TAKE ON ME [Survival LITRPG Apocalypse]

Tom shook his head. "Oh come on! No way!"

Tess met his gaze. "Today's Spiders were Level 5. If we hunker down and don't level this week, then next week we will still be Level 4, and they will be Level 6, and there could be more than three of them."

"Yeah but there is a lot more of us here, I don't think…"

Tess turned away from him. "We don't know where the Spider Dungeon is, so we'll need to leave as fast as possible to be back in time for next week's Headless wave. We'll have to worry about the Troll Dungeon a different week."

"So we are going to just charge around taking out every Dungeon around us?" said Tom.

"I get what you're saying," Tess said to Priya and Jill.

Am I fucking invisible?

"But I really need you guys to do this. If the Dungeon isn't defeated this week, then it will be Level 2 next week. If it hits Level 2, then Foundation sinks, and all our hard work is gone. Plus, if the Dungeon is killed off, then all the Headless we didn't manage to kill will also disappear, making Foundation safer."

"I was with them the first time." said Brad. "I can guide us!"

Priya bit her lip.

"Please? We really need you guys to do this."

Priya nodded.

"You can count on us," said Mike.

Tom was nauseated by the thought of facing the Spiders again. "Is this really necessary?" He lowered his voice so Team Two wouldn't hear. "There were several times we almost died in the Headless Dungeon, and those higher level Spiders are gonna be way fucking worse."

"What other choice do we have?" said Hana. "They'll keep getting stronger week after week. If we don't destroy it now, I'll bet we wished we'd cleared it while it was Level 5."

"Besides, on the way there we can explore some fiefdoms," said Bo. "Maybe find some valuable resources."

Tom opened his mouth to argue, but Kate held up a hand. "I don't like it either, honey. In fact, I hate it. But it will only get worse if we ignore it."

Tess addressed Team Two, "So, you guys are tackling the Headless Dungeon tomorrow. I'm happy to go over the notes again with you, if you want?"

"We can handle this, guys!" said Brad.

The others on the team looked hesitant, but they all nodded.

"Bo, man, do we know what happens when we defeat the Dungeon again?" Brad asked. "Will our group become the Lords of Raintree?"

Tom hadn't thought about it.

From the way Bo froze, he hadn't thought about it either.

A bright light flashed, and Caretaker Transparency flickered into view, her translucent form wavering like a heat mirage. She emitted just enough light for her outline to show up in the darkness.

"What the fuck?" yelled Jill.

Eric leaned back.

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Transparency raised a glassy hand in greeting.

"Sorry to interrupt! I overheard your question, and thought I'd bring some clarity on the subject."

Bo's jaw flapped around. "Are you Caretakers just . . . listening in all the time?"

Transparency nodded. "To a degree, yes. Although I only tune in if someone is talking about Kingdom stuff. Laws, taxes, contracts, business dealings, that kind of stuff. I'm afraid I don't have a fully comprehensive user guide just yet, but I'm working on it. The world is changing so much, and so fast, that it's hard to keep up." Transparency's low voice was smooth as she continued. "To address your earlier question; no, a virgin Dungeon territory can only be claimed once. This territory is yours." She inspected her invisible fingernails. "Unless you lose it."

"Lose it?" Hana asked.

"Yes. You could sell it. You could be conquered by a rival Kingdom. Or you could . . . ," she made a slicing motion across her throat.

"Okay . . . ," said Bo. "So, if Team Two cleared the Spider Dungeon instead of us, would they get the option to form their own Kingdom?"

"Yes, but only if Raintree didn't exist. You cannot create a new Kingdom directly bordering another. It's a safeguard, to prevent overcrowding and conflict."

"So, Team Two wouldn't get any special rewards for being the first to clear the Spider Dungeon?" Chloe asked.

"They would be given two options," explained Transparency. "They could choose not to claim the territories at all, or they could join the Kingdom of Raintree as Vassals." She pointed a crystalline finger at the Damascus's and Robinsons. "Since you are the original nine who formed the Kingdom, they would be assigned as Vassals under you. However, they would have the right to rule their own fiefdom, and they would have a voice in governing the Kingdom. My current user guide has 800 prompts so far on the governance of a feudal system like yours. I would be happy to read it to you?"

"Lucky us," Finn muttered under his breath.

Hana shot him a warning look.

Bo ran a hand down his face, and exhaled heavily. "Okay. Thanks for the info, Caretaker. I appreciate it. Am I correct in assuming that if Team One goes and defeats the Spider Dungeon, then we will all gain another territory, which will be included in the Kingdom of Raintree?"

Transparency inclined her head. "That is exactly right, and it will count toward upgrading from a Lord to a Baron. I'll do my best to compile a more thorough guide for you soon. Till then, I must go. Busy busy."

She shimmered out of existence with a final wave.

For a long moment, no one spoke.

Bo clapped his hands together. "Okay, Team Two. Do you want a shot at the Spider Dungeon instead of us? You heard the Caretaker. You could get a shot at your own fiefdom, and be Vassals."

Mike shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I don't think we're ready to take on a higher-level Dungeon. We know what to expect with the Headless Dungeon, and it will be a good one for us to get our feet wet."

Amber did a fist pump.

"All right, then," said Tess. "Tomorrow morning, we pack up and head out to find the Spiders. Tonight, let's just try to rest up."

The teams dispersed, and moved away in clusters to wash away the grime and gore of the battle as best they could in the dwindling piles of snow. A 'washing' area had been identified downstream of the Headless Dungeon, but—even with the Dungeon defeated—it wouldn't be safe to use until all the trees around it had been felled.

Tom remained by the campfire, with a tightness in his chest that had nothing to do with bruised ribs.

Another fucking Dungeon.

As the celebration got underway, Tom wandered through the food-scents, and avoided the people nodding and waving in his direction. His stomach growled.

"Lord Damascus! Over here!"

Tom suppressed a wince at the title.

A wiry White man with a scraggly beard beckoned him over, and proffered a steaming plate. "Great job today, Sir. I can't imagine what that's like having all them monsters in your face. Here, have some Catfish. Cooked it myself."

"Thanks."

A translucent window popped up.

[Hearty Catfish: Provides XS warming buff. Grants regeneration buff.]

Tom took a bite, and the flavors burst across his tongue. The buff icon appeared and counted down. "It's delicious."

"Glad you like it." The man sketched a rough bow. "Thanks again from my family. We appreciate you facin' down them monsters." He shuddered.

"We all did our part," Tom deflected.

More people drifted closer: they congratulated him; or slapped him on the back; or looked at him with something akin to awe.

[Renown Increased. Source: Foundation Townsfolk.]

Great. Another thing to keep track of.

Tom made his excuses, and moved off into the crowd. Everywhere he went, it was the same: people thanking him; or sharing their stories; or calling him 'Lord'. By the time he finished his meal, he was exhausted in a way that had nothing to do with physical fatigue.

A familiar voice cut across the hill.

"If I could have your attention, please!" Bo stood atop a large stump at the center of the crowd, his hands raised. The buzz of conversation died down. "I'll keep this brief. I know you're all eager to get back to the festivities."

"Sing us a song!" someone shouted from the back.

Laughter rippled through the assembly.

Bo laughed. "I'm all sung out for today!"

Bo's expression sobered. "In all seriousness, I want to take a moment to recognize what we've accomplished here today. Against steep odds, against terrifying foes, we stood together. We fought for each other, for our future, and for our town. Most importantly, every single person made it through tonight!"

A rousing cheer went up, and fists pumped the air.

A shadow passed close by Tom

It was Blake, slipping away like a ghost.

Did he even fight?

"Every day, we push forward!" Bo shouted over the din. "Tomorrow, Team Two will take on the Headless Dungeon. Team One will head out to locate that damned Spider Dungeon and wipe it out. If we all pull our weight, and work hard, then every day will be safer than the last!"

The cheering intensified, and people stomped and whistled their approval.

Bo let it go on for a minute, then raised his hands for quiet. "But tonight, we celebrate. Tonight, everyone sleeps with a roof over their head and a full belly. It's a hell of a victory!"

As the crowd erupted into fresh cheers, Bo hopped down from his makeshift podium, a fierce grin on his face. He moved through the revelers, clapping shoulders and shaking hands.

Bo ended his tour and stood next to Tom. They were soon joined by Brad, who came up behind them and pulled them both into a group hug. Shortly after that Kim, Hana, Bridget, Helen and her group of children gathered around them. Brad pulled up his shirt, multiple mouths stretched and formed on his skin. They started the rhythm of [Baby Shark by PinkFong]. Bridget chuckled and began singing along while the children clapped and cheered.

Tom chuckled but it didn't take long to become lost in his own thoughts, and eventually he barely registered the partygoers around him. Their laughter and conversations faded into a distant hum.

Just like that, it had been decided that all Tom's loved ones were headed into a Spider Dungeon.

He still felt the pain from their deadly battle against the Level 4 Headless Boss.

If that enemy was tough, how powerful would the Spider Boss be?