Stumbling Up: A Loser's Guide to Progression - Chapter 55: One Last Question

Mira giggled as she helped chase down coins that'd rolled away as they scooped the money into bags that Andrew had provided.

Meredeath had walked over to the cages, examining the skeletons that had kept Mira company.

"See anything interesting?" I asked.

Her eyes turned to me, flashing green. I tried not to react, but it was becoming increasingly obvious that she was using her skills and powers almost constantly.

"We still haven't found Mistress Del's missing ladies." Meredeath’s words echoed my own thoughts. "These remains might give us some clues."

Nodding, I asked my question, "Do you [Detect Death] or are these just dungeon constructs?"

"I got a new skill, too." She leaned in closer, whispering. "[Speak with the Dead]."

A shiver ran up my back. Meredeath's class was treading in a direction that was dangerous. I wasn't sure how close [Death Knight] was to [Necromancer], but it seemed close enough. General society didn't look kindly on the necromantic arts, and the Adventurer's Guild put out bounties on anyone found practicing, dubbing them heretics to the order.

Andrew already knew, but we couldn’t trust Mira, she was too young.

I needed a reason to split the party again.

As I turned, I realized everyone was staring at us.

Andrew spoke first. "Lesson #432 of adventuring. If you want to keep a secret, you shouldn't say it out loud. Too many people have skills associated with [Listening], including our Mira here." He patted her on the shoulder.

That's why I use my head. Richard said wisely as a glob of persimmon drool slid down his face.

I covered my embarrassment by walking over to the treasure chest and picking up my snarky 'owner.' He was limp in my arms, so I draped him across my shoulders.

"Okay, well," I said, wiping Richard's slime from my arm. "Meredeath can [Detect Death] and has a new [Speak with the Dead] skill. I'm going to suggest she use it on the skeletons. We might be able to close out Mistress Del's quest."

"Are you a [Necromancer]?" Leo asked, shifting his weight. What the hell, man? You don't just ask someone that.

I opened my mouth to respond, but Andrew cut in, "No, she's a [Death Knight]." His eyes flickered to mine, a subtle hint of unease. I wondered how safe [Death Knights] were from allegations of necromancy.

Was this secret truly safe with Andrew?

"A [Death Knight]? That's so cool!" Mira added her two cents, breaking my thoughts. She would not be turning us in.

"Great, Meredeath's going to create an entire fleet of [Death Magic] users." Leo grumbled. "If you guys don't mind, I'm going to head out. Want to get some rest before we leave for the Hunt."

Leo turned towards the dungeon exit, now clearly marked on our party maps. I could feel a tug at my heart. Whatever the invitation had granted him, he was still struggling with his role in our party.

He didn’t look back. That hurt more than I wanted to admit.

No one else noticed Leo’s state of mind. Instead, they were examining the skeletons that’d been in Mira’s cage.

I joined them, apprehensive as the shadows in the room elongated. Meredeath's eyes began glowing. Tandy also seemed to use a skill, her eyes gaining a passive golden color.

Looks like Meredeath’s not the only one with new skills.

Richard yawned, nestling his head into my shoulder as though we weren’t about to rip open the veil between life and death.

I’d quiz Tandy on it later, when there weren’t so many curious ears.

Andrew held Mira tight, but they were leaning forward with curiosity. Was I the only one left nervous about speaking to the dead?

The bones were dry, with tiny bite marks. One was even missing an entire leg. Both remnants had curled fingers holding them upright, as though sheer stubbornness could fight off death.

"[Speak to the Dead]," Meredeath spoke her skill, invoking a magic that I'd never imagined existed.

The shadows in the dungeon pulsed. The bones in the cage stood out white in the darkness. I took an involuntary step back as the skeletons began to glow, bones outlined in a thin flickering green fire that mirrored Meredeath's eyes. Sweat beaded on the [Death Knight's] forehead as she tried to hold the spell.

"I think it's failing." Meredeath's voice was strained, taut. I put a hand on her back, attempting to infuse her with my own resolve. Richard lifted his head, slithering over to her shoulders. I closed my eyes, trying to will the skill to work.

"Owe! Richard, stop biting me!" Meredeath said angrily, her magic flaring. Clever little slug, leveraging anger for her magic.

Mira gasped as it shambled up, bony fingers wrapping around the cage's bars. As the body straightened, its head swiveled to face Meredeath. The jaw opened wordlessly, clacking its teeth together.

Magic flared again, faintly outlining a young woman in a low-cut dress superimposed over the skeleton. She wore a lacy hat pinned to a pile of curls. The ghost’s eyes pierced my soul as it raised a hand, pointing. Before I could glean more, the skill ran out, plunging us into complete darkness. The world fell away, trapping us in the abyss. Slowly shadows and terror receded as the room snapped into focus.

"Holy shit." The words clawed out of my throat before I could stop them. I staggered sideways, gripping Tandy's arm. Meredeath had saved us multiple times, but these new skills were a lot. I couldn't help but think of Rhi's mummified [Lich] form and her bone warrior army. Meredeath's class was a dangerous one.

Tandy’s voice shook as she spoke, "Were you able to get anything from her? We couldn't hear anything."

Meredeath turned. As the magic drained from her eyes, it seemed to be replaced by a mix of exhaustion and fear. Her face was thin and drawn, with the whites of her eyes clearly visible. Meredeath shook her head as though trying to dispel the magic quicker.

"She's the one. The lady’s ring is the proof we needed." Meredeath’s voice was distant, as though still under other-worldly influence. She sounded like she'd lost part of herself in the magic.

"It's probably where she was pointing," I said, moving towards the corner of the room.

A pile of wet debris sat in the corner. I bent down, separating the leaves and gunk to find a jade ring. The tarnished silver was full of corrosion, and the jade wobbled in its setting, but it was definitely a ring.

"The skeleton pointed? I didn’t see that." Tandy looked at me, concerned.

"Yeah," I stood up, handing the ring to Meredeath. The [Death Knight] took it gingerly. Richard coiled around her neck. Her earlobe bled a little from a tiny bite mark.

[Quest Updated: [Missing] - You have obtained an artifact of Mistress Del’s missing ladies. Return the ring to Mistress Del for a reward.]

"We’ve at least met the quest criteria." Meredeath was right, but I couldn’t help but wish we hadn’t just solved the case. The woman was dead. I dreaded seeing the pain on Mistress Del’s face.

The [Death Knight] clutched the ring, like it was a lifeline to the living. I don’t think she was looking forward to explaining what happened either.

"Well, we should leave," Andrew said for Mira's benefit. The girl seemed caught between awe and fear, clutching his hand with white knuckles.

Tandy and I looked between the two, coming to the same conclusion.

"I want to see the orphanage, if that's okay? We don't have any in Woodsten, and I want to see where Mira lives." Tandy's lies were more convincing than anything I could have come up with. We really just wanted to give them the money in a way that Andrew couldn’t refuse. I nodded sagely, going along with Tandy’s ruse.

Tandy's excuse was enough for Andrew. Mira even ran up to me, grabbing my hand.

I looked down at her wide eyes, regretting the invitation to talk almost instantly as she began babbling.

"I can't wait to introduce you to the mothers! And show you my rock collection! Boni's going to be so jealous. Do you think you can do that thing? Where you fly? I think the other kids would love it, and it's been so boring. Everyone's so sad, but I think they'd laugh if they saw you cartwheel through the air!" Once she started talking, she did not shut up.

I'll stick with Meredeath. Altruism isn't my thing. Kids aren't my thing.

For once, Richard and I shared an opinion. One last task.

The Hunt was calling, but first, apparently, a rock collection.