Ch. 6 The Open Rift

I woke up the next morning feeling completely refreshed and smiled as I looked over at Lynette's beautiful sleeping form. Then I noticed the blinking in the corner of my vision that had not appeared until this morning 'Hmm, maybe whatever this system was it would wait until I wasn't preoccupied to notify me of changes'.

A few internet searches later confirmed my suspicions. It was intuitive apparently, but not just that, it could also be able to be modified by the user's own will. 'Interesting, I will have to play with that later.'

I focused on the blinking and noticed a few changes.

[Level Up]

You have reached level 5. Any experience points gained after level 5 will come into effect once you complete your 'Progress Quest'.

[Progress Quest Gained]

Progress quests come to all those affected by the 'System' Every five levels.

[Training]

Progress quest for Odellin Hundai has been set. Break 3 Rifts and consume 20 Mana Stones to complete your 'Progress Quest'.

At that I grinned to myself. 'Well that's going to be a fun one' I said, then I shook my head for a moment and pulled up my character sheet.

Name: Odellin Hundai

Level: 5

Str: 14

Dex: 14

Con: 11

Int: 23

Wis: 17

Cha: 12

HP: 250

MP: 400

STA: 110

(4 unused stat points)

SKILLS:

One-handed - 1

Two-handed - 1

Survival - 3

Evocation - 19

Animal Handling - 13

Ranged - 12

Meditation - 10

SPELLS:

Force Missile

Mana Arrow

The first two changes I noticed were of course my level and the new skill Ranged. A few other skills had leveled up, but I was curious as to what the ranged skill was so I focused on it.

Skill Acquired

Ranged: Ranged determines accuracy and damage with all ranged weapons. Damage is +1 per skill level of Ranged skill in addition to weapon base damage. Works in conjunction with Dexterity to determine accuracy.

Well that was informative. I kept seeing the 'Weapon base damage' in my skills so I did an internet search for it and it was actually so simple I almost smacked myself.

I decided when we got back to the car I would grab the Goblin Crossbow and focus on it like I do when I focus on my stats or skills.

I then decided that Ranged was important and since Dex was a factor there I would use some of my points there. I was gonna be going on another raid soon anyways. I also decided I needed more health, so Con would get a boost as well. I put 2 into both and my STA and HP both jumped up by 20.

I felt Lynette begin to stir and leaned over to kiss her cheek and smiled "Wakey Wakey, eggs and bakey" she swatted playfully at me as she rubbed her eyes.

The sun was just starting to come up as she grabbed my arm and pulled me in for a kiss.

Two hours later we were both finally showered up and getting into our clothes. "So what's the plan for today hubby?" she asked and I shrugged "My plan went sideways quickly then ended better than I thought it would last night. I don't have a lot to do until I get a call to break a Rift. You choose."

She shook her head and walked out of the room as I held the door open. We turned in the key and walked out to the car when she turned to me, an evil smirk on her face. "You still have the stones you promised me right?"

I laughed and grabbed the bag out of the backseat of the car. Then digging through it I found a Strength, a Dexterity and a Constitution stone for her. Judging by their size and glow I was pretty sure they were at least +2 to each stat, if not +3.

She eyed them curiously "So how do I do this?" I chuckled as I grabbed the biggest Intelligence stone and held it in my hand. Then I closed my hand around it and it was crushed, boosting my Intelligence by 3. "You just close your hand with the intent to crush it."

As she did her eyes lit up as the red glow of the Strength stone enveloped her. Then she laughed delightedly and crushed the other two in quick succession before she got a far off look on her face.

"Oh my god, I can see my stats. Wait, what is this bonus next to my Charisma in Parenthesis? It says...Ohhhhh. Wow I didn't know makeup would do that. Holy crap this is so cool."

I grinned as I watched her process what was going on.

I decided while she was occupied I would test out my focus on the crossbow. When I did a small window appeared in my vision above the crossbow.

Goblin Crossbow (Common)

Deals 20 points of damage as a base. Ammunition damage is added to the base damage of the Crossbow.

This Common Goblin Crossbow is one of the better forged ranged weapons of the Goblins.

As I read that I wondered just what else I could use this new 'Identify' ability on. Then I was pulled out of my own internal thoughts as Lynette stood there smirking.

"What?" I asked and she looked down at the crossbow I was holding then shook her head "You can play with your toy later. We have to get home and finish paying Claire so she can get home as well."

I rolled my eyes, then looked down at the bag and said aloud "I wonder if she would take a Mana Stone as payment?"

Lynette shook her head and grabbed the bag from me "See, this is why I hold the money. You can't be trusted to hold it." then she kissed my cheek.

I grinned sheepishly as we got back in the car. The ride home she told me everything she saw with her character sheet. I explained a few things she asked questions about and just as we arrived at the house, she seemed satisfied with the answers I had given her. Her stats had been slightly lower than mine, except Constitution which was 16 and Charisma which, without the makeup 'bonus' was at 17. Yep I am one lucky dude and the 'system' proved it.

Claire came outside as we pulled up and put a finger to her lips. "They are still asleep. Did you guys have fun last night?" I definitely felt my cheeks redden and Claire nudged me with her elbow "Look at you Mr. Hundai, getting all embarrassed. Anyways, since I stayed an extra 9 hours, thats another 180 bucks."

I grinned to Lynette who rolled her eyes. I laughed as I pulled out a red Mana Stone and handed it to Claire. This one I was sure was a +2.

Her eyes went wide and she shook her head. "I can't take that. I mean those things cost a fortune." I shook my head "It sells for about what we owe you, but if you use it you'll get access to the 'system' we Breakers have access to as well as gain a permanent boost to your strength."

Before she could hand it back I pushed her towards her car, her feet automatically following my gentle directions. Once she got to her car she smiled and hugged me. "You're the best Mr. Hundai." Then got in her car and drove off.

As soon as her car left my sight my phone started to ring. I didn't recognize the number, but answered anyway getting ready to yell at the stupid extended car warranty people who I had no intention of dealing with, no matter how much they harassed me.

"Hey, is this Ode from Texas Roadhouse last night?" then I recognized the voice and covered the mouthpiece "It's Zach, from last night." Lynette nodded and headed inside as I responded "Zach, what's up buddy?"

He chuckled a bit and said "So the raid is set for later today. If we don't get in there and take out the boss before 9, more Goblins will come out. I know it's risky for you, with it being a level 8 gate, but I figured I'd let you know we're gonna get going at about 2."

I nodded and thought for a moment. "Let me talk to the wife and I'll give you a call back in about ten to twenty minutes.", "Alright bud, I'll be waiting." then he hung up and I went inside the house.

"So I'm guessing that the raid is happening soon?" she asked as I came in the door. I nodded and responded "Yeah, its in 6 hours." She nodded as she began cooking breakfast. I texted Zach letting him know I was in.

I heard the babies wake up a few minutes later and they both came running out of the room, they were chasing Bella.

I chuckled as I walked into our room and grabbed the box with the other two raccoons in it and brought it out, got them some food and water and changed the towel they were laying on, putting a new towel in the box as I did.

I got a ding letting me know that Animal Handling went up to 14.

The biggest change I noticed was I definitely had more energy and was able to keep up with the babies. I laid Patricia on my stomach and then gasped in astonishment. "Babe, where did my stomach go?"

She looked up and said "I think you incresing your stats had something to do with it. Have you noticed my ass isn't jiggling as much?" I feigned sadness "But I loved your jiggle."

She rolled her eyes at that and giggled, then brought out the plates of food for us. Trying to eat with the babies was always a chore, but I was able to maneuver around Junior and Patricia, feeding them as well as myself as we sat there.

Lynette placed a plate in front of Bella stacked with sausages and eggs and two pancakes. Bella was happily munching away, eliciting a happy growl as she did.

It was definitely a good morning.

I spent the next four hours watching the babies and Bella wrestling on the ground. Well them wrestling with her and Bella rolling around.

Lynette and I started watching one of our favorite shows on Netflix, spending time together before I had to go and break the Rift.

At around 12 I leaned over and kissed Lynette on the cheek "I'm gonna head over to the hunting goods store and see if I can find a stronger crossbow. I like the Goblin one, but this raid is a couple levels higher than me, so I want to be ready. She nodded and kissed me on the cheek "Be careful honey." I nodded and headed out, Bella following behind me.

I headed over to the Hunting Goods store, Bella staying in the car as I went in. Once I got inside I saw a sign for bows and crossbows. From the internet searches I had done previously most gear that was created for Rift Breakers had a level 10 and up requirement for them to wield. Which made sense because the gear that Tyrone, Will and the others used didn't look all that special.

As I walked I began to look around and carefully examine the weapons. There were crossbows, regular bows, compound bows and all manner of ammunition. Most of the weapons displayed had the 'common' descriptor in my vision and their damage ranged from 15 to 30. Then one in particular jumped out at me. Its stats were as follows.

Diamond Archery Edge Compound Bow (Uncommon)

This Competition Compound bow boasts a +50 to damage added to your 'Ranged' skill.

The damage itself made it worth it. Then I looked at the price and let out a whistle '400 bucks. Well I have the money so let's do it'. I also grabbed a quiver of 30 Carbon Fiber arrows with Titanium tips that boasted a +5 to damage as well. I also grabbed a belt I could hook the Crossbow to so I would have a backup, just in case.

When I got up to the counter the older man looked at the gear and me and asked, "What are you hunting?" I responded "Breaking a Rift actually." his eyes went wide at that, "You're a Rift Breaker?" I nodded and showed him my badge. He smiled as he rung me up, then asked me for my autograph.

"I'm not famous or anything you know." he nodded and chuckled "Not yet young man, but the look in your eyes tells me you're gonna do good things. I want to remember this." So I obliged and paid for my gear.

550 dollars later I walked out of the store with an hour to spare.

I got to the site where the raid party was gathering. There were nine of them there, along with Zach. He saw me and waved me over, checking out my new gear he let out a wolf whistle "Well well well. Looks like someone's been shopping."

I nodded and patted my new bow "I figured with Mana Arrow I wouldn't take as much time regaining my MP so it can go quicker."

He nodded and Bella waddled up to him and sniffed him once then nuzzled his leg. He scratched her head and eyed my crossbow. "Just in case" I said and he nodded again.

We walked over to the rest of the raid team and he introduced me to the biggest man I had ever met. When I say big I mean he wasn't just tall, almost 6 and a half feet tall, but he was wide shouldered and his muscles had muscles.

"Sean, this is Odellin, the guy I told you about."

He looked me up and down and grunted, then stuck his hand out "Sean Spencer, Nice to meet you." I shook his hand and I know he was squeezing softly but damn his grip hurt.

"Nice to meet you too sir, Odellin Hundai. This here is Bella." I said motioning to her. She walked up to him and sniffed his offered hand before nuzzling it and he scratched her head "Dire Raccoon huh? I remember seeing a guy with one a while back. Vicious but apparently very loyal."

He turned then and led us to the group. "Everyone listen up. This is Odellin and his Animal Companion Bella. Like I said before they got here, he isn't part of the guild, but a possible recruit in the future. Zach vouched for him and that's good enough for me." they all nodded and offered their hands to shake.

"So game plan. Burt and I will tank, Zach, John, James, Jose and Lashaunda will provide melee DPS. Michelle, Maria and Odellin will be providing long range DPS and support from the back. Remember, do as I say and we all walk out alive."

They all nodded and took their positions as we walked closer to the Rift. The Rift itself looked angry, violent thrashing purple and red swirls clashed against eachother all across its surface, holy crap it was intimidating.