UL1 - Book 10 - Chapter 15

“I keep trying to remind myself you’re already tier 2,” Jazzjak said.

“Wait, what?!” Fowl exclaimed. “Max isn’t level 1 anymore?!”

Laughter reverberated around the room as everyone gathered seemed to be enjoying a joke their helper was missing out on.

“It’s… because… he was… always level one,” Cordellia finally got out between breaths. 

“Seriously?!” Jazzjak asked. “You beat the tower at level one?!”

“Well, having a black skill does help,” Max replied. “But yeah… it feels weird. Being level two in something for the first time.”

“It wouldn’t be our Max without being broke,” Tanila said. “Now then, what’s on the agenda for today?”

It took a moment for the vorpal bunny to calm himself and then he tapped on his tablet a few times, summoning the screen that appeared before them all.

“Alright, so updates. Currently, the world is producing a little over three thousand DP a day for each of you, which is beyond impossible six months in,” Jazzjak said. “You each have outfitted a few groups of adventurers who are now accessing the early dungeon cores you have spawned. If I compare the charts…”

*****

Divine Point System Shop

Dungeon Core Generators:

Tier 1 - 100,000 (Cap 1 per god per world)

Tier 2 - 1,000,000 (Cap 1 per god per world)

Tier 3 - 100,000,000  (Cap 1 per god per world)

Tier 4 - 1,000,000,000  (Cap 1 per god per world)

Tier 5 - 1,000,000,000,000 (Cap 1 per god)

*****

“Each of you has a Tier One and Two Dungeon Core Generator due to Max’s gifting of the items. You should see in the upcoming years an increase in loot drops as well as some other DP increases, provided the adventurers stay safe.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Rakonath said, winking at him.

“Anything for my favorite dragon,” Max replied.

“What about your favorite dwarf?” Fowl asked.

“Oh, I already gave Batrire those items.”

Chuckles came again as Fowl held up a middle finger.

“Focus,” Jazzjak said. “This part is where things are going to get interesting. You six are all closing in on almost half a million DP. We passed on the last three fights as there was no clear winner that I could determine. Had you bet each of you would have lost those DP on two of the fights. Later today another will be announced and I can say with almost certainty that it should be one-sided. If you wish, I can wager a set amount on–”

“Bet it all!” Sog exclaimed.

“Wait! If you lose–”

“But you said with almost certainty,” the demon replied. “If that’s the case, I’ll trust you. That is the least I can do after you kept me from wagering on the last one and knowing I would have lost.”

“You wanted to wager on the last one because you said, and I quote, ‘they have a dozen arms, surely they can win.’ That is not how one bets.”

“I’ll wager all of mine,” Rakonath said.

“Me too!”

“And me!”

Jazzjak stood there, rubbing his eyes as he shook his head.

“Remember when I said risk a certain amount? Say half?”

“But we’re racing a clock also,” Tanila replied. “Still, six months is not a lot but if we get three months in return, we’re only giving ourselves more to bet with as other fights come.”

“It could be another ten years before a match appears. The fact we’ve had this many in a single one is an anomaly.”

“Has to be the Max effect,” Batrire said. “Still, we’re all wanting to go all in.”

“Fine,” Jazzjak relented. “I’ll wager for everyone all their DP.  Max?”

“Oh, whatever you think is a good number.”

“You’re tier 2, which means you can wager up to twenty million.”

“Then do it.”

A nod came from Jazzjak as he tapped on his tablet. 

“That leaves basically… nothing. You all are doing what must be done here. The only thing left is to let things build up, continue to engage and help your people and maximize their growth.  In about a hundred years, we’ll want to take a step back and see how they are managing things on their own for a decade, perhaps. It would be good to see if they can succeed without your daily assistance.”

“Do other gods do that? Or I mean, would they?” Cordellia asked.

“It depends on the god. Some do nothing, complaining when growth is slow. Others give too much and for too long. This makes their kind dependent upon the aid.  Teaching, guiding, and helping are good. Crafting everything you can for them is not.”

“So then what are we supposed to do with ourselves?” Fowl asked. “I mean, don’t get me wrong being able to drink all the ale I want and not get fat is great, but I feel like there is so much more I could be doing.”

“That’s how the first five tiers are,” Jazzjak replied. “You’re not active in a lot of things, just beginning to stretch and grow in new powers with each new tier. I mean, you did read the book, right?”

“Of course I did!”

Their helper frowned, glancing at Batrire who was shaking her head no.

He sighed and tapped his tablet. 

“Always that one god… fine… let’s go over these… things…”

*****

God Tiers

Tier 1 - World Champion:

Starts with one world; designs its geography and system. 300-year protection window. Can bestow bloodlines upon completion of it. Able to purchase system gains via the spending of Divine Points. Gains one divine spark.

Tier 2 - Demi-God:

Gains four additional divine sparks. Stronger influence and physical/system abilities

Tier 3 - Paragon:

Immortality becomes a thing unless their soul is destroyed via combat.

Tier 4 - Godbound:

Gains the ability to travel between realms, not just worlds. The original 9 operate multiple realms which contain different rules and powers. They can directly interfere with the worlds of other gods. This is limited to one rank above and below their current Divine Hierarchy rank. Interfering with other worlds can be seen as an act of war and triggers potential conflict between alliances. Interfing is limited to shared worlds acquired through the arena.

Tier 5 - Lesser God:

A domain is granted to the god. (e.g., Fire, Shadows). Can form larger temples, grant minor blessings, and grant their bloodline part of their domain. This domain grants the god a boost against those who invade their world.  Invading gods will find themselves weakened until they achieve the Doman Sovereign rank.

*****

“Whoa, that’s a lot of words,” Fowl muttered.

Jazzjak smacked his mouth a few times, frowning.

“As you can see, each rank opens more options to you. Having a single divine spark is great at tier one, but having five at tier two provides you with a chance to create a powerful and unique group that will earn back that amount spent tenfold.”

“Which is what Max has done, right?”

“Correct. You and Batrire could each give your spark to the king and queen you picked out for your capital. Just know it would require each of them to do what Edward is doing with his group. They are venturing into the dungeons as we speak, growing stronger and earning a return already on his DP invested.

“Right now you need to decide over what is more important. Getting to the second tier, acquiring a divine spark dwarf, or finishing your bloodline.”

“Ten million DP for a bloodline is a lot,” Cordellia said. “That means passing up on the second tier, and getting five sparks for a while.”

“A numbers game. Still the bloodline you acquire will also help you choose a champion that when gifted the divine spark as well should be a better return in the short and long run. Especially for those of you who have races that live far longer than humans.”

Everyone glanced at Max who was not paying attention. Instead he was making faces as he held Miranna.

“What?”

“Do you have an opinion?” their ranger asked.

“I do, and I shared it.  Getting your bloodline is very important.  Each of your races except mine should live five hundred or more years with ease. That means you can have two bloodlines going. Some like Rakonath could have multiple dragons who are embed with power. I don’t know the typical life frame of demons as some live for hundreds or more years and others are typically dead from infighting.”

“So true,” Sog said.

“So bloodline, spark, tier two, sparks, and keep pushing,” Tanila said.

He nodded, making faces and smiling at his daughter again.

“Max is right,” Jazzjak said. “During this time we’re going to hope other fights take place. If we can wager 20-30% of your DP on a fight thats 2-1 or 3-1 odds and win, it gives you a better chance of hitting certain goals before the protective window fades.”

“And don’t forget why we want tier 5,” Max added. “The bonus to defenses against invading gods on your world due to having a Domain isn’t something to ignore. As someone who faced a king with a domain, they are powerful.”

Sog groaned as he stood, moving to where Max was and started joining him in making faces.

Everyone went silent as the midnight black skinned Demon, currently with yellow eyes blew raspberries.

Miranna made bubbling sounds and Max turned, holding his daughter out to the demon.

A shocked look came as Sog stared at the baby wrapped in a white cloth and then back at the man who held him out.

“You’re serious? I mean–”

“Are you afraid to hold a child?” Max asked.

“Afraid? Yes!” 

Miranna let out a gasp at his outburst and the demon clamped his mouth shut, putting a hand over it.

“I… I mean she’s yours. I’m only here because you summoned me in the final fight and the system allowed me to continue due to your bond. Our relationship isn’t the same.”

Max rose, holding his daughter out again, her face turned toward the demon who stood a few feet taller than him.

“Demon or not, I can sense the good inside you. Even now I know you are dealing with emotions that you’ve rarely had to ever consider or experienced before. You know how I feel about everyone in this room and on this world. Don’t think for a moment I’m not serious when I say I trust you with her.”

Max watched as the demon who stood before him chest puffed out and he slowly began to nod his horned head.

“I am honored.”

Two large, black, clawed hands moved with care, taking the offered child and carefully wrapping her in those oversized hands.  A smile formed and grew as the demon brought the child closer to his face.

No screams came, no tears or crying. 

A soft babbling noise was all that could be heard in the room.

Sog’s face suddenly changed, his eyebrow raising as his head cocked sideways.

“Wait… what is this foul stench I smell? Is she part demon?”

Max laughed and shook his head, taking a step back.

“Oh no… that’s a gift just for you. You’re holding her; you talked about it. That means you get to change her diaper.”

A look Max had never seen replaced the confused one, yellow eyes widened, rows of sharp teeth showed as the demon pulled back his lips in horror.

“Oh no! Anything but that!”

Tanila laughed, moving to stand next to the demon and patted his naked back.

“Come, I’ll show uncle Sog how to change those nasty messes.”

The demon stopped his outburst and turned to look down upon the elf who was smiling at him.

“Uncle Sog… I like that.”