abuzz like a kicked beehive, its people whispering in hushed undertones over what Duke Helmund's response would be.
And while there was no direct trail of evidence linking the attack to Simon's band of miscreants, they couldn't rule out being discovered by magical scrying or an Artifact with unknown effects. Bastian seemed to believe they'd be okay, but he still strongly advised that everyone stay put inside. The safehouse was stocked with plenty of food to tide them over as they waited for things to die down.
He only left briefly to bring a Hurricane-affiliated healer; a man whose eyes were burning with curiosity and caution in equal measures. The healer clearly wished to know more about why they'd been injured, yet he also recognized that the less he knew, the safer he'd be. In the end, after patching up their wounds, the man departed without asking even a single question of them, choosing to accept coin as payment for his discretion.
"Surprised you needed to pay him at all," Simon commented. "Figured the rebellion would run on plucky idealism, not back-alley dealings of purchased loyalty."
"Loyalty is best when purchased," Bastian muttered. "Much more stable that way. When you're aiming to subvert someone to the cause, a thousand impassioned arguments pale compared to the jingling of a coinpurse."
"If it's that easy, then why has the Hurricane made so little progress?"
"What, you think we're made of money? Why do you think I went so far as to steal and sell a carriage?"
After that, Simon, Katarina, Bastian, and Cyna all settled in. Cyna was unconscious once again – though she looked much better than before, a healthy glow having returned to her face. The other three took a well-earned rest as they spent hours listening to the sounds of turmoil growing outside.
Slowly, it sank in that they'd sparked a real, genuine stir among the populace. Wasn't often that Helmund lost dozens of soldiers in one fell swoop. For that to happen, and for the aggressors to escape scot-free? Unprecedented.
It was more attention than Simon had wanted to draw to himself this early in his transmigration, but, oh well. He'd gained six Levels, a Class Advancement, and a skilled Boon-Bearer – needing to lay low for several days was more than fair trade.
Guess we'll be getting some time off after all.
Katarina retired early for the night, grumbling about how today had ended up much longer than she'd thought it would. As soon as she'd left the Contractor and Contractee alone, Bastian ran his hands down his face, sighing like he was being led to a hangman's noose.
"Alright." The rebel straightened his posture, donning a mantle of calm. "To start with, we should discuss how you miraculously transformed me into a Swordsman beyond my wildest dreams. This power you've bestowed...the Boon that was Granted...I need to know more."
Simon gladly obliged, gave him a rundown of what having Levels, stats, and EXP entailed. He also made sure to specify that if for whatever reason, the Boon was rescinded, Bastian's power would revert to its former glory – or lack thereof.
"Don't have the luxury of being frustrated by that," the Swordsman mumbled to himself. "Alright. No more stalling. Let's get this over with."
His body tensed. "What are your intentions, Demon? What shall be expected of me?"
Simon arched an eyebrow. "You know, you acted way more personable than this when you were begging me to rescue Cyna."
"I was on the job then."
"Aren't you still? Or do you think that Cyna is safe with me? She is, don't get me wrong, but I'm surprised you're willing to let her recover in the same building as a big bad Demon. Thought you would try to run off with her."
Bastian shook his head. "You'd find us. Just like how you hunted me across half the city when I was certain I'd covered my tracks. And even if we somehow slipped your net...it wouldn't matter, would it? I'd be back at your side by the very next day."
Clause 6: At least once per day, Bastian Evergray must report to Simon Cobblestone for orders, in-person.
A bit of insurance to keep him from fleeing the coop. It might breed resentment in the long-run – Simon could already see a glint of suppressed despair in Bastian's eyes – but there was insurance for that too.
Clause 4: Bastian Evergray will never seek to physically harm or kill Simon Cobblestone or Katarina Cartier.
Funnily enough, Simon was fairly positive that he would lose a one-versus-one duel against the Contracted rebel. While their Levels were similar, the system used Levels as more of a representation of innate mana, latent power, and enhanced physicality. It didn't account as much for experience and expertise, which Bastian had in spades.
Not that it would help him here. He'd signed on the dotted line. No amount of power or skill could reverse a Contract etched onto your soul.
"I ask again," Bastian said. "What should I expect from this...arrangement, of ours? You don't appear to be a Demon driven by meaningless bloodshed, but I'd be a fool to trust that impression."
"Meaningless? No. Meaningful? Absolutely."
Simon grinned. "In truth, your life won't change as much as you're assuming. I'll only be tasking you to kill people affiliated with the nobility. Or trash like slavers, but those aren't really people."
Bastian narrowed his eyes. "To what end?"
"Same as yours – dethroning Duke Helmund."
"And why would you...hmm. Is this a ploy enacted by the Queen of Demons? Have you journeyed here from Ashora to weaken the Severed Isles? Remove the Duke in preparation for an invasion?"
"Never met the Demon Queen, never set foot on Ashora. I actually can't remember anything from before three weeks ago. Ask Kat if you don't believe me."
Bastian obviously didn't, but elected to play along regardless. "Then why? What purpose would slaying Duke Helmund serve for you?"
Simon laced his fingers together. "A question for you, Bastian. When a boil becomes infected, filling with pus and rot, do you let it fester and spread until an entire limb needs to be chopped off...or do you lance it and cauterize the wound, no matter how painful that may be?"
"Quite a descriptive analogy," the Swordsman remarked, in a sardonic tone. "But it's not an explanation. Recognizing that the nobles are poison doesn't mean you'll risk your life to kill them. If that was the case, we'd have droves of people lining up to join the Hurricane."
A valid point. Simon was intimately aware that the vast majority of people would never take up arms to fight for their own betterment. Not even if they knew of Valtia's impending apocalypse. They would only admit that the sky was falling when it was already five minutes too late to stop it.
Bastian paused. "Are you aiming to grab power in the chaos that will follow Helmund's death?" he posited. "Because that's an ambition bordering on lunacy, and I say that as a member of a doomed rebellion."
You admit the rebellion is doomed? They would have to touch on that later.
"You're overcomplicating things," Simon said. "Overthrowing Helmund is for the good of the Severed Isles – for the good of Valtia as a whole. Do I need a reason other than that?"
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'Yes' was the answer written on Bastian's face. Instead, the Swordsman remained silent, choosing his words carefully. "Then...your goals align with the Hurricane."
A sliver of excitement entered his voice. Like a flickering ember of hope that he knew he should quash, but didn't have the heart to. "Do you intend to support our case? Work for us to attain a brighter future?"
Simon chuckled. "If anything, you'll all be working for me."
--
Bastian had turned in for the night. He and Cyna were sharing a room. Simon had his own private quarters – which he was now putting to good use.
Been waiting all day for this, he thought, his anticipation building. Character Sheet.
Simon
Class: Nascent Demon [Advancement Available]
Attributes: Transmigrator, Fell-Shrouded
Level: 26
HP: 310 / 310
MP: 470 / 470
Strength: 35
Dexterity: 33
Vitality: 33
Intelligence: 47
Unspent Points: 15
Were there any two words more glorious than 'Advancement Available'?
Last time, the system had offered him a variety of basic starting Classes. Swordsman, Brawler, Survivor, Con Artist, Thief, and Nascent Demon. As he'd chosen Nascent Demon for his initial Class, his next Advancement should presumably continue down that path, granting stronger, more specialized Demonic abilities.
With the glee of opening a gift-wrapped present, Simon willed his list of Advancements to appear. The first of six possible Classes appeared in front of him.
Class Advancement: Anti-Demon
-For those who think they've made a grave mistake.
-Learned Skills: Holy Immunity, Form Integration, Aura of Deniability
-Bonus Stats: Dexterity, Vitality
-Note: All Class Advancements will gain an equal amount of Bonus Stats.
Simon frowned as he concentrated on the potential Skills. Like before, he could intuit which function each ability would perform.
Apparently, Anti-Demon was the system's emergency exit – a failsafe in case he'd come to regret embracing the Demon Class path. Holy Immunity erased his mild weakness to sacred mana. Form Integration made it so that he didn't need to Shapeshift and reveal his right arm to use Demonic abilities. Aura of Deniability subconsciously prevented people from suspecting his true nature.
With all those Skills combined, he could effectively masquerade as a full-blown human forever. No one in Valtia, aside from Katarina and Bastian, would ever learn what he was truly capable of.
Worthless. Not a single combat-related ability. Perhaps these three Skills would've been useful if he'd decided to enter politics and covertly amass influence, but he wasn't in the business of schmoozing nobles.
Not when deposing them was much more expedient.
Simon held no delusions about the future. Valtia's new history would be written in blood. He didn't need Classes that helped him hide – he needed power. Skills that would fell foes and bend society to his will.
Anything else was cowardice.
He promptly dismissed Anti-Demon, moving on to the next choice.
Class Advancement: Demonic Berserker
-Rip and tear until it is done.
-Learned Skills: Rampage, Lifesteal, Not A Scratch
-Bonus Stats: Vitality
Berserker seemed to be an intriguing, versatile Class. Rampage was a mobile short-range dash that empowered one weapon attack. Lifesteal healed the user whenever they damaged their opponent. Not A Scratch completely nullified any single instance of damage, although the Skill was on a fairly long cooldown.
Simon could see this Class being extremely effective when utilized by the right person. Its game plan was simple: outlast. With Rampage and Lifesteal, a Berserker could embroil themselves in the middle of a hectic melee and come out nearly unscathed, regenerating wounds with every enemy they slew, an unstoppable avatar of savagery. Not A Scratch also made for an excellent just-in-case panic button.
Unfortunately, it was suited to close-range brawlers, and Simon was getting more mileage out of his spells as time went on. Berserker's unrestrained fighting style probably wouldn't mesh with how he tried to approach encounters. It was still a solid backup option, but the other Classes might fit him better.
Next up is...
Class Advancement: Demonic Conqueror
-Lead. Rule. Make them kneel.
-Learned Skills: Upgrade to Subjugate Territory, Upgrade to Channel Essence, Upgrade to Grant Boon
-Bonus Stats: Balanced
A Class styled after the Sealed Demon of Ruination's namesake. Kirkelas the Conqueror, eat your heart out.
Rather than teaching Simon three brand-new abilities, this path seemed to improve what he already had. Subjugate Territory, Channel Essence, and Grant Boon would all become more powerful than before.
Channel Essence gets permanent multi-casting, he noted. Two spells at once. That was something he'd struggled with until now. If he took this Advancement, it would be far easier to form – for example – a Barrier and a Landmine at the same time.
Grant Boon's upgrade made him hum appreciatively. It would gain the ability to 'Empower' a Boon-Bearer, temporarily strengthening one person that he'd given a Boon to. Considering the high-Level Swordsman that had just fallen into his lap...
Yeah, he could think of some uses for that.
Subjugate Territory's enhancement didn't prove instant gratification, but out of the three, it was maybe the most enticing to him. Its upgrade allowed Simon to teleport between any of the settlements that he'd Subjugated.
If he someday wrested authority from Caelryn City, then he would be able to travel between Caelryn and Springwater Village in the blink of an eye. Same went for anywhere else under his control.
Simon immediately understood how valuable that prospect sounded. The logistical importance of distance couldn't be underestimated, especially in a series of scattered islands like the Severed Isles. Reducing travel time would make virtually all of his future plans significantly easier to accomplish.
Overall, Demonic Conqueror seemed to offer both short-term and long-term boons. Definitely an Advancement to keep in mind moving forward.
...And it looked even better when compared to the next Class available.
Class Advancement: Demonic Corrupter
-People think their minds are a sacred, inviolable temple. Show them otherwise.
-Learned Skills: Infestation, Boon of Corruption, Degrade Mind
-Bonus Stats: Intelligence
Eugh.
Simon took one look at the potential Skills and recoiled. He...was not a fan. Contracts were one thing – this was total mind control and worse.
Is the system inventing Demon-appropriate abilities for me, he wondered, or is it cribbing them from currently-living Demons? Is 'Infestation' an ability that already exists in Valtia? I'm trying to give native Demons the benefit of the doubt, shouldn't judge them all based on rumors and hearsay, but, yikes.
Plus, Corrupter was just the first Class in its line. Its later Advancements would likely iterate on the concept. Up the ante. Grant him abilities that went even further beyond the pale.
By his estimate, this was the type of Class that sought to erase free will from the world and replace it with a flesh carnival of twisted smiles and soulless eyes.
Pass. If he chose Corrupter, and Heroic Valor yelled at him for it, he would've actually agreed with the Trait. That was all that needed to be said.