Chương 59: Chapter Fifty Eight

The city had been good to them so far. Bob had been wandering through the outskirts for a few weeks now and honestly, the pickings had been even better than he'd expected. Each more modest home seeming to come with a good number of 'Badges of Citizenship' as well as other occasional golden or jewel-encrusted trinkets. There had even been a few magical items. Though none he'd yet encountered had been worth as much as the sword he'd found in the first manor.

Of the three, two were bracelets with weak 'protection path' magics cast on them, and one was a ring with a 'resistance path' enchantment. None of which, unfortunately, Bob was able to 'equip'. On the plus side though, they had been largely responsible for getting him to Species Level eighteen. With level nineteen honestly not seeming terribly far away.

Though the fact that he'd already done a full circle through the town's outer limits meant doing so would require him venturing deeper into the mass of buildings than he'd so far been willing. To be fair, in terms of enemies at least, the areas deeper within might actually be the safest places in the whole valley. While Bob had been rolling in extra experience points during the period, his companion hadn't been quite so lucky.

Apparently, the local crustaceans just as able to feel the looming sense of 'doom' as he was. The streets even this far out being largely empty, with what crabs remained inevitably going down a 'stealth' or 'ambush predator' evolution path. Unwilling to walk openly in the domain of their progenitor. Something which had so far made it ridiculously easy for Bob to avoid them.

What monsters he hadn't been able to detour around being quickly 'mushed' by 'Spatial Distortion'; at least if he had no other way of killing them quietly. After all, his mana currently had a better use to be put to. Not being forced to deal with near-constant combat had allowed him to invest the majority of his magical energy into expanding his inner sub-dimension. His initial theories surrounding its creation and anchoring proving to be more-or-less correct.

It only taking Bob a few hours after his Class Skill Evolution to increase the size of his subjugated plane by almost two inches. And also, to gain himself a new Skill. One which had been advancing at a faster pace than any other sans 'Calming Words'. Dimensional Path Skill Sub-Dimensional Expansion (C) Level: 18 – Exp: 37/100 A Skill designed to slowly broaden the territory of a sub-dimensional plane.

Expansion rate and mana efficiency improved per level Mana Cost: Varied He smiled at the Skill, honestly feeling more than a little shocked at how well things had been going for him on this front. Each level increase causing a notable impact in the next casting. In just three or so weeks, Bob going from barely able to expand his dimensions by a few inches, to where he was now. He stopped his reminiscing for a moment to pop his lid open and 'hand' the most recent batch of loot to his helpful assistant.

Luxuriating in the system alerts going off as the jewelry and knickknacks passed through his mouth and into the many waiting arms below. Ding! The items you have acquired are worth a total of (86. 34) gold! Congratulations! Next Level: 2283. 75/2621. 44'Where go?' The creature squeaked brightly. Its mood having been greatly improved by the better living conditions.

'Put the necklaces with the rest of the non-enchanted jewelry, stack the badges neatly on top of the others, and toss the silver bookends on top of the 'first disposal' pile. Though, if that one gets any bigger, we're going to need to build another room.' The creature jerked on its way with a quick and cheerful salute. It somehow getting the image from his head and deciding to add the action to its standard repertoire of behaviors.

Though honestly, the increasingly humanlike mannerisms bothered him far less than it bulwarking on the naming front. Bob 'sensing' within himself to bring up what he could see of the octopus's status. Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators! [Buddy] Bound 'Planar Octopus (D)' Level: 9 Threat Level: Tamed Monster He grimaced at the text-filled window.

By the time he had finally gotten around to naming the creature, he found that – at least according to the system and the octopus itself – he already had. The monster now refusing to answer to anything other than 'Bud' or 'Buddy'. An only one-degree difference from the previous 'friend' that, honestly, he wasn't terribly content with. Still, there wasn't really much he could do about it either.

Deciding to take a look at the growing hoard himself, Bob activated the second Skill he'd gained over the near-month he'd been skulking through the city's outskirts. Him having struggled with some of his more exacting sub-dimensional renovations before realizing that if he could manage to fold his body through space, allowing his eye to peek through it shouldn't be much of an ask. Luckily, he'd been more or less correct.

Though, he'd ended up creating more of a one-purpose tool than the general-use scrying ability he was hoping for. Ding! Sub-Dimensional Sight (D) has Leveled up! 4 – 5 In an instant, his vision seemed to split. His physical view of the abandoned room he was in overlaid by the sight of a large, wood-enclosed area; one just around thirty feet tall and wide, and about half-again that long.

At the ground level of each of the rectangular area's walls sat an open doorway; one of which his cephalopodic pal was quickly re-entering the room from. Its ethereal form gliding through the air-filled space as if it was water. Buddy seemed to start slightly as it 'saw' him, but quickly continued on. Bob following after it as the creature darted into one of the other rooms, its arms still full of loot. The 'first disposal' room, as it turned out.

The around ten-foot by ten-foot chamber nearly filled to the brim with various silver nick-knacks and pieces of jewelry. Though unwilling to waste space on such things before, his newfound ability to seemingly endlessly expand his inner domain had him changing his mind. Though, not enough to as-of-yet create a 'copper' room. As for the other doorways, they each led to a magical item room, a golden jewelry and artifact room, and a base currency room. The last of which, oddly enough, was the emptiest.

The only occupants being a scattering of golden coinage he'd found while skulking through the long-abandoned homes. The image stamped on their sides being that of the endless metropolis outside the valley's bounds. The towering monoliths impossible to mistake for anything else. The main room operated more or less as 'Buddy's'; the monster having been ecstatic when the area finally became large enough for it to 'swim' around once more. Luckily, it also seemed to enjoy its job as 'treasure sorter'.

Though Bob had determined at least part of the reason for that was it getting a second-hand dopamine high from the mimic portions of his brain. The area in his head almost lighting up as he watched the octopus handling and sorting through his lovely golden treasure. His interest largely satisfied, Bob released his hold on the spell. Sight of the immortal stone walls holding up the surprisingly suburban-like home he was currently squatting in returning to him.

He quickly glanced around with 'Treasure Sense', but found no alarming activity taking place. The crabs in the surrounding area appearing just as docile and effacing as they had during his previous check. Few of them seeming to have any interest in leaving whatever hidey-hole they'd gotten themselves stuck down. Not that Bob could really blame them. He'd thought on entering the city that he would slowly grow used to the 'boss' crab's terrifying aura, but if anything, it was the opposite.

The wrathful energy the monster put out almost seeming to cling to you. To weigh down your body and mind until you started questioning every decision you made and jumping at every shadow in the corner of your eye. He'd actually been forced to take multiple 'breaks' during his treasure hunting journey because of it. Skittering his wooden body back outside the city limits in order to take a much-needed mental health day. Or, at the very least, a mental health six-or-so hours.

Bob not really being willing to hold off much longer than that. The fact that he could literally feel the energy peeling off him as he left meant it must be a Trait effect of some kind. One he was glad he wasn't forced to deal with before the massive increase to his Willpower stat. Luckily, that was also an attribute that his recent financial gain had seen do well. The seven levels he'd gained in 'Treasure Hunter' boosting it by an additional twenty-one points.

Something he swore he could actually feel make a noticeable difference in his later travels. Still, he wasn't sure it would be enough to let him to do the same grid-like coverage of the city's inner areas that he'd done with its outer districts. Bob instead intending to start by targeting individual larger buildings he could see in the distance. Dashing in to gobble up what prizes they may contain and then dashing back out before the 'contamination' got too bad. He even had a few currently on his short-list.

The first being a large structure that looked to be a public building of some kind. Perhaps a courthouse or library. He wasn't sure he'd find much in the way of gold or silver there, but figured the chance for enchanted items or, potentially, books might be high. It was also only located around a third of the way into the city, so damage from the monster's aura shouldn't be too terrible. The second was a bit further in, but also almost guaranteed to be profitable.

What looked to be an elaborate luxury apartment building located about halfway to the city center. At around thirty stories, and assuming at least four apartments a floor, it was worth at minimum two thousand, four hundred gold. Enough to launch him straight over the edge of level nineteen and a good portion of the way to twenty. Species evolution likely only being a hop, skip and a jump away at that point. The third, he had to admit, was the one he most lusted after.

A massive, squat building located around three quarters of the way to the city center. One which screamed 'safety' and 'security'. One with classical-seeming architecture and a familiar, no-nonsense feel to it that drew Bob like a fly to honey. It wasn't necessarily a bank, but it held enough bank-like characteristics that he'd had a hard time not immediately charging out to it before this. Only stopped by the fear of how strong the toxic aura must be that far in.

Still, he doubted he could prevent himself from at least making the attempt at some point; even if he'd likely start with something closer. Either way though, that was a decision for tomorrow. He'd already spent far too much time within the aura's range for this run. It was time for him to swap his combat Skills back in and head back out past the city limits. There he'd rest for a bit. And maybe see if he felt up to slaughtering enough crabs to get 'Buddy' to level ten.

Leaving a potential Trait off the table right before traveling to dangerous hunting grounds seeming like a stupid thing to do. After that though, it was time to head deeper in. To see what he could find closer to the heart of this sunken city. And hope it didn't kill him.