《Sovereign Cipher: Overpowered Evolution (LitRPG)》Chapter 9: Day 31 – Merchant's Patience
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Chapter 9: Day 31 – Merchant’s Patience
The remaining days leading up to recruitment went by fast for Trint. He grew familiar with the basics of his skills and went to many of the closest instances. His stats were allocated after level 6, and he was 37% to level 7. Pneuma explained recruiters could see levels but not stats. So although they could see he’d made progress in the tutorial, they wouldn’t be aware of anything that made him unique.
Trint had also picked up the standard [Cleanse] spell. It used Mana from his pool and wasn’t a skill. After hand washing his gear after his first instance to remove the mud and blood, he asked Pneuma for a suggestion. He additionally had purchased multiple mana, stamina, and health potions. Those kept his pools of Mana, Stamina, and Health up after heavy use or damage. He was dead set on not getting too low, and Pneuma quickly noted when he was at risk. One time Pneuma applied a health regen increase without Trint even being aware. Avoiding a Restart was a bare minimum requirement in Trint’s mind. It wouldn’t keep him from pushing to the limit to get to his family as fast as possible. The next step in that process was getting through the recruitment period and leaving through the Town Center.
Trint walked through town toward the Town Center. The first thing he noticed was the gear and level of the people passing by had increased. He saw several level 7’s and one level 10 on his walk from his house to the tower. So he wasn’t making the most progress but wasn’t too far below the crowd he saw in town. The sight of the crowd was a reminder of his former life. It looked more like a renaissance fair had come to the suburbs. The main difference is that some of them carried deadly weapons that recently brought death, and some were still stained with dried blood.
‘Pneuma, you sure this is a good idea?’ Trint thought.
‘You will be fine. You are still stronger than you look, and I will assist if necessary. Worst case scenario, I see as likely, would be you running away and hiding in your safe house or living out in the wild in an instance.’ Pneuma casually suggested.
‘That is hardly reassuring. But Pneuma hasn’t given me bad advice yet.’ Trent thought to himself and kept his doubts private. At least Pneuma couldn’t hear every thought he had, he hoped.
Reaching the Town Center tower on day 31 was like going to a professional sports stadium. The place was packed, and people were massed together, waiting to get inside. While waiting in line, Trint asked some people how things were going. He found out not everyone was willing to talk, but he did have some luck with a college-aged guy named Luke and his group.
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“Yeah, a few of us knew each other from our university. Not sure how we ended up in an Iowa Suburb. We were at our school, CU. It was in Boulder, Colorado. Were you in the Denver area too?” Luke asked.
“No, I was at my home in a small town in Iowa. But not the Greater Des Moines area. So, this looks closer to home but not where I lived. I was in a wheelchair after a car accident, and when I woke up here, I was healed and stronger than at any time in my life. I also had some old injuries that were magically healed.” Trint shared as he stretched and rolled his wrist.
“Wow, I don’t think I knew anyone from Iowa. At least I know where it was. Used to think it was the place the potatoes come from. You know, Idaho. But then I learned you guys were known for corn. You also have some decent college sports teams.” Luke’s statements about Iowa’s absolute lack of fame or popularity were nothing new to the resident of the Hawkeye state. Midwest life could be looked down on, but Trint knew his community had good, hard-working, quality people. Not knowing where people ended up and how they were spread out in i11 still puzzled him, but it didn’t matter since he was on his own.
“Yeah, we don’t have a name for our group, but the five of us are learning to fight as a team. It has taken some time, and sharing Exp has been a drag, but we clear instances quickly from what I understand. How high of instance have you done? I can’t see your level.” Luke questioned.
“Oh, I’ve mostly stuck to lower level and easy instances so far.” Trint blurred the truth to not outright lie but also didn’t reveal that level 6 instances were easy to solo himself. “Since I’m a solo fighter, I take things as slowly as I can not risk my life unnecessarily. This is still the tutorial and all. Your group planning to try getting recruited?” Trint attempted to redirect the conversation away from himself and back to Luke and his friends.
“Yeah, we are hoping to get some better skills and training. Not to mention gear and weapons. Having to share drops is worse than sharing Exp. I’m still wearing such basic stuff. I’m sure that will change sooner than later.”
Trint jumped in with another question before Luke could reciprocate the question.
“Since I can’t see your weapon and few here walk around without one, I assume you have a storage device. But what fighting style have you chosen? Got a handle on a weapon yet?” Trint fired off a few questions.
“Yeah, I am going for a damage-dealing or DPS build. You ever play D&D or online RPG stuff?” Luke asked.
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“Actually, yes. I am almost 40, but I played games like those. I also read some LitRPG books, so this has been exciting when I realize I’m living one of my fantasies. Unfortunately, the stakes are higher than when I was sitting on my butt reading books or playing games. The pain has taken some getting used to, but I am having some fun so far. So, what weapon do you prefer?” Trint asked again.
“Oh, I started with a big hammer, but after a broad sword dropped, I asked to get that and switched. I still have the hammer for blunt damage, but currently, the sword is my weapon of choice.” Luke said.
“Hmm, you make a good point about blunt damage being better for certain enemies. I also used a sword, and when that wouldn’t cut it, I just punched and kicked or tried to bypass the enemies. Not really elegant, but it got the job done.” Trint admitted.
“Yeah, you better pick up something for blunt damage soon. This is still like the kiddie pool, and when we hit i10, things will start to pick up. You should find a group. Hate to say it, but you could fall behind, and with the time limits in place, you need to at least progress to i9 to get some breathing room for hitting the levels to ascend higher.” Luke suggested.
“Good strategy Luke. I’ll think about it. I hope you get recruited by a good organization from higher up. How about you give me your system contact. That way, we can message if it ever makes sense to meet up or share information.” Trint suggested. “Also, Luke, be careful of the contracts you and your team might be asked to sign. Please read them carefully. I’ve heard some organizations will exploit their recruits. Don’t end up being an indentured servant to some group.” Trint warned.
“Oh, good thinking. I never heard about recruitment contracts. I’ll warn our party. Here’s my contact. Feel free to look me up later.” Luke said. After exchanging contact info with a simple system command, they separated. Luke and his party went to the recruiters’ areas. Trint wanted to grab some more food and maybe a spare, blunt damage weapon and a backup sword.
Trint was first headed to the vending machines but saw that the shops were open and staffed with people. He made his way to a store with a sign that had a sword tilted to the right, overlapping a longbow to approximate an x shape.
‘Looks like they have metal and wooden weapons at least,’ Trint guessed.
“Welcome, young man, to Winton’s Weapons. What would you be interested in? I have plenty of starter weapons for the aspiring adventurer. Currently, all are discounted to half price. To help the recruits, you know.” Winton’s sales pitch was dripping with false sincerity. It was obvious to Trint that the prices were not discounted but likely inflated to take advantage of the newly integrated system’s citizens. At least, that was Trint’s guess when seeing the sleazy salesman in front of him. Also, the first price tag he saw was more than five times what he started with.
“I appreciate the help and discount” Trint decided not to challenge the merchant’s likely attempt at padding his prices. “I am looking for a sword and maybe a hammer or ax. What do you have under a couple of thousand Q11? I’m still getting started.” Trint fibbed.
“Well, well, for that amount, I can’t offer anything special. But you are welcome to check that barrel in the corner to your right. That section of the wall has the weapons that need some repair or are too cheap to be part of my finer weapons.” Winton’s excitement for a sale had turned to impatience with a poor customer.
“How much for the sword in the glass case behind you and the hammer on the wall on the right?” Trint asked, ignoring the salesman’s lack of patience.
“Oh, those are special indeed and set aside for the truly gifted and, honestly, the wealthy. I’m not sure if you spent all your funds and didn’t get any good armor or whether you started without any funds. But everyone enters the system with varying amounts of wealth. Some are deemed worthy of a jumpstart to their system integration. You seem to have not benefited from that. Maybe if you’re lucky, you can get some funds from a recruiter.” Winton’s false sympathy was not appreciated. Trint stood his ground and asked again.
“Would you please just tell me what they cost?” Trint’s frustration came through in his tone. No one enjoys being pitied or looked down upon.
“Young man…” The old merchant slowly replied.
“The sword is an i9 item. It has been engraved with runes for sharpness and durability increases. It is nearly priceless for an i11 or i10 fighter. But I am willing to sell it for $500 Q9. That is $50,000 Q11. Still want it?” Winton asked.
“No,” Trint exhaled, “how much for the hammer it doesn’t look as ornate?” Trint asked.
“I can see you have great taste, but the hammer is nearly as expensive, $350 Q9. Still, a lot for all starting out besides the rare talents and the system favored. If there is nothing else, please allow my assistant to help you if you want to buy from the barrels.”
“Claire, help that boy if he needs something,” the old man called to a younger girl sweeping in the corner of the shop.
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Karma - The Game
Martin Cline is somehow an average man with an average life. Truth be told: He is bored to death until he finds a new purpose.Nothing excites him much but a new game called Karma. It is the first of its kind and has almost nothing to do with the """"old"""" games played on plain displays.Karma is a true virtual world Martin wants to explore and fulfill himself a tiny dream he had no chance to chase in his life so far.It is easier said than done. Karma might just be more than a fantasy world with mmorpg elements set up in a virtual reality.
8 193Legend of the Lost Star
[More placeholder space for the next Writahon...] [Completed the October 2020 Royal Road Writathon challenge] [Completed the April 2020 Royal Road Writathon challenge] Book 1: First Light Synopsis: As a war of epic proportions enters a ceasefire, a soul from another world enters a dead boy's body. Without any memories of who he was, with only a little companion by his side, the lost soul begins his long, arduous journey to recover his memories, while unraveling the mysteries of a war-torn world. Why was he sent here? And where will he go now? Even he himself does not know. But one thing is for certain: the world will never be the same again. Book 2: Foredoomed to a Rendezvous Synopsis: As war continues to break out between the Five Lands, Gaius finds himself inheriting a legacy of ancient times. With the flames of battle spreading through the South once again, the lost soul throws himself into battle over and over, in an attempt to protect his home and those he holds dear. How will the boy, nearly unrivalled in martial might, fare in a web of conspiracies beyond his ken? Book 3: The Last and the Lost Synopsis: The boy has set himself an unbelievable target in a bid to save someone precious to him. With his former home now out of reach, he stalks the Southern Continent, inciting rebellion and revolution where possible to lure his prey out. Meanwhile, in the heart of the South, embers of war begin to rekindle. Will it be the death knell of yet another nation millennia old? Book 4: The Unravelling World Synopsis: Time is not on Gaius' side. Everyday life, already disturbed by the flames of mortal war, falls apart entirely as beings of legend once again appear on Orb. Forced to a foreign land to treat his injuries, the boy must confront the outcomes of his actions, directly and indirectly. But the tide is rising. Countless enemies are throwing themselves against the nations of Orb, cleaving a path of blood wherever they go. Gaius has to hurry...or drown with the rest. Book 5: World's End, Divines' Rondo Synopsis: The great gods of Orb have staked their claim on the world itself, killing all in their way. Each of the Cardinal Continents are fighting their own battles and making their own peace, but none are aware of the growing threat from the Wildlands, where a self-exiled legend continues to gather strength. Meanwhile, a new threat stalks the whole of Orb, killing whatever remains of the Constellation Heroes. Against such a chaotic backdrop, a boy continues to protect a semblance of daily life for his loved ones, but will he be successful when the curtains finally open? Book 6: The Frenzied Tide Synopsis: A sword hangs above the Eastern Territories. The Human God, progenitor of all life, the direct cause of the beastfolk genocide, has made his will known to the rulers of the East — make peace with the God of Water, or be destroyed in three months. Gaius, who has left the battlefield to return home, is once again called to fight, to support a do-or-die offensive upon their foe's territory. But in the background, the threads of destiny are beginning to come together. Plots set in motion long ago are coming to fruition... Book 7: Limina of Ruin Synopsis: The chalice has broken. The East is beset with turmoil, as factions turn on each other. The Great Divide, however, brims with a setting radiance, ensuring a final, transient peace. And in the midst of it all, one young boy follows the fettered winds and the unshackled waters, heading to a new land to uphold a promise. For him, the days of fighting will be a distant memory before long...and a daily event in the years to come. Uncovering ancient memories, putting to rest regrets, enjoying the last of a peaceful life...the people of the Five Lands will live to their fullest. Yet, this is but the calm before the storm. Book 8: Power Talks Synopsis: Fate. A curious word to most...and a frightening word to Gaius. Alongside the rulers of the North, Gaius witnesses frightening truths, proof of an inevitable future. Spurred by a myriad chilling revelations and urged by a god's killer, the Mortal Light Dynasty gathers both mortal rulers and divine sovereigns, covering past conflicts with a offer of cooperation of an unprecedented scale. However, can this unity, first of its kind, stand up to time, fate and mortal nature? Or will it burn, along with the Five Lands? Book 9: Homeland Song Synopsis: Gazing out at the Orb of old, Gaius ponders his destiny and the great stakes with it. Time and again, he has led a life of choices, making one after another for the sake of those he cares about. His latest choice, however, carries implications of an immeasurable scale. Charged with the protection of the future, all that awaits him is an eternal solitude... On the other side of the false world, a single star shines, one whose light is meant to protect. Gemini, who has long found a homeland in the form of Ark City, has spent years defending it with friends and family alike. However, an inexorable end is approaching. The day the Great Divide falls looms ever closer. At the crossroads of destiny, when the chains of fate bind him fully, what will the last Constellation choose? And what will his choice mean for the rest of the Five Lands? Book 10: Immortal Indignant Synopsis: As the Five Lands reel from an unexpected revelation, Gaius continues his struggle to accept his immortal destiny of eternal vigilance. Mortal fetters continue to tie him down, with the prospect of breaking them a heart-rending prospect. There is little light for him in the darkness; his emotions seemingly a poisoned apple. For him, the days ahead are one of balancing his emotions; his immortal destiny is antithetical to the aspects that make one mortal. However, he isn't the only immortal indignant at the current state of affairs. Behind the scenes, huge powers push and pull, tussling in an insane game of wrestling sanity. The Five Lands and the great gods prepare in the background, awaiting their time to strike... Book 11: Cause Convergent Synopsis: As Orb reels from an unexpected turn of events, the crumbling of the Great Divide speeds up. With time now at a premium, Gaius travels the world, addressing a particular personage's last will, while ensuring that he leaves no regrets behind. Revisiting the Five Lands with his beloved one last time, he casts his eyes to a new future, a world full of a peace forged by collective resistance. Far away from Gaius, at the very borders of the Southern Continent, soldiers train day and night, awaiting the day the rift between worlds crumble. But the battlefield there isn't just between the Five Lands and the Wildlands... Book 12: Boundary Belligerent Synopsis: The rift between worlds crumble. The moon, the sun and the sky shatter, revealing the vast expanse beyond. The cold light of the stars gaze down upon Orb, illuminating a bloody battlefield at World's End, where gods and mortals wrestle. Immortal troops charge the Five Lands, over and over again, only to be repelled by vast engines of war. For many, the moment of destiny has arrived. The Third Extermination has begun. However, Gaius gazes not at the present, but at the future beyond. What does he see there? And what will he do? Book 13: Destiny Divergent Synopsis: Bells ring, and destiny veers. Mortal miracles, having pierced a divine destiny, now turn their light of annihilation upon the legendary land of dangers and dark myth. A single being who should have slept forever reawakens, carrying out a inherited duty to protect. Under a dome of absolute law, the hulks that darken the skies are grounded, forcing the Five Lands to move ahead on foot. Hidden differences erupt, comrades turn upon comrades, and the alliance begins to crumble. What should have been a happy ending begins to fall apart. Watching from high above, the Abyss Sovereign laments his weakness, cursing the new destiny laid upon the world. And yet, he will never give up. Book 14: Abyss Ascendent Synopsis: As a future of never-ending conflict draws closer, Gaius stands at the centre of Orb, his will tempered and set. What the Wildlands has ceased to be, he will inherit. Divine Kingdoms and mortal nations clamour for peace to prepare for greater wars, but Gaius will no longer stand for that. For the sake of his dream, the Five Lands — and now, the Wildlands — must be unified against a common enemy. Gaius himself. Raising the flag of rebellion against mortal nature and destiny, the Abyss Sovereign commences a festival of creation for his new world, a paradise unimaginable to both mortal and divine minds. With his intentions made known now, there is no going back. He will succeed. Or die trying. Book 15: Terminus Transcendent Synopsis: ??? This is a story that may, depending on how impatient you are, take some time to spin up. I have enough in my mind for a long run, so it's essential that I lay out a great deal of groundwork at the start. Eleven books have been released so far, and this work will end at Book 15. Be aware of late arrival spoilers! My Patreon link is here, which allows for up to sixty-five advanced chapters ahead of the free releases, or if you'd just like to support me. Release schedule: My original promise was 2 a week, minimally, but it's been a daily release for a long time. So yeah...
8 835Tale of the mage hero [Completed]
so I've been into rising of the shield hero for a while now... a lot of things about it ALWAYS bugged me starting with the fact that the world functions like a game and the heroes are supposed to fight together in a party.... BUT WHERE'S THE ARCHMAGE?! THE BLATANT DISRESPECT TO THE MAGE CLASS IS REAL AND ANGERING! so I decided as a gamer who rather enjoys being a mage and healer, I'd rectify that. and other things. for all intents and purposes this is a self insert but I will be using my proxy OC that I use in my nutty fangirl daydreams. DON'T WORRY! I'M NERFING MY PROXY! this will follow the plot of the anime because..... I want to. and I'm..... LAZY~! and using the manga is too much trouble and the light novel is 800+ chapters long. So FUCK THAT! anyways if you read this and think it's lackluster then I want to see you try your hand at writing tate no yuusha fics! no that's not a challenge or insult it's just a desperate plea for more tate fics... we need some more variety! Alright I'm gonna be honest here. This story is laughably bad. So read at your own risk. The only reason I'm not revising it is because 1 I'm Lazy as fuck and 2 to serve as a lesson on what NOT to do for new writers. So like I said, read at your own risk.
8 134unwritten | dele alli
- paulo dybala's sister, sofia dybala meets dele alli when she goes to university in england.
8 189Mai Hoon Saath Tere...
Almost all of the devakshi fans, including me hated Sanjana. She was caught at the hospital red handed, trying to kill Bejoy and was taken away by the police, but I was not satisfied.Hence I'm writing this SS. In beginning, you may get annoyed and irritated, but I'm sure that ending will please you. If not everyone then at least some people.It will have a little more drama, just to set a plot to catch sanjana. In the beginning, the game might be on her side, but the in the end it will turn against her.Give a look, u won't be disappointed.[I don't believe in making my readers to wait for long. I'm gonna give quick updates.]This is a short story and will end just in six parts.
8 132Falling For A Man Of The City
He stood up momentarily discarding his shirt, eliciting a small moan from me at the sight of his physique. His body would always take my breath away at the black ink and scars littered holding a story of their own. When my eyes moved down past his pectoral muscles to his pants I felt my breath hitch in my throat at the view of his manhood straining against the fabric. If I didn't feel shy with the way he was admiring me, I certainly felt shy when he reached out to remove my underwear. It was the first time I had ever allowed anyone to see a part of my body that I had been taught to guard fiercely so it was only natural that I look away feeling self-conscious. Considering I wasn't making any effort to hide it, he chuckled lightly making me blush when he went further to spread my thighs gently unveiling the secret that I had been yearning for him to see. "You have such a pretty pussy," were the words that came out as more of a growl. Turning to look at him, I found his eyes already watching me causing my chest to constrict in sweet agony, "I'm going to enjoy eating you, my little gazelle," he cooed gently falling to his knees in a prayer like motion. Only this form of prayer was far beyond holy but aimed to please and was sacred in its own way... ***When Aaliyah Winston waltzed into the city of New York in search of a new life, unexpectedly she is thrust into a world. She gains more than she bargained for once she catches the eye of the leader of the Mafia. Drenched in decadence and an allure that has her throwing all caution aside, he proves to be more than meets the eye. As they indulge in an attraction so powerful and addictive surpassing that of any drug it's in their aim for love, when family secrets and lies are exposed. It's quite a risk to allow a man like him into her bed. Yet the true test of whether they'll survive lies if she can accept hands that have been painted in blood holding her heart.
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