Gloominess +3: Reign of Decay. A LitRPG series: Book 3

by Elian Tars

  Tranquility of Darkness.

  The effect activated on the first try, and the Crab slowed down immediately. Several quick strikes followed, and the cooldown for Tranquility ended…

  Tranquility of Darkness.

  Black smoke rushed from my splayed fingers. I wanted to put the debuff on the Croc again, but failed.

  It’s fine!

  “Shan Gi, the Frogoid-Fighter” has fallen under the effect of your “Aura of Darkness.”

  “Shan Gi, the Frogoid-Fighter” has felt the “Tranquility of Darkness.” “Shan Gi, the Frogoid-Fighter” has lost the desire to fight you and your squad.

  The regeneration speed of all stats of “Shan Gi, the Frogoid-Fighter” has been increased by the powers of “Darkness.”

  Good, the system considered the Frogoids my allies. I should really change my tactic then.

  I glanced at Vella — she had enough HP for now; increased regeneration did its thing. She was totally immersed in the fight. Growling furiously, she was jumping at her enemies and tearing them apart, leaving a trail of black smoke behind her.

  Good. I wouldn’t have to worry about her.

  I hit the Crab one more time and jumped on the back of the slowed-down Croc.

  Trident of Darkness.

  Power strike.

  Without wasting time, I jumped again, trying to close the distance.

  I knew that I’d lead the wounded enemies right to the nearest group of Frogoids that had already been pushed back by the decayed beasts, but I was certain that that was the right thing to do. The HP of my allies had already dropped below half. We could still win, but would Lao Ri consider me her friend if only one third of her warriors returned?

  “Friends! With the powers of the Ancient I can heal you! But don’t let the creatures get me while I’m casting the spells!”

  Chapter 23

  The Priestess

  Five Frogoids decided to cover me and soon realized that they had made the right choice by doing so. Baring their yellow teeth in a smile, they cried something in their native language. They were glad, I supposed.

  “Wi… Za... Rd…” one of them addressed me. Speaking the common language was much more difficult for him than it was for the Matriarch. “O… thers... too.” He pointed at the rest of the warriors with his sharpened stick.

  “I’ll help everyone! Just cover me!” I roared, casting Tranquility again.

  Accelerated regeneration didn’t always activate on the first try. It took me a lot of time to heal all of the fifty-three Frogoids. While I was busy healing, the inspired fighters managed to shrink the ranks of our enemy. Yes, the beasts outnumbered us, but our average level was much higher than theirs.

  For some reason, I found it interesting that the number of males and females (or men and women?) among our ranks was pretty much equal.

  Done with playing the role of a healer, I rushed into the fight again. I didn’t go far from the Frogoids, ready to turn from a fighter into a supporting hero at any moment.

  However, I didn’t have to.

  One of the Crocs suddenly rose into the air and froze. For a moment I was surprised to just see it hover there, but then my mind helpfully reminded me about what happened to Lade, Berg, Arthur and Dina in the decayed forest.

  “Finish it! Quickly!!!” I shouted at the top of my lungs, when the creatures, taking off the ground, flew toward the core of a future Warrior.

  Unfortunately, we were able to finish off only three monsters. Soon, a thirteen-foot tall black giant, who looked like a cheap plastic toy, towered on the shore.

  Warrior of Decay

  Level 124

  HP: 11,254/11,254

  The monster’s level and amount of HP were lower than that of the one we’ve fought in the decayed forest. Destroying those three bodies had its effect it seemed.

  I decided to use some of my trump cards immediately. I wasn’t going to use Power of Light as it was hard to get “lives” lately, but the skills and items that I could get for money.

  I looked around. The Frogoids were staring at the decayed beast, and nobody cared about what I was doing.

  Perfect.

  Twilight Wanderer.

  The Warrior of Decay and I rushed forward at the same time. But although it moved quickly, it was hindered by its physical shell. I, on the other hand, went through space like a needle through fabric. I took out several grenades out of my inventory, which I got together with the skill and stat points from Fred with the help of the deliverer.

  Armed with a grenade, my fist easily penetrated the monster’s body. Feeling that something was wrong, it froze, and warily looked around. Having gotten the explosive to its destination, I rushed to Vella and hovered several inches above her. The effect of my skill ended, and I found myself on the back of the Bullkorg who granted in surprise.

  “Back!!! Get away from it! Quickly!” I shouted.

  The Frogoids started blinking and retreated, shifting their gazes back and forth from the monster to me. Counting down to the explosion, I raised my right hand and snapped my fingers.

  “Boom!” I commanded.

  At that very moment, the Warrior of Decay shuddered from head to toe, and the dark-gray mess of its skin and blood went flying in all directions.

  Of course, five grenades weren’t enough to finish the thing off, but it was pretty banged up. The Warrior staggered; a new portion of acid stuff gushed out from its wounds on its stomach and chest.

  “Fight!!!” I ordered.

  “AAAA!!!” the Frogoids roared, rushing forward.

  I jumped off Vella at full speed, landing several feet away from the Warrior that had somewhat recovered from shock. In a silent fury, it swung its leg, launching a dozen of zealous Frogoids into the air.

  Trident of Darkness.

  Power strike.

  I got close to the giant’s support leg and began to attack it tirelessly, all the while keeping an eye on my allies. At first glance, it seemed like they didn’t use any special attacks, though some of their techniques required assuming specific positions. Was it something like my Power Strike or was it some sort of magic unseen to the naked eye? They knew about the Ancient, so I shouldn’t mistake them for common fighters.

  “Retreat if your HP gets low!!!” I commanded. “The Matriarch will get sad if any of you die! We’ll handle this without dying!”

  Surprisingly, mentioning Lao Ri sobered up the Frogoids, even though they had been ready to fight to the death just a moment ago.

  We had won without me having to use some of my most powerful skills like the Power of Light and Small Avatar of Darkness. Had I used them, perhaps we would’ve been able to win without causalities. I couldn’t really use all of my trump cards on someone I’ve met for the first time. Faith Points and “lives” didn’t grow on trees after all. Had I spent them now, I risked putting the entire congregation in jeopardy. Someone could end up dying because of my generous gesture toward an ally I didn’t know very well.

  I shook my head, chasing the bothersome thoughts away.

  “Tha… nk… you,” a Frogoid with a flabby body that gave away his age managed to say.

  “Not at all,” I answered. “I couldn’t just walk away from those in need. Let’s go. We have to go back to your Matriarch.”

  They had been waiting for us on the path that led to the cave. Apparently, Frogoid toddlers and youngsters, as well as the elders and pregnant females had been hiding somewhere in the forest during the battle. The pregnant Frogoids looked very strange, considering the fact that their stomachs normally looked like that of a human woman in the last stages of pregnancy. They walked using sticks, because it was difficult for their thin legs to support the weight of the life growing in them.

  Lao Ri was standing on the path, holding a baby in her hands. The youngsters were holding the rest of the newborn, who were cooing loudly, but their drawling voices sounded happy.

  “You… did… it…” the Matriarch said when I stopped in front of her. A sy
stem message appeared in front of my eyes, notifying me that the quest had been fulfilled and that XP and a level had been gained. During my adventures on this island, I had managed to reach level sixty-six. “Now… I… can… call… you… a… friend… Lower… your… fore… head…”

  Trying not reveal my doubts, I complied with her request and felt the touch of her cold lips.

  You have received the “Friend of the Frogoids Mark.” From now on, every “Frogoid” will see a brother in you.

  What should I do with this? It definitely didn’t hurt having it, but where else would I stumble upon other Frogoids? How could I take advantage of their friendship?

  “Take advantage of their friendship...” This wasn’t the first time I caught myself thinking that I was growing cold-hearted.

  “Wi… zard,” Lao Ri spoke again. “As… a… friend… Show… us… the… will… of… the… An-cient… I… beg… you.”

  I hadn’t even realized what she was asking me, when the pitch-black Darkness started to billow in front of me, forming a six-foot tall figure of a man in a black robe with a deep hood. The Frogoids were looking at him with opened mouths. The Matriarch was the first to bend her knee and lower her head. The rest of them followed her example.

  Without lifting her eyes, Lao Ri began gurgling and croaking, talking to the Old Man in the language of her people. I couldn’t understand a word, but judging by the tone, she was extending her deepest respect.

  “Glaa-buu lyua la-buu,” the God of Darkness roared in reply, majestically spreading his arms.

  Lao Ri answered by saying something similar, and a moment later, he outstretched his arm towards her. Maybe he pointed at her with his finger, but I couldn’t see because of the long and broad sleeves of his robe.

  A concentrated ray of black energy rushed out of his sleeve and hit Lao Ri right in the forehead. Her head jerked back. She cried out, and immediately crouched.

  “Gul-du, Dulyu,” she whispered with difficulty. The others followed her example and repeated her words. It seemed to me that they were showing their gratitude.

  I looked at Lao Ri again. Something had changed in her. Even with her face in the sand, she looked different somehow.

  I suppressed my surprise with an effort.

  Priestess Lao Ri, Matriarch of the Frogoids

  Level 131

  HP: 7,845/7,845

  The Old Man gave her thirty levels, increased her HP, and made her a Priestess. I didn’t fully understand what her new title was all about, but his first two gifts to her made me envious. How was it fair that I worked my ass off, while the others got all of the bonuses?

  “Stand up, faithful Followers of the will of the Ancient,” he said in the common language. The Frogoids followed his order in unison. “I’m grateful to you. I’ve expressed my gratitude. I have to say good-bye to you for a while, but remember that I’ll always keep an eye on you. Now, I have to talk to my Wizard.”

  The Old Man landed beside me and put his hand on my shoulder. I felt pleasant, soothing warmth; the world around me suddenly lost its colors.

  Your patron has activated your “Twilight Wanderer” skill.

  The skill has been strengthened by your patron.

  He moved away and appeared right in front of me.

  “I’m glad to see you, boy,” he said. “And I’m pleased to see your successes.”

  “And reward others for them,” I couldn’t help grunt.

  “Not reward, but bestow,” he parried calmly, “upon those who won’t be able to survive without my help.”

  “It’s unfair,” I sighed.

  “It’s necessary for all of us. Including you, boy. Your powers are my powers. I use them, but I’m also the one who gives them. I don’t want to have to remind you about it. And I don’t want you to think that you’re just a tool. But don’t forget that we’re connected. You won’t survive without me.”

  “And will you without me?” I frowned, knowing the answer very well.

  He knew that I knew, but he said a different thing aloud.

  “I was helpless for a long time. But now I have people that I can rely on. Thanks to you,” he added a few seconds later.

  Yes, my actions brought new Disciples and helped form his congregation. Thanks to me, he acquired an energy source and a Shaman, and thanks to Berg, whom I saved and brought through the Darkness, he got another one. The Old Man’s powers were growing; he had other people apart from me who were ready to fulfill his will. How many things had happened behind my back…

  “Yes, I have others,” he said, not even trying to hide that he was digging through my thoughts. “But I wouldn’t like to part with you. I need you, boy. Maybe you think that I give others more than I give you… But I do that just because you, boy, can deal with anything without me meddling too much. But others can’t.”

  “Still,” I sighed again. “Such a distribution of your powers and gifts seems unfair to me. Someone does nothing and gets help, while someone else…” I shook my head. “Okay. Whatever. I know that you’ve given me a lot already, I just want more. I need to be sure that I’ll be able to fulfill all of your tasks. Some of which you don’t even say aloud sometimes,” I said with a chuckle. He knew what I meant.

  “I know what you want to know, boy. But I’m not ready to answer all of your questions just yet. It’s not because our bond is still a low level... This knowledge… It’s too heavy.”

  “For whom?”

  “For everyone. But I can tell you some things. Like why you are on this island, boy. You’re right, I can now track down your Rebirth Energy and resurrection points. They knocked down that flying Wight with a spear and retrieved the shard from the waters. I saw the Frogoids do it and decided that it’d be useful for you to get acquainted with them.”

  I waited, being in no hurry to ask questions. Once he starts talking, one shouldn’t interrupt him.

  He fell silent for a few seconds before continuing.

  “As you’ve already noticed, boy, humans aren’t the only intelligent race in this world. There are others. But humans are the most numerous. Their physical abilities, their numbers and high intelligence allowed them to quickly rise above all other races. But this is not about them, but about the Frogoids, about the tribe of this island, to be exact. The other races still worship the Ancient. Not as fervently as before, because we haven’t answered them for a long time…” I could hear sadness in his voice as he continued his story. “Yes, they worship us but their faith is weak. I couldn’t come to this island before as their faith… Their trust… Was too weak. The same was with Shamans who guarded the sources.”

  Seems that we weren’t wrong to think that the Gods couldn’t teleport around the world freely, being able to appear only near their Followers.

  “Tell me about Wizards, Shamans and Priests,” I asked when I realized that the silence had been going on for too long. “What’s the difference between them?”

  “In their nature,” the Old Man replied. “Shamans are guardians of the sources. Priests are senior Followers of the Ancient among the representatives of other intelligent races, boy. For easier understanding, think of them as of Disciples but much stronger. Now Lao Ri,” he pointed at the Matriarch, who was patiently waiting for our return outside the borders of Twilight, “can cleanse the land and members of her tribe of the Decay.”

  “What?” I blurted out in astonishment, but he stopped me with a wave of his hand.

  “Don’t overestimate either of us.” It was hard for him to say that. “She can protect her island from a wave of enemies like the one that had hit them today. But she’ll be powerless against a bigger army. She isn’t able to cleanse other lands either. This island is her home. She has been living here her whole life, boy, just like her tribe. She knows all the subtleties of this place’s energy. She’s strongest here.”

  “Subtleties of energy,” I murmured, remembering what Kane had said about there being different shades of energy (or something like that). “Strong
est…”

  “Right. And as a Priestess, she’ll make her tribe stronger, boy. You call this phenomenon a ‘buff.’ You can say that all the Frogoids on this island now have a permanent buff. Besides, Lao Ri will be able to buff them even when they’re not on the island, because she knows the peculiarities of energy inside her tribesmen’s bodies. However, the buffs will be weaker on foreign land.”

  “But they’ll still be there. Correct me if I’m wrong, but won’t the Frogoids become stronger than humans because to your powers?” I asked, squinting at the hooded figure. Somewhere at the back of my mind, a thought formed, informing me that we had been talking for more than half a minute. Wanderer had a longer duration time now.

  “That’s right,” the Old Man answered calmly. “Representatives of other races can better interact with the energy surrounding them. This means that my gifts affect them more than they affect humans. To put it simply, people have distanced themselves from nature, from the world itself. But they,” he pointed at the Frogoids with an elegant gesture of his draped hand, “haven’t.”

  “And yet, humans and the Decay rule the world,” I said dryly. “Not those fellows.” I pointed at Lao Ri and her tribesmen. “I think that I’m beginning to understand why the Ancient lost to the other Gods…”

  “I’m afraid that you’re wrong.” He shook his hooded head.

  “Then tell me... What happened? Who are the Ancient?”

  The Old Man chuckled and spoke in a solemn voice. “We all are, boy.”

  “You were,” I couldn’t help saying.

  “We were,” he agreed, but immediately added: “We are, and we’ll continue to be.”

  Chapter 24

  Sautz

  I tried to control myself and calm my nerves. The Old Man’s manner of speech annoyed me. It was okay before, when I didn’t understand a lot and was like a blind kitten… But now, when there were only two Parts of Zurtarn left to collect, didn’t I deserve to at least hear about the history of this world?

  I had long ago stopped thinking about how to return to Earth. Yes, sometimes this question would pop up in the back of my mind, but I was too busy to pay too much attention to it. Weather I liked it or not, I got used to this world: I had friends here, a house, land, a dog… Damn it, I even had a wife and in-laws. It wasn’t like I had no one back on Earth — I had parents and relatives… But I was doing rather well without them.