Every head snapped toward him. Silence held for only a moment before Toby let out a whoop loud enough to shake dust from the ceiling. The others joined in with softer cheers, but Toby drowned them all out, bouncing on his toes as he grabbed Harry in a full-body hug.
Harry grinned while Toby tried to squeeze the air out of him. That close, the sound of Toby’s heartbeat was almost intoxicating. Jo stepped in after, quick and awkward, a fast squeeze around his shoulder. Stan offered as firm a handshake as he could with his broken hand. Cedric followed with a stiff tap on Harry’s shoulder, formal and careful.
When everyone settled again, Harry looked between them. “What do I do?”
Toby brightened. “Oh, don’t worry, right? Your system will take you through it.”
Cedric nodded once. “You had best sit and get comfortable. It will certainly take you some time.”
Jo nodded toward the archway. “Alright. While he does that, we can explore all the rooms.”
They shrugged off their packs and left them beside Harry, keeping only their weapons. They had barely started toward the crypt room when Harry raised a hand to stop them.
Harry rubbed the back of his neck. “Oh, wait… ummm… if you see some…”
Jo squinted at him. “What is it, Harry?” She jerked a thumb at Toby. “You’re starting to sound like him.”
Harry cleared his throat. “Rats.”
“What about them?”
Harry stared at the floor and forced the words out fast. “If you see any rats, don’t kill them… I need them.”
He kept his eyes down, but he could feel the stares.
Jo broke the silence. “You need them, to feed off of?”
He nodded.
Toby recoiled. “Ewwwwww, gross!”
Cedric cut him off. “Sir Harold, when we entered this dungeon, I would not have believed you would choose vermin over one of us. Now I would expect nothing less from you. You have my respect.”
Stan snorted. “Eh, I’ve ate worse.”
Jo nodded once. “As have I.”
Toby turned to her. “You have?”
Jo shrugged. “When you live off the hunt, you take what is offered.”
After they had gone, Harry settled on the stairs and leaned back against the wall.
System, what do I do?
:: System: Before beginning the leveling process, you must accept or decline.
:: Accept Quest Available: Liberation of Korvale? (Y/N)
Harry let out a low chuckle. “Imagine the looks on their faces if I said no and got ported out.”
:: System: Accepting stated quest is inadvisable.
“System, it was a joke. You make me sad sometimes.”
He sighed. “Yes, I accept the quest. Got it?”
:: System: Duly noted.
“Well that ruined the mood. My fault, I guess. Shouldn’t joke about something like that.”
:: System: If you are ready to proceed, here are your current levels:
:: System: User Profile
:: Species: Human
:: Class: Vampire Level 1 (11/1,000)
:: Strength: 5
:: Agility: 5
:: Endurance: 10
:: Willpower: 10
:: Presence: 5
:: Intellect: 12
:: Health: 100/100
:: Vitae: 93/100
:: Thirst Meter: 7%
:: Skills
:: [Self-Heal: 0] (12%)
:: [Mesmerize: 0] (20%)
:: [Frenzy: 0] (12%)
:: [Sip: 0] (16%)
:: [Drain: 1] (30%)
:: Core Traits
:: [Fangs]
:: [Enhanced physical attributes: 0] (56%)
:: [Enhanced senses: 0]
:: [Blood Sense: 0]
:: [Immunity to poison, sickness, and disease: 0]
:: [Partial Immunity to cold and electricity: 0]
:: [Nocturnal Vision: 0]
:: [Respiration optional]
:: [Thermal signature reduced]
:: [Olfactory signature reduced]
:: [Immortal]
:: System: at Level: 1 you gain:
:: Attributes increased: +1 to each
:: Available Attribute Points: +2
:: Available Skill/Trait Points: +6
:: Available Utility Skills: +3
“What about healing?”
:: System: Healing will only become available with the Subclass [Blood Mage]. You may choose a Subclass at Level 3.
“Well crap.”
He studied the list, taking his time going carefully over the whole thing.
“The numbers in parenthesis, that’s how close they are to going up?”
:: System: Affirmative
“Why do some of the traits not have them?”
:: System: Some traits can only be leveled with the use of Available Skill Points.
“I have six I can use?”
:: System: Affirmative.
“Can I put them all into the same thing, like enhanced strength?”
:: System: Affirmative. However each advancement is progressively more expensive.
:: Raising a skill from Level 0 to Level 1 costs 1 point.
:: Raising a skill from Level 1 to Level 2 costs 2 points, and so on.
“Any suggestions?”
:: System: As an Initiate Interface User, your [Health] and [Vitae] are based on [Endurance]. At Level 3 if you choose Subclass [Blood Mage] your [Vitae] will become based on [Intellect].
“What does intelligence do now?”
:: System: [Intellect] is the primary Attribute of [Mana] users. As a [Vampire], it contributes to focus, perception and [Blood Sense].
“How does it help Blood Sense?”
:: System: Intellect marginally increases the range and level of feedback of [Blood Sense]. It also allows you to more easily differentiate between individual signatures within your sensory range.
“What if I put a point into it?”
:: System: Each level of [Blood Sense] will double the range and improve your ability to sense sources of blood through obstacles.
“Well damn… that’s both amazing and scary.”
Harry sat looking at his screen trying to decide what to do.
“What’s Presence?”
:: System: [Presence] determines your capacity to influence or dominate the will of others. It is the primary attribute of classes like [Bard], [Diplomat], [Summoner], and the [Vampire] Subclass [Dread Lord]
Finally he just shrugged.
“Screw it. I’m going to get healing as soon as I can. Put the two attribute points into intelligence.”
:: System: Duly noted.
“Any thoughts on the skill points?”
:: System: For long term user survival and the survival of nearby friendlies, putting points into [Frenzy] is highly recommended.
“Raising it lets me stay more in control?”
:: Skill Frenzy: 30 second duration (+10 St, +10 Ag, -10 Will, -5 Pres, -5 Int)
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
:: Skill Frenzy: While active, user is immune to mental manipulation. 1 Hour cooldown.
:: System: Affirmative. At level zero, use of [Frenzy] drops user’s [Willpower] to zero. Each level reduces the penalty by one up to a maximum of 5 [Willpower] during [Frenzy].
“Anything else?”
:: System: Each level off [Frenzy] extends the duration by five seconds and raises temporary [Strength] and [Agility] by an additional point.
“I get how it helps the people around me, how does it help me survive?”
:: System: Reduction in the slaughter of innocents decreases the likelihood of bounties or armed bands of vigilantes hunting for the user.
“Alright that makes sense. I’ve already gained a level in drain, it basically made it more efficient. I assume it’s the same for sip and self-heal?”
:: System: Affirmative.
“I can raise all of those by using them. What about enhanced senses or the immunities?”
:: System: Leveling [Enhanced Senses] would increase range and sensitivity. Each level of [Immunity to poison, sickness, and disease] would convert 10% of the negated effect into healing.
“Oh… that’s tempting. I could raise frenzy and immunity both up to level 2, or frenzy to level 3.”
:: System: Affirmative.
“Can I put points into immortal?”
:: System: Negative.
“Eh, you’re no fun.”
Harry sat scratching his head, shifting on the steps, looking at the list over and over, unable to decide.
“System, do you know how to Roshambo?”
:: System: As a shard of the [User Interface] I do not have the ability to dance.
“What? No, it’s a… you know what, nevermind. Raise frenzy and immunity both to level 2. If I can get extra healing I won’t have to spend as much vitae on it.”
:: System: Duly noted.
“Does duly noted mean it’s done?”
:: System: Negative. You will have an opportunity to review your changes before locking them in.
“Alright. Is that everything?”
:: System: Negative. You still have 3 available Utility Skills to choose.
“Oh, right. What are those?”
:: System: Here is the full list.
:: [Appraisal: 1] Small details about an item's quality, condition, or purpose.
:: [Awareness: 1] Increases your chance of noticing hidden threats or details.
:: [Balance: 1] Improves stability and footing on uneven or shifting ground.
:: [Breakfall: 1] Reduces harm or disorientation from falls or knockdowns.
:: [Calm Mind: 1] Grants slight resistance to fear or panic effects.
:: [Danger Sense: 1] Gives faint intuition before an ambush or sudden threat.
:: [Efficient Metabolism: 1] Gains more benefit from consumed resources.
:: [Efficient Search: 1] Speeds up searching rooms, bodies, or cluttered areas.
:: [Endure: 1] Slightly boosts resistance to pain and stagger effects.
:: [Field Dressing: 1] Improves success at stabilizing wounds without magic.
:: [Focus: 1] Enhances concentration during tasks or ability use.
:: [Identify: 1] Basic information on low level magical items, creatures, or effects.
:: [Inventory: 1] Grants access to a simple personal storage interface.
:: [Iron Stomach: 1] Increases resistance to nausea, sickness, and mild poisons.
:: [Keen Hearing: 1] Heightens awareness of movement and sound cues.
:: [Map: 1] Generates a basic System map of explored areas.
:: [Melee Weapons: 1] Basic proficiency with common melee weapons
:: [Night Attunement: 1] Improves vision and awareness in low-light areas.
:: [Pain Tolerance: 1] Lessens the impact of injuries and exhaustion.
:: [Pack Management: 1] Slightly reduces effective carry weight.
:: [Quick Step: 1] Improves short-range movement for dodging or repositioning.
:: [Ranged Weapons: 1] Basic proficiency with bows, thrown weapons, and slings
:: [Second Wind: 1] Restores a small burst of stamina.
:: [Silent Step: 1] Reduces noise generated while moving.
:: [Steady Aim: 1] Provides a small accuracy boost for ranged attacks.
:: [Steady Hands: 1] Improves precision with crafting or delicate work.
:: [Sure Grip: 1] Reduces chance of dropping weapons or tools.
:: [Tactical Insight: 1] Highlights weaknesses or patterns in foes.
“Oh damn. That’s a lot.”
Harry read down the list.
“Identify will tell me what the potions we have are?”
:: System: Affirmative.
:: Skill Identify (1): 1 minute duration (Active, Cost: 1 Vitae)
“Alright, that one for sure. Map sounds good. What exactly does melee weapons do?”
:: System: Skill [Melee Weapon: 1] grants beginner proficiency in all common melee weapons.
“I would just suddenly be able to pick up a sword and know how to use it?”
:: System: Affirmative. At a beginner level.
“How does that work? You put wrinkles in my brain and give me new muscle memory?”
:: System: It’s magic, Harry.
Harry put a hand to his face and squeezed his temples. “Of course, magic.”
“And if I run around stabbing things with a spear until I get another level I’d also get better with a sword or axe even though I never picked one up?”
:: System: Affirmative. Classes that focus on melee combat can specialize, advance faster, and gain enhanced functions. The generic skill [Melee Weapon] will never lead to mastery.
“Man, I just don’t know. Some of those are pointless, like iron stomach, but there are a lot of good ones.”
Harry stood up, “I need the help of an expert.” He walked out into the crypt room where all four of his companions were gathered around the center sarcophagus on the left.
“Hey, you guys found something?”
Toby, who was squatted down studying the carvings on the front jumped with a squeal. Jo, Stan, and Cedric turned to watch Harry approach.
“Toby, you alright?”
“Umm, yes, sir. I’m fine. Just startled me a little.”
Jo tapped the sarcophagus they were gathered around. “We're fairly sure there’s a hidden space under this one.” She pointed to the center sarcophagus on the right side. “And that one. We just can’t figure out how to get in.”
“I’ll help soon, but I came to ask Toby’s help on something. But since you're all here, I’ll ask everyone.”
They all stood and faced him.
Cedric nodded. “You have a question about leveling?”
“Yes, it’s about the utility skills. I'm taking identify for sure. And I want to learn melee weapons. The better I get with those, the less I'll have to rely on fr...” He caught himself. “Other skills. But I’m not sure what to take with my third pick.”
Jo and Toby answered immediately, their voices overlapping. “Inventory.”
Cedric spoke almost as quickly. “Map.”
Toby shifted his weight. “Sir Cedric is right, map is a great ability...”
“But?”
Jo shrugged. “But every dungeon party needs someone with inventory. And right now, you’re the only one who can get it.”
“Why is inventory so important?”
Jo shrugged. “Weightless storage. Every expedition leaves treasure behind if no one can haul it. Waste of time and risk." She gestured at their packs. "You’d only start with ten slots now, but you get five more every level without having to spend skill points.”
Toby bounced on his toes. “And that’s not counting your wardrobe.”
“Wardrobe?”
Toby nodded, enthusiasm spilling over. “They don't use up slots and you get two at level one and another every level. You can create outfits and switch them instantly anytime you want. I saw a performer doing it at the Spring Festival. It was amazing.”
“Hold on, so is it a big chest that follows me around or what?”
That made all of them laugh.
Stan grunted. “Even I know it's just part o’ the interface.”
“What does that mean?”
Jo tilted her head. “You’ve used your abilities? Just focused on a target and willed them to work?”
“Yeah.”
“Same thing. Only to put something into your inventory you have to pick it up first.”
Harry looked skeptical. “And just like that, poof into thin air?”
Jo shrugged. “I don’t know where it goes.”
“I might’ve heard it’s the same space that has the dungeons,” Toby offered.
“Now I want to take it just to see what happens." Harry turned to Cedric. "What do you think?”
Cedric nodded. “They make a strong argument. And I can take map after we rescue the village of Korvale.”
Alright System, I want identify, inventory, and melee weapons.
:: System: Duly noted. Confirm upgrades: +2 [Intellect], 3 Skill points into [Frenzy], 3 Skill points into [Immunity to poison, sickness, and disease], and the addition of Skills [Identify], [Inventory], and [Melee Weapons]? (Y/N)
Yes. Make it so.
Harry felt a wave of dizziness and might have fallen if not for Cedric and Jo taking him by both arms and lowering him down to sit. The dizziness was followed by a pulse in his head that felt like something had popped, then rippling muscle cramps that started at his feet and traveled through his whole body. Once it passed, Harry was very happy he was no longer susceptible to certain bodily functions or he might have really embarrassed himself.
“What was that?”
Cedric steadied him. “The first one overcomes everyone like that.”
"You might have warned me."
Stan chuckled. “Now, where's the fun in that?”
Jo raised an eyebrow. “To be fair, you didn’t tell us you were about to do it.”
Harry flopped onto his back. “True. Give me a minute and I'll do the identify.”
:: System: While you are loitering, would you like to see your updated stats?
Loitering? Wise guy. And yes, show me.
:: System: User Profile
:: Species: Human
:: Class: Vampire Level 1 (11/1,000)
:: Strength: 6
:: Agility: 6
:: Endurance: 11
:: Willpower: 11
:: Presence: 6
:: Intellect: 15
:: Health: 110/110
:: Vitae: 93/110
:: Thirst Meter: 15%
:: Skills
:: [Self-Heal: 0]
:: [Mesmerize: 0]
:: [Frenzy: 2]
:: [Sip: 0]
:: [Drain: 1]
:: [Identify: 1]
:: [Inventory: 1]
:: [Melee Weapons: 1]
:: Core Traits
:: [Fangs]
:: [Enhanced physical attributes: 0]
:: [Enhanced senses: 0]
:: [Blood Sense: 0]
:: [Immunity to poison, sickness, and disease: 2]
:: [Partial Immunity to cold and electricity: 0]
:: [Nocturnal Vision: 0]
:: [Respiration optional]
:: [Thermal signature reduced]
:: [Olfactory signature reduced]
:: [Immortal]
Oh crap, my thirst meter just jumped.
V: 103 | TM: 6%
System, my health automatically went up but not my vitae?
:: System: Your health remained at maximum as you have no injuries. Your vitae remained down 7 points. Your maximum vitae capacity increased to 110 upon leveling.
Wonderful, I wonder if there’s any rats left after all the fires.
***
This story is free to read on RoyalRoad.com
If you are reading this on another site it is a pirated copy. If you enjoy the story please read it on RoyalRoad.
You can find the official updated story here: