Even after Fiona checked for bed bugs last night, the affair still left its impression. When she tried to fall asleep, it felt like bugs crawled up and down her back. She sighed, hoping things would not get worse from here. She at least had finished that book last night and was excited for when she could get back and check out the next one in the series. She walked quickly down the wood-paneled hallway as the thought of books put a pep in her step. She rounded the corner and pressed the down button.
The doors opened, and she stepped toward the elevator. She then saw the occupants of the elevator.
Grace looked up as Fiona approached and said, “Hey Fiona, how's it going?” Dean waved at her with the arm not currently slung around Grace.
“Oh, I’m doing alright,” Fiona said with a smile. “How about you? How are you two doing?”
“Good. We just finished doing a little workout in the hotel's gym and considered going to the spa section. We heard that they do this awesome mud bath.”
Grace used a flirty, cutesy tone as she said it, which made Fiona cough a couple of times to cover the giggle, but she calmed down.
"Well, that sounds like a blast, guys; glad you're having a good time."
"yeah, we are... by the way, have you seen Pierce? We were looking for him yesterday but couldn't find him anywhere."
"Oh, uh, no, I haven't seen him anywhere. I wouldn't be confused about why you haven't seen him. Given the way you guys have treated him. "
Grace shifted uncomfortably, and Dean's hand fell to his side under the tone of Fiona's statement.
"Don't get me wrong, it's not my business, but it seems like Pierce got the short end of the stick."
She then stepped inside and pushed the button for the lobby. Behind her, Grace looked at Dean with quickly reddening eyes, and Dean spoke up.
"That's not completely fair, you know." He said defensively, "You don't know the whole story."
"Fair enough, but I think he did lose two best friends in one fell swoop."
The rest of the elevator ride continued silently, with nothing more to say. When the doors opened for the lobby, Fiona stepped out first and said as she walked away.
"Hope you have fun in the mud bath, guys."
Pierce was currently dealing with a giant mushroom monster. So picture this: Pierce was tramping along, minding his own business, when he found a mushroom with a classic fairytale look: red with a white polka-dotted cap and all-white stem. Then the mushroom plopped out of the ground and started running at him with legs. Mushroom legs. The thing had a mouth and started lolling its tongue around as it chased him. Pierce was sprinting as fast as he could away from the thing. Then it had spit what looked like a glob of mucus at his head.
He assumed this was not good for his health. Having played The Last of Us, he knew mushroom juices were terrible for humans. He rounded a tree and hid behind it, hoping he had put enough distance between him and the mushroom. Looking over his shoulder around the pale bark of the tree, he spied the mushroom standing about 20 ft away, stalk still. What was it doing? The ground around its stem was slowly covering back up its legs, and it seemed like it was rooting itself.
Pierce was lost and unsure what to do when a cloud started coming off the mushroom. It spread in every direction and rapidly closed the distance to where Pierce hid. Cursing, he got up again and began to move when the mushroom’s spores caught up. A weird feeling came over his body as the mushroom’s spores entered his nose. It felt like he was trying to move in slow motion as whatever it was hindered his motor functions.
He turned his head to see what the mushroom was doing. He was horrified that it had popped out of the ground again and was sprinting full tilt at him. His mind screamed at his body to move, but all he could manage was to hide behind one of the pale trees and hope for the best. He felt a cataclysmic shake as the tree groaned under the force of the impact of the mushroom.
He felt his body loosen up after the mushroom collided with the tree, so he grabbed his mandible and charged the thing. The mushroom seemed to have lodged itself on the gems protruding out of the tree, which was perfect for Pierce as he rammed the mandible repeatedly into the mushroom’s side. Purple gunk spurted out of the wounds left by him, and Pierce gagged at the smell. Finally, a notification on his vision appeared.
You have killed Mushroom (Child) Lv. 8. Because this creature was five levels above your own. You gain double experience and loot. You have gone up two levels.
Would you like to loot the corpse?
Y/N
Pierce mentally selected yes, and a pair of red and white overalls and a small pile of mana crystals appeared. He picked up the overalls and was surprised by how soft they felt, and then a prompt appeared.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
You have gained Mushroom overalls (uncommon). These overalls are made from mushroom fibers and are incredibly light and sturdy.
Special effect: When these overalls are cut, they release a small cloud of spores on whoever inflicted damage on the wearer. These spores will have a stunning effect when inhaled.
Stat Gains: +2 to Dex and +2 to Constitution
He pulled them on and loved the feeling of being in pants again. Pierce was very pleased overall with his new pants. He looked ridiculous with the short-cut and not-long cut, but they fit perfectly and comfortably. The stat gains were also excellent, given that he was almost three times better at everything. He tried thinking of the status sheet he had initially seen, and a screen popped up.
Status Page:
Name: Pierce Adams Race: Human(Basic) Gender: Male
Lvl:5 Profession: N/A
Titles: Forerunner, Hitting Above Your Weight
Skills: Survivalist Doctor, Amateur Stitcher
Stats:
Strength: 16 Dexterity:17 Charisma:15 Constitution:14 Intelligence:17 Wisdom:15
He could feel those stats hitting his body, and he was more potent and faster than ever. He had no words for the feeling; it was like he had drunk a hundred cups of coffee mixed with Red Bull. He felt like he could do anything. Then, a new screen popped into his vision.
New mission: Slay the Mushrooms 1/30 - You have killed one of the many members of a local mushroom village, and now, having felt the death of their newest spore child, they are out for blood. It is kill or be killed. Rewards will be given based on performance.
Pierce gaped at the screen in front of him. A mushroom village? What does that even mean? He supposed the child title now made more sense. How would he kill 29 more things that were, based on the title, potentially stronger than what he just faced? A blinking icon in the corner of his vision brought him from his panic, and he opened it.
You have met the requirements for class selection. You will now be presented with your choices:
- Rogue (common) - One who strikes from the shadows and takes opportunities presented to you. You may be a Jack of all trades or specialize in one. The path is up to you, hooded one.
- Druid (common): You embrace the environment around you and utilize its advantages. Nature comes in many forms, and you are there to will them.
- Nature’s Artificer (uncommon) - you have taken an unorthodox path of survival and have used your knowledge and the nature around you to come out on top regarding survival or practicality. Carve your path with your ingenuity and the boundless earth beyond.
You have gained these choices based on your experiences and the primary options available to all inducted.
Pierce was lost for thought. His first one, though, was that this was badass. He had noticed the class option but hadn’t thought about when he would get it or what that would even look like. He was excited; it felt like back in high school when he got to choose a class for Dungeons and Dragons. He looked over the options again.
He liked the look of the druid and the rogue, but something about nature’s artificer spoke to him. In his eyes, it seemed like a combination of a druid and a crafter, which seemed cool. His dad had always been the person who fixed and created new things around the house. When he was five, his dad made an entire hockey rink for the high school by his house, and they still use it.
Because of that influence, Pierce has always wanted to be that person but had yet to give it a chance or a thought. But now he had it on a golden platter, and he could make his fantasy weapons, vehicles, or whatever else this class had in store. This was going to be his moment and no one else's. On instinct, he selected Nature’s artificer.
You have selected WildForge artificer. You will now gain the following per level:
Strength: +2 Dexterity:+3 Charisma:+2 Constitution:+2 Intelligence:+4 Wisdom:+3
You have also gained the following abilities:
Nature’s Bounty(uncommon)- Harvesting now has a 10% chance to double the item you are harvesting, and you can find rare plants easier with your senses.
Wild's Artificer(uncommon)- Making constructions or tools out of natural materials is more accessible and will last far longer than usual.
You have gained a New Title: First in your class- You have surpassed expectations and gained the level required to grant you a class; since you are the first on your planet to do so, your rewards have been doubled. Your rewards have tripled since you have also been given an uncommon class.
You have gained these two items as your reward.
- Cloak of Nature
- Amaranth’s Toolbelt
Pierce didn’t know what to think for the second time that day. He bent to pick up the two things that had appeared. The first was a mottled green cloak that seemed to shimmer on the ground it was placed on. The belt next to it was very elaborate and had so many pockets and things in it he didn’t even know what half of them were. He first picked up the toolbelt and inspected it.
Toolbelt of Amaranth(uncommon)- This toolbelt belonged to a unique artificer known for his unorthodox approach to almost everything. This belt will allow you to use any number of essential tools that you can find in its pockets. It will also identify what some tools do for you if you need to know their usage. You will gain +4 in intelligence and wisdom when this is equipped.
Pleased, Pierce strapped it on and picked up what looked like a roofing hammer from one of the pockets. Instantly, he knew what it was used for and what uses it could have in any ideas he might have for creations. This was going to be a game-changer. Bob the Builder would have murdered for this so he could stop talking to all those vehicles of his. Pierce worried for Bob, but moving on, he picked up the cloak.
Cloak of Nature(uncommon)- this cloak will shield you from those who wish you harm and provide shelter when you most need it. While wearing it you can move faster when amongst nature and blend in almost perfectly with any natural surroundings. When equipped, you gain +5 to dexterity and +3 constitution.
Pierce draped the cloak around his shoulders and grinned. It was time to fuck up some mushroom creatures.