《Breaking The Game》Quest 8: Cause A Distraction
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“So, you’re saying we’ll get ten gold pieces to make a scene near a couple of guards? Didn’t you promise it would be twenty? Whatever. It’s a deal.” Nicholas said with an irritated look. He was angry that someone short-changed him, but he knew better than to start a dispute before the mission. Ten gold pieces were more than the team had ever seen. Despite its questionable motives, this job was the most lucrative one offered.
“Good. Here’s half. You’ll get the other half when the job is done.” The thief, Robert, said before disappearing into the crowd. Everyone had gathered for the summer harvest festival, so it was incredibly easy to get lost in the sea of people. Robert planned to make his rounds and subtly steal from every bystander with a big enough coin pouch.
“Now would be a good time for that animal attraction,” Rex said as he looked at Robyn. It was the easiest solution to the given problem. No one on the team was good at getting and maintaining a person’s attention. Robyn could attract several bugs to cause a scene, but she was against the idea.
“What?! No way! Why don’t we just do something stupid then use [Forgettable]?” Robyn replied. She could remember the terror of being chased by a swarm of insects. The feeling of tiny legs crawling over her skin sent shivers down her spine. Attracting animals was the last thing on her mind.
“We can’t keep relying on that skill,” Nicholas said with a sigh. He regretted that fact, but it needed to be pointed out. Not every skill was useful. That was obvious from day one. Those hindering skills only got worse with each level up. It was plain to see why Nicholas wanted to avoid that scenario.
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“Why not? I think I’m making an amazing thief.” Xander said, completely missing the point. He was perfectly fine with having the team forget him now and then. In fact, he was even planning to devise a system that constantly reminded them of him.
“Have you considered what’ll happen if that skill’s level gets too high?” Nicholas replied with a condescending expression. Out of all people, he didn’t expect to lecture Xander on his own skill.
“We’d probably forget you for good,” Rex concluded, pointing out the obvious. It didn’t take long for the others to nod in agreement. They all realized the negative consequences involved. [Forgettable] had already leveled up twice. There was no telling when the point of no return would be. It was better to cut off the skill before the team lost a member.
“What?! No one told me that!” Xander exclaimed. He started freaking out over the thought of becoming a living ghost. It was his skill, yet he was the only person to fail at understanding the bigger picture.
“You never considered it? Even I stopped using [Lesser Animal Attraction] to avoid eventually bringing larger animals into town.” Robyn said. She also had a problematic ability, but hers could be activated and deactivated at will. She kept it off at all times to avoid another swarm of insects from attacking the city. If it were any more powerful, Robyn would be chased by wolves and the like. The skill may even attract legendary creatures if she wasn’t careful about its usage. Xander and his livelihood, on the other hand, were at the mercy of the Genesis Program.
“Ah! What am I going to do?! I can’t turn off that skill like you can!” Xander yelled. He didn’t know what he’d do if everyone forgot him. Losing a party meant the jobs he could take would be limited. Not only that, he’d lose his home if the innkeeper ever forgot him. Contractors could forget to pay him. He’d be blinked out of existence, yet remain on the earth to watch it happen.
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“What’s going on here?” Guardsman Oliver said while approaching the party. He was dressed in his usual uniform and irritated expression. A spear fit comfortably in his hand, but he had no intention to use it. These people were of no threat to him, though they did bring some fragments of memories.
“Is there an issue?” A woman asked. She was dressed far more exquisitely than Oliver. Her beauty knew no bounds, and the group found themselves entranced for a moment. That was the power of a charismatic paladin. Her words could move people, even without the use of a skill. Fortunately, Paladin Rose was above using such tactics. Her words were always sincere.
“We’re trying to find a way to distract you, so Robert can do his heist,” Rex answered. He blinked several times as he heard what was said. Why would he say that? He shook his head, but the confused expression didn’t leave him.
“NOTICE. YOU HAVE ENTERED THE VICINITY OF A NEARBY [PALADIN]’S PASSIVE SKILL, [ZONE OF TRUTH].”
“I’m sorry?” Paladin Rose asked. She placed her hand on the sword that hung from her hip. Its hilt was expertly wrapped, and a gem rested on the pommel. No one wanted to be on the receiving end of such a weapon. As a [Paladin], she was leagues above everyone present. Considering that the class [Knight] required level fifty to obtain, Rose was likely in the seventies or eighties.
“I apologize. My friend meant to say that a thief is having us help him in a heist.” Nicholas said, stepping between Rex and Rose. He wore his best smile and prepared to talk around any questions. If he couldn’t lie, he’d find a way out of the situation. The team could simply carry on the distraction by extending the conversation.
“Is that so? You do know that if you’re being paid you’ll be considered accomplices.” Paladin Rose said with her hand still above her weapon. She was more than ready to arrest the four in front of her. She’d only come to the city for a certain mission, but people like these needed to be locked away. On the other hand, they seemed weak. Rose wanted to be sure that they weren’t just good people wrapped in with the wrong crowd. If that was the case, she’d shoo them away and pray they corrected their lives.
“Worry not, ma’am. That thief never gave us what he promised. We'll happily leave you to apprehend him.” Nicholas said with a smile.
“ERROR. NOT A TECHNICAL LIE. SAID STATEMENT BYPASSES SKILL [ZONE OF TRUTH]. AS A RESULT, [SMART PEASANT] HAS ACQUIRED THE SKILL [LYING PROFICIENCY V]. THIS SKILL WILL EVOLVE UPON CLASS CHANGE.”
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The Knight Eternal
When violent freak storms scourge across the Earth, a giant rift transport millions of people into another world. They found themselves in Hammer Forge, a vast, untamed land filled with formidable sorceries and monsters, endless wars, and cutthroat intrigue. Trapped and broken, the surviving humans shockingly discover that none of the women were transported through the rift, forcing the men to drown on their grim purpose and their barren future. But everything isn't what it seems. The Knight Eternal tells a tale of a weary soldier, who once again carries the troubled winds of war; Of a healer chained in the most treacherous journeys for his people's future; Of three sons—three young boys undertaking the cruel test of fates that ushers the rise of a dynasty, who all come together to rule and conquer in blood and steel. In the lands of magic and intrigue, the truth of their circumstance is malevolently more sinister than they can ever imagine. -- Update Schedule: I try to post 3x a week, with at least 10,000 words total for that given week. Update days vary, but I will post them once the chapters are ready (Most likely in an MWF schedule PDT).
8 127A Noble Isekai
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8 192Mortis Operandi 1- New Hire
Thank you for reading, I have to start with that. The feedback and encouragement from RoyalRoad users helped me finish my book. I left the unedited version up as I worked on editing and making it a little more polished. However the time has come for me to put it on Amazon and hopefully let other people read the story. If you have Kindle unlimited you should be able to read the story there. If you just want to order an ebook version you can do that as well. I should have a paperback version coming up. https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B07T46B4NM Again thank you for reading and helping me on this journey. It hasn't ended however, my second book which I'm hoping to do well enough that reading the first isn't completely necessary, is still being worked on here, https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/24562/mortis-operandi-2--terms-and-conditions . Any feedback, comments, even critism is welcome as I work on giving you the best version of my story. I'll leave the first two chapters up here, unless Amazon says otherwise. There should be enough differences to avoid issues though. THANK YOU! Thank you! thank you! __________________________________ Adventurers enter dungeons every day. Battling evil monsters, defying dangerous terrain, triumphing over devious traps... ... but none of them ever ask why? That arrow trap, who reloads it? The pitfall trap, who cleans out the bodies and sharpens the spikes? What if the grates get clogged, where will the blood and gore drain? When you are trying to study ancient lore or plan on conquering a kingdom, you don't want to worry about all that. You just want peace. Mortis Operandi is a different kind of company. One that celebrates diversity. One that celebrates value in individuals. With flexible pay and plenty of advancement opportunities, it is a company that knows its workers are it's most valuable asset. As they design, build, and install traps, rooms, obstacles, and repair they are a one stop shop. When a possible recall sets events into motion, the company must pivot in a new paradigm of full circle Dungeon service. The Goblin Eft No-toes has a solution that entwines ex-adventurer Elric into the business of death. *Note the above statements are forward looking statements. In no way do they promote or suggest that Mortis Operandi will project greater sales or revenue. Understand that investing in a company does involve some risks, and possibly much rewards.
8 62I can skip between worlds!!!
Togaraki Suya is a normal high school 2nd year student with a very normal life. One day when he is returning home from school, he meets an accident,....almost. He returns home thinking that he was very lucky that he was safe. But when he enters his room, he slips on a banana peel that he had carelessly tossed the same morning and hits his head on the doorknob. He looses his consciousness and when he regains it, there is an old man in front of him who calls himself GOD. God allows him to reincarnate in another world of his choice with a unique ability that he wants. He chooses a world and ability that he likes and starts his adventure in the new world. But soon he feels sleepy so he goes to sleep. But immediately he wakes up in his room, his head still hurting from being hit. Did he just dream or was it a reality? Or did he just develop multiple personalities??
8 196Myths & Rejections
Harper has been bullied, insulted, and abused by all the other wolves at school, she's been the punching bag, and the main target of the queen bee for years. She's been broken so long that she's lost hope, she knows she will be rejected on her 18th birthday, she's been preparing for years. What she wasn't expecting was for her mate to be future Alpha Reese Crawford, and she didn't expect him to do it in front of the whole school.To escape the humiliation and abuse Harper packed her bags to leave the pack forever. Then she receive a text from her best friend telling her, she too had been rejected, just moments after Harper by Alpha Reese's best friend Adam. Celie asked Harper to take her out of there, because she knew Harper already had a plan.Together they traveled to the other side of the country, lone wolves, out to find a better life for themselves. They worked hard. Drawing on her stunning intellect Harper went to medical school, graduating at the top of her class. Celie tapped into the extraordinary talent within her to become a successful and sought-after artist. Seven years have passed, Harper has moved on with a successful medical practice and a handsome loving husband. But Harper has a secret, a secret about a myth that turned out to be real. But out of the blue one day, Harper and Celie's rejectors come back into their lives, and soon after they all find themselves caught up in a conflict none of them could ever have imagined. Creatures of myths and legend come to life, ancient prophecies are revealed, battles are fought, lives are lost, and hearts are broken.This is a tale of bravery, strength, love, loss, and hope. Of new beginnings, tragic endings, and it's only the beginning...This book has been copyrighted and is NOT published on any other site or app. I do not give permission for this book to be published on any site other than Wattsapp.
8 134Brunette
For the first time you've seen her in real life. You always knew you needed her since the day you first texted her. You got called down to the office and get told you'll be giving Lauren Cimorelli a tour of the school and show her where her classes are. You've texted her for a while but you've never met her so this was the best moment of your life. She walked into the room and you automatically are taken back from her beauty.This is a girl x girl story so it wouldn't work for you boys.SorryI'm writing this story because there aren't enough Lauren Cimorelli fics.
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