Keymaster

by Sergey Zaytsev

  “You’re witty,” said Stinger, continuing his tireless walk.

  Shivering, I hurried Fury who had fallen behind. I didn’t like this hellish cold anyway. Although it had dawned in the valley long ago, the temperature had no intention of rising; quite the opposite. My well-being was probably still affected by the weakening of Synergy as Tinnie was now far away and I was being warmed only by Fury’s hot back.

  “You were more relaxed back in the cave. You’re acting like my mother now. Are you mad at me because of Rawrk? You knew very well what might happen to him in the Fortress, didn’t you?”

  “We’re in the open. We must stay alert...”

  “A few minutes ago you said that there was nothing to fear.”

  Squinting at me, the big man grinned into his frost-covered beard. He pat the back of Fury’s neck, which made her shudder, and almost had her sit down with his heavy hand. He sped up again.

  “I said that you have nothing to fear. But I better stay on guard, as I’m the one who will be fighting. You’re in no state to do so. I’m just making sure that all is well. It’s a habit. I blocked off the passage; there are no Lowlings here. That’s why I’m not afraid. Breathing without them has become much easier.”

  “Yeah, and the air has become cleaner, too. Could you be more specific? How did you block off the passage?”

  “Use that head of yours; it’s not there just to support the hood! Remember what a Prospector can do. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

  “What does...? Waaait. Mashta said that a Prospector looks for gems and minerals that are used to enhance items. There’s more to it, isn’t there?”

  “So you really don’t know… Caches and hidden mechanisms, Wise. These are also a Prospector’s abilities. I know how hidden mechanisms work, and I can reconfigure them from a distance without analyzing them, just by thinking about it. It’s something like remote access. They also have a Prospector, but I’m better. This advantage didn’t come cheap, however. I could’ve spent those 25 skill points better, but I was tired of constantly waiting for an attack to come from the Fortress, and I was even more tired of watching them farm my lair. It’s the only thing in this godforsaken place.”

  The anger in his voice clearly demonstrated his attitude toward the Lowlings. It was strange. When did they manage to annoy him if he had been in the Fortress for just a day before the attack happened? Although, the lair is the only decent source of XP… If that’s the case, then... Stop. Caches and hidden mechanisms? So that’s why Mashta strongly advised me against pursuing this profession. She didn’t want their secret to be revealed. And that’s why Tinnie didn’t manage to find a single cache in the Fortress and in the mountain tunnels! Everything had long been searched and opened. Whatever they found they probably kept in a place prohibited to the outcasts. Those shorties were real smartasses...

  “Wait a minute. But what about Rawrk? Did you personally let him in? No, I saw him open it by himself...”

  “Not a big deal…” There was a hint of superiority in his smile. “Party members share access rights. He was supposed to tell me when a human appears, and attract the rookie’s attention. I’m sure that you’ve noticed that they’re not easy to talk to, but, since you’re here, I see that he has fulfilled his role.”

  “Yeah, he attracted attention all right. In fact, he attacked me. If Mashta hadn’t stunned him, he would have...”

  “…already delivered you to me. Three days ago. He had no time for pleasantries, especially because he can’t properly connect two words together.”

  “When a Raksh, especially one that’s armed to the teeth, is running toward you, it’s somewhat difficult to think of them as being friendly.”

  “It’s amazing that you understood him at all.”

  “The quest helped, and the system has been generous. Apparently, it needs something from us. But you promised to rip my head off for Rawrk.” I recalled.

  “I said that to keep you on your toes,” Stinger grinned.

  “We’ve been offered a rather interesting opportunity,” I returned the conversation back on track. “Did you send Rawrk because he was more suitable for scouting, or...?”

  “Oh, ain’t you smart?” Stinger glanced at me askance. His grin was gone. “You can be straight with me, I don’t tolerate hints. He’s expendable. Satisfied?”

  His words surprised me. I remembered how bravely Rawrk rushed to my aid. I could understand Stinger. To him, everyone who wasn’t a player was but an object animated by a program. That was too soulless in my opinion, but I remained silent, not wanting to start a dispute about moral values.

  “You said that people from the Fortress still don’t know how the raid occurred,” he continued with slight irritation in his voice, “and that everyone is sure that the Raksh had entered through the camp. Yes, the majority of the Lowlings died that day. I saw their corpses. This only indirectly confirms their already fabricated story.”

  “The secret passage?” I frowned.

  “Yes. The Lowlings let the Raksh into the dungeons. That’s for sure. I saw their corpses when the Raksh dragged me through the tunnel. A couple of them were there, and a couple were in the valley. Something went wrong and the Lowlings fell into their own trap. Naturally, they kept their true motives hidden, reasonably afraid that the outcasts wouldn’t approve of any of this.”

  “And what about the invasion? You were with them for quite some time, you probably heard something.”

  “They say nothing. As if nothing had happened. The Raksh don’t care much about the past, they prefer to live in the present.”

  “Perhaps it was an accident then?” I thought aloud. “They found a secret passage, opened it, and ran into a raid, hurrying to the lift. Not wishing to waste an opportunity, the Raksh happily changed the goal of their raid. For me, cutting down my enemies and collecting socs sounds much more fun and profitable than dying near the Citadel.”

  “They have nearly killed you, and you’re defending them?” Stinger’s voice was full of anger again. He wasn’t as calm as he seemed when we met. He simply knew how to hide his torn nerves; being held captive and living a hermit’s life left a trace on him.

  “Defend? No.” I shook my head. “I’m being reasonable. I’m angry, but I’m trying to be objective. I know from experience that things are never black and white. There are always reasons, and I would like to know why they did this. I want to know the reason and meaning behind this conspiracy.”

  “I’ll explain it to you then. The Lowlings probably hoped that they would recruit their kind instead of humans. Unfortunately, the system filled the Fortress with Okhtans. They wouldn’t manage another invasion like that without being caught. Nobody would fall for the same trick twice. If the Dalrokts learn the truth, then the little ones will be exiled. They’ll be hunted and sent to the Mausoleum. Forever. Okay, enough about that. I’m more interested in something else. How many skins would you need to make a chestpiece for me?”

  “It depends on the size of the skin.” I was also glad that he decided to change the topic, although I didn’t make it too obvious. “If you get me a Sniffer the size of the previous one, I’d need at least two skins. You’re a big man. Actually, make that three, just in case. I’ll make bracers and leggings for both of us as well. But if I had more, I could make two or three extra layers for more durability...”

  “I see. The more, the better. Thanks for the bonus leggings and bracers. I’m beginning to like your surprises. I hope that your Fairy doesn’t disappoint.”

  “But you must bear in mind that I cannot make things that are higher level than me,” I warned.

  “No problem,” he sniffed. “Look at me. It’s better than having nothing. I suppose that the type of material is also important?”

  “As I understand it, the tougher the creature, the better.”

  “Then we’ve come to the right place.”

  Chapter 40

  He suddenly stopped, and only then did I notice a semicircular,
waist high arch of white stone sticking out of the snow, like a broken-off, porcelain handle of some giant cup. It was completely lost against the white background. I moved closer and, without dismounting, cleaned a section of it with my palm. Then I looked at the unfamiliar symbols that appeared on its surface.

  The Seventh Seal of the Sphere of Styx

  Status: deactivated; 60% damage

  Activation requires a Key. Can only be activated by the Shriek Citadel’s master.

  “Do you understand what this means?” I gasped in excitement.

  “That we need to return to the Citadel and complete the epic,” Stinger mocked from behind my shoulder. “Nothing has changed. Well, are you done admiring? Now stand still and be on a lookout.”

  I turned abruptly. Throwing off his fur cloak, Stinger stretched his wide shoulders, and, with a deceptively slow movement, drew the twin daggers from their sheaths. Blades a bit shorter than two feet each, flashed with a ghostly green glow, writing out intricate, luminous eights in the air and casting their reflections on the snow. Poison debuff? So, he’s a dangerous melee opponent...

  “What the hell is going on?!” Looking at him getting ready for combat, I instinctively buffed myself and grabbed my dagger. Fury sensed the tension between us and grunted, wiggling her whiskers. The hair on her nape stood on its end.

  “This Seal has its own guards, my friend,” Stinger grinned into his beard. “It’s time we’re billed for this tour.”

  “What the hell are you doing?” I said through clenched teeth. “You know in what condition I’m in!”

  “You don’t need to join the fight,” he reassured me. “Just watch. If you aggro at least one Screamer… Well, you’re pretty much doomed. I won’t have time to save you. If you want, you can run away right now. Ride away. I’m sure that your beast is faster than the Screamers. I can do this without you. It’s about to start!”

  I didn’t expect such a setup from him... My new and “reliable” comrade turned out to be a daredevil.

  Hearing a strange whistle, I shook my head. Fury stirred, responding to my nervous movements. I searched for the source of the sound with a nervous gaze. There! Snow had risen some thirty feet from us, as if something massive was trying to get out the ground, but changed its mind and stopped at the last moment. A few feet to the right of the first hill appeared another such mound, then another, and then I suddenly realized that Stinger, Fury and I were surrounded by no less than a dozen unknown creatures that were crawling out of the snow.

  Lesser Screamer

  Level 18

  HP 450

  “C’mon, come to papa!” Stinger grinned, raising his daggers and folding his arms at chest level. His powerful figure, shrouded from head to toe in shimmering auras, defensive and combat ones, looked both majestic and menacing.

  Tempered Soul

  Increases defense by 20%.

  Invisible Rage

  Increases attack power by 15%.

  The frosty air carried a piercing howl across the entire valley. The Screamers attacked. Rushing in our direction, like some sort of underground torpedoes, they literally plowed through the plain, throwing snow and chunks of frozen land into the air.

  Despite the slight disorientation that was the result of their debuff, I had enough sense left in me to stand still and mentally order Fury to do the same. We both turned into silent statues. We even stopped breathing. Any sound or movement would attract the creatures’ attention. Just in case, I had Soulcatcher and Lash of Pain at the ready.

  The nature of the attack made it clear that we were dealing with the type of mobs that always attacked in groups. If you touch even one of them, and if the tank doesn’t maintain the aggro, then the whole group would immediately attack the offender. And even though these guys were “only” level 18, there were ten of them! Moreover, my skills were still on cooldown my weapon was a joke, my pet was level 13, and I didn’t know a damn thing about the Screamers, which meant that I couldn’t come up with a proper strategy.

  Don’t interfere, you say? Should I just watch you be torn to pieces? It’ll be my pleasure! Just a few hours ago, I barely escaped certain death when I was attacked by a player whose level was twice as high. I wasn’t about to poke that beehive again. What was he thinking, dragging us here?! Even his level 22 wasn’t enough to handle so many enemies even if they were of a lower level!

  Ten feet...

  Snow was still being tossed into the air, and the enemies remained invisible. Their screams grew in volume, affecting our ears and eyes. All of a sudden, everything doubled...

  Six feet...

  We couldn’t get out of their way. The arch behind us couldn’t be used as a cover, any creature would slip under it and then...

  Having, apparently, accurately calculated the right moment, Stinger spun around swiftly, blades flashing in his outstretched hands, his body enveloped in reddish haze.

  It was then that the Screamers appeared. They were the size of a Pitbull, with shiny bodies that looked as if they were made of silver. They shot up into the air, aiming at the tank. They even resembled torpedoes with their appearance; eyeless, with sharp, conical snouts and a flexible tail that wiggled behind them like a fin. To reduce air resistance, thin, multi-articulated paws pressed into the body so hard that they almost merged with the flesh. The manner of their attack made me experience déjà vu. Had I already seen something similar in my past life? Whatever the case might’ve been, now wasn’t a good time for reminiscing.

  I barely managed to duck in time when one of the creatures flew over me, hooking my shoulder with something. The jerk was so strong that I was pulled off Fury’s back. The next second I heard the sound colliding bodies. When I jumped to my feet, I witnessed a full-scale battle going on in front of me. Stinger had managed to move a few steps to the side at the last moment. Some class feature must’ve been at work there. The Screamers collided with each other with the sound of metal ringing. But that didn’t slow them down. Jumping to their thin, insect like legs, they dashed toward the tank. Stinger’s protective aura flared up from frequent blows, partially absorbing damage.

  He moved with incredible speed for someone of his build. As any toughness reserves would sooner or later be depleted, evading attacks in order to prolong the defense effect was of vital importance. Stinger’s daggers reached their target and ripped apart the brilliant body with their poisonous blades. He didn’t shy away from using any means available to him. He cut and stabbed, stunned those who jumped at his torso or head with the daggers’ handles, knocked down enemies with elbows, kicked and trampled...

  He was having a blast; his eyes were burning with furious fervor. There was not a doubt in my mind that his man loved what he was doing.

  Well done, damn it...

  It seemed that neither Fury nor I existed for the Screamers. I was wrong to doubt the tank’s ability to withstand an onslaught of dozen enemies. He knew his stuff. Perhaps he would’ve effortlessly resisted against two dozen of them.

  Spraying oily liquid from its wounds, another Screamer flew away, fell into the snow, and died. I didn’t get any XP from it, despite being in Stinger’s party. After all, I was inactive.

  What a pity.

  Fury agreed with me on this. Observing the fight, fascinated, she let out a muffled grumble. Restless, she kept shifting her weight from one paw onto another, barely holding back the ardor that the sight of battle had woken up inside of her. She couldn’t understand how could one only look but not participate. I had to grab her by the scruff, pull her back, and calm her down. Along the way, I opened the long-forgotten battle logs so that I could get a more complete picture of what was happening:

  Stinger evaded. He lunged at the enemy, aiming for the throat, simultaneously activating Phantom Strike and Hardened by Battle, which reduced received damage by 6% for the next 20 seconds. The aggro-aura became even redder. Shaking the dead creature off the blade, Stinger sent another one flying with a powerful kick. While it was still in the air,
he activated Guarding Steel, a finishing blow that spent accumulated attack points and raised defense for a few seconds by another 25%. The nearest Screamer, pierced at once with both swords and almost cut in half, briefly grated like a rusty saw and went limp. Another soon-would-be-corpse flew due to an elbow hit. Whirling Attack, the cooldown of which had just ended, immediately followed. Stinger turned around swiftly, slicing the enemies that had gathered around him. Colorless liquid seeped from their terrible wounds.

  Naturally, it couldn’t have gone without a blunder or two. One of them flew straight in our direction in a high arc. Realizing where it was going to land, I managed to duck. The Screamer hit the arch, burrowed itself into the snow, immediately jumped up and, reeling from the concussion and the poison that had entered its blood, turned its eyeless face to face me. I didn’t know how they detected their targets, be it by sound, smell, body temperature or movement, but I didn’t know that I could no longer remain unnoticed. It couldn’t help but pay attention to me, because Fury and I were standing between it and Stinger. The Screamer’s tail nervously whipped the air, silvery skin vibrated, giving rise to a growing scream...

  I’m fed up with being idle! The thing’s already half dead!

  Lash of Pain whipped the Screamer; the screech broke off. No sooner had the legs of the creature buckled than Fury leapt and bit its elongated muzzle. It was like a carrot being squeezed in a vice. The Screamer frantically swung its tail and paws, whipping the surrounding snow. Fury snarled and bit tighter; her fangs slid across the metallic skin with a screech, leaving scratches. The difference in levels didn’t allow her to bite through the flesh. Retaliating, it whipped Fury’s the face with its flexible tail and immediately slipped out of the weakened bite.

  It would be downright blasphemous to waste Soulcatcher on it, so I hit it with Flamespear. And made an error by doing so. Its smooth skin reflected the flames, which melted the snow nearby all the way to the ground, leaving a black circle. Fuck you! I jumped forward and plunged my dagger into the wound inflicted by Stinger. The weight of my body knocked down the creature and pinned it to the ground. The blade pierced its flesh with slight resistance.