The Dark Warlock's Game

Vardy charged at the Essentria this time, rushing toward it before it could do the same. He figured out that the Essentria's only way out was to charge at him and make him dodge, so he acted first to prevent that. It was risky, but he wanted the EXP and undead from defeating Essentria.

When Vardy got close, the Essentria bit his shoulder, causing him a lot of pain. He managed to hold it off while Luthor and Tracy attacked it. They wrestled the Essentria to the ground, and Vardy told them to finish it off.

Vardy swiftly delivered a forceful kick to the Essentria's neck, causing it to snap and crumple in defeat. He then turned his attention to Luthor, who had suffered an injury from the attack. With remorse evident on his face, Vardy apologized for the harm inflicted upon him and offered reassurance that he would soon be healed.

Afterwards, Vardy took a moment to carefully allocate his stat points, meticulously reviewing each attribute's functionality before making any decisions.

- Strength: This measured physical power.

- Agility: It indicated physical speed and coordination.

- Vitality: This measured the total health pool and the durability bonuses from wearing armor. Each point in vitality raised total health by 3.

- Magic: It raised the mana pool and was crucial for casting spells. Each point in magic raised total mana by 3.

- Attunement: This stat determined how many skills, spells, or units a player could control. Every five points allowed an additional spell, skill, or unit.

- Perception: It increased accuracy, critical chance, and critical damage.

Vardy directed his attention towards enhancing his physical prowess and nimbleness in order to match the capabilities of superhuman beings. Subsequently, he allocated resources towards augmenting his magical abilities and fortitude.

Strength: 11

Agility: 8 (13)

Vitality: 6 → 10

Magic: 5 → 11

Attunement: 5

Perception: 8

HP: 21/21 → 33/33

Mana: 11/15 → 33/33

Due to Vardy's proficiency in vitality, magic, and attunement, his Legion Dark Warlock was granted a dual bonus for investing in them. 

As an illustration, two points allocated to vitality would translate into four. This 2x modifier was exclusive to the class of Legion Dark Warlocks and served as a counterbalance for the requirement of health offerings when summoning undead creatures and the exorbitant mana costs associated with spellcasting.

Vardy's strategy was clear: level his basic physical stats first, then focus on magic, vitality, and attunement. With a few points in magic, he almost doubled his ability to use Chill Bolts.

He spent the next hour hunting Essentrias in the forest, strengthening his abilities and gaining experience.

Vardy defeated ten more Essentrias, adding their undead forms to his party. He returned to his Sign and checked his status:

Essentria (x10) defeated! +100 EXP

EXP Bar: 5/60 → 105/60

Level Up!

Level 3 → 4

EXP Bar: 45/120

Vardy allocated all his stat points to magic, now having a total mana pool of 66.

Strength: 11

Agility: 8 (13)

Vitality: 10

Magic: 11 → 21

Attunement: 5

Perception: 8

Mana: 3/33 → 3/63

With his mana pool increased, Vardy could now effectively use his mage abilities. He checked the time and date: October 31, 2117, 10 P.M.

Reflecting on the past day, Vardy vowed to avenge himself and his friends. He noticed a glint of glass under the leaves and found a stash of syringes, likely belonging to Sly, a member of Dean's gang.

Realizing Sly might return soon, Vardy hurried back to the Apex Realm. He had to prepare for Sly's arrival between midnight and 2 A.M.

As the Sign's light enveloped him, Vardy felt the weight of his mission. For seventeen years, he endured suffering, but now he had power. He was ready to deliver justice.

Vardy, accompanied by his undead companions, entered the Apex Realm, where golden and blue energy enveloped him, restoring his health and mana to full.

"HP: 33/33"

"Mana: 66/66"

First, he headed to the Wellspring, a platform with a basin of white marble. He refilled his Revival Tainer with golden and blue liquid, capping it with a golden stopper.

Revival Tainer charges: 0/3 → 3/3

Next, he noticed a stick figure entity behind a work table surrounded by smithing tools. It mimicked Sindri, the smithing god, hammering away at nothing.

Vardy approached the stick figure and inquired about its previous mention of the hunt. However, it responded with a scripted dialogue, unable to fulfill his request.

Resigned, Vardy requested a crafted item and presented a Moss Beast Soul. He wanted a two-handed staff that served as a catalyst for magic.

The stick figure presented three options:

Staff of Grasping Vines Staff of Iron Bark Staff of Stilling Pollen

Vardy chose the Staff of Stilling Pollen, which could paralyze units in its area of effect. He considered it the most efficient choice for dealing with Sly.

"-80 Coins"

"Coins Remaining: 20"

With limited coins and no easy way to earn more, Vardy decided to be conservative with his spending. He expressed his gratitude to the System and checked if there were any other items available for purchase, but the screen was empty.

System mentioned it would be available if needed, and Vardy prepared to leave. He stood atop the exit Sign, determined to take the first step toward making things right.

"This will be the beginning of my journey to the top"

Luthor and Tracy grunted at Vardy, their zombified vocal cords limited to such sounds. Light surrounded them, blinding them momentarily before teleporting Vardy back to the forest. He glanced at his wristwatch.

Not much time had passed, which was good. Vardy needed time to get ready. He conjured the "Staff of Stilling Pollen" in his hands. It resembled a long bamboo shoot with three branches at the top, each adorned with a yellow bulb the size of a baseball, covered in tiny hairs and bright yellow pollen.

Each bulb contained the "Pollen Cloud" spell, turning them into noxious gas grenades that could be detonated remotely. A nearly perfect tool for Vardy's plan.