"Listen here boyo, I don't care what you've learned from your fancy pants college alright? We go down in the dungeon, we make it to the boss and you do exactly what I tell you. Dungeon's change, they adapt, they do everything in their power to kill you deader than dead."

"What's deader than dead?"

"Pray you never find out."

--Recorded Conversation - Adventurer's Guild. AC 1509

Humming to myself, I do a final check of my status. It's been a while since I looked at it in it's entirety.

Character Screen Name: Sir Crabby McCrabbington I Age: 8 Months Level: 2 Class: Apprentice of the Coasts Race: Elemental Crab Titles: Triumvirate Unveiled, Kiss from a Crab, Luck of the Crab, Lore Contributer II, Bridge Between Health: 30/30 H-Regen: 0.03/sec Mana: 170/170 M-Regen: 0.2/sec Stamina: 120/120 S-Regen: 0.08/sec Basic Stats Strength: 5 Wisdom: 20 Vitality: 7 (-4) Intelligence: 18 Dexterity: 10 (-2) Charisma: 17 More...

Focusing on my WIS, INT & CHA the [System] gives me a further breakdown of where the values are coming from.

***

WIS: Base (14) +3(RACE) +1(TITLE) + 11%[BASE].(TITLE) = 20

INT: Base (13) +3(RACE) + 11%[BASE].(TITLE) = 18

CHA: Base (14) +1(TITLE) + 11%[BASE].(TITLE) = 17

***

It looks like the percentage boosts from titles apply after all modifiers to the base value. The base value seems to be increased by leveling up, and in the case of STR & DEX, the physical training I did before.

***

STR: Base (5) + 1%[BASE].(TITLE) = 5

VIT: Base (7) + 1%[BASE].(TITLE) = 7

DEX: Base (10) + 1%[BASE].(TITLE) = 10

***

I bring up my titles, just wanting to view my accomplishments so far.

Titles Name: Triumvirate Unveiled Feat: You have seen the Shadows of Ages Past, the Triumvirate Unveiled. Effect: +5% to Wisdom, Charisma, Intelligence Lore: "I may be blind, yet still I see." - {REDACTED} Name: Kiss from a Crab Feat: Received a [Divine] Crab Kiss Effect: +1% to All Stats Lore: "There… Used to be a Pretty Crabby Alone on the sea…." - Latest hit from 'Pinniped' Lore: Luck of the Crab Feat: *New* - Divinely Announced as the "Luckiest Crab in the History of Existence." Effect: Once per day, [Dodge] attack that would cause your death. Lore: "This… this is ridiculous." - *New* Goddess of Wisdom, flabbergasted Name: [Lore] Contributor II Feat: Performed *New* Feat. Contributed to the [Lore] of Arthos Effect: +1 to Charisma, +1 to Wisdom Lore: "Go forth and forge your legend!" - [Lore] Name: Bridge Between Feat: Have [Knowledge] of the [COVENANT], Have [Triumvirate Unveiled], intuit existence of the [AKASHA] Effect: +5% to WIS, INT, CHA, [DEF-UP] against [CORRUPTION], + [Knowledge] to [System] interface. Lore: "Have the [Knowledge], Understand the [Lore], Power the Will, and Even the Score." - {REDACTED}

I notice that the [Knowledge] portion of the [Bridge Between] title doesn't automatically show. Concentrating I can make it appear and disappear. With a brief effort, I find I can do that with the other entries as well. More to investigate later. I decide to take a look at my physical skills.

Physical Skills Skill: Coast II Lvl: 7 Effects: Increase movement speed, relative to skill level Current Bonus: 8.5% faster movement Static Bonus: + 10% faster actions where Water & Earth meet Cost: 2 Stamina per second Lore: "I just like to [Coast]."- Government [Lackey] Skill: Slice II Lvl: 4 Effects: Increased effect of STR on edged weapons, relative to skill level Current Bonus: 6.5% greater cutting damage Cost: 12 Stamina per attack Lore: "Time to [Slice] & dice." - Royal Chef Skill: Natural Camouflage I Lvl: 7 Effects: Shift your color to match surroundings. Speed/Accuracy improves with skill level. Current Bonus: 2.8% faster shift/accuracy Cost: 1 Stamina per second Lore: "Hide like an cuttlefish, blend like a octopus. Their claws can't hit and their face is a sourpuss.”

During my training time, I had managed to bring [Coast] II to level 7. It gave me an improvement from the base 5% speed to 8.5%. I'm still not as fast as I was when I had all my legs but... well it helps at least. [Slice] II, is now level 4. While practicing my earth manipulation and making rocks, I would attack them sometimes, trying to work out my frustrations.

Natural Camouflage is still the same. I haven't been practicing that as there's only so much stamina in a day; and the crabs have shown that I can't hide well enough to escape them. Thinking of the camouflage, I have a sudden image of me all in black. I could swing from lines strung up in palm trees while beating up evil-doers in the night. Then, I could take them to prison where they would break free and I could do it all over again.

I could be.... Crabman!

I shake my head, dismissing the idea. I'm underwater, that won't work here.

...

......

Maybe in the future.

I bring up my magical skills last, reviewing the progress I've made during my training.

Magic Skills Skill: Mana Manipulation II Lvl: 5 Skill: Water Manipulation II Lvl: 1 Effects: Move mana, relative to skill level. Effects: Move Water, relative to skill level. Current Bonus: 6% faster/accurate shaping Current Bonus: 4% faster/accurate shaping Static Bonus: 50% faster train speed Static Bonus: 5% faster train speed Cost: None (Passive) Cost: 1 Mana per Second Lore: "Wield the might Arcane"- Archmage Vendros Lore: "Nature is like [Water]. It takes the shape of it's container."- Sea Folk Advice Skill: Earth Manipulation II Lvl: 1 Skill: Mana Sense II Lvl: 2 Effects: Move Earth, relative to skill level. Effects: Feel the mana around you. Current Bonus: 4% faster/accurate shaping Current Bonus: 8.4% greater clarity Static Bonus: 5% faster train speed Static Bonus: 50% faster train speed Cost: 1 Mana per Second Cost: None (Passive) Lore: "I'm always down to [Earth]"- Elemental Saying Lore: "Begin your path to power." - Mage Guild Skill: Eyes of Intent I Lvl: 1 Skill: Sir Crabby's Story Effects: Manifest your will Effects: Channel the [AKASHA] to tell your story Current Bonus: Undefined Current Bonus: Various, dependent on [Lore] Cost: Variable Cost: Variable, user defined Lore: "My sight will end this age." - {REDACTED} Lore: "It can't be that easy." - Sir Crabby McCrabbington I.

I was able to get [Mana Manipulation] up to level 5. It appeared to have some kind of synergistic effect with [Water] and [Earth] Manipulation. [Mana Sense] II hasn't changed at all. Then again, there's nothing to see here besides the grey walls and sandy floor of the dungeon. The two elemental manipulation skills I was able to bring to Tier II, and they both gave me a static bonus of 5% faster training speed.

Nodding to myself, I close all the screens and turn to face the entrance to the next room. Here we go.

"Tank Mode, Activate!"

A single layer, a double layer, a triple layer of sand covers my entire body, [Earth Manipulation] armoring my form. It barely leaves any gap, only what my joints need for movement. I take a ponderous step forward, my natural buoyancy negated by the increased weight. My legs dig into the sand below as I operate [Earth Manipulation] and my body in unison. I set forth and pass through the illusion, eager to take my revenge.

As I move to the other side, I see one of the [Dungeoness Crab]'s are already moving to engage. It's moving fast, legs kicking up sand as it rushes to attack. A flicker of motion catches my attention and I see the other one already swimming and scrambling up the wall, preparing to strike from above. This time I am ready.

"Deploying Anchors!"

My legs dig into the floor, [Earth Manipulation] activating to join my armor to the ground and lock me in place. The rushing crab barrels headlong, claws snipping in the water as its about to slam into me. I cross my claws in front of my body, bracing for impact. Half running, half swimming it rushes head on to strike. As our forms meet, I can see the brief moment of shock in it's eyes as it slams into me...

And bounces off.

"Hahaha! Take that stupid crab!"

I'm anchored to the floor, covered in sandy amor. It didn't have enough force or leverage to move me and so the energy of it's impact actually rebounds; almost as if it slammed into a wall. It floats there, stunned for a brief second, and I take advantage. It's still within reach as I activate [Slice] and bring my claws down...

Its entrails spray the water red.

"Where's the other... ha!"

The other one is already descending from the ceiling, it's swimmerets engaging to pick up speed and crash into me from above. Quickly eyeing the angle of it's descent, I see it aiming for my legs again.

"NOT THIS TIME!"

I bring all my concentration to bear, hardening the armor there, as I draw more sand to cover that area. It almost looks like I'm covered in a tiny sloped hill, and I hardly feel the hit as it impacts and rolls away. It shakes it's body, briefly stunned. Unfortunately its outside of my reach and as I'm anchored, I can't move to take advantage. It withdraws, cold intelligence looking at my Crabby defense, before starting to attack the sides, the back, all trying to get through my protection. It quickly realises the futility and swims to face me, repeating the actions that doomed his fellow.

As it rushes me, a glimmer of an idea begins to form. I stealthily release my grip on both the ground and my armor; holding them in place, but not reinforcing them against impact. As the enemy closes in and we lock claws I release my anchor to the floor, letting the force of the crabs momentum shove me backwards. As I slide from the impact, it moves into the space I was occupying.

The space now filled with the cloud of sand.

Our claws meet as I bring my will to bear and move the earth, covering the enemy as I was covered. Except this time, I don't leave room for the joints to move. It struggles against my efforts, trying to unlock our grasped claws and get out of the trapping sand. I bear my mind forward, trapping it's movements as I grasp it's pincers in mine. Slowly, finally, it stops; encased in earth I control. I unlock our claws, lift my arms up high and bring them down... my [Slice] cutting it in twain.

'ding'

****

You have defeated level 3 [Dungeoness Crab]!

You have defeated level 3 [Dungeoness Crab]!

Experience is awarded for your actions.

[Coast II] - 7 is now level 8.

[Slice II] - 4 is now level 6.

[Earth Manipulation II] - 1 is now level 3.

You have leveled up!

You are now level 3.

You gain +2 to all stats from the level up.

****

As the enemy disappears and crab meat rises from the ground, I settle in to recover my resources. Chowing down on the rewards, I think about the battle and what I could have done better. Tearing into the glistening food, I set considerations of combat aside for a moment.

I think I'll just let myself enjoy the victory for a bit. As the crab meat fills my stomach, a smile comes to my mandibles. In the depths of the sea, in the second room of the Deepwater [Dungeon], I sing...

"I like to eat, eat, eat... Crabby's and bananas!!"