UnwillingEldritchHorrorofFortune
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Chapter 198: Approaching the End Part 5
🕑 Added 2024-10-10 18:44:33 +0000 UTCI poured myself another cup of coffee from the pot and took another sip of the delicious coffee. Ah, this stuff’s amazing. After summoning the kids one last time to play - I did promise them after all - I was finally allowed some moments of rest, and I relished this fleeting time. Greta had taken the captured Aspirant somewhere out back, which left me alone in the comfy seat near the fireplace. I sighed and allowed myself to truly relax before remembering something important.
Hey Noe, show me that new Title.
“Acknowledged.”
Title: Budding Faction Leader
Description: You have helped three separate realms escape the tyranny of their oppressors to stand up for what is right! You have the qualifications of a Budding Faction Leader, a symbol of hope for those in need, and an enemy to those in power. Grow your influence to become a true symbol for the oppressed.
NOTE: This title will be replaced with Growing Faction Leader once more individuals join your cause.
Current Factions:
Hope’s Memorial
Dimension 105801
Nameless Village
I frowned, I knew about Hope’s Memorial and this place, but what the hell was Dimension 105801?
“That is the place you almost destroyed with Molly, Q, and Xalla, my Host.”
Oh, uh, thanks, Noe.
Strange that it would consider that place as one of the locations that I’ve helped since my last visit wasn’t so… peaceful. I mean, I guess if you really stretched the definition of what freeing people from oppression was, then I did stop their fragile dimension from being used as a battery. It wasn’t too much of a stretch to say that I did free those people and their gods from their oppressors… even if the aliens there didn’t know they were oppressed. Eh, who am I to question the will of the universe or whatever.
Title Passive:
+50% Charisma when interacting with members of your Faction within your Base of Operations.
Title Active:
Base of Operations: You can designate any location (up to a maximum size of 200m x 200m) that you have previously visited as your Base of Operations. While in your Base, no information can be leaked from within, and no one can spy on your activities from without.
You may gift up to 6 Tokens of the Resistance to individuals within your Faction. Those tokens allow members of your Faction to freely visit the Base of Operations with your permission regardless of distance.
Huh, that’s an interesting title. It was completely worthless in combat, but the fact that it can “grow” as more people join was nice, and it was perfect to iron out the logistical issues, what with most of my new allies being in separate dimensions. What was strange, however, was that it didn’t count anyone from within the Trials as people associated with the Faction. I had hoped I could get Margret and her ilk in here, and even the Abyss guild later, but it seems there were some limitations to this title. I can’t complain though!
Wait a second. I frowned. Noe, how the hell do I give out these token things? I don’t think I have any unless titles somehow spawn in material from nothing.
“It is an active skill, my Host,” she replied, “You need to take out something and simply assign it as the token. Technically anything would do, but I would suggest you do not gift Greta a rock or some pocket lint for this purpose. It would reflect poorly on you as a budding faction leader.”
There’s that “nonexistent” sarcasm shard at work again I see. I rolled my eyes. Any suggestions on what to use?
“The remaining shards of your original sword, my Host, you have used it as a badge before.” Noe said, “I can use a single Luck Charge and the Director’s surgical tools to modify them into something presentable.”
I took out the items in question and placed them on the table. Yeah, do it Noe. I don’t think I need to conserve charges any longer, so feel free to make ‘em pretty.
“As you will, dear Walter.”
Half a dozen luck charges and a minute later, Noe’s handicraft was complete. The original broken blades from my whip-sword turned into six meticulously crafted metal badges, each being about the size of a silver dollar. Engraved on the surface was a beautiful mosaic depicting a brave individual fighting against a swath of enemies, and some kind of gibberish scrip was etched on the sides. It was masterfully crafted, proving once again that Noe was the best System.
“Now you simply need to designate these as the tokens. Do you wish to do so, my Host?”
You know it, Noe.
The second I willed it, a strange shift took place, and the six metal tokens seemed to glow with a new, mysterious light. Coloration appeared in the mosaic as well, and the monochrome scene that Noe first crafted almost seemed to gain a life of its own. Heck, if I concentrated hard enough, I could almost see the tiny figures move and battle. What a strange sensation.
“And it is done. It would be wise to keep them in your inventory for now, my Host. We cannot make new ones if you lose them.”
I nodded and did as instructed, leaving only a singular one out for Greta.
“Remember to choose a location to act as your Base.” Noe added, “Simply think of one and I will do the rest.”
Right, now where would be a good spot… That question was tricky. I didn’t want to use a room in Hope’s Memorial or this Village if I could help it, since it wasn’t a place I truly belonged to, but it wasn’t like I had a home that I could call my own either. The best bet would be somewhere I was reasonably familiar with and that I knew was safe. The Title might allow me to hide information, but it said nothing about it being secure from physical threats. All of those limitations meant that there was only one place that I thought would work.
Noe, set up that lounge at Bob’s place, the one we took Q to, as the base. That place hasn’t been touched in 10 cycles, however long that is, and it’s spacious. It’ll be perfect.
“Acknowledged, my Host… it is done.”
I nodded. Great, and with that done, all that was left was to give the first token to Greta. Speaking of the old woman, I heard the back door open gently and saw that she was finished with stashing Eric away. She slowly made her way to the table and took a sip of tea.
“Thank you for waiting, Dr. Walter,” she said with a kind smile. It would have been a perfectly innocent expression if it wasn’t for the specks of blood on her face. “It took a while longer than I thought, that outsider had a bit of kick left in him.”
“Not a problem,” I replied, “I needed some time to just relax in any case, and the coffee’s keeping me company.”
She chuckled. “I see that you really enjoy my blend; let me pack you more before you go.” She looked at me. “You are leaving soon, correct?”
I didn’t know how she figured that out, but I nodded. “I can’t stay for much longer, as much as I wish I could.”
Greta sighed. “I thought as much. There’s bound to be other places like ours that need your attention. Still, your blood ties you here, and I am sure that you will return in due time.”
“Speaking of that,” I added, “Do you have any idea what happened to me?”
She shook her head. “Nothing that you don’t already know, I’m afraid. The ceremony awoke a latent part of your lineage, but that is all I am privy to. You can ask the Protector when the new ritual is complete, but that will take time. Do you have some way for us to keep in contact?”
I smiled. “I’m glad you asked.” I took out the token and handed it to her. “Please don’t lose that, I don’t have extras.”
Greta picked the small emblem up and held it close to her face, scrutizing it. “I can just about make out some of its functions…” She squinted her eyes. “It’s some kind of key, to a…” She turned it over and again. “To a location of some kind, one very far from here. I can’t make out the rest.”
“You’re correct,” I said, “It’s a token that will allow everyone that I’ve helped out to gather in one place and share information and resources. Think of it as our own faction dedicated to stopping the outsiders.”
Greta sighed. “Then I guess this local threat of ours spreads much further than just us?”
I nodded slowly. “Much further. It’s spreading to more worlds than I can help, but someone’s got to help out. Will you join us?”
The old woman gave me a toothy grin. “As if you had to ask, Doctor. You’ve helped us out more than you can imagine, and as isolationist as we are, it does not mean that the villagers here are without compassion. We will help.”
“It’s good to have the support of the Villagers, but take some time to recover first.”
“Oh, I believe you are mistaken, Dr. Walter,” Greta added, that smile never leaving her features, “Now that the restrictions of this Village are lifted, and the revival of our Patron imminent, you will have the support of much more than just this one village. Our neighboring settlements are also in need of help, and I plan to bring them all into the fold. You will have every follower of the Protector supporting you, for you bear her blood.”
I nodded slowly and finally understood why it costed so much Luck Charges when I was back there being burnt alive. Hell, Noe’s abilities have always been amazing, but they’ve usually only helped out in the short term. This is the first time that a cascade of consequences were created due to her interference. Must have been because she used up close to one and a half thousand charges. Now what would happen if I had tens of thousands to spare?
“Do not get ahead of yourself, my Host.”
I know, I know. Just let a poor guy dream.
Greta took the trinket and stuffed it into one of her pockets before getting up to refill her pot of tea. “I’d like to thank you once again, and I am guessing that you will call us if you need us to use the device?”
I nodded. “You’ll be able to freely go as you wish later on, but for now, I have some things I need to finish on my end. I’ll set up a formal meeting in the near future, with everyone.”
“Understood, Doctor,” she said, “And I suppose you won’t be able to stay for dinner? I have a pot of fresh stew boiling, and some pie in the oven already.”
“I…” I was about to say that I couldn’t, but didn’t I still have a few hours left? I mean, I’m starving as is, what with battling to the death with a juiced up Eric after literally buring alive, so some stew and pie sounded perfect right about now.
“Go, my Host,” Noe added, “You deserve the break, and I can stall for that long at least.”
I turned my attention back to Greta and smiled. “I would love to stay, if you don’t mind having us.”
She gave me a hearty chuckle. “I’ll put a few more pies in the oven in that case. I can’t have my guests leave hungry. Do you mind setting the table while we wait? I’ll get the kids back up once it’s ready.”
I chugged the last of my coffee and sat up. “Of course.”
And for the next few hours, I didn’t have a worry in the world. Heck, after all of this was done, I was due for a vacation, and didn’t Noel just say that she was planning a beach trip? Yeah, I think the few days would be nice.
