Book 2: Chapter 34 (Patreon)

Orrin put the new, confusing part of his system on the back burner and turned to the immediate rewards.

His dexterity had gone up by two, finally breaking into double digits. He didn’t feel any faster or more coordinated, but seeing the numbers go up still satisfied the gamer in him.

The reward selection for defeating the dungeon was great, too. He hesitated over his favorite stat, will, for only a moment before sighing audibly and taking the increase in constitution. His health points were too low and even with all his wards, Tony’s advice to keep constitution a priority echoed in his mind.

I can always increase my will at level twenty, he thought, trying to focus.

Emily and Garret were laughing at their good fortune. Garret was sending arrows into trees around them, trying to get a feel for his new points.

Orrin lied and said messing with the rewards for the Quest had sapped his strength. He sat with his back to a metal tree and read the System notification over and over, trying to find some new morsel of information.

You have Unlocked Administrator Skills

Sitting next to his ability points was a new box.

Orrin

Utility Warder Level 14   (4,886/5,000)

AP: 19

Administrator Points: 10

HP: 120/120

MP: 547/1100

Administrator Skills:

Strength: 9 (100)

Con: 12

Dex: 11 (100)

Will: 28 (100)

Intelligence: 11 (100)

The twenty-minute timer for his increase stat spells was almost up. His and Daniel’s maxed-out stats would drop back to only the increased [Utility Ward] increase for the rest of the day soon. He didn’t care. The additional of yet another thing to keep track of was overwhelming him.

Orrin cast a [Calm Mind] on himself and tried to think of anything else. When he’d absorbed the dungeon core, it had shattered into pieces like it was supposed to. Nothing he’d read had prepared him for the rush of power into his body.

“I can’t wait to get back and show Tin how much we’ve improved.” Garret was making his arrows turn in an arc in the air above them. He could make his arrows go in half a circle before they fell to inertia. “Do you think I’ll be able to make my arrows do a full rotation before I hit forty?”

Emily watched Orrin.

Madi and Daniel were talking about him. He could hear their whispers. Daniel was assuring her that he was fine and just needed time.

“I need a vacation,” he muttered to himself. “Shouldn’t I have a beach arc soon?”

He shook himself as [Calm Mind] took effect. They could deal with anything that came their way. He pushed off the ground and made his way to his friends.

“Thanks for the breather. I’m feeling better.”

Madi began to say something before closing her mouth and pulling him into a tight hug. He forgot how to move and only brought his arms up by reflex. The second his arms hugged back, Madi stepped back. She wouldn’t look up from her feet.

“Stop trying to hide things from me… Please.” She balled her hands into fists and turned to look him in the eyes. “If you still can’t trust me after all this time…”

When she didn’t finish her sentence, Orrin realized he was supposed to assure her that he did trust her, but he missed the moment.

“We do,” Daniel said in a hurry. He nudged Orrin. “It’s just weird with the others, you know?”

The hurt in her eyes was real but Orrin watched her steel herself and adopt the persona of Madeleine Catanzano, the impenetrable daughter of a Lord of Dey. “I understand.”

Orrin felt like shit but he barely knew what was going on. He feared Daniel might get angry at his new powers, too. He really needed to find out more about Administrators.

He had to cast [Calm Mind] again.

“Let’s get out of here.” He walked toward the exit door that had appeared after he absorbed/destroyed the dungeon core.

Orrin didn’t even feel Daniel’s hand on his shoulder as it slipped off.

Madi was the last to step out of the dungeon. The doorway glowed with a bright, white light before the arch cracked. The deep inner darkness that marked an open portal to the dungeon disappeared.

“One less dungeon in our world,” Madi said proudly.

Jeb and Derrick, two of the Guild members sent to guard the dungeon were speechless when they saw the broken gate. Sadi, the one in charge, simply saluted the party with a fist over her heart.

“Everyone made it back, too,” she said as she inspected them all. “Pritus is going to be very pleased. Would you like an escort back?”

“Orrin can [Teleport] us back. I think we might stay out here for a day or two,” Daniel explained. “We want to practice our teamwork with our new levels.”

The Guild members had no further reason to wait around and began breaking camp. Garret started helping them.

“Garret, you need to return the bow to Orrin. It was a loaner.” Madi climbed over a few small rocks and slid down the hill as she went after the archer. “Garret? Don’t you dare ignore me.”

Daniel chuckled.

“It was a pleasure working with you both,” Emily said, leaning on her staff. “If you ever need more help, I’m always available to help the [Hero].”

She took a few steps away before turning back. “Orrin, would you mind if I had a few words with you?”

Orrin put his hand up to cut off Daniel’s response. “Sure.”

He followed Emily away from the quick breakdown of the camp. She walked a few minutes before she stopped and turned to him.

“I won’t insult your intelligence,” she began. “You have unique magic that I’ve never heard of and I’m intrigued. However, you have every right to keep your own secrets and I would never dare to try and force those from you.”

Orrin felt a bead of sweat trickle down his shoulder.

“Guildmaster Pritus did task Garret and I to watch Daniel and his party and report back. In the past, whenever a [Hero] appears, bad things happen. It’s usually not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ and she wants to be prepared. From what I’ve seen, you two have a true friendship. Keep ahold of that. Maybe you can keep him from destroying nations.”

Emily tilted her head in the way she did when watching something interesting. “How much do you know of Odrana? Outside of the unpleasantness with Daniel.”

“Not much,” Orrin said truthfully. “Just the basics. A friend told me there is a big school of magic there.”

Emily laughed dryly. “There are multiple schools of magic, but, yes, most people only speak of Sanneris School. I went there for a few years. It… is very prestigious but not the only place to learn.”

Then, for the first time since meeting her, Orrin watched Emily stumble over her words.

“I…I want- if you are interested that is… If you are ever in Odrana, my family runs a school. Stridsfall isn’t as esteemed but we accept all magic users and have a good track record for researching new magics. I think… You would be an amaz- would be welcome.”

Orrin had spent the entire time Emily talked waiting for an attack or accusation. Instead, she was… recruiting him?

“Obviously, you don’t have to say anything or accept. I don’t technically even have the authority to grant you acceptance but I’d like to write a letter on your behalf in case you ever do want to… or have the time. The things you did in that dungeon were incredible. You’ve shown me the value of diversifying and I can see more people trying to take a path like yours in the future. If you ever would consider teaching the way to unlock your class, I’m certain you could change adventuring for the better. Fewer deaths and more dungeons defeated.”

She took a deep breath. Emily had spoken more in this stretch than she had in the entire dungeon run. “That’s all I wanted to say.” She started the walk back to the camp.

Orrin held up his hand. She stopped and quirked her head again.

“Thank you. I’m not sure exactly what I could teach but I appreciate the vote of support anyways. And we all appreciate your help in there,” he tilted his head back toward the dungeon. “You really went all out. It was amazing to watch.”

Emily smiled, her teeth flashing. “It is fun to go all out like that.” She rubbed her side. Orrin had healed the deep gouge into her stomach but he knew the phantom pains could remain even after the physical injuries were gone. “Maybe not again for a while, though.”

They rejoined the group and waved goodbye. Soon it was just Madi, Daniel, and Orrin.

“Are we really training?” Madi asked playfully.

“Which way to the elves?” Daniel asked in return.

Madi handed the Citrandish bow to Orrin for safekeeping. They headed north, discussing their plans as they walked.

Madi wanted to make an announced visit, shouting that the [Hero] was visiting the elves to help with their war. She believed diplomacy would be the best route, leaning into her years of training to take over for her father.

Daniel instead wanted to sneak along the border and make a scene. He daydreamt aloud of taking out multiple groups of Odrana troops, saving elves from certain death, and then being carried into the elven cities on the shoulders of those they saved.

“What do you think Orrin?” Daniel asked him as he finished describing how big of a feast they’d throw in his honor for saving the elven princesses.

“I think it won’t matter what we plan.” Orrin had a far-off look in his eyes.

“What is wrong with you?”

Orrin tripped and smacked his knee hard on the ground. Daniel bent to help him up but stiffened when Orrin whispered something.

“Are you okay?” Madi asked, stopping and turning back toward the two of them.

“Yeah, go ahead. We’ll be right there.” Daniel waved her away. Madi harumphed but kept walking.

“Are you sure?” Daniel whispered.

“They keep flitting in and out of my range, but yes,” Orrin said, pushing himself to his feet. “We’re being followed.”

Daniel moved to put his hand on Gertrude’s handle but Orrin tripped into him again, catching his arm.

“They don’t know that we know that they are here.”

“We don’t know that.”

“We don’t know that they know that we know?” Orrin smirked as he messed with Daniel.

“You’re an idiot. We should tell Madi and set an ambush or something.”

“I’ve got a plan.”

Daniel smiled and pushed Orrin forward. “I’m glad you’re back. You’ve been weird since the dungeon.”

“We can talk about that later.” Orrin pushed one problem out of his mind for the most urgent one. “Whoever it is that’s following us is making a beeline for Madi.”