In the end, the stygian seed was not as firmly fused into the ground as I’d feared. After a few solid blows from ebonheart, it broke free and fell into my waiting hands.
You have acquired a stygian seed. This is an artifact of unknown rank. You are unable to discern its properties.
“I have the seed,” I reported through the farspeaker bracelet.
“Excellent! Now, get that thing back here!” Simone replied, the words spilling out of he...
2022-07-11 05:30:06 +0000 UTC
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I returned to my original observation point.
Crouched down on my haunches, I took a moment to watch the serpents. Their positions remained unchanged. Right, let’s be about it.
Readying my voice, I cast ventro. “Yoohoo, ugly monsters!” I yelled at the top of my voice, projecting the words to appear as if originating from the trapped boulder. “I’m over here!”
Twelve heads reared up. Staring at the ground to my left, the snakes hissed angrily, but none move...
2022-07-06 07:55:35 +0000 UTC
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You have teleported into a level 114 stygian serpent’s shadow. A hostile entity has failed to detect you! You remain hidden.
The sleeping snake did not so much as stir as I emerged into being beside it. Leaving it undisturbed, I crept away and deeper into the nest.
Hostiles surrounded me on all sides. Without an unobstructed view of the entire lair, I could not accurately gauge their numbers, but if I had to guess, I would place it at more than one hundred.
<...
2022-07-05 04:19:03 +0000 UTC
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“Fifty,” I said.
“What?” Simone asked with a frown.
“I want fifty percent of the loot,” I clarified.
Barac barked in laughter. “Nice try, noob, but no way.”
I didn’t glance at the centaur and kept my gaze fixed on Simone. “I'm the one who will be taking all the risk.”
The party leader stared at me impassively. “Thirty percent.”
Barac jerked in surprise. “Simone, you can't—”
The half-elf held up a hand, silencing him.
2022-06-30 13:01:05 +0000 UTC
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In a flash, Simone disappeared, teleported presumably to the nether.
The others followed quickly on her heels, and I scrambled after, surprised at the alacrity with which matters were moving. I’d been expecting Simone to outline the plan at least.
“Why the rush,” I called out to the others before they could vanish.
Barac and Moonshadow didn’t bother responding, and a second later, they too disappeared through the rift. Jasiah, though, paused and waited for me to catc...
2022-06-29 13:01:02 +0000 UTC
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Rinse and repeat.
That was what the next few minutes amounted to. We replayed the same successful battle sequence five times over, with Barac staggering the hydra, Moonshadow casting moonbeam, and me severing the creature’s heads while the others kept it preoccupied.
Of course, it was not all easy going.
After the loss of its first head, the hydra focused exclusively on me whenever I fell within range. And while that made me less effective, it gave the others free reign wi...
2022-06-28 13:01:01 +0000 UTC
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While the others readied themselves for the battle, I saw to my own preparations. Turning my attention inwards, I acknowledged the waiting Game messages.
Status of bounty 674 updated. You have slain 2 / 20 stygian beasts. Time remaining to complete the bounty: 7 days.
You have reached level 86!
Your dodging has increased to level 58. Your sneaking has increased to level 66. Your telekinesis has increased to level 52. Your telepathy h...
2022-06-27 13:02:00 +0000 UTC
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A minute later, our preparations were completed. While Alon had put the finishing touches on our intended sabotage, Adalinda and I had seen to our progression.
Your Faith has increased to rank 7.
Adalinda’s Strength has increased to rank 2.
Celestial trait triggered! Core attributes mirrored.
“We’re all set,” Alon said, hurrying to my side by the door.
I glanced back into the room. Adalinda waited by the ...
2022-06-25 16:00:07 +0000 UTC
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Only a little later, Adalinda began manifesting.
I remained stock still, barely daring to move, as the fire lizard slowly materialized outside my cell. I watched the Devil guard intently the entire time. If he reacted, our plan would likely fail before it even started.
Your companion has taken the form of a fire lizard. Adalinda has 40% psi remaining.
Despite my concern, the Devil didn’t stir as Adalinda appeared a few feet from him. He’s really fall...
2022-06-25 04:00:03 +0000 UTC
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I woke to pain and darkness.
“Have you still not found it?” I heard a voice bark.
“It must have run off,” a second said.
I bit down on the groan that threatened to erupt—barely—as pain blossomed at the back of my head. The events of the last few minutes—or was it hours?—were coming back to me. I’d been struck on the head by something.
I’m captured, I realized with sinking dread.
But at least I’m not dead. Knowing that didn...
2022-06-24 07:00:06 +0000 UTC
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Adalinda and I did not attempt retracing our steps. Doing that would not have been smart and would likely only have resulted in us running afoul of our pursuers. Instead, we ventured further into the unknown. And for a time, that seemed like a mistake. After what felt like hours, we were still wandering alone.
We’re not lost, I told myself firmly for maybe the tenth time.
The black sewers, it turned out, were immense.
Most of the passages were unlit, some were thi...
2022-06-24 05:01:03 +0000 UTC
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I stepped out of the aether and into the shadow of a stygian. Both my blades were still sheathed. They would be of no help in this battle.
But that did not mean I was helpless.
My empty right hand flew forward. Midway to my target, an astral blade coalesced in my palm, and I buried it hilt-deep in the smoky outline of the serpent’s neck.
You have backstabbed a level 108 stygian serpent for 100% more psi damage!
The nether creature jerked upright, his...
2022-06-24 04:19:11 +0000 UTC
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I attempted to sell what I knew of sector 12,560 and of the Awakened Dead’s machinations in the wolves’ valley to Arden. However, because of the age of the information and the fact I had no evidence, the gnome refused the transaction. It seemed that despite their disclaimer on the sign outside, the brokers would not purchase unverified information.
Still, I left the office happy with the outcome of my dealings. Exiting the building, I broke away from the crowds and, finding a quiet ...
2022-06-24 03:46:22 +0000 UTC
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Disguise back in place, I strolled along the street. While I did, I checked the gains I’d earned from the last encounter. My player level hadn’t advanced—but then it was Eyes who had done all the work of killing Gintalush.
Still, many of my skills had progressed.
Your dodging has increased to level 57. Your shortswords has increased to level 62. Your two weapon fighting has increased to level 55. Your telekinesis has increased to level 51. Your deception has increase...
2022-06-22 05:13:28 +0000 UTC
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The tier four jobs were primarily kill orders.
As Hannah had said, most were for multiple targets. A disproportionate number, though, were for stygian beasts. But that stood to reason given what Shael had told me about the city’s problem with rifts to the void frequently opening and the creatures spilling out.
Carefully, I read the description of the first such job.
Job number: 674. Job name: Cleanse the quarter (weekly). Tier: 4. Bounty: 100 gold. Payment is guarantee...
2022-06-22 05:10:59 +0000 UTC
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After another slow minute of creeping down the corridor, the four guards came into sight.
Up ahead, the passage opened up into a small chamber. I paused for a moment, studying the layout. There were two doors, one leading into the room and the other exiting it at the far end. Both had been left wide open.
The four Devils lounged around a wooden table in the center of the chamber, and judging from their ongoing conversation, they had not yet caught onto our presence. But given the ...
2022-06-20 06:52:13 +0000 UTC
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I watched Alon and the Devils leave.
My friend had been superb. Brazen and brash, he’d convinced the ganglord of his authenticity. I only hoped the rest of his performance went as smoothly. Stay safe, Alon.
Alon would draw out matters with Cantos for as long as he could, but eventually, he would have to share his news with the Butcher, and when that happened, I could expect things in the hideout to get busy. If I could help it, I needed to get in and out of the se...
2022-06-19 05:18:53 +0000 UTC
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The city of Mesina was the capital of sector 8,201 and one of the outlying provinces of Arinna’s territory. Like most border cities in the goddess’ domain, it had a heavily armed presence and was a more military base than a civilian town.
Yet, given the lives and homes lost to the war in the sector, Mesina also had a sizable homeless population, and the ‘slums’ constituted nearly a third of the city.
Slums, I thought, almost spitting the word in my anger. It...
2022-06-17 16:18:46 +0000 UTC
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Which Color scheme do you prefer?
2022-06-17 09:56:36 +0000 UTC
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Hi guys. A short request.:) If you're enjoying the story, I'd appreciate it if you boosted the story on Top Web Fiction through this link.
Happy Reading!
Tom
2022-06-17 06:22:30 +0000 UTC
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The door swung open all the way, and I slipped through.
Studying my surroundings, I saw that I was in an enclosed foyer. Contrary to my expectations, the room was well appointed and looked nothing like the outside led me to expect. A woven rug covered the floor, and gold frame paintings hung on the walls.
“Wait here,” Eyes ordered, floating towards the door at the far end of the foyer.
“Why?” I asked.
“I'm going to fetch Han,” he replied.
“Who's tha...
2022-06-16 12:34:11 +0000 UTC
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Matters were back to normal on the streets outside.
It was like nothing had happened, and the building I emerged from barely attracted a second glance from the passersby. Huh, I guess being chased through the plague quarter isn’t that unusual.
I wasn’t sure if I could prevent a repeat incident, but it was time I took a few precautionary measures.
Picking a likely subject—a passing elf—I studied his face, gait, and mannerisms intently. The player was a fighte...
2022-06-15 13:08:59 +0000 UTC
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Long minutes passed with no sign of my hunter.
Either he had been unwilling to give the trio the assurances they wanted, or they had deliberately delayed releasing him. Either way, I was grateful to the three players for the unwitting part they’d played in my plan. Although I was sure they were less than happy with the role I had thrust them in.
At the creek of a downstairs floorboard, barely heard above the background noise of the quarter, I jerked upright and returned my atten...
2022-06-14 13:01:59 +0000 UTC
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Wengulax pursued, of course.
I kept ahead of him—barely—using both one-step and my smoke bombs. For all my pursuer’s speed and skill with his blades, his senses were not as finely honed as mine, and he struggled with navigating through the smoke.
I didn’t make the mistake of attempting to close with him again though. In open combat, Wengulax was clearly my superior.
I will have to find a more underhanded means of defeating him.
As I made my way further...
2022-06-13 14:37:22 +0000 UTC
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Describing exactly what Adalinda was to Alon took longer than expected—in no small part because I wasn’t entirely sure myself. The explanation turned out to be long-winded, with frequent pauses while I consulted with Adalinda to fill in the gaps in my understanding.
“So, let me see if I’ve got this right,” Alon said when I was done. He pointed to the fire lizard that had maneuvered her way into my lap after I sat down on Soren’s bed. “That is your companion, Adalinda?”
2022-06-12 09:05:34 +0000 UTC
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I picked up the tarnished ring. The action spurred new words to spill across my mind.
This is a soulbound artifact of unknown rank: Shanasyn’s Legacy. This item houses a dormant celestial companion. Once the ring is worn, a spirit bond will be forged between the celestial and the player. Note, this item can only be equipped by a descendant of Shanasyn who has acquired the empyrean Class.
Soulbound items remain with a player after death and cannot be stol...
2022-06-12 04:08:00 +0000 UTC
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Before my fingers could grasp the bronze marble, the door to our shack burst open.
“Elena, was that Dorin I saw leaving? Is Soren all better now? Sergeant Cale will be pleased to—”
Alon broke off as he saw me kneeling on the floor and spotted the treasured items before I could cover them up. The big blonde youth’s brows furrowed. “Elena, what are you doing?” he asked in a puzzled tone.
I sighed, wishing for the hundredth time that the blank piece of scavenged woo...
2022-06-10 15:06:46 +0000 UTC
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I spun about to face the attacker closing in from rear and used a precious second to attempt analyzing him. This time, the ability succeeded.
The target is Wengulax, a level 162 human blade dancer.
My fear ratcheted upwards at my foe’s rank. I could assume his partner was of the same level—or higher. I couldn't win this fight. In fact, I was likely as good as dead already.
No!
Damnit, think Michael!
There had to be a way out...
2022-06-09 15:58:46 +0000 UTC
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Hi guys,
The Audiobook of Way of the Wolf, the Grand Game 2is finally out. You can get it here: https://www.audible.com/pd/Way-of-the-Wolf-Audiobook/B0B3F66QKT.
I also have 25 FREE audible codes for US and 25 for UK store available. Mes...
2022-06-08 14:14:44 +0000 UTC
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How does he do that? I wondered. My conversations with Loken, as always, left me doubting. Not about how far I could trust him—because I didn’t—but about what to believe. The Power had a way of twisting truth and lies together, making it impossible to pass one from the other.
Shaking my head at the mystery that remained Loken, I left behind the fading echoes of his laughter and resumed my crawl through the shadows. I kept pondering his words nevertheless as I made my way ...
2022-06-08 13:01:08 +0000 UTC
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