4.10

The pithy end to his cool-guy speech trailed off as the skill failed to work, and he was left reading a blue line of text.

Recruit failed due to population limits.

“It failed,” August said, grunting in frustration. “I forgot that there were population limits—it was at one out of one when I finished recruiting Rittan. That means I have to spend my points on that in order to add her to the group.”

“Perhaps you should use your current points on your health regeneration skill?” Rittan spoke up, somewhat hesitantly. “You will not be able to recruit anyone if you die from internal bleeding.”

“Maybe,” August said, silently opening the [Menu].

Population – 1/1

Assigned – 0

Unassigned – 1

Settlements

Lakeside Hovel

For a moment, he thought the ‘unassigned’ was referring to Kalter before he remembered that it had been there since he’d recruited Rittan. August spent a moment searching for the [Leadership] role.

Leadership

Skill Points: 1

176/800 EXP.

0/10 – Ruler I

Others are more willing to follow you. +1 Population limit.

0/1 – It’s like this

You can pass on an understanding of a blueprint to a member of your Faction on touch.

0/1 – Morale

Members of your Faction have an easier time maintaining high spirits in the darkest of times.

2/5 – Replenishment

Members of your Faction will experience an increase in their natural health regeneration and restfulness after sleeping. +20% per point. Lasts 2 hours.

“What exactly does this recruitment entail?” Kalter spoke up, clearly uncomfortable with the silence. “I will not be a slave to you or anyone else ever again—I would rather return to Limbo.”

The look on her face told him that there was no way she was ever going to willingly return to limbo.

“Who said anything about slaves?” August coughed and then curled forward at the pain. “Ugh. Rittan, are you my slave? You can both leave whenever the hell you want.”

“Explain it then,” Kalter demanded.

August, still bent over, was attempting to muster up enough breath to tell her to go fuck herself when Rittan spoke up, likely avoiding another argument.

“My willpower is entirely intact, and August has given me no orders,” Rittan said, “I am free—I made a choice to stay.”

Kalter still looked hesitant, and Rittan continued his sales pitch.

“It has given me access to a series of [Roles], each with a mana manipulation skill attached,” Rittan explained, “If there is any insidious purpose to this system, then it is beyond my ability to see.”

“And he’s way taller than you, little blue,” August nettled, carefully sitting back up. “That means he can see a lot further.”

“What did you just call me?” Kalter said, shocked. “I can see further than you could ever imagine!”

“I don’t imagine you can see very far at all,” August snorted. “So that’s not saying much, is it?”

“Fool!” Kalter insisted.

“August, please.” Rittan sighed, “One of those skills highlights objects in our environment with an overlay—they are very useful, Kalter.”

Kalter glared at them both for a long moment.

“If I desire to break this contract with you,” Kalter said, “Is that possible?”

“I can kick you out of the group whenever you want,” August said, “I’m not sure if you can from your end.”

“So it is a trap,” Kalter decided. “Once I join, the noose tightens around my throat, and I cannot leave.”

“[Exile Rittan],” August said, completely annoyed.

Rittan is no longer a member of your Faction; all benefits have been revoked.

“Bash. Locate Object. It appears to have removed access to the roles and their abilities.” Rittan said curiously. “Alas, I am free.”

“That is not funny,” Kalter snapped, folding her arms across her chest. “You could simply refuse to let me go in the future.”

August looked away before he could be caught staring at her still uncovered body and shook his head. The problem was obvious—Kalter didn’t trust him, and there wasn’t anything he could really do that changed that.

“There’s nothing I can do to convince you that I’m not some evil asshole,” August said flatly, “So I’m not going to bother trying—the choice is yours, make it on your own time.”

August turned his attention back to his lap and the half-finished arrow shaft. Kalter spun away from them before moving out of sight. August found himself in the annoying spot where he wanted to spend his skill point but couldn’t because she might change her mind about joining.

The pain in his chest was lessening to the point where his worry about internal bleeding was slowly washing away. But it was also taking long enough that he was genuinely considering putting a third point into [Replenishment I]. There was also a chance that the boost wouldn’t be retroactive, and he’d have to go to sleep again before the new upgraded bonus would kick in.

“August, do you mind recruiting me once more?” Rittan asked, “I was considering going to search for more materials.”

“[Recruit Rittan],” August said, “Did the [Roles] come back?”

Rittan is now a member of your Faction.

“Yes, they are back,” Rittan said. “Will you be alright by yourself?”

“I’ve got Ladybug with me,” August said in answer, “What are we building again? The palisade?”

“I think so,” Rittan nodded. “It’s not something we can complete quickly, so it may be worthwhile to start adding to it now before we need it.”

“I don’t think I can move around yet,” August admitted, “I’ll start working on twine to strap the logs together; I’m not sure it will be thick enough, though.”

“You should rest for now,” Rittan chastised.

“Rest is for the dead,” August declined.

Rittan titled his head at the phrase, and August winced.

“Uh,” August said awkwardly. “I just realised that might be a bit abrasive to someone who was stuck in limbo, so I’ll amend that statement; Rest is for the person who has nothing better to do.”

“Indeed,” Rittan said, amused. “I will return.”

“Be safe,” August said, lifting his hand just high enough that it resembled a partial wave.

Rittan turned and moved past the [A-Frame Hut] and out of sight, leaving August to the pain and silence. He sharpened the arrow enough and then put it aside with the others. He removed the twine, bark and filaments that he’d had leftover and started working on it.

The palisade would require holes to be dug out, which could be an annoying task or an arduous one, depending on the thickness of the wood Rittan returned with. Given how strong the guy was, that range was slightly wider than he was comfortable with.

The depth of the holes would depend on the length, and at a guess, he considered that they would need at least a fifth of the logs buried for it to stand on its own. Maybe a fourth if they wanted them to actually stand up to any kind of attack. They could probably make it more structurally sound by tying some logs lengthwise along the structure’s base. Vines could work to strap them together, but it wouldn’t be anywhere near as strong as if he used actual rope.

August stared down at the twine in his hand—he was going to need a lot.