CHAPTER 6 – GEMS, FINAL SLOT, BRING THE CLASSES


    The Endless Dungeon


    ***


    The hug lasted about another ten seconds before Bose leapt off him to go throw anvil barks and growls at the dead Momma Vor which brought Jeb’s attention to two things, the first, three more glowing Gems hung in mid-air, and two, a guilty looking, sad looking Ghost Gremlin floated a few feet off halfway between him and the Gems, a Gremlin who couldn’t seem to lift his eyes and look at Jeb.


    A part of Jeb wanted to cut off all ties with the bastard for his suggestions in running and abandoning his Boy as a snack for the Vor so he could escape but another part, a part mired in reality and the pragmatic mindset only decades in war zones could bring, flipped on. If a soldier attempted to bring an American morality to a third world country they were stationed in, especially if it was months at a time, it would cause problems both long and short term. If you were in a place where the only way people survived was to steal, cheat, and hustle just to make sure their children had something to eat, condemning them for it became a slippery slope in a hurry.


    It didn’t mean a soldier needed to put up with shit or not pass judgment if someone was attempting to take them for a ride, in all contrary, in such a place, they would be thought of as weak and a mark if they did but making quick judgments on people for doing so was a hard stance to keep.


    Jebediah had no clue what it was to grow up in this fucking Empire but based on his taste so far, it couldn’t be easy, especially not for something like a Gremlin. His wandering mind made him miss that Bose was actually eating the corpse. Damn, fucker.


    “Bose, get the fuck away from there right now!!”


    His Boy looked at him confused as if was perfectly natural to chow down on the huge ass dinosaur lizard he’d helped kill. Bogie finally etched some words into space.


    “He’s fine Jebediah. The meat won’t hurt him. In fact for a beast it would normally be a necessity for them to evolve, consuming the DNA of stronger creatures and it would subsequently influence that Evolution. I don’t believe that will be the case with Bose as he is a soul-bound Companion, tied to you, so therefore his evolution will be derivative off your own, his changing appearance and that Hellfire Breath he used.”


    Wow, the one-eighty of a docile, respectful Bogie, threw him off and kinda irritated him more than if the little fellow had continued with his bullshit. He didn’t know if he approved of the submissive version he heard in the tone. In fact as he stepped forward to gather the floating Gems he put a parlay to slap an end to it, to a degree.


    “Don’t become a kiss ass Bogie. You fucked up and pissed me the fuck off but, and I mean this, everyone fucks up and to be straight up with you, I got zero clues about you, what you grew up like, what you’ve had to do to survive in this Great Asshole Empire you got going on, maybe running is the only thing you’ve ever known when shit gets hot, maybe true loyalty doesn’t exist in your world.”


    Bogie peeked up as if he couldn’t believe Jeb was being forgiving, like it was some kind of deception or hustle which told Jeb a lot and at the same time, not enough. He was in a blind man’s cul-de-sac that had only one entrance and exit he could feel but not see and zero clues on whether there were some back doors hiding in the bushes.


    He chuckled to himself. That was a fuck all analogy but not really his strong point so he let it go. He threw his direct gaze back at the small man until he could see that he was as he appeared to be, Jeb, nothing less, nothing more, retired Master Sergeant of the US Army. Bogie was about to say something when another Notification that had been waiting in his vision, shoved its way into his sight.


    Your actions have earned you your second Title Contestant. Congratulations.


    Prodigy/Forerunner - You are the first of your Recruitment group to reach the Pinnacle of Copper and sit at the cusp of Bronze. Permanent +0.5 to all Attributes. +10% to all Attributes.


    Quest – To Rise (Mandatory Quest)


    The First Threshold, that of moving from Copper to Bronze, holds simple Requirements. Please fill out all of the User’s Core Slots followed by designating your Main Attribute then choose a Class based on options provided.


    Rewards -- Evolve to Bronze, gain a Class.


    A shot of energy knocked Jeb on his ass as another yelp slapped out of Bose. It only lasted for a few moments but damn, this power-ups packed a punch. He found his feet again and felt another layer of power sculpting his flesh and mind. Damn, this shit could get addictive.


    Bogie picked back up whatever he had been going to say adding the addendum of what Jeb had just got.


    “Damn Jebediah, your Attributes already have you in the Elite Status and you still have a Core Slot to Fill and a Class to get. Your potential is, well. One small claw over the next. I’m sure we can find something that fits in those three Gems you just received. In a Tutorial most people would only be getting one Gem from each encounter though that’s with fighting things their own level. They would also have to scrap over every Gem with whoever else was involved in the fight so even though you being kidnapped into the Endless Dungeon sucks and will continue to suck, the prizes you’ve gained might be worth the extreme danger.”


    Bogie fidgeted his hands and still hadn’t brought out his perpetual stogie to puff on. His voice was still a bit too ass-kissery but it seemed Jeb’s words had loosened him up a bit.


    “I’m sorry Jebediah. You’re right, in the Empire, it’s as you humans would say, dog eat dog, and , uhm, Gremlins are even worse, not even your parents give two shits. We as a race are towards the very bottom of the scale and we get no more than a couple years with our parents before we’re thrown on the street and told to survive. For me to get where I am, which really isn’t that far, I’ve had to claw, bite, cheat, do anything I could do to get ahead, to survive but, what I saw, what you showed me, the loyalty and care you got for your poo….for Bose. I don’t know if I understand it but well, I want to.”


    Jeb put him out of his misery as he walked around searching for his sigma and Vlad, gathering them as Bose leapt around after taking a few more chunks of meat when he thought his Pops wasn’t looking. Jeb had to admit, he was fucking hungry himself but he wouldn’t be eating any raw lizard. He hoped this Blood City had some kind of food and that he could get some good money or whatever they used for the Holy Gem and whatever else he didn’t use.


    As he put Vlad in it’s scabbard and slid his sigma into it’s sheathe he paused for a moment to pull his axe back out.


    “Bogie. Let’s start fresh buddy. From here on out, if you got mine and Bose’s back, I got yours. I don’t abandon people I care for, ever. If you want to get put in that corner, then understand that truth and don’t ever ask me again to abandon my Boy. You do that and give it some time, know I won’t ever abandon you either.”


    He paused to give a serious stare at the fidgeting Gremlin who looked as if Jeb had just shown him a treasure he thought he’d never see in his lifetime if not straight up considered a fairy tale for suckers. Damn, other people were shits.


    “Enough of the pussy footing though Bogester. Show me how the fuck to get out of this place then help me choose a Gem and one of these Classes. I don’t fancy having to fight another one of these fucking Vor, at least not until I’m a bit stronger.”


    His eyes drifted to the bouncing Bose and the image of him almost dying flashed through his head.


    “Till we’re both stronger, right Bose?”


    Bose went low on his front legs like they were about to play catch and threw out a hammer bark. For a second it was as if they were back at the cabin and he had a tennis ball in his hand though the flaring red and black lit eyes on Bose peeking back at him kinda ruined the nostalgia though it did make him look kinda bad ass, like a hell hound. Bogie snapped him out of his day dream already about ten feet towards the right hand tunnel.


    “Alright Soldier Boy, let’s get this road a stepping. It’s only a few miles to the Safe Zone leading into Blood City and with the scent from three Vors in the area we should be good. I believe the first you killed was an invader of a Mother and child’s territory while said Mother was out hunting. It should be several days before another takes over their territory.”


    Jeb smiled at the return to Soldier Boy, a step in the right direction for the Gremlin. He motioned for him to lead the way as he followed, Bose bounding past him, splashing water, though not too far from his Pops. He’d keep an eye but he trusted the Gremlin in his assessment of what they’d dealt with as it was his take as well. He pulled up Bose’s status as they walked.


    BOSE


    Bonded Animal-Companion


    Race – Infernal Touched Canine (Beast)


    Core – Copper (10)


    Beast Traits – Hellfire Breath – Common ranked Hellfire. 20 Minute Cool-down upon use.


    Age – 2


    Core Causality – B


    Good to know his Boy could only use it once before having to wait twenty minutes. Kind of like his [Brutal Savagery]. He tossed up the info on Vlad as his feet trudged after the floating Gremlin.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    VLADIMERE – Infernal touched System Enhanced Soul-Bound Benelli LE M4 Tactical Shotgun


    Soul-Bound Ability – No longer needs outside ammunition. Creates standard ammunition internally with a slight drain from User’s Stamina. Initial Ammunition max capacity stays the same at seven, six plus one in the chamber. Slight delay once ammunition is exhausted before it is replenished if required Stamina is available. With an expenditure of a much larger portion of Stamina User can infuse shells with a Common Ranked version of Hellfire.


    They weren’t kidding with the bigger cost on hellfire shells. He’d done two loads and it had almost knocked him on his ass with the Stamina pull. He’d have to pick his timing on when to do it though his Constitution just went up with the Level-ups and the new Title so he’d have to see. He wanted to hold off on looking at his new Attributes until he’d filled his other Core Slot and got whatever the Class brought.


    He hated to admit it but he was looking forward to seeing what he got as far as options with the Gems. He could give himself shit for it but he’d learned a long time ago that a soldier in the field that doesn’t use ever tool available to keep himself and his people still breathing was a soldier with a short shelf-life.


    ***


    Safe Zone – Endless Dungeon – Blood City Entrance


    ***


    That was a first since he’d landed. It had been a nice peaceful stroll the few miles to the Safe Zone, giant lizard free. It was nice not having something try to kill him for a bit. The gray fog had been right where Bogie said it would be, a bit around a blind curve in the tunnel then as he’d cleared his eye line he’d seen it set in the tunnel wall to the right at the same time the tunnel had opened up into another large cavern minus the water this time. This cavern had about five tunnels peeling off it counting the one he’d just emerged out of.


    He stepped through the gray foggy shit holding Bose’s collar and the gray stone room on the other side he stepped into looked about the same as the other one with another portal on the far side of the room with a few stone steps leading up to it. This portal though if Bogie was right led up to Blood City in a section of the City called the Skull and Bones territory which was according to Bogie, controlled by what he called Greenskins.


    He hadn’t really dug too much yet into what the fuck Greenskins were as he’d been focused on getting them to Safety and there was a shit ton of information about all sorts of shit that Bogie had been trying to cover. He would need to at least get the basics before heading up but now that they’d entered they were on another thirty minute timer.


    This whole experience had been move move move, no time to take a breath which was another major difference between where he’d been bamboozled and the Tutorial. According to Bogie, in the Tutorial there was Safe Zones without time limits where people could find sleep, and food, was usually abundant in various shapes.


    He did not have those luxuries which meant by this time he was tired and hungry as fuck but Bogie said for the first week after a Tutorial, new Recruits were given a space inside the Emporium which acted somewhat like a Safe Zone in the sense it was guarded by the System itself and no violence was allowed but since unlike Tutorial peeps who were dropped right in front of it at the end of said Tutorial, Jeb and Bose, would be popping out at least ten to fifteen miles from its location. Another thing he hadn’t dug into yet but based on the worry in the Gremlin’s eyes when he’d said it and mentioned these Skull and Bones characters he’d have to pull some more info before taking him and Bose through.


    The only boon he could see from this whole shit fest was most people out of the Tutorial would be only at most, Copper(8), at the tippy top for the real go-getters though they would have their Classes and more than likely a few of their Attribute Slots filled which he was told is what gave the User actual Abilities based on the Class taken, which was in turn was influenced by one’s Main Core selection and the three Core Gems slotted. It all spun his head like a corkscrew, too many fucking variables for him to keep up with.


    The reason why they would have more Slots filled than Jeb was the tutorial lasted two weeks which gave them the time to accrue a lot more Gems even if they would for the most part be far lower ranked than the Ancient Hell Gem he’d found and slotted, most of them having to make due with Common and Uncommon Ranked Gems. Bogie broke him out of his lost in thoughts moment with a bit of help by a hip check from Bose.


    “As usual Soldier Boy, tick-tock, so get those Gems out and identified then we can go from there and get you a Class. There’s still key information I have to go over before we head into Blood City if we want to keep you and Bose breathing until we can get you to the Emporium.”


    That sounded ominous and was the second time he’d hinted at some heavy danger when they entered Blood but first things first, Gems. He was excited. What the fuck was he gonna get? It was like a cracker jack box when he was a kid. He focused and pulled the first one which took a few seconds. It landed in his hand and he tossed the [Identify].


    Core Gem analyzed and Identified – Gem – Heaven – Ancient Ranked – Affinity with User – 18%.


    Alright, so the opposite of Hell? But looking at his Affinity with it had him dejected. For a second he imagined the avenging angel blasting demons with light and flame. He heard a moan from Bogie which made him turn his eyes. The Gremlin shrugged his shoulders. At least is another Ancient and he could sell this one. Bogie matched the thought.


    “Hey, at least you’ll be able to get some good money for it. The type of races in Blood might not be the best customers for that kind of Gem but the great thing about the Emporium is whether you sell it to the system or one of the merchants there they have access to buyers from the other cities. Alright, next.”


    No point in being depressed about it and it wasn’t surprising, Heaven and Holy and the good guys wanted nothing to do with him. Fuck it. He didn’t give a shit. He was what he did not what other people saw him as, not even the almighty System.


    Every day was a new day with new choices, new paths. He felt a slight tremor in his hands that put a bit of a lie to the thoughts. He shook it off, threw the Heaven Gem into his inventory and focused on bringing up another Gem. It took a moment but than appeared. He tossed another [Identify].


    Core Gem analyzed and Identified – Gem – Magma – Rare Ranked – Affinity with User – 41%.


    Magma sounded real cool or hot. A small chuckle but again shit Affinity. With his Causality thing though it would be 91%, not quite as good as his other two Gems but he was kinda pressed here as Bogie and he agreed. He didn’t want to enter Blood City without the boost a Class would give him as well as another Core Slotted. He had to get to the Emporium to find any kind of safety according to the Bogester.


    He had one Gem left to check. Magma at least sounded like if not the best choice, still a choice, and it was Rare though he didn’t think it really meshed with the Hell motif, really but it was better than nothing. He absently rubbed Bose on his head who was sitting on his haunches leaning himself into his Pop’s hip. He threw eyes at Bogie who confirmed what he himself was thinking.


    “Not the best, not the worse. We can make it work but it kinda clashes with your main Core though no one ever knows how the System meshes things until you slot it. The Class choices of slotting Magma with Hell and Brute would probably be strange as fuck but who knows. You got one more, let’s hope it’s something you have better Affinity with and fits better.”


    He sighed. This was why he never gambled. He didn’t trust his luck enough to pull the trigger on that type of vice though vices in general weren’t really his rut. Drinking, smoking, all of that shit lost his interest by his mid-twenties. He threw the Magma Gem into his inventory and pulled the last Gem. C’mon baby, give me something good. He tossed the [Identify] with a hard wish.


    Core Gem analyzed and Identified – Gem – Faith – Epic Ranked – Affinity with User – 96%.


    A gasp slipped from Bogie’s lips while Jeb just stared and Bose feeling his Pop’s conflicted emotions whined a bit pressing himself into Jeb. He threw Bose some pets while looking at the Gem. It was light blue mixed with a really light yellow. It looked beautiful. Faith?


    Jeb had never really been very religious at all nor had his parents who were just forty hour a week blue collar people, his Pops, ex-navy for just one tour, then falling into working on a manufacturing line for thirty years, his Moms, a seamstress at a clothing factory. They would go to church on Christmas and Easter, that was about it.


    It had more Affinity than even the Hell Gem and he got the gist that Faith maybe didn’t so much mean religion as it did just Faith, in one’s self maybe? Most of his life except for the last decade he had a shit ton of that. It was how he’d been able to grind his way up into an E-8. He jumped causing Bose to throw heavy barks and growls as Bogie literally blasted his ears from a foot away.


    “Boo yah!!!! So good Jebediah!! The Affinity is off the charts combined with your +50% boost, powerhouse, and Epic, your Class options should be amazing!! I’ve only seen that Gem used by really wealthy Sub-Factions of the Empire in Holy builds, you know, mixes with a Holy Gem or Light or Sun Gem and usually as the Core Slotted Gem.


    I can’t imagine what mixing it with Hell and Brute will do but just at a glance I think they will all find symmetry and, for some reason, it just fits you. If you had gotten it earlier I would have had you slot that in your Body. Oh well, still impressive.”


    Bogie squared his eyes off into the distance obviously looking at the System then snapped back to Jeb while finally popping out an already lit cigar taking a few puffs. Bogie back to himself, good to see and the excitement and needled toothed smile was infectious, Jeb finding himself smile back.


    “We got a bit less than twenty minutes left so slot that bad boy, choose a Main Core Primary Attribute which has to be one of the three Attributes tied to your Major Core. I would suggest Strength but do what you will. The Choice will effect Class options in addition to everything else, in some ways more. Though I certainly don’t see you choosing Agility and I don’t think you would be happy with the Classes it would give you. Agility focused builds tend to be more long ranged physical or rogue types.”


    All this information was a bit of an overload for Jeb but it did make it very obvious that he needed more before making such a huge decision. Time for a few questions. He’d have to keep it quick with the time crunch.


    “So wait, the Attribute I choose is what dictates what Class I get, not the Gems?”


    Bogie shook his head.


    “It’s complicated Jebediah. It will dictate the bend in the direction of the Class. If you choose Strength, it will give you Class options that will emphasize that, same with Agility and Constitution but the flavor of the Class will be effected mostly by your Main Core, in this case, Hell but will still have subtle influences or at least a couple options off your Secondary Gems. And even then you still might get a few off-kilter Classes offered leaning more towards one of your other Body Attributes.”


    The blank look on Jeb’s face must have communicated everything as Bogie laughed.


    “It will be fine Soldier Boy and we don’t have time for me to go over an entire Class, System theory crafting seminar. Just slot it and let’s get the bones thrown!”


    He was right, time wasn’t there friend and it really didn’t matter as he knew he was slotting the Faith Gem though now that he thought about it would have probably been better in his Spirit Slot but fuck it, hindsight was an ex that wanted alimony. He threw some Will at the Gem in his hand. It didn’t give him options this time cause fuck, all he had was Mind left.


    He gritted his teeth waiting for it come down the pipe and it did, hard, his body lifting off the ground while another shot over to Bose, this time instead of a yelp, a growl came out of him. Through his own clamped jaw and eating of pain, pride shined through him. His Boy was becoming a hell of a bad ass.


    He landed back on his feet just a few seconds later. He wasn’t sure what actually had changed but his mind felt, stronger? Another System Notification hit his eyes.


    Congratulations User, you have filled all three Core Slots and are but one step away from moving to your Class Selection. Please indicate which of your three Body Attributes will be your Primary. 1 – Strength 2 – Agility 3 – Constitution? Please make your selection now.


    This was a tough one. He agreed with Bogie and knew Agility was right out the door off the cuff. That wasn’t who he was, skulking around and he certainly had Vlad, which was ranged but there was a reason he’d chosen a shotgun as his go-to as opposed to an assault rifle. And fuck-no he could never imagine bouncing around like some gymnast. He wasn’t built for that. He was an in your face pummel you down type of guy. Strength was the natural direction he was drawn to but he wasn’t alone. He had Bose and he imagined Bose in this System shit becoming a bad ass but probably never being a sponge for punishment.


    Jeb made his choice, Constitution. He need to be able to shield his Boy, let him do what his Pops felt he was best suited for, hunting squirrels. Another shot of energy slid through him and this time both he and Bose yelped, the pain excruciating.


    He felt his bones and his flesh itself rewoven to be denser, no better way to explain it, the durability of his entire frame enhanced. It only lasted a few seconds but he felt like someone could break a bat on his head and he’d barely feel it, well, depending on who was swinging the bat. Still he imagined if that Vor had hit him now with that tail swipe he would have tanked it a lot better now then he had. He couldn’t even guess what his Constitution was at but had to be by far his best Attribute.


    Stand by. You will momentarily be transported to Class Selection. Compiling all available information and contributions. Analyzing, collating options, Class Choices chosen and populated. Transporting now.


    Once again he felt the vibrations within his flesh that said he was about to be transported but not like the gray fog, more like the original teleportation from Earth. A spliced reverb of energy shot through him as within a breath he and Bose were gone and a moment later Bogie himself got sucked up.