Ubel CH1.4

"Don't seriously; there art a limited number of spells you can choose, and I don't know if a spell delete is still active. Resources art limited; thou receives 1 spell slot every 10 levels and start with one. Scrolls bypass that rule, and you can at anytime access spells through your class. But trust me, save every slot for level 100 spells instead of wasting thy time with lesser spells. Shock, even with buff spells, can't match a level 80 thunder judgment spell. If I had someone helping me cheese the early game, I would have loved it." Black Rei said.

"How does dragon lightning compare?" I asked.

"It's a level 30 spell perfect for the misty elementals but shit late game without some buffs. Even the buffs would be better to get from thy class late game. That goes double for perks. Thou gains one every 25 levels, and trust me, you don't want to waste your picks at the low levels." Black Rei said.

I nodded slowly.

…

My fortunes had reversed. Black Rei summoned a horse and let me ride it as she casually strolled through the monster-infested forest. When a goblin saw her, the green skin turned tail and ran. Dire wolves that ate men alive and tore through flocks of sheep showed their bellies at her passing. Even the horse I rode on was clearly a monster with its red eyes and black coat. Its body felt firm, more like a solid tree than mere muscle and flesh.

The mount stomped down on an ant hill and, instead of attacking the insects, fled underground. I could sense their fear, another thing that changed with me without my notice. Along with seeing things clearer, I could somewhat feel the emotions of the monsters around me. This new sense must have had something to do with my new eldritch nature.

Deep in the woods, where even the sheriff would have refused to enter, I dismounted and followed Black Rei to a ridge overlooking the gathered villagers surrounded by light clouds of mist. All of them were naked and huddled together.

"I've never been more glad for built-in censorship. Normally, when NPCs take off their clothes, they have a white loincloth covering their private bits, but I guess the Devs added a little something in the final days as a prank. We live in the end of days. Well at least we get to enjoy some new experiences at the closing of the book." Black rei said.

Was that what this was all about, finding something to do at the end of the world? I didn't understand why it had to be this way. The adventurers were leaving as they were needed most. The world was falling apart before its ultimate death. I was barely different, entertainment to pass the time.

"Here, take this, staff. I just bought it with my true coin money; it's for newbies like you. If people knew I gave it to an NPC, they would flip." Black Rei said.

 I clutched the golden staff she gave me and felt a new energy suffuse my every humor. My blood sang with electrical might, ready to call down the judgment of Inanna upon the wretches that took her. Yona was still there; her skin was touching the others, and I could see them melting together.

"Focus on your magic and call upon your buffs before you use dragon Lightning. Oh, before I forget, put these rings on." She handed me ten rings. "I know you can only use four, but they aren't all the same. Mix and match them." Black Rei said.

Each ring was a masterwork of shining gold and glittering jewels. I put a sapphire on my thumb and an emerald on my pointer finger. I continued until every finger was covered.

Her eyes sparkled when she looked at my hands. "NPCs can wear more than 4 rings. That's incredible; we art going to take advantage of this. Wait, how many necklaces can thou wear?" Black Rei asked.

"That depends on how many you can fit over my head," I said.

The sparkles in her eyes had turned feral as she tossed necklace after necklace on me. Little flashes of light appeared until she stopped.

"Those are the only necklaces I have that aren't level-based. I used to sell anything I didn't need anymore, so I don't have any good necklaces for a level 1. Those should help buff your damage even more." She peered down on the conglomeration of body-snatched villagers. "Attack now before they form a cocoon and liquify their flesh." Black Rei said.

"Are you sure there is no other way?" I asked.

She lifted me up by the shirt and shoved me against a tree.

"This isn't about another way. Kill them all and put them out of their misery, or let them become a threat, and I'll leave thou here to face it alone. Make thy choice." Black Rei said.