Gamer Chapter 39 - Regretting Turning Back

Got my first achievement last week.

Achievement: Leader of Penguins

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Looking through the corridors and staying out of sight, I heard the guards making their rounds through the palace as I gradually began to recognize the halls, the grand tapestries hanging from the walls and the larger room I almost stumbled into.

As I recognized my position I could tell that I was nearing Arod's room, and Peter's room had to be located near it seeing that he was also a mage. Though I wouldn't say it would be right next door when I compare their status..

There were few traces of guards to be seen as I silently glided through the halls, feet seemingly touching the ground as I flew sedately with a small frown on my face. I was at a slight loss at what to do, my plans had never been that well laid out and my current actions had brought me to a small predicament.

Just where was his room?

Crossing my arms irritatedly as I flew, my gaze swept across the doors that I pa.s.sed by. A guard should be coming through here soon, but even if I kidnap and interrogate one of them he might not know anything. They won't causally tell me anything without raising trouble either.

They also seem to travel in groups of four, and their levels are not low, can I hope to take them by surprise and silently?

Perhaps I could just knock on a door and ask? That shouldn't be too bad, though they're likely going to want to see under my cloak and thus possibly recognize me.. They probably all know each other. Is there another choice I could do? Another path?

Silently I cursed Peter a little, blaming him yet again for my treatment here. The others are to blame too, but he deliberately antagonized me, tried to make an enemy of me. Glaring at a door I wondered who was behind it, then paused in the air as a small sinister smile played on my lips. I just had a nice idea..

*Identify*

Wooden DoorA locked wooden door enchanted with a basic warning spell which is activated physically.

Door to apprentice Jirme's room.

My lips curled upwards as I let out a small snort at the screen. Unrealistic yeah, gamelike yeah, but it works. I'm not going to complain.

I felt a little cheated with it being far too easy, as if something will go wrong, and soon. But that's a silly thought. Those kinds of cliches only happen in bad stories.

I smirked a little, is this where I say "Nothing can go wrong now!" but of course something goes wrong? Though, I suppose I just did that now, but it's still unrealistic. Has no place in reality. Even if my life is a little unreal..

As I moved down the hallway *Identify*ing each and every door I began to muse a little, can you even call my 'life' reality anymore? Sometimes when I think about myself and this situation I can't help but feel like this place is a lie, it's all made up. That nothing makes sense. And it doesn't, where did this come from? How does magic exist? Why me?

There's a G.o.d of magic, does this mean the G.o.ds of religions are real? Will I meet them? Does this mean that there's an afterlife after death? I had never been religious, but my friend's parents had been. David often complained how they had to go to church every Sunday, less time to play in a dungeon raid and it sometimes p.i.s.sed the others off because we didn't have enough players.

That was fun.

My face darkened as I began to long for the old days, those days had been much nicer. I didn't need to worry about making it back home, or living in stupid situations. My resentment for Peter grew a bit more as I thought over the unfair treatment I had received, the way they actively hated me.

My thoughts turned to David again as I wondered what happened to him. He just stopped.. Going to school. I probably should have visited him I mused, he might blame me for Balezin. I really hoped he didn't do anything radical because of it. I hoped he had just locked himself in his room, didn't do anything drastic.. But does he miss me?

He has to have gotten over Balezin by now, can't blame me forever. And how am I going to explain my new powers to him? Should I even tell him? Yes he's my friend, pretty much the only guy I can call a friend in real life. But this.. it's a bit.. I sighed.

Hearing a small rattle of armor I hid accordingly, flying up to hide in the shadowy abscess of the ceiling as a troop of guards pa.s.sed beneath me with metal shifting as they marched quickly. Waiting a few moments after I could no longer hear them I dropped back down and resumed where I had left off at Hars' room.

I was lost in thought a little as I methodically moved down the hallway, wondering just how far this gamer thing was going to go. Was 99 the max? It can't be. I reached it far too soon and heck, I don't even feel smarter! My plans haven't gotten better, I know that.. When I think about it a certain way it does make some sort of sense, that my very personality is to ignore all choices but those taking a certain approach. But. Shouldn't WIS be improving that?

STR and DEX, I'm obviously different there. But how on earth can I check with my INT and WIS? Hmm. LUK? Heh. Good luck measuring that. Well, I know I can remember more stuff which means INT is working but-

I almost missed the una.s.suming door as the name Peter flashed up.

Wooden DoorA locked wooden door enchanted with a warning spell which activates when disrupted magically or physically.

Door to mage Peter's room.

Spying the name, my mouth twisted into a small s.a.d.i.s.tic grin. This had taken me far too long.

Pausing outside the door, I collected my thoughts and considered my options for a short moment. Looking at the door I could see traces of mana crawling over the wood, covering the handle. Obviously, I wouldn't get inside silently.

I could always fly outside and try break in through a window, but that's a.s.suming its unguarded and I can find it. I suppose I could use the same identify trick.. No, that's not an option. It'll take too long and I've already noticed that the guards seemed to be agitated for some reason. Don't say they discovered me?

I grimaced a little, a slight rattle of armor all the warning I needed of impending discovery as I grabbed the handle, twisted and to my relief, smoothly and quietly opened. I saw the mana on the door spike, but I was already closing the door and even as the door closed I quickly summoned a light to illuminate the room.

*Torchlight*

The red light flicked into existence, instantly casting the room in a b.l.o.o.d.y pallor which should be practically unnoticeable outside. It had the effect of giving me the air of a demonic monster, but I didn't care about that as I instantly realized there was no bed in the room but I could see a half-open door to the side.

Wasting no time, I flew towards the adjourning room and pushed open the door as I heard a faint sleepy groan. He didn't seem to be alarmed or worried.. Does he not suspect it's me?

"Who's there?" I heard him ask, a yawn following after.

A voice I almost didn't recognize, emitting maturity and weighted with responsibility.

..

Peter?

This is Peter right? I didn't get the wrong room?

I paused, unwilling to enter the room as a spike of confusion froze my limbs. I was out of sight for now, but as I heard the soft sound of feet hitting the ground I was jolted back into action. He was coming out? He wasn't scared?

As I drew away from the door and flattened myself against the wall, I watched intently as the man slowly padded out with bleary eyes and a hand held to my light. As I saw his face I let out a small sigh of relief, an evil grin following as I looked at him.

Was it an act he had put on for me? He really is courting death isn't he. He wasn't smirking as his expression looked serious; nothing on his face indicated anything of the nature he had shown me. But the nametag can't lie, and I do recognize that face.

In the very next second his eyes caught my figure, his head turning to me as his eyes widened in shock. I had flung back my hood by now, giving him a great look at my face as I looked at him with the face of a demon. Relishing the horrified look that flashed across his face.

I could see his mouth begin to open, a deep breath being taken and a yell about to begin. I took no chances as I immediately moved and sank my fist into his stomach. He gasped, body folding as the sound of a bone cracking was heard.

DMG 15

I didn't use that much strength, I was afraid of killing him. But I was testing one thing I had been a little curious about, does punching people in the gut work?

Looking at him I believed I probably got the right area, he's no longer trying to yell but instead has collapsed to the ground hunched over. Bits of what looks like puke exhaled as he splutters for breath.

As he lay on the floor shaking in pain with the sound of hoa.r.s.e breathing, my eyebrows rose a little. I'll probably be using this more often.

As I looked down at his body my lips tightened.

His figure looked pathetic right now, and even though I really want to see him dead. I don't hate him enough to torture him. I'm not stupid enough either to think I can keep him alive, not after what I showed him.

You know, they have to know I hate him. So it's going to be obvious when he, out of everyone, disappears.. Choices..

Hmm.

I planned to go to the mage tower later, raid their books silently if I could. But the wards they have surrounding the place is going to make it hard to get through them. But what if I could connect this guy somehow, link him to a crime he didn't commit..

I smiled a little, but my eyes coldly narrowed soon after. Reality would likely acquit him of the crime.. But. I had the traces of a plan forming..

Seeing he wouldn't recover in the next five minutes, I quickly retrieved the stolen books in my inventory from my last raid and slipped them into hiding places about his room. One under his mattress, one behind this noticeably large bookcase and ah. This last one can easily be jammed between all of the other books in the bookcase itself!

Reminds me, I should look through those books sometime, not now though. Too obvious. Maybe tomorrow night? Ah no. That won't work either. They'll only notice missing books.

Quickly scanning over the t.i.tles I shook my head. None of them looked that interesting anyways. All different branches of magic I couldn't touch.

Turning back to the incapacitated pest I caught him trying to stumble to his feet, shaking as he coughed and attempted to clear his airways.

I tsked quietly as I slipped behind him and tried another move I had been curious about, wrapping my arm about his neck in a stranglehold.

He slumped in my arms seconds after, face red and body limp like a wet sack. That was also interesting, thought it took a minute or something.

DMG 1

Thankfully Peter here slept almost naked which was a small relief, I wouldn't need to undress him. Quickly using one of his shirts to wipe off his mouth I shoved the dirty shirt inside my inventory and snorted a little as I saw it cla.s.sified as a rag. Accurate enough, I did think of the shirt as a rag.

Curiously I did try to stick him in my inventory, but he floated through the window without making contact. I ended up wrapping him in a tent canvas and was looking about the room ready to scram when I heard a thudding on the door.

"Wake up!" a man yelled, "Emergency!"

I swore.

I didn't waste a second as I turned towards the window, instantly verifying it was large enough as I pushed it open and flew out. Peter's body following me before I closed the window and latched it using a small gravity cloak. There had been another spell on the window, but I a.s.sumed it was another of the warning spells.

I barely remembered to dismiss the torchlight before I heard the door slammed open, footsteps running through the room as I flew out of sight and hearing. Floating high in the cool breezy air I let out a small sigh of relief, adrenaline from the close call coursing through me as I glanced towards my silent coc.o.o.n and wondering if he had died. No, couldn't have.

I cursed at the little maid; it seems she wasn't afraid of her activities being known. She had to have sold me out. There was no other reason for it.

Not going to kill her, she's not important enough. She was just doing her job.. But I still swore at her. She made this much harder for me.

Hmm. Or easier? I could work this into my plan.. Can I?

Flying to the mage's tower, I cursed again as I saw the number of guards swarming around through the courtyards and windows that I could see. A few mages were mixed through their ranks making it that much harder to dismiss them. Thankfully the library was on the top floor of the tower, the other floors regulated to works.p.a.ces and the like.

Flying closer to the library's small window, I peered in cautiously. Two mages stood guard at the library's doors, four guards standing next to them. I could only wonder how many were out of sight of the window and ready to rush up the stairs.

I really had been sold out hadn't I? I swallowed a small curse as I glared at the window. I couldn't even silently disappear thanks to Peter here. He's not only seen my face, but it can't be too hard to figure out why he's missing. But a fight with their mages never factored into my calculations.

I sighed, flying higher into the night as I looked down at the tower. The library was on the top floor, the tower was wide enough that you could live in it with a bedroom, kitchen and a living room to spare. And the entire thing flickered with mana.

I glared at the tower as a small groan came from my bundle, a slight moan accompanying it. It was good he hadn't died, but he was waking up? I wanted to groan myself, this timing was terrible. Would it kill him to sleep a little longer?

Actually, yeah. It would.

I snorted a little, my mood lifting a little.

I was going to need to change my plan a little, but I can still make this work.

Unwrapping the man in the air, he didn't even get to make a sound before I tried another sleeper hold on him, knocking him out once again. Continuing with the unresisting figure in the air I took out a fresh set of black robes and dressed him in it, before I nodded with faint approval.

The clothes were a little tight on him and the hem could be let out a little, not only was black not his color these robes don't really suit him that well. I probably need to do something with his hair and- this is irrelevant. It will work.

A quick peek inside the window proved the guards inside still remained, and with a tender look towards the man floating unconsciously next to me I grinned maliciously, placing a hand on the tower as I silently wished everyone inside a traumatic death.

*Gravity Cloak*

The tower rumbled, the mana covering the surface flashed before suddenly whipping in a ma.s.sive surge towards my hand in contact with a soundless roar. This had to be an automatic reaction, but I didn't even get the chance to think about it before a huge surge of pain enveloped my mind.

HP -503

My body thrummed with a sudden lash of pain as blood erupted from my arm, malicious pain threading through my arm and down my body, hitting my head in a sudden pounding of savage attacks.

Mentally snarling as my head throbbed with pain, I focused intently as I lifted the top floor of the tower, earsplitting cracks as stones fell from the spell and hit the ground, the floor beneath the top floor exposed to sudden night as the very roof lifted away.

The flickering mana on the tower faltered after the attack, seeming to strain to cover the widening gap as I lifted the top floor before it finally flickered and quietly disappeared, my gravity cloak no longer feeling as strained.

The top floor rose at a slow sedate pace, my face hidden under the hood grimacing in pain before I remembered a crucial part of my plan.

Summoning a bright *Torchlight* I moved it above myself, illuminating my body even as Peter was moved high into the sky out of sight. In plain view of the entire palace, I stole their library.

Walls began to crumble on the tower I left behind, structural integrity ruined as figures ran about screaming and yelling. I gained a few notifications of exp which I ignored as I flew higher. Amidst the chaos below, I definitely didn't expect the first attack when it came.

The only warning I had before I flew under cover was a sudden roaring of bright flame, surging and covering the air between me and the ground in an instant as it roared through the air.

With a sudden burst of heat in the air, the spell died less than a second later as I stared incredulously at the ground. They were willing to throw attacks this close to the tower?? I could even see the scorch marks on the stone!

Looking at the ground I could see where the attack orientated but could only fruitlessly glare at the man. I didn't dare display any of my skills, not under this guise.

I began pumping mana into the spell even as another spell lanced towards me, flickering reins of lightning crackling as they impacted the tower and flickered out. It contested fruitlessly against my gravity cloak for control before submitting. I could feel the loss of mana from that one and cursed a little, hating the suicidal attacks of the mages below.

Surely they knew the tower would fall if I wished it to?! We were floating directly above the palace itself! They can't want to destroy themselves that badly!

I saw another spell ignite and soar towards me, the pillar of fire lighting another figure who stood on a roof staring upwards at me, his face hidden in shadow before I dodged the incoming spell. I was mildly curious about him, something seemed strange. But I quickly put him out of my mind as I flew inside the library and came face to face with the chaos within.

The people inside spotted me, of course they would. But despite all of the guards' efforts they could only helplessly float in the air, unable to resist as I flew towards them and exposing my club to the air.

"The righteous flames of heaven burns all-" the first mage began to shout, his shrill voice infused with mana as he threw his arms towards me. "they touch-" he managed to squawk out before I abruptly cut him off.

DMG 211

EXP +800

Not sure why they had a fire mage in a library..

The second mage got a bit further than that as he bellowed "The rending voice of the earth shivers and shakes as the heavens cry for me! Crushed ru-" hurriedly I cut him off with a backswing, to his credit he didn't falter mid-chant even as he desperately tried to dodge my blow.

EXP +750

The four remaining guards were easy to play with, their weapons shattering as they held them uselessly trying to deflect my blows. One of the guards even completed his magical chants 'Sharpened blades, slicing wind and the destruction of the knife howls!' or something like that. I didn't notice a difference as he died, though from the way mana seemed to cover his sword for a second I think it made his sword sharper.

EXP +450

EXP +500

EXP +400

EXP +550

I could feel the mana draining as the tower absorbed blow after blow, my gravity cloak forcing the entire structure to stay together as it took damage it was never meant to receive. Quickly grabbing at the books around me in the air, I pulled Peter down from the sky and slipped him through the window even as my control over the tower began to loosen.

Peter by now should be almost awake I mused, floating over to his body which seemed to be moving slightly. His groans began to gain strength as I rested him on the floor, standing before him with a grin.

I waited until he raised his eyelids, opening his eyes as I summoned a white Torchlight in the air about us. Waiting until he could finally see, I grinned as I watched him recognize me again.

"h.e.l.lo there" I smiled wolfishly, he blinked at me stupidly, before adrenaline took and his eyes bulged, face transforming into fear.

"I don't have much time" I shook my head apologetically, moving towards the window as I looked back at him with a bigger grin.

"You don't either"

As I slipped out of the tower, one fifth of my mana remained which was enough to hold it for another minute or so. But that wasn't the point.

I relinquished my control over the gravity cloak.

I could hear the grinding and crunching as the tower seemed to falter in the air, a sudden realization as it that gravity was in charge yet again and the inevitable crumbling that began as it fell back to the earth. And with a small shiver I relished down my spine, I heard the faint wail trailing.

My smile was a little forced as I flew in the darkness; although my revenge was complete it hadn't been as sweet as I wanted. The 60 odd books in my inventory made it a little better, but my attempt to frame him didn't have a hope to come to fruition.

The thudding crunches the tower made as it impacted with the surrounding city was tremendous, and as I looked downwards I hoped that his body would still be intact.

I may not be able to frame him as effectively as I wanted, but with luck.. They should have doubted him a little.

The skill Gamer has reached level 11Achievements system unlocked

Achievement: Framing the oppositionForce an enemy to take responsibility for actions not of their own doing!

INT +1

INT cannot be given as you have reached the stat cap

Achievement: Its payback time!Strike back against the one who did you wrong!

1500 EXP

Achievement: Pushed into despairPush someone to the edge of despair, and beyond!

Fear attacks 5% more effective