I gasp, my head lancing with pain, and immediately start coughing loudly on the mouthful of dust that accompanied my sudden intake.

After spitting, swearing, and clearing my airway, I wipe my eyes and take in my surroundings. The Barrows, just as I left it.

I had the weirdest fucking dream. More than a dream, I see, as I actually do have access to a new tab in my menu. I also might have talked to one of the game’s administrators? At least something God-like. I remember being certain that it had a terrifying amount of power.

I can’t fathom why I was able achieve such confidence when I was talking to something that could probably crush me with a thought. Meanwhile, if a rat jumps on my face I might as well be fucking myself. It’s like my unconscious mind *wants* me to die in a stupid way.

I guess I can also cross ‘being called an idiot by the game’ off my bucket list. I’m either doing something very right or very wrong. Jury’s out on that. I’ll look into ‘traits’ after the more pressing issues are taken care of.

Some notifications appeared while I was out:

[Energy fully exhausted. Regeneration rate temporarily reduced. +1 max Energy] [Congratulations! Your actions led to the death of a Dwarf Shade. No other claims detected. Partial reward issued! +25 Power (105)] [Your actions have led to the creation of a basic Secondary Skill: Hide (Cost: 50). Learn? Y/N] [Multiple skill increases detected! +1 Imbue Energy (3); +1 Transfuse Energy (8); +1 Cold Resistance (3); +1 Energy Manipulation (6); Combat Proficiency +1 (2)]

Holy.

That’s a lot of gains. It almost makes it feel worth it that I almost died.

I accept the ‘Hide’ skill (55). I got lucky. Lucky they didn’t thoroughly check all the sarcophagi, lucky they didn’t just camp around in the dungeon, lucky nothing came in while I was on the floor, unconscious. I may have maximized my chances of being lucky, but… having a skill makes the odds even better. More in my control. More luck.

[Domination milestone reached! 30% Domination of Cathid.]

The flash of concern about Kaythe’s whereabouts passes quickly as I notice it hanging from the ceiling, watching the entrance to the room. I think it’s standing guard, actually.

“Thanks Kaythe. You’re the best.”

*click* (Awake!)

It quickly flows down to the floor and onto my waiting arm, resuming its usual perch on my shoulders.

[Congratulations! The threshold for Primary Skill sharing has been crossed!

+1 Dexterity

+2 Perception]

Holy x2.

Today is shaping up to be a damn good day. I’d rank that as ‘Energy well invested’, and it's only 30% done.

My stomach growls, and I take a Bon nut from my pocket. Quite the celebration feast. As a test, I attempt to crack it with just the force of my grip, but no amount of straining is sufficient to break it, so I use a broken stone shard from the slab I threw at the wall.

Definitely sour. Not great tasting, overall. But very filling. The nut is about the size of a walnut, but the meat of it feels like a complete meal. I’ll live. Still thirsty as hell, but I don’t have as easy access to water out here. It’s not like I could have brought water either, at least without a bottle or waterskin.

While I eat I consider the notification about indirectly killing one of the Shades. Was that the one I hit with the stone? Must be. Maybe it tripped into the pit because its arm-leg wasn’t working anymore. Serves the asshole right. My Health has recovered entirely, but I don’t think my physiology is used to such rapid recovery, so phantom pain still lingers. It’s the kind of pain that you don’t notice if you don’t think about it, but the second you do, it’s very apparent.

Hopefully it goes away on its own.

It’s neat to know that partial experience is a thing though. At least, if something limps off and dies after fighting me, I’ll get something for my trouble. I wonder if it works for multiple people attacking the same monster. Is there experience division? Power division?

I guess I’ll find out if Lauren sticks around. And doesn’t kill me.

Nah, she wouldn’t kill the person that fought tooth and nail to save her, right?

Pfft.

I’m going to have to be really careful. I think if I even hint at suggesting she owes me anything for it, it’s going to be a bad time.

Speaking of…

Lauren seems to still be unconscious, lying in the sarcophagus. I didn’t have the time to move her before I healed her, and I was senseless after I emptied my Energy pool.

Oh well. She deserves to be sore, the fucking idiot. Almost got both of us killed.

…

Part of me is glad that I thought she was Rav. For him, I wouldn’t hesitate, but… for her I might have.

And then she would have died.

…

Yeah. Glad.