NOVEL NEXT 033: Preparation for the Horde 1
<11 August 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER , A+>
[Theo and Julia]
Theo and Julia finished leveling up. Theo smiled, "What did you upgrade?"
"Retaliate is S minus rank now." Julia said, "What about you?"
"Penitent Strike is A rank." Theo said, "You see that we got a title?"
"Mhmm," Julia affirmed and displayed the title and what it did.
| Just the Beginning | |||||||||||||||||
| "You have advanced past level 5. Many do not do this. For those of you living an easy life in a low mana zone, you know that leveling is hard. For those of you leveling up in a high mana zone, you know that life is hard. Either way, this is only the beginning. Luck to the User." | |||||||||||||||||
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | CHA | META | ||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
"That's not bad; it raises questions, though," Theo said.
"Is it really that hard to level up in lower mana densities?" Julia wondered out loud, and then she realized that she had another title to check as well.
| Skilled Up | |||||||||||||||||
| You have upgraded a skill to S- | |||||||||||||||||
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | CHA | META | ||||||||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||
"Huh," Julia said.
"What?" Theo asked.
"Well, it seems that I got a title for leveling a skill up to the S minus range." Julia said, "It gave me two META."
"Well, that's good," Theo said.
Julia shrugged, dismissing the box and smiling, "Alright, next one."
They both looked at the next box that came up.
| System Message | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regarding: Marked of the Harbinger | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You have been marked by a representative of the God of Plague and Cannibals.
You have slain the Herald of the God of Plague and Cannibals.
You have angered a God.
The horde approaches. The minions of the Unwanted God gather to lay siege to you. Their numbers will be increased and arrive sooner with each strike to the Harbinger. By slaying the God of Plague and Cannibals' Herald, you have angered him. He will work to strike back at you through his Harbinger. Time Remaining: 02D - 23H - 59M - 17S |
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| Note: You are observed by the Elders and the Unwanted God. |
"We lost time." Theo said, "And what do you want to bet I have more stacks on my multiplier?"
Julia shrugged, "Meh, we are committed at this point, not that I want to die, but I feel like they started it. I would really love to know what got the attention of that Corrupted Goblin Chief anyway."
"Me too," Theo said and dismissed the blue box. "Alright, last one."
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| Bet Payout | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Original Bet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Party 1: | Sorrenson/Brahmin (via proxy) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Party 2: | Lord Ka the Mournful | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| [PROXY] bets 1 Orb of Undivided Twilight that [Sorrenson/Brahmin] will slay a direct minion of a god before reaching level 15. [Lord Ka the Mournful] counters with a Ring of Eternal Mourning, betting that [Sorrenson/Brahmin] will perish or be forced into submission when first confronted by divine-tier influence. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WINNER: | Sorrenson/Brahmin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As the winners of the bet, you receive a Ring of Eternal Mourning.
Your proxy is entitled to a fee of two gold. Would you like to provide payment or sell the Item to the system and pay them from the proceeds? |
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"What the hell?" As they read, two glowing golden circles hovered below the blue box. "Well, I guess we pay, or the item gets sold."
"Let's pay," Julia said, equally confused. Summoning a gold to her hand from the Hand of Gold.
Theo did the same, and they placed the coins in the circles that floated in the air. The coins and the blue box vanished, replaced by a black ring that had a weeping face on it. Black light emanated from it. Theo hesitated, then took the ring.
As soon as he touched it, he felt a wave of power run through him. He dropped the ring. "What the fuck."
"Let's Identify it," Julia said, and they both did.
| Identification of Target | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subject: Ring of Eternal Mourning | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level: 50 | Mana Density: ??? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class: N/A | Special: Mana Locked | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Species: N/A | Other: INDUCTION TOUCHED | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A ring worn for a time by a God of Death.
Allows the wearer to beseech the dead for knowledge.
Mana Locked: The Abilities of this Item are bound to the mana level of the User. More abilities may unlock as the User grows more powerful. Passive: Immunity to effects that would cause you to lose heart. Passive: Binds to first Wearer, Unbinds on death of Wearer. Active: Once per Day, ask your ancestors a question. They may or may not provide an answer. INDUCTION TOUCHED: The System has modified this Item. Destined Users will receive minimal answers from the System as they have no System Bound ancestors to query. |
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| Value: 02P_37G_09S_12C | Status: Sacred | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
"What the fuck kind of bet did someone make on our behalf?" Julia whispered.
Theo was about to respond when both Julia and Theo saw the same message appear in their sight.
>Private Message: Skill 'Group Message' Active - receiving message from Lord Ka the Mournful
Then they heard a raspy chuckle that was kind but still filled with power and made their skin crawl.
"Ah! I see what she was doing now." The voice of Lord Ka the Mournful said into their minds. "Know that there are those who would kill for that ring. Mayhap we have chance to meet before the final meeting. Wear it well, young Soil Born. And may you defend your Hearts Hearthtender well. Tell your friend, well played."
A wave of power washed over them, and then the message ended.
>Private Message: Skill 'Group Message' Ended
"Am I the Soil Born?" Theo asked.
"And what is a Hearts Hearthtender?" Julia asked.
Suddenly, they received another message.
>Private Message: Advanced Class knowledge unlocked, Initiating transfer
Theo and Julia both tossed their heads back as a searing pain took hold of them. After a moment, they both dropped to the ground.