TAKE ON ME [Survival LITRPG Apocalypse]

Bo's hand hovered over the pulsing crystal, its surface shimmering with ripples of light. "Everyone ready?"

Amber bounced on her toes. "Just do it!"

Bo touched the crystal.

A prompt appeared in Bo's vision.

[Dungeon Ability Offer: Spider Silk Guitar Strings: While playing a song, you have a small chance of magically trapping an enemy within a web.]

"Whoa," said Richard.

"Okay, same as last time," said Bo. "Richard, here's the deal. The first time a Dungeon is defeated, one person can claim a brand-new ability. You only get one dungeon ability ever, so make sure it's a good one. Those who don't get the ability will get a territory. Sound good? Everyone, read your ability out loud please."

Loo read hers first. "[Poisoned Well]: Summon magical Spider venom into any mana flow to poison all enemies within. Warning, this will kill any active conjurations in the mana flow." Loo paused. "Eh, I'll pass. This one kind of stinks."

Tess said, "[Arachnid Authority]: For a short time you summon invisible webs of influence which connect you to your teammates, enhancing morale and amplifying strategic cooperation. I could use that, put me on the list."

Tom read his. "[Specialized Muscle Modification]: For a four-hour duration your muscle modification of [Wolf Spider Silk] is upgraded to [Matriarch Wolf Spider Silk], improving the modification by 50 percent." Tom was silent for a moment. "Since we only get one dungeon ability, I don't think this one is worth it. I'll pass on it for a territory."

Kate read hers next. "[Venomous Maw]: During the [Mother Bear] spell your bite inflicts a slow-acting poison." She frowned. "I'll pass on the poison mouth."

Hana said, "[Arachnid Attachments]: The ability to attach and control up to eight extra undead limbs, thus boosting each ability's power. Warning, only arachnid legs may ever be attached." Hana paused. "This would be fantastic if it didn't limit me to arachnid legs. I'll pass."

Amber read hers. "Ohhh baby! [Web Slingers]: The ability to shoot webs like Spiderman!"

"Oh my God!" Finn and Loo shouted at the same time.

"Nah, just messin', but I'm close with [Spider's Grace]. I think this is how the Matriarch kept dodging my attacks! It's a buff that merges my acrobatic skills with the Spider's reflexes, making me even harder to hit. I would like to put my name on the list as well."

Chloe quickly read hers. "[Nightmare Cocoon]: Traps a target in an illusory nightmarish cocoon for extra crowd control. I like it, but I don't think it's good enough either. I'll pass."

Finn went next. "[Araneovitis Arboreus]: Also known as magical Spidervine, a hybrid species of flexible vine that ensnares your target and drains small amounts of their life at the same time. Ummm, I would like it, but since it's possible I'll never be able to use it . . . I'll pass."

"Finn," Bo said. "You don't have to do that, buddy."

"I agree, Finn," said Kate. "You were here, just like the rest of us."

"Thank you, but pass," Finn said forcefully.

Finn's spells had been on Bo's mind often…he just didn't have any answers. Bo considered arguing with Finn. However—in truth—Finn might be right.

He's growing up fast.

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"All right," said Bo. "Richard, how about you?"

"[Eyes of the Vigilant]: For a short amount of time I . . . grow extra eyes, giving me a 360-degree circle of enhanced perception of anything harmful or dangerous. It sounds weird as hell. I saw that guy Brad's mouths. I'm not excited, but I want it."

"What's your ability, Bo?" Hana asked.

"Nothing good. We're not wasting our one ability on some stupid [Bard] shit."

Hana opened her mouth, but Bo cut her off.

"All right, we have Tess, Amber, and Richard all wanting the ability. I have an idea, give me a second."

Bo touched the crystal, and the prompt [Select Virgin Dungeon Power Recipient] appeared. By now, Bo had gotten a lot more proficient at willing his intentions onto the 'system'.

Is there a fair, unbiased way for the system to choose the recipient of the Dungeon ability?

[Random System Game Available: Winner receives the ability. Would you like to begin?]

"System has a random game for you," Bo said. "Fair's fair. Starting it now."

A spectral casino table materialized, and a transparent dealer—which looked like a Wolf Spider—signaled for Tess, Amber, and Richard to come play. The dealer expertly shuffled a deck of cards, and [Blackjack] appeared on the tablecloth.

[Each player will play one hand. Highest hand of blackjack wins. Another round will be played in case of a tie.]

Amber pranced to the table and claimed the first seat. Richard sat at the second position, while Tess took the last remaining spot.

The ghostly Spider dealt the cards.

Amber received a jack of spades. Richard cursed at his measly two. Tess was dealt an eight.

The dealer acknowledged all three players and dealt another round.

This time Amber received a queen, bringing her total to twenty. "Yes!" she whooped, pumping her fist.

The dealer gave Richard a second two. "Man, what the hell!"

Tess was dealt a ten.

The dealer looked at Amber.

"Stay!"

"Hit me," Richard said. A three. "Dammit! Hit." A second three. He now had ten. "Come on, ace! Hit." A seven. "This is bullshit. Hit." Ten of hearts. Bust. Richard's cards faded, and a red X appeared in his spot. Richard got up and walked way, cursing about rigged games.

The Wolf Spider pointed at Tess. "Well, eighteen doesn't win me anything. Hit." The dealer flipped over a nine. Bust. Tess shrugged. "Congrats! I'm kinda glad it was you. You train the hardest."

"Thanks!" Amber smiled. "I promise to put it to good use."

Next, it was time for territory selection.

The system displayed nine equal-sized fiefdoms in a three-by-three grid. So far, in their search for the Spider Dungeon, they had only explored the bottom right and the bottom center fiefdoms, and they hadn't yet discovered what made those sections of land 'special'. To Bo's surprise, his name was attached to the center-bottom block, giving him a second territory equipped with a Dungeon. Hana was assigned the bottom right block.

"I'm a Lord!" announced Richard.

The map faded away, and the crystal dimmed. A heavy quiet settled around them.

Bo surveyed the loot-filled cavern, assessing their next steps. "All right, let's grab everything we can carry. Copper Coins, Upgrade Coins, training books, blueprints, bag it all. Ellen, can you bring the puppies?"

The group fanned out, scooping up any items that were assigned to them.

Bo examined a blueprint he picked up off the ground. "This one's for . . . a [Crappy Battering Ram]? Why would we need that?"

A short distance away, Tom was crouched on the ground and fumbling for items. "Anyone see if I missed any loot? I can't see properly yet. The payback is affecting my vision."

His voice was casual, but he couldn't fool Bo. The sight of Tom scrabbling on the ground painted a fresh veneer of guilt onto Bo's brain.

Kate guided Tom's hand to a pile of silky thread. "Spider silk. Tons of it. Assigned to you as your loot."

"Thank you," Tom muttered. His next words seemed to cost him a great deal. "I'm gonna need you to lead me out of here, Kate."

Kate growled, then grabbed the sides of Tom's face and pulled him in. She rapidly licked each eye.

"Ugh, what are you doing?" Tom pulled away.

"[Healing Saliva]. Hold still!"

Tom did as she asked, though his face was twisted in disgust. "This is nasty."

Kate pulled away, making spitting noises. "Yes. It is."

Tom paused. He blinked rapidly. "Actually . . . "

A stripe of gleaming saliva covered Tom's eyes, but the redness was fading underneath it.

"I think it's helping!" said Tom. "My eyes still hurt like hell, but I can see a little more!"

Loo wrinkled her nose and poked at a massive Spider leg. "The Boss's legs didn't disappear. And Dad, there's a recipe over here, probably assigned to you. Says we can cook these like crab legs."

Hana retched. One hand was clamped over her pale mouth, and the undead hand gripped her stomach. She hunched over and took deep breaths.

Bo placed an arm around her shoulder, and pulled strands of tangled raven hair away from her sweat-covered face.

Hana tried to smile. "It's easier to control now. But I pushed hard during the fights . . . and then the Spider legs . . . " She swallowed.

"This is ridiculous!" Richard pointed at Tess. "My prompts say I'm a Vassal to this kid?"

"You're still a Lord, and one of these blocks is still assigned to you," said Bo.

"Well, I think that's bullshit! I should be in the same ruling class as you guys!" Richard peered suspiciously at Bo. "Did you do something to make me less important?" His face flushed red. "Is that why you sent me to get Ellen?"

Bo clenched his fists.

Hana got there first. She rested her undead hand on Richard's shoulder.

Richard flinched away from her.

Bo's fists tightened further.

"Richard, please," Hana said. "We didn't do anything like that. We're happy you got a lordship and a fiefdom, and we'll help you explore your land and claim your resources. It's not like your a slave to Tess, there's no need for—"

A chime interrupted her, and a blue prompt materialized before the group.

"Well, would you look at that?" Tess crossed her arms. "His crying triggered an explanation."

"Tess!" Hana warned.

The prompt detailed a voting system, explaining the difference between Lords like Richard and the ruling Lords and Ladies of the Kingdom. There was a large chart that laid out the power held by Lords and Ladies, Barons, Dukes, Counts, etc. While the ruling class held more voting power, it suggested that—with enough Vassals—they could potentially outvote the ruling class on certain issues. It also pointed out that the only ruling Lords and Ladies for Raintree—and the only ones there would ever be—were the Robinsons and Damascus's, since they were the ones who created it. The prompt was signed by Caretaker Transparency.

Richard's shoulders slumped. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"It's fine," said Hana.

"We've wasted enough time. Let's pack up and move out. We'll send the support team in to carry what we can't get. Kate, can you guide Tom. We need to haul ass back to Foundation." Bo said.