I had just spent two miserable weeks checking woods for goblins and orcs. It was a good thing that we had Pixie. She flew over head and sent down bolts of lightening. It generally took her two bolts of lightening to kill a Goblin. But she could find them faster than any tracking dog. Otherwise the hunt might have taken a month or more.

Van was waiting for me as i entered his new office the major office. The old major had run off and van now owned his house. Van grinned at me “Reward time. I have your rewards right here.”

Van pulled out a book “A skill book it cost me a lot but your worth it. Give it a try.” I checked the book over

Learn life affinity

would you like to learn

I clicked on yes.

Warning you have title

death mage 50 percent increased learning of magic that deals with death 25 decrease in learning of magic that deals with life

Do you still wish to learn this affinity

I clicked on yes again

it is not possible to learn Life affinity adjusting Death mage title

death mage 65 percent increased learning of magic that deals with death 15 increase in learning of magic that deals with life

I blinked learning life magic had gone from 25 decrease to 15 increase.

Van smirked “You could not learn heal spells before now you can. Once you learn healing spells it will upgrade your death mage title again. ”

Van pulled out a ring. “Your next reward a ring of concealment. Your going to need it when you start stealing experience from the lords.”

Ring of concealment

gives false status information to basic identity spells

blocks mid level identity spells

Van tapped his hand on the desk in front of him. “Theres one more thing if you want I can assign you a Orc Thrall. Theres a female who wants to be a warrior among the captives we took. You can not trust a goblin but some Orcs have a decent sense of honour. Plus she is grateful for being rescued from the other orcs. Shelly is to powerful to be able to hide her status. But Thorn is quite able to hide her status.”

I nodded my head if i was to steal experience points a young pretty female mercenary was to eye catching. Van pulled a bell and the door to his new office opened. I looked over the status of the silent female.

Name Thorn Race Orc 78% Age 16 Class Non exp 22/1000 Intelligence Strength Endurance Charisma Luck 4/7 9/13 10/15 6/8 2 Hit points Mana Stamina weight 50/50 8/8 70/70 2/54 Traits Inherited orc blood strength + 3 endurance +3 Mixed race effect night vision improved hearing speed Titles

Tough endurance + 2

Rat slayer + 10 percent damage to rats + 30 percent chance of critical strike against rats + 50 percent chance of stunning rats.

Van gave me a knowing look “She has not yet received her class yet her experience is still measured in units of a 1000. She has been collecting dead rats. Shelly will not gain any more experience helping you kill undead rats. But Thorn will lower your groups average level allowing you to level up by having her kill undead rats.”

The next two weeks was a blur as i went back to the Pixie dungeon and spent the time summoning undead rats. Finally Thorn hit level 18 and stopped killing rats. Then Van send in a load of people with low class levels to gain the undead slayer trait

I increased to level 29. This was easy experience but i knew i could only do it until about level 35. I left the horribly smelly main chamber and basked in the sunlight for the first time in a week. Thorn was waiting for me

Name Thorn Race Orc 78% Age 16 Class Barbarian warrior Level 18 exp 22/1000 Sub class non Intelligence Strength Endurance Charisma Luck 4/7 9/13 10/15 6/8 2 Hit points Mana Stamina weight 120/120 12/12 150/150 34/180 Skills Warrior Power slash Level 1 Bash Level 1 Block Level 0 Traits Inherited and gained orc blood strength + 3 endurance +3 Mixed race effect night vision improved hearing speed Gained barbarian warrior increases the effect that body status has on hp points Mana stamina and weight Gained Enhanced body growth increase the growth of all body functions Titles

Tough endurance + 2

Rat slayer + 10 percent damage to rats + 30 percent chance of critical strike against rats + 50 percent chance of stunning rats.

Undead slayer + 10 percent damage to undead

Marge was waiting for me when I finally left the pixie dungeon. She was with Thorn and Shelly. Marge grinned “Alright its all arranged your heading to Liverlake city. But on the way you will pass by a Troll Dungeon. I have a friend Elizabeth who will smuggle one of your undead rats into the final battle. That way you get listed as one of the one of the party that finishes the quest.”

Marge pulled out a couple of bags and nodded to me “it has the dead pixie guards bodies and a couple of decent skeletons. There no where near the grade that Pixie was but you can reanimate them when you get to Necromancer level 7 and your summon undead goes to level 4.”

Marge pulled out a contract “My old friend name is Elizabeth she lives in the next dungeon town over. She wants help increasing her sons levels she has some pull with the heroes guild. So your going to help her sons out and she is going to help you and Thorn steal a bit of experience from the various dungeons.”

Van was still asleep as it was early so we set off on a cart. The cart had a couple of spots to sleep but no roof so Shelly lashed up out tent to stop the wind biting threw us. Thorn snorted as if to say we were weak. I did not care and started to read the now fully translated goblin spell book.

By the time i had finished reading the first three explanations it had began to get dark. Thorn looked at the horse pulling the cart in awe “I have never seen such a tireless animal.” Shelly laughed “They mix stamina potion with water and apply it to the horses muscles its a old trick. What do you think we have been using on you to make sure you can keep running.”

I looked up “You never gave me any.” Shelly shook her head “We were all poorer back then your rich now.” I blinked “Wait what?” “You sold those potions to van at market price and there was the matter of the reward for the orcs and Goblins killed. Most of your gold was sent to your parents but there is still a bit left. Van gave me your gold to look after till you turn sixteen.” I swore internally and went back to studying my spell book.

The cart kept going for hour finally stopping in front of small brightly painted house. A woman approached us and nodded “My names Elizabeth so our new Necromancer well come on there is much to discuss.”

I followed Elizabeth into a massive barn that was full of crates of boxes and barrels of goods. Elizabeth pulled out a chest and pointed to it “Marge asked me to acquire you a decent herb library and recipe for stamina potions. You have a pestle and mortar in there as well everything a budding alchemist would want. Tomorrow you go in as dungeon cleaner. But remember”

Elizabeth's eyes seemed to glow “You keep quite about what me and my family do in there. I do not what that silver spoon arsehole of a lord finding about my small side business. Now there is runt of a maggot called Kevin he will be around later. Be polite as your going to be his porters.. Theres stew in the pot in my house you can set up your tents near the dungeon entrance. We all go tomorrow.”

I set up tent my tent with the other tents. I was woken up by a massive bell going off. A teenager was waiting nearby with the bell. He screamed out “alright you lazy louts I want the copper coin fee and i want it now.”

A older man spoke up “I have my coin right here so just hand over our tokens and we are all good.” the teenager stood up “You will pay me or leave.” the old man nodded “I will leave then your not getting a copper coin out of me until i see the token to enter the Dungeon.” The teenager turned red and began to scream at the old man who ignored him. I sat down and ate food a old woman was preparing. She winked at me “You can get a bit from the dungeon if your careful. Troll fat is good as is there pelt if your lucky. There are a few less of us this year so your in luck.”

Shelly nodded “Remember Wrath i have all your coppers. That boy will not be only one trying to extort extra from the people. We are going to have to pay something extra.” the old woman nodded “If we stick together we might only have to pay twice what the entrance fee should be.”The old man who had caused the brat to leave came over and Shelly nodded and pulled out a small purse “We are one of you will you pay the extra bribe on our behalf” The old man nodded “I am Derrick. If one of the lords turns red they have been know to vanish in the tunnels.”

Thorn looked at me when the old man left. “If the nobles turn red we can kill them. Whats that about?” Shelly eyes narrowed “If they turn red they have done a illegal act so if you kill them while there red you do not turn red.”

We all entered the dungeon. There were troll corpses scattered all over and I saw Elizabeth she made a motion to a sack she had by her side. I cast create undead on the bag and Elizabeth added me to the knights party.

A troll has been killed 10 exp points gained.

Derrick the old man from before wandered up to Elizabeth who whispered in his ear and gave him a purse. Derrick called everyone together “We are to look for herbs only. We leave the Troll until later. Double pay for black rot mushrooms.”

Everyone waited while the knights and Elizabeth moved away to finish off the Trolls. Finally a tired looking knight entered the entrance cave. He was battered and had blood all over him. “I need a new sword. Who has got a sword.”

Derrick pulled out a sword “Three gold for this sir” the knight eyes widened “thats a insane price.” Derrick grinned “Your right five gold is better. If you argue again it becomes six.”

The knight pulled out five coins and then doused the sword in oil and set it on fire. The knight then ran off. Derrick pulled out another sword from his backpack and grinned “Idiot he should have waited to set the sword on fire. A normal sword only lasts a few minutes under the flame. Lets head out the knights will at least be on the second floor by now”

We all moved out looking for things to salvage. Thorn found a troll necklace and brought it to me. Derrick came over later and asked to purchase the Necklace. I shook my head “Not a chance it has no enchantments on it. I am going to use it to have something forged for me.” Derrick gave me a knowing look “Your going to have to talk to Elizabeth if you want to keep the necklace. Right i am off.”

Thorn ran back to Shelly and handed her a purse and then ran off again to collect more goods.

A knight Kevin ran into the room we were all picking herbs from and began to scream. “Who did it who killed Sam” i looked at Thorn who was busy picking mushrooms. I checked Kevin with my sight

Name Kevin Class knight lv ?? Class Marshall knight lv 4

Kevin was spitting “Which one of you did it. Who killed Sam” Derrick moved closer to Kevin and bowed “What happened sir?” Kevin fumed “I found Sam dead. It looks like he went to use the bathroom and someone killed him and dumped him under a dead Troll.”

Derrick shook his head “Well sir is his purse still on him?”Kevin face began to turn red “It was but Sam had a second Purse that was mine under his armour it is missing.” Thorn winked at me and walked closer to me she leaned over and whispered in my ear “Shelly says break from Elizabeths group and reanimate one of the trolls in passage over for two or three minutes only.”

One of the dead trolls got up and ran toward Kevin who was closest to it. Kevin screamed as the undead troll took a bite out of his arm. I reached out and pulled all the power from my spell. The troll crashed to the ground and Kevin fainted. Thorn ran over and pulled out a axe. The axe rose into the air and struck the ground cutting Kevin's arm off. Thorn then poured healing potion onto Kevins arm. Of course the healing potion would stop anyone reattaching the arm Thorn then went to talk to Derrick and i stayed right where i was.

A runner was sent to tell the knights what had happened. The knights ran over and dragged Kevin off. Elizabeth moved closer to me and whispered “Nice work do you want to come with me to clear out the bottom level. Without the knights you will gain a least three levels” I shook my head “I can grind to level 35 with undead rats bring Shelly.”

One hour Shelly came running up and gave me a smirk “Level 38” Thorn ran over and laughed “Good war sister your growing lets get out of hear. I fear the local lord maybe looking for someone to blame for recent events.”

Shelly pulled out a scroll “Its dark outside in half a hour. This is a camouflage scroll. It has a effect for five minutes we leave the stuff in our camp alone Derrick will pick it up. Elizabeth kindly donated some more goods for us lets get ready. She gave us a few greater fire ball spell scrolls and a cone of flame spell and a couple of freeze rays. She will also pay off derrick”

At the appointed time we reached the dungeon entrance and i cast the camouflage spell. We sneaked past two talking guards. One was going on about Kevin “I reckon Kevin ran afoul of experience thieves. Serves that jackass right he stole half my wages. How much do you reckon they got off Sam.” the other guard responded “I would wager half a years wages they got the bribes from the whole village. I bet Elizabeth is rubbing her hands in glee. If Kevin can not be lord because of his missing arm her daughter is the lords next heir”

I cursed internally and Shelly winced. If Kevin had a accident then the local lord would be angry. Shelly swore “That Bitch Elizabeth she set us up. She was helping me gain experience and helping us escape the lords castle my left foot. She was helping three strangers vanish just after one of them was seen chopping the local knights hand off. There going to blame us for the dead Knight. I mean we did it but aggh. We might have been able to bluff them. ” Thorn grinned “Smart woman less talking more running.”

We heard a howl off in the distance. Thorn pulled out a packet of something she threw it behind her “Tracking hounds that packet will give them a surprise.”