Bio-Charger shard will now grant an additional +2 Vitality per level.

  Death Healer shard will now grant an additional +2 Will and +2 Charisma per level.

  Vestigial Hunter shard will now grant an additional +3 Durability per level.

  That only left me with five spells to choose out of nine options. The problem this time was that many of my options hadn’t progressed as far as I would have liked, but I couldn’t put it off any longer. I needed an uncommon class if we were going to be fighting a rare boss. Once again, I shared the list with each of them.

  Boon-Bane (Rare 50%)

  Lingering Grace (Uncommon 99%)

  Mass Physical Boost (Uncommon 84%)

  Rapid Flight (Uncommon 98%)

  Persistent Frost Cone (Uncommon 29%)

  Barbs of Slowing (Uncommon 49%)

  Eidolon ( Uncommon 96%)

  Killing Touch (Rare 1%)

  Magical Acceleration (Uncommon 69%)

  Samvek shook his head. “So close on some of them, but as you’ve said, there is no time left. Despite the fact that it’s rare, I don’t think I’d use Killing Touch if I was you.”

  That was the most direct he’d been in his advice, so I had to ask him why.

  “You haven’t ever used it in this dungeon. It needs to be part of you. Otherwise, rich clans could simply power up their younger members.”

  I nodded in understanding and then began talking through the pros and cons of each spell with the group. The decisions ended up being easier than I’d expected. Boon-Bane and Lingering Grace went to Death Healer, Eidolon went to Bio-Charger, Magical Acceleration went to Force Mage and Mass Physical Boost went to Vestigial Hunter.

  Force Mage Shard will now accelerate mana regeneration by 25%.

  Bio-Charger shard will now extend the duration of summoning spells by 50%

  Death Healer shard will now accelerate HP regeneration by 25% and increased resistance to debuffs.

  Vestigial Hunter will now grant an additional +1 to any physical stat per level.

  With those notifications, I felt the pressure building inside of me to finalize the core. It wasn’t pain, but a crushing weight within me. It eased the moment that I allowed the four shards to fully fuse. Then my vision was filled with light as the new class took shape within me.

  I felt my power grow dramatically.

  Uncommon Core formed- total stat gains now and per level after applying all titles equals:

  Strength: 5

  Dexterity: 2

  Agility: 7

  Vitality: 5

  Durability: 6

  Endurance: 4

  Mind: 10

  Will: 10

  Perception: 7

  Charisma: 3

  +1 to any physical stat

  Free Stats: 8

  My total stat gain had gone from 24 to 49 per level plus the additional stats from the pillars. It was insane. I was now gaining a total of 68 stats or close to triple what I’d been gaining before. After talking to the others, I found out that their stat gains were closer to 80% more than what they’d had before, so this difference was incredible, especially after factoring in how high my stat gains had been before. They averaged 21 stats per level now.

  More than that though, I just felt stronger. I instinctively knew that each of my spells would hit harder, my abilities would be more durable, and my skills would enable me to react in ways that no normal human could have.

  I did, however, still seem to have a scar from the spear in my gut. It was weird because so far healing had taken care of every scar and left my skin still looking smooth. Samvek noticed me running my hand over it which brought home the realization that I’d been standing in my boxers this entire time. It was kinda funny, but apparently, I wasn’t nervous at all about it.

  Samvek said, “The spear had special properties that left that scar. If you want to look at it, I can give it to you along with the other piece of loot.”

  “Sure, just let me put on my clothes, first.” With that, I struggled into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. The jeans nearly split when I pulled them over my thighs. I’d apparently gained more mass. It was going to be shopping time when I went back home. My magical gear fit on easily though as it adjusted to the wearer.

  Once I was equipped again, Samvek handed me a book and the spear. The spear had shrunk some. It was still heavy more like a tent pole than a spear, but it was now more fitted for a human size than the seeder.

  Spear of Wounding (Rare) – this weapon is imbued with a hateful mana which will leave wounds that defy any healing short of legendary. Lesser healing can eventually restore the HP lost, but will generally leave a scar along with a seed of its mana.

  I didn’t like that last bit of the description. I noticed that none of the cutting blows had left scars, but the deep thrust had. Even the thrust in my shoulder had left a tiny scar now that I looked for it. When I asked Samvek about the seed part, he told me he’d look into it but wasn’t sure what it meant, only that it likely wasn’t good.

  I offered the spear to the team but none of them wanted it. It didn’t fit their styles and so I just popped it into my spatial storage. Maybe it could upgrade over time. Then I looked at the book, expecting it to be a spell tome.

  Tome of Racial Evolution (epic)- Human: this book will teach you a path to evolve your race. Change comes with a price. Be sure this is the path you want to take.

  Samvek said, “Keep it for now. We can talk about how to use it later. Even study it if you want, but I’m ordering you not to attempt the process without talking to me about it first, Silas Rayden.”

  I wanted to be angry but the fact that he was referring to me by the clan name, meant that he was serious about me being an insider now. That alone would secure the safety of my family. It was a boon as great as the rest of his instruction.

  I was about to say so, when the back wall of the oasis flashed briefly and then a group of six beings walked into the room. The weight of their presence all but forced me to my knees and filled me with terror.

  Stats 2.2

  Name: Silas Renner

  Clan: Rayden, outer family

  Race: Human (Basic)

  Age: 22

  Height: 6’3”

  Weight: 225 lbs.

  Class: Force Mage-Death Healer-Bio-Charger-Vestigial Hunter (Uncommon)

  Level: 50

  Total XP: 100,000

  XP to Next Level: 10,000

  Occupation: Junkman Artificer

  Level: 2 (1%)

  Trade skills-

  Carving 1

  Metal Working 1

  Design 1

  Glass Working 1

  Stats:

  Strength: 196/171 (+10%)

  Dexterity: 67/42

  Agility: 224/189 (+10%)

  Vitality: 225/205

  Durability: 195/172 (+10%)

  Endurance: 174/154 (+10%)

  Mind: 260 (+20%)

  Will: 272 (+10%)

  Charisma: 117 (+20%)

  Perception: 203 (+10%)

  Available Stat Points: 0

  HP: 2250

  HP Regen: 781/281 /hour (+25%)

  Stamina: 1740

  Stamina Regen: 174/minute

  Mana: 3120

  Mana Regen: 374/minute (+25%)

  Titles:

  One Small Step/One Giant Leap: Double level related stat gains.

  Blood Bather IV: Gain an evolution by bathing in the blood of an enemy.

  Smarter than Your Average Bear +10% effectiveness to Mind

  Here to Pump You Up: +10% effectiveness to Strength, +1 Strength/level

  I’ve Got My Eye on You: +10% effectiveness to Perception.

  Never Gonna Give Up: +10% effectiveness to Will

  Hear the Thunder, Ride the Lightning: +10% effectiveness to Agility

  Hate the Game not the Playa - +10% to effective Charisma.

  Words May Hurt Me but Sticks and Stones Never Will- +10% to effective Durability, +1 Durability/level.

  Energizer Bunny- +10% to effective Endurance

  Monster Hunter III (rare) – gain 15% effective stats whenever fighting a monster of a higher tier. +20 Agility, +15 Durability, +10 Vitality.

  Evolutions:

  Mana-infused Squirrel: 70%

  Spined Fox- Boss variant: Complete (spines)

  Feathered-Bear- Domain Apex variant: Complete (roar)

  Darje Undead: 80%

  Skills:

  Running: 34

  Throwing: 31

  Jumping: 29

  Blunt Weapons: 138/118

  Staff Combat: 161/141

  Short Blades: 17

  Grappling: 44

  Defensive Fighting: 108

  Sneak Attacks: 4

  Slashing Weapons: 109

  Polearms: 164/144

  Aerial Combat: 97

  Piercing Weapons: 32

  Unarmed Combat: 17

  Active Quests:

  None

  Active Abilities:

  1) Mage Shield (Rare 1%)

  2) Shape Conjured Construct (Epic 4%)

  3) Force Projection (Epic 0%)

  Inheritance: Spirit Walk (Epic 5%)

  Inheritance 2: Spirit Singing (Epic 2%)

  Passive Abilities:

  1) Adorably Harmless (Rare 36%)

  2) Symbiotic Healing (Uncommon 28%)

  3) Immobile Damage (Uncommon 16%)

  Inheritance: Inspiring Presence (Rare)

  Spells:

  Core Spells

  Boon-Bane (Rare 50%)

  Lingering Grace (Uncommon 99%)

  Mass Physical Boost (Uncommon 84%)

  Rapid Flight (Uncommon 98%)

  Persistent Frost Cone (Uncommon 29%)

  Barbs of Slowing (Uncommon 49%)

  Inheritance: Eidolon ( Uncommon 96%)

  Traits:

  -Forerunner Abilities:

  Identify (common 16%)

  Translate (common 28%)

  Loot (Rare 0%)

  Save for Winter (unique-epic 7%)

  Mini-Map (common 7%)

  - Lifer- XP gained from quests and killing monsters while on Galen will increase by 25% or 50% while in the district containing Anwich. This will apply to party members and is multiplicative with party bonuses.

  -Inheritor II:

  Passive Ability: Inspiring Presence

  Active Ability: Spirit Walk

  Spell: Eidolon

  Boon: Boon of the Staff

  Title: Hear to Pump You Up

  Gear: Tunic of Durability

  Spirit Singing

  Boons:

  -Boon of the Staff

  Gear:

  Assorted Potions (various)

  Staff of Blocking (uncommon)

  Ring of Blinding (uncommon)

  Belt of Life (uncommon)

  Fire Blast Wand (uncommon)

  Life Mage Shard (Rare)

  Tunic of Durability (Rare)

  2 x Uncommon Class Shard- Vestigial Hunter

  1 x Uncommon Class Shard- Force Mage

  Gloves of Precise Power

  Devil Scale Armor (Epic-Set)

  Boots of Shadow

  Urg- Eidolon (Common- Vine Form)

  Strength: 170

  Dexterity: 15

  Agility: 138

  Vitality: 170

  Durability: 230

  Endurance: 110

  Mind: 40

  Will: 90

  Perception: 190

  Synergy: All plant based Abilities and Spells

  Unslotted Spells:

  Killing Touch (Rare 1%)

  Magical Acceleration (Uncommon 69%)

  Unslotted Abilities:

  Stealth (Basic- 10%)

  Chapter 36- Guild Badges

  I couldn’t pull my eyes from the figures as they marched into the oasis. Maybe Samvek could have, but the rest of us were on edge. I could sense it just in the way the Galenians were tensing up.

  I took in the figures. They were all humanoid, and it was pretty clear that the front four were one group. They all had clan insignias on their armor. Three of them seemed to be the same race as Samvek, while the fourth had three lidless eye stalks like Selmac the vice-guild leader of the adventurer’s guild or whatever her official title was. He was much larger than her, as wide across the chest as the others and wearing similar armor.

  The two behind were an odd pair. One was wearing a cloaked robe of sorts with the hood pulled up, hiding his facial features. The second was humanoid, but at least eight feet tall. His proportions were more elongated and slender than a human, with longer limbs and a shorter torso. His head was elongated and more like the shape of a football. In his hands was a long staff with a slightly curved blade on each end.

  The man in front held up his hand. “Rein in your auras. We have uncommon here.” Then he stepped forward. The other three men in clan armor stayed back while the robed figure walked forward after whispering something to the warrior I was starting to think of as his guard.

  The robes hid his form, but based upon his height and pace, I’d say that he was human, but for the moment all my eyes were on the man in front. Samvek stepped forward and said in a whispered tone. “Do as I do.”

  Then he slammed his fist to his chest and bowed as he said, “Clan leader.”

  I did the same without the words.

  After staying bent over for a few seconds, I began to wonder, but then the man said, “Well done. This quest will bring rich rewards to the clan. As leader, I commend you and your disciple for this discovery. I’ve already assigned 1000 points to both of your accounts, although your disciple will have to wait until the induction of his world to claim them. As a father, I’m proud of you, my son.”

  Samvek straightened up then, and I saw him smile. It was one of the few times he’d done anything like that. I probably should have held back, but life in the modern US doesn’t exactly teach a person to be overly nervous or respectful around authority. “Your father? You never said you were the son of the head of the clan.”

  Samvek’s smile disappeared, and he started to speak but his father held up his hand. “No, don’t rebuke him. We can hardly recruit a Forerunner and not be prepared for some breaches in decorum.” Then his eyes focused on me and once again I felt like a weight hit me for an instant before it relaxed.

  As the pressure lifted, Identify responded.

  Lord Samuel Rayden (Legendary) Race: Numari

  Level: 448

  Disposition: Friendly

  Threat: Certain Death to your entire world

  I about choked. Level 448… legendary… My head scrambled trying to imagine just how many stat points you’d have at level 448. Even if I only gained my current number of stat points per level, I’d have something like 30,000 stat points by the time I reached that level or an average of 3000 per stat.

  “I really don’t try to cause trouble, but I don’t know your customs. My father always taught me that you can tell a lot about a man from his handshake.”

  With that, I extended my gloved hand. He looked down at the gesture as though unsure what to do, but then grasped my hand. “This is a gesture from your world?”

  I nodded. “From the part of world that I’m from. Now we shake them up and down. We grasp firmly, but in your case, not too firmly, since I’m certain you can turn my hand into paste.”

  “It’s a show of strength, then?”

  “No, only idiots try to crush the other's hand. It’s a show of character. A firm handshake is meant to imply sincerity and straightforwardness, just the way that I want our dealings to be.”

  He shook and squeezed just a bit harder, but not so much that it hurt me. “I like this one,” he said to Samvek. “My son indicates that you’ve passed his tests, and he has accepted you as an inner disciple. This entitles you to use our name. But it also means that you carry our honor. I am glad that you have a firm… what was it you called it… ah yes, a firm handshake.”

  While this was going on, the robed man had lowered his hood. He was definitely humanoid, but his skin was pink. His features were just slightly off of normal human, enough that you’d have done a double take even if his skin wasn’t pink.

  I judged him to be rather old, but realized that I had no idea about aliens. He held out his finger and poked my chest. “Why are you wearing that despicable item?”

  I glanced at Lord Rayden, but his eyes didn’t give me anything, so I guessed it was up to me to address this. “Because it’s the best armor I’ve looted so far, and the gear I need is all out of reach, so I’ll use whatever I can to save my people.”

  He pursed his lips. “I can already sense a seed of its evil in you.” As he said, it, I began to hum under my breath. He might think I was crazy, but then for all they knew that was another human custom. Doing so wasn’t as good as singing but it enhanced my ability to sense things spiritually, and I could feel a storm of spiritual energy swirling around this man. There was definitely more around Lord Rayden than any other being, but it paled in comparison to this man.

  Samvek said, “Priest Bahran, that isn’t from the armor. He was wounded in single combat with a peak uncommon seeder while he was still only at common core. The devilkin wielded a spear with a magical effect that left wounds behind even after I gave him an epic level potion.”

  The priest pulled a medallion out from his robe. It looked to be something like an infinity symbol and was made of a dull gray metal about the size of one of those heavy Texas belt buckles. He held it around his neck by a scarlet cord, lifted it high and then peered at me through one of the loops. “Will you consent to me purging that seed from you?”

  I got a sense of power but also peace from his spiritual energy. Even as rude as he was being, I felt myself inclined to trust him. Although, I immediately distrusted that because I knew what a high Charisma could do.

  “May I use Identify on you first?” It wasn’t like I hadn’t already been trying, but whoever he was, it was beyond my ability to pierce through whatever cloaked him.

  He nodded, “Of course, I have nothing to hide.”

  As soon as he said it, some pressure I hadn’t even been aware of dropped and I was able to scan him.

  Priest Bahran (Legendary) Race: Cleggan

  Level: 426

  Disposition: Neutral

  Affiliation: Sect of the Veiled Infinity

  Threat: Certain Death to your entire world

  Great another legendary, but I was interested that he was part of a sect. Those were the groups that Samvek said I might have to go to in order to learn about Spirit Singing.