Chapter 140: Ethereal Metallic Slime

Mark Wyrd felt like he was finally beginning to relax. The knots were coming undone, the tea from a rare flower that only grew on this floor had a mild sedative effect that managed to pierce a Climber’s Resistance.

And it didn’t taste half-bad either.

“This must be the most interesting wall in all the land,” Amanda Akul said, leaning close and following his line of sight to the blank stone wall.

“It’s not bad.” Mark said with a shrug.

“Would you like some art up there, or…?”

“No, I’m not actually studying the wall, I’m all up in here,” Mark said, tapping his skull.

“Awww, sweety, I hope you feel better.” Amanda kissed his temple before brandishing a stack of papers covered in notes. “Pretty sure I caught an embezzler. I’m gonna go deal with them.”

In this case ‘deal with’ was probably a stand-in for ‘execute’.

“Good luck, have fun babe,” Mark murmured, taking a long swig of his tea to mark the end of the conversation.

It was right about this moment that Mark vaguely wondered what had happened to that Party that picked a fight with a raid boss, about half an hour ago.

They were most likely dead, just based on the amount of time that had passed.

Floor-wide Alert!

The Party of William Oh has claimed the bounty!

Many thanks to our Climbers for their efforts.

A spray of hot tea blasted out of the raised pagoda and sprinkled down onto the courtyard below.

“Shit, damnit, fuck,” Mark muttered, setting the tea aside and springing to his feet, his body compelling him to do something before his mind had a firm grasp of what, exactly.

“…Who’s William Oh?” Amanda asked, frowning as Mark began pacing.

Mark glanced up at Amanda’s lovely brown eyes and frowned. Oh right, you were in prison the last three years.

“He’s this…kid.” Mark said vaguely. “He’s an up-and-comer a lot of people think are going to become a Lord.”

“Well, why are you so worried? You already are a Lord.”

“He already beat me in a straight fight three Floors ago, and he’s going to be even stronger now. By a lot.

“Calm down, you’ve got all your father’s resources. Nobody can touch you now.” Amanda said, punctuating her words with a calming gesture.

“That’s just the thing.” Mark glanced around and lowered his voice. “You know how I killed my father?”

“You stabbed him when he least expected it.” she said with a shrug.

“Yes, that’s what everyone knows.” Mark said. “What everyone doesn’t know is that just before that, William Oh got into a fight with my father and managed to take his ring finger off, presenting a weakness that I exploited. This ring, specifically,” Mark motioned to the powerful Relic on his finger.

“He…did damage to your father?”

“Yep.”

“And he’s still alive?” Amanda clarified.

Mark nodded.

“And he’s surely stronger now.”

Mark nodded again.

“Wow, maybe we should be worried.” Amanda mused. “But…If he’s passing through on his way to establish a Stronghold, he’s sure to stop by here to at least make a gesture of goodwill.”

“Maybe. He hates my family, with good reason. I hear he got along great with your father.” Mark added.

Amanda snapped her fingers.

“Perfect. Let’s use that story. You’re besotted with me, the daughter Akul.” She put her fingers on her chest in a preening motion.

“But I am besotted with you.” Mark said, frowning.

“You allow me to dictate every aspect of the Stronghold’s administration.”

“But I do allow you to dictate every aspect of the Stronghold’s administration.” Mark said.

“Aww, sweetheart, I know,” Amanda said, wrapping her arms around him. “But we’re going to have to sell it.”

“Uuugh,” Mark groaned, going limp in her arms.

“Don’t treat demonstrating how much you love me like a chore!” She said, flicking his nose, forcing Mark to frantically suppress his Thorns lest her nose get broken.

“Young man, allow me to teach you that there are more ways to ‘win’ than simple violence.” She said, pushing him back down into his chair and sitting in his lap.

“This is great and all, but when you talk like your dad while sitting on my lap, it’s just weird.”

Amanda’s eyes narrowed. “Take off your rings, I’m going to pinch you.”

Mark chuckled. “You could try.”

***William Oh***

You are now a level 35 Resourceful Climber!

William Oh

Resourceful Climber Level 35

36 + 49 Strength

108 + 65 Resistance

105 + 63 Kinesthetics

136 + 49 Acuity

70 + 40 Focus

Charges: 60/110

Free Points: 4

Non-stat Item Abilities: +40% Rogue Archetype potency, +40% Ranger Archetype Potency, Coiled Lightning, Decreased audiovisual of Attacks/Abilities, resist tracking/Extrasensory, +30% Ranger Ability Speed and Duration beyond control, 25% audiovisual dampening while trespassing/breaking into a locked location or container. 32%bonus to move/attack. 43% chance to apply Lightning on hit.

Coiled Strike, 70% Audiovisual Dampening while trying to hide.

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it’s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

Phantom Hand Slots: (Ring of Accuracy*) (EMPTY) (Wand of the Undead Retainer) -(Stormfists)- (Dimensional Coiled Serpent Amulet)

Primary Abilities: Aspect of the Immortal Serpent**, Phantom Hand****

Secondary Abilities: Sourdough**

Tertiary Abilities: Phantom Eye

Primary Ability Upgrade Available!

“Uuugh.” Will let out a groan as he collapsed backward into the dirt of the Jungle. It had only been half an hour, but it felt a lot longer when you were fighting to the death.

“My lord?” Badur asked, glancing at Will and then up to the massive bowl of liquid metal Will was supporting above them.

Even now it was beginning to leak Miasma. Slimes, especially metallic slimes, were distinctly unnatural, and needed plenty of miasma to justify their existence, so they needed to preserve it immediately.

“Got it,” Will groaned, rising to his feet.

“I’m making a slope,” Will said, gesturing with his hand, prompting a nod from the Logistician.

Invisible slopes worked better than invisible staircases, Will had found, and soon enough the two of them were standing beside the massive pool of liquid metal.

Badur knelt down beside the slime’s corpse, extending a trembling hand, his expression pale, likely thinking of all the razor sharp spears that had been coming out of the thing only moments before.

Will felt several charges flow through Badur, and a moment later, the miasma stopped flowing out of the dead creature’s flesh, locked in place by Badur’s preservation Ability.

“Thanks,” Will said, clapping Badur on the shoulder.

“It’s my job,” Badur said, straightening his undershirt, seemingly a habit from wearing a heavier jacket. He turned to Will with an excited look. “I’d like to go back to the caravan and retrieve some measuring tools and my ledger. I’m confident this slime will be the backbone of your army.”