Chương 47: Level 10... And a Choice

And a Choice I had a raging headache as Sable spoke to Ysra, who replied through the golem. The golem had picked Sable up so they could speak eye to eye, and I couldn't hear a word they were saying to each other. Eventually, the golem lowered Sable to the ground; the eyes flared and then dimmed, and the golem fell apart stone by stone. As each stone hit the ground, they cracked and, tumbling out, was a smooth, pure-black oval… not unlike an egg.

They varied in size from a rather large egg all the way up to a football in scope.

In total, I found fifteen of them. We hadn't said much as we returned to Stoneford. Vaelith casually joked that she hadn't taken the duel seriously, although I could tell that her ego was slightly bruised. I admitted that I had gotten lucky, but she didn't seem to care about my attempts at soothing. The INT buff wore off on Darwin, and he went back to his happy-go-lucky and quirky self. No more self-questioning about his own mortality and existence. Sable, as per usual, was quiet as the grave.

Yet Ysra and she had discussed something important, and I dared to ask, "Did you learn where the witch is?" Sable nodded.

"Are you going to go to her?" She stalked off without answering the question.

"Real ladies' man, you are," Vaelith teased, patting my shoulder. We made it back to Stoneford at around midnight. It had been quite a day, and I was exhausted. Beyond exhausted. The stars were bright, and the moon was full as we entered the Roaring Forge. I wasn't exactly pleased to be staying at that particular inn again, but it was easier than finding somewhere else. Also, I figured Rurick owed me after that shit he pulled with the Lord. Inside, Rurick didn't speak much other than to ask where Marnie had gone.

I shrugged and gave him a half-answer, not really caring to speak to him. He looked dejected as he said we could take our old room on the house for the night. I found that I couldn't sleep. Part of me wanted to go downstairs and cook… but look what had happened last time. I didn't want Lord Bracken to show up unannounced like before. No… I'd need to cook the next batch more secretly. Still…

I couldn't sleep, so I decided to check my stats— System Name: Rook Class: Glutton Grade: Special Level: 10 EXP: 365/1000 HP: 205/205 MP: 50/50 STR: 9 DEX: 13 VIT: 14 INT: 16 WIS: 13 CHA: 8 LCK: 12 Skills Basic Cooking: Level 8 — 225/800 EXP Basic Butchery: Level 7 — 650/700 EXP Monster Butchery: Level 7 — 500/700 EXP Basic Herbalism: Level 4 — 250/400 EXP Knife Handling: Level 10 — 125/1000 EXP Level up! Congratulations.

Level 10— Learned Recipe: Slime Jelly Tart & Storm Roc Omlet Learned a new skill – Second Course Second Course - Allows the Glutton to stack two food buffs simultaneously. This only works on the Glutton themself. Skill Choice - Solo Predator, Life of the Party, or E̷̦͛r̵̻̆r̷̢͘o̷̮̕r̵̤̀ E̷̦͛r̵̻̆r̷̢͘o̷̮̕r̵̤̀ – Choice node not found. Prerequisites not met. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Solo Predator - Gain double the harvest from any monsters slain while you are alone. Buffs from these core ingredients are doubled in strength. Companions do not count against this. Limited to a single companion. Life of the Party - Core ingredients can be harvested from Monsters slain by members of your Party. Party members must be within a 1 mile radius from you. No more than ten party members at a time. Companions count as an extension of yourself and do not weigh against the party count. A choice node…

that was different. It seems like the system was forcing me to choose between being solo and working in a party. Or whatever that error one was meant to be. Life of the Party would be really handy. I wouldn't need to worry about trying to last hit anything. In addition, if I ever wanted to settle down, I could party with hunters and let them do all the work for me… but double the harvest and double the buffs. In addition to being able to stack two at once? Already I could semi-match Vaelith…

What could I do with that much more power? I wouldn't need to rely on anyone. The world would be mine to command. To conquer. I froze… sweat was dripping off my nose, and I was sucking in air as my heart beat rapidly. It was all too much. Too much to think about. Suddenly, I was tired. Very tired. When I closed my eyes this time, sleep did not elude me.

In the morning, I found myself downstairs. Pella had greeted me and asked if I wanted breakfast. She said it would be, "on the house" as an apology for the Lord incident. I went to decline, but my stomach growled loudly in protest. I yielded to her offer. Rurick stared at me from across the way. I could see he wanted to say something, but he remained quiet as he cleaned the same glass for the fifth time. Pella dropped off my food—eggs with a light sprinkling of salt and pepper.

Two strips of what appeared to be bacon. I stared at the bacon and then at her… her little pig-tail sprang out as she noticed me staring.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing," I replied, staring back down at my plate. The meal was topped off by a piece of bread smothered in butter. It was a simple breakfast… if I were still on Earth. But here, in this world, it was the breakfast of kings. I took a bite and I couldn't help but let out a soft Mmm. It had been so long since I'd had such a… normal meal. The bacon was done just right—with a crisp, but still a bit of fat which melted in my mouth. Salt and pepper danced together on my tastebuds.

"And here," Pella said, dropping a mug near me.

"Tell me if you like it." I didn't think as I drank; apple cider–both sweet and tart in just the right amounts. A hard cider at that, as I tasted the alcohol, but only just. I drank the entire thing in one gulp.

"Pace yourself!" Pella complained, covering her mouth and laughing.

"If you want more, just ask—"" —More!" I said, holding the mug up. She frowned at me.

"... Please?"

"There you go," she replied, snatching the glass out of my hand.

"I'll be right back." She walked away, and I saw her in a new light. She could cook. She could cook damn well.

"Enjoying breakfast?" Rurick asked, appearing behind me. I nearly spat out a mouthful of eggs.

"I was," I replied. Rurick sighed.

"I know you're pissed at me, but do understand… I was only trying to help Marnie." I let the words sink in… and my tone softened. I didn't know if it was me or the alcohol.

"Fine… I suppose I understand—but never again. Do you hear me?"

"Noted," Rurick replied.

"Besides… it didn't work. I suspect the Lord will never let go of his claim to his daughter. He claims not to care for her, but I fear that is a lie he tells to stop any would-be kidnapper from trying their luck. Lord Bracken isn't a terrible man by any stretch—no matter what Marnie has said to poison you towards him. Still… I wish to help her."

"Sometimes things are as they are," I replied. Rurick frowned.

"It is the truth you speak… but that doesn't mean we shouldn't strive for better. You should know that all too well."

"Excuse me?"

"Special Grade class… you'll be judged by most simply based on the actions of others. Doesn't that irk you? And not to mention the classless. Does it sit well with you how they are treated?" Think back to Ebbin and what his son had told me… he was classless the entire time I knew him.

"No," I replied, "it doesn't sit well with me at all."

"Then you would strive to change it?"

"Maybe if I could," I replied. Thinking of my newfound potential… perhaps I could. But it would require me to go off alone. To remain alone… perhaps forever.

"I can see you wrestling with some sort of decision," Rurick said.

"I don't envy you. Special Grade class… perhaps the power to change the world for the better or for the worse. Still, having met you, I don't think you are a bad person. I think you'd try to leave a positive impact. But—""—What are you two talking about?" Pella asked, setting the new glass of apple cider near me.

"You'd best not be arguing."

"Not a chance," Rurick replied, running a hand through his red mane.

"I merely wished to apologise."

"Good! Now, Rook, if you don't mind… do you have any new recipes to try?" And there it was… the real reason Pella was being so nice. It hadn't been my wits nor my charm, but still, I couldn't blame her. Before I could answer, the doors to the inn burst open. There, clad in silver armor, were two guards. They pointed at me—" You!" one said, his voice entirely too loud for the early morning hours.

"You are the one known as Rook, correct?" Rurick stormed forward.

"What the hell is the meaning of this—" A guard hit him in the stomach with the pommel of his sword. Rurick dropped like a sack of potatoes.

"Get out of the way, Rurick," the guard said, "or you'll share a cell with him."

"Excuse me," I replied.

"What do you mean by cell?" The guard smiled with crooked, yellow teeth.

"You and your Party are under arrest for the kidnapping of Lord Bracken's daughter, Miss Fenna Bracken. Will you come quietly—" The guard drew his sword "—or loudly."