Orrin did not sleep. His friend snored gently and tossed occasionally. Daniel’s parents had been strict with bedtimes for as long as he could remember but Orrin had become his own guardian after his dad left. Spending all night reading or playing video games had become a normal occurrence.

He needs the rest. I’ll sleep in a real bed tomorrow. Orrin told himself. This was all temporary. He would find them some way home. Until then, he was already piecing together a plan to survive.

Spells:

[Teleport]- teleport to any known point within 10 miles. 50 MP per person (0/5,000) 5 AP

[Increase Will]: increases target Will by +1 for 5 minutes. 5 MP (0/1,000)- 1 AP

[Increase Intelligence] increases target Intelligence by +1 for 5 minutes. 5 MP (0/1,000)- 1 AP

Abilities:

[Side Steps]: 1% chance to evade any attack (0/100) (1 AP)

[Map]: See the world around you (4AP)

[Mana Pool]: increase MP by 100 MP (one time purchase) (10AP)

Skills:

[Merge]: Combine Spells/Abilities for new effects. Caution: May lose original Spell/Ability (20AP)

If he could max out [Teleport], maybe there was some way to get all the way home. Orrin doubted it though. It was probably a distance modifier.

The stat increase spells would round out his ability to buff up Daniel.

As they had run, Daniel had mentioned that all those spells had buffed him during the tentacle monster fight. So Orrin’s spells were ranged to some point. If he could increase his own Will and Intelligence before a fight, he could do more. Plus extra Intelligence would mean a quicker Blood Mana to HP conversion. Orrin was beginning to believe MP reset during sleep, as other than his plus one a minute from [Meditate], his MP never recovered.

[Side Steps] also would help him avoid taking damage. His HP was full but he could remember the feeling of the vine breaking his ribs still. [Skills] seemed to be full of things like [Blacksmithing] and [Alchemy]. Nothing he really thought would be helpful short term. He’d scrolled right past [Merge] the first few times.

It’s expensive...but maybe I could combine all four Stats into one spell... or find something to merge with [Teleport] to make a Universal Teleport or something to go home with?

His first priority should be to level his healing. Then the Stat increase spells, so Daniel could tank better. We can probably take on most things with a little more preparation and a few more levels. I wonder if there are any other ways to gain XP besides quests and killing monsters. The lack of even partial XP for fighting had really pissed Daniel off the day before.

He spent the hours Blood Cycling, as he named the process. He quickly brought [Increase Strength] and [Increase Dexterity] up to 1,000/1,000. He also kept [Camouflage] running on himself. He had tried to cast it on Daniel too but nothing happened. At a cost of 120 MP, he could keep it running on himself for an entire hour. He let Daniel sleep for seven hours before waking him to talk.

[Heal Small Wounds] (1,000/1,000) ! Upgrade available. 4 AP (Insufficient AP)

[Increase Strength] (1,000/1,000) ! Upgrade available. 2 AP (Insufficient AP)

[Increase Dexterity] (1,000/1,000) ! Upgrade available. 2 AP (Insufficient AP)

[Camouflage] (1,220/10,000)

Orange and red light trickled through the treetops and lit up the ground as Orrin peeked through the hole in the brush he created. The frequent howls and crashes in the night had stopped an hour ago.

“D. Wake up. We should head out soon,” Orrin pushed his bedroll back into his backpack, using [Dimension Hole] to make it disappear.

“No dad, I have a game. I need more sleep,” Daniel turned over and pulled the blanket over his head.

“No game today. Just reaching the wall of a fantasy town before monsters eat our faces.”

Daniel’s breathing stopped. Then he sighed heavily. “Fuccc- I guess that wasn’t a dream huh,” He sat up. “Did you let me sleep the entire night? Damn it man.”

Orrin was busy pushing the brush out of the front hole in the tree. “You needed it more than me,” he grabbed a branch and pushed. It stuck tight. He pushed again. Nothing. “Besides, you’re the one who did most of the heavy lifting.”

Daniel walked up besides his friend and kicked the limb. It snapped in two with a loud ‘crack’ and fell to the side of the entrance.

“I can’t believe you did that. You’ve been casting spells nonstop. I don’t know how you do that. When my MP got low, it felt like I got kicked in the nuts. You should have taken some sleep,” Daniel grabbed the last of the tree branches and walked out of the tree. “Ahh. At least the temperature feels good here. That sun feels good.”

Orrin frowned as he hitched his bag on his shoulder. “I’ve gotten down to below 10 MP a few times and havn’t felt more than winded. Must be a class thing.”

He pulled up the Quest box:

5. Reach the Wall of Dey [8 hours 18 minutes, 34 seconds]

“Just over eight hours. Can we make it? I really need to get [Map] too.”

“Yes you do. It looks like we made it about three quarters of the way yesterday. Should be fine with time as long as nothing jumps-“

“Shut it. Don’t jinx us.”

Daniel smiled and knocked on the tree as he adjusted his armor.

“So am I carrying you again?”

It took two hours of Daniel running to reach the edge of the forest. Orrin got [Camouflage] to 1,460/10,000. Nothing jumped them either.

Orrin squinted against the sun. He could vaguely make out a blurry mass in the distance. It was mostly wall shaped. “Is that...?”

Daniel grunted and picked up his pack from where Orrin had put it down. “Yeah, that’s gotta be Dey. I think we can probably walk from here. It’s only like four or five miles.”

Orrin frowned but didn’t argue. Riding into town on Daniel’s back would be too conspicuous. “Is there a road you can see Mr. Eagle Eyes?”

Daniel pointed with his sword before he strapped it back in its sheath.

Orrin saw nothing but the hills and field. “Lead on then because some of us can’t see that far.”

They walked for 20 minutes before Orrin could make out the road in the distance. Little more than packed dirt and the occasional ditch along the side, it was no wonder he hadn’t seen it.

Just as he saw the road, Daniel’s hand darted out and grabbed Orrin’s sleeve. Orrin opened his mouth to speak but Daniel put his finger to his own lips and squatted down. Orrin did the same.

Orrin tried to see what he was missing but it wasn’t until he tracked Daniel’s pointing finger that he made out the small smudge in the distance getting closer along the road. It was headed towards the city.

“A horse drawn carriage?” Orrin whispered.

“...yes and no. About three hundred yards ahead of us, near that small clump of trees. There’s a group of men holding swords and something else. I thought it was just a group of travelers waiting in some shade but now I think they’re bandits.” Daniel slowly drew his sword.

Orrin groaned. “D. You can’t possibly be thinking you are going to rush in and play hero. How many are there?”

“Just four. And I have to. Just got a quest. Here.”

Daniel, Hero Level 1 is sharing a quest.

Quest: Defeat the bandits 0/4

Reward: 200 XP

Penalty: Lose 2 Strength for 14 days

Would you like to accept it?

Yes or No

Orrin hesitated to accept the quest. He could just buff Daniel and stay out of sight, but if he did that and Daniel died...

Yes.

“Shit. Ok. What’s the plan,” Orrin put five [Increase Strength] and five [Increase Dexterity] on both of them. He also topped off his [Camouflage] as it had ended while they sat and watched the carriage approaching. He also cycled his health and mana until he was topped off again.

Daniel gave Orrin a quick look and smirked. “Remember when Mark Lenoti tried to pick on you in middle school?”

Orrin moaned, “No. I’m not doing it.”

Daniel’s grin grew. “Got a better idea?”

The carriage slowed to a stop when two men walked in front with crossbows drawn.

“Move vagrants. You do not wish to attempt a robbery here today.” The man driving the carriage looked the part of a knight, but from where he stood, Orrin could tell he was outmatched. Crossbow bolts would probably punch right through the man’s armor. The horse would have been already dead if he hadn’t stopped.

Daniel had traveled towards the city and was supposed to come from behind. With [Camouflage], Orrin was able to get about 20 yards away from the men. Two held the crossbows pointed at the knight. The other two held their swords bare to the side.

“No need for names, Sir,” the larger man with the crossbow spit to the side. “Just have the lass throw some gold out the door and we can all be on our way. We know she’s in there and what she’s been doing. What’s a few hundred gold to the Catanzanos?”

The knight’s visor had gone down as soon as he’d spotted the trouble, but Orrin could almost feel the man shaking in rage. He quickly cast Strength and Dexterity on the man, hoping the added bonuses would help keep him alive.

“...or if the lady would like to spend some time with us instead, I’m sure something could be arranged,” the large man, obviously the leader, had a wicked grin as he watched the knight get angry.

Orrin could tell this was the moment. He stood up from his spot in the grass and walked to the road a few feet behind the carriage.

“Hey guys! Do you know the way to the nearest rest stop? I’ve got to shit so bad and forgot to pack any toilet paper.”

The two nearest the carriage door turned their swords on him. The leader kept his bolt pointed at the knight but the second crossbowman wavered between the knight and Orrin.

The plan was for Orrin to distract them until Daniel blindsided them. The same tactic Daniel had used to teach Mark Lenoti not to pick on Orrin with. The plan had worked great on a pre-teen boy not used to actual violence.

Orrin suddenly realized just how stupid they had been.

“Kill both the guards,” the leader ordered. The crossbows released and both bolts hit the knight, pushing him off the carriage. A quick scream from inside cut off in a quiet sob.

“Idiot,” the leader tossed the crossbow to his comrade. “Two bolts, two guards. What if he’s a Swordhand or something?” He drew his own sword as the three men surrounded Orrin.

“Um... listen guys. Maybe you didn’t hear me. I just need a bathroom. I didn’t mean to interrupt or any-“ Orrin started backing up and tripped over a small rock. His ass hit hard as he landed.

He watched as the nearest man smiled in relief, “Nah boss. It’s just some lost pup. Don’t worry son, I’ll make it quick.” He lifted his sword to strike.

When an axe lodged itself in the side of the man’s face, Orrin blinked for a solid five seconds as the blood rained down on him. The man’s body dropped like a doll.

Yelling and a few clangs of metal exploded around Orrin, as he sat staring at the dead man in front of him. The blood was soaking into the ground but there was still so much pouring out of the cracked flesh of the side of the man’s face. The wooden handle of the axe had been splattered as well, leaving the grain darkened as it too drank the man’s life.

“Orrin! ORRIN!” Daniel was shaking him. Orrin wiped at his face and saw his hand was covered. The sticky feeling, combined with the metallic tang of the blood on his lips was too much. Orrin turned and vomited on his friend’s shoes.

“Is that your blood? Are you ok? You were only supposed to distract them, not get in their faces. What were you thinking?” Daniel was getting more frantic as Orrin didn’t respond.

“..fine. I’m fine,” Orrin finally sputtered. He cast [Calm Mind] on Daniel, who visibly slumped. He pushed himself to his feet and looked around.

The bandit holding the two crossbows had been opened up from behind. Orrin spotted a dozen cuts on the second swordsmen’s arms, his body folded around a gaping stab wound in his chest. The leader’s head rested by the carriage wheel.

“D... you butchered them,” Orrin dry heaved, reminding him that they hadn’t eaten since yesterday.

Daniel stayed quiet. He moved the axe stuck in the bandit’s face with his foot and then left it alone. With his back to his friend he whispered, “It was them or us. I’m not dying again Orrin.”

Orrin turned and walked to his friend. He grabbed his arm and pulled him around. “You did the right thing. You saved me,” Orrin shivered. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Golden Daniel is good at everything right?” He tried to smile, using the nickname he knew Daniel hated more than anything.

“Asshole,” Daniel reached down and pulled the axe free with a squelching suck of air. “Go check and see if that guard is alive?”

Orrin scrambled around the carriage, remembering he could heal. Maybe the knight was still alive. He could still redeem himself and feel useful.

The armored knight was face down and Orrin couldn’t turn him even with his strength still buffed. “D. Come help me turn this guy. I think he’s breathing still.” Orrin began spamming his heal and cycling his own mana and health. The knight’s breathing evened and came deeper now. Definitely still alive, good.

“Stay away from him! I will give you 100 gold each and you will leave. A [Message] has already been sent and help is on the way,” a female voice called from inside the carriage.

“...we don’t want your money,” Daniel announced as he walked around the carriage to help Orrin. Orrin had already dumped around 150 HP into the knight. His [Identify] showed the man’s HP was still dropping even as he healed him.

Brandt Bennett Knight Level 18 HP 80/200 MP 90/100 Strength 15 Constitution 15 Dexterity 15 Will 10 Intelligence 9

Abilities:

[Sword Proficiency] Level 3

[Mace Proficiency] Level 2

[Axe Proficiency] Level 2

[Spear Proficiency] Level 1

[Unarmed Proficiency] Level 1

[Hide Status]

[Map]

[Identify]

[Power Strike]

[Defensive Fighting]

The man’s abilities went on and on. Orrin had to stop reading and focus on healing. Daniel grabbed his arm and grunted as he lifted, turning the knight on his back.

“My father will kill you if you attempt...anything,” the woman sounded scared.

Orrin looked at the two bolts that had pierced the knight’s belly and chest. Blood seeped out from both and he could hear the pierced lung gurgling. Orrin looked at Daniel in horror, “I can’t keep his health up. I think we have to remove the arrows before I can heal him,” he turned to the carriage. “If you can’t help, then shut up. We saved you but your knight is hurt.”

Orrin heard the door open and leather shoes dropped down, “Are you a [Healer]? What are you doing outside of a hospital?” The lady from inside the carriage had come out. Orrin and Daniel saw a girl near their own age with dark skin and short hair. She wore well-oiled leather armor that looked expensive but comfortable. A single earring pierced her left eyebrow and her brown eyes were on the knight.

“...uh. I can use [Small Heal Wounds]?” Orrin turned it into a question.

Tears streamed down her eyes, “Then he will die. We would need to rip the barbed bolts out and you will run out of MP well before small healing would make a difference.” She stood straight and looked to the sky. “Please end Sir Bennett’s suffering.”

“Yeah, no. Fuck that noise,” Orrin muttered and grabbed a bolt. He pulled hard and gagged at the noises. He pushed healing and cycled his own health. He had to rest every few heals on the knight and get his own HP back up, but the more he did his cycling, the quicker he got at the process.

“What are you doing? I told you it’s hopeless. Under the banner of House Catanzano, I command you to-“

“D. Can you shut her up? I need to concentrate on this,” Orrin took the second bolt, the one in the man’s chest, and yanked hard. His HP dropped by nearly 150. He listened as Daniel used a gentle voice to push the girl back. Two minutes later, the knight coughed once. His eyes pulled open and he vomited blood and something grey to the side.

“Daniel, he’s back up to full, but I think that kind of damage might need some recovery time,” Orrin pushed himself up and looked around. The adrenaline was fading and the gore made him feel like he was in a dream. The ground was hazy and Daniel was far away. Everything was getting further away.

Orrin came back around to the bumping of the carriage on the road. Daniel was sitting across from him talking with the girl they’d rescued.

“You’re awake?” Daniel noticed his friend open his eyes.

“NNrgghh,” Orrin groaned.

The dark skinned beauty turned to Orrin. “Thank you sir for saving my b- Sir Bennett’s life. I should not have doubted a [Healer]’s own skills. We are in your debt.”

Orrin didn’t correct her. Let everyone think he was a [Healer] and he wouldn’t have to explain his class.

“Oh Orrin’s not a –“ Daniel began

“Not one to keep another in my debt,” Orrin cut in over his friend. Daniel’s eyebrows went up but he shrugged. “I’m Orrin. Nice to meet you. How’s the knight?”

“My name is Madeleine Catanzano. Everyone calls me Madi. Brandt, I mean Sir Bennett was up and pulling those bandits to a ditch within 10 minutes of you overexerting.”

“Overexerting?”

Daniel butted in, “Madi was just explaining that when someone uses the entirety of their MP multiple days in a row, they can pass out from mana use exhaustion. I guess you doing that a few times in a row short-circuited you.” Daniel laughed.

Madi looked at them strangely. “You used your entire mana pool more than once to heal Brandt? Did you have a MP potion? I will reimburse you for the use of course.”

Orrin had meant to talk with Daniel about a story to tell when they got to the city but the bandits had ruined that plan. Maybe we can use saving their lives to get information and get them to keep quiet about us being summoned here.

“No, I have an ability that lets me swap my HP for MP. Then I just heal myself. I should have known I couldn’t have found an unlimited mana cheat,” Orrin watched Madi’s face change from disbelief, to shock, to anger.

“You use blood magic?” her voice was quiet. “And you brag about it?"

Orrin shrugged and smirked at Daniel, thinking she was joking.

"You dare...you...” she took a deep breath and sat back imperiously.

“Orrin and Daniel. I thank you for saving my life and the life of Sir Bennett. However, the laws of Dey are absolute. You are hereby under arrest for the use of blood magic. I will deliver you to the city guard and you will be executed by the end of the week.”

FFFFFFffffff