Sy and I started the night looking at the floor itself. What seemed to be a quiet and rather peaceful floor, lit up like a city with neon lights when night approached. The blooming flowers from the Kayin Blossompine beaconed many dangers, but was a marvel to observe as things got active at night. A fact that, I was hoping wasn't the case.
"Wake, we won't be able to ambush the team, thanks to, this development."
"What do you mean? There's still a great chance to ambush. We need to just be, creative about how we attack."
"How so? Due to my calculations, there's a 15% chance we can ever get the jump on anything with this scenario."
"Did you calculate on conventional ambushing strategies?"
"Yes."
"Question, when do we do things, conventionally?"
Sy took a moment to process that question. She looked at me with a smirk on her face, realizing what I actually meant. She recalculated everything using what we knew and what we could do. Processing outside of normal barriers would be a necessity for her from hereon if we were to survive and thrive in these towers.
"Ok, after recalculating what we know, we can and should be able to ambush anything weaker than us. Also, the goblin moving forward has stopped about 100m from our location. Course of action?"
"Access Monster Store."
"Huh? Why now?"
"I just thought of something I could do to replace that Club Mastery."
Sy just, pondered as I told her what I said. It was bugging me throughout the day that I needed a club to attack. As I thought about things, I figured that if I was to slather myself with bone material via using blood or other fluids, I wanted a weapon that reflected me as an entity. What would be more fitting than to get a bone that would be used as a weapon.
"Accessing Monster Store. Remember you still have 40 MC in possession. What are you looking for?"
"A book on how to improve bone weaponry."
"Bone weapons? Why?"
"What better way to have an edge on the competition than to use the every bone from our victims to use against others."
"So, are we going to abandon Club Mastery then?"
"Indeed. Not only are we going to collect skeletons for myself, but we're also going to collect stray bones to manufacture into weaponry."
"I understand. I have two vendors that are offering services for bone weaponry. Firstly, I found a bone smith going by the name, Kow'Poliy."
"Sounds like an Eldritch by name alone."
"I'm not so certain on racial origins but the second one is a librarian going by the name Keni Grimstash."
"Keni Grimstash... Well, lets talk to Kow'Poliy first."
Sy did the usual thing and got me patched to Kow'Poliy. As an image appeared, it was a I expected, but yet, not what I was anticipating. She was Eldritch, but rather than to have a horrible or fearful visage, she appeared, human-ish with tentacles from her back (and/or other areas that I couldn't get visibility of).
"Hello, welcome to the my shop, Craftmasters. I'm Kow'Poliy, a maiden of the Horror of of the Mind, Jeth'Kithro. How can I be of service this evening?"
"Hello, the name is Wake Stitcher. I was wondering, what can you do for bone weaponry?"
"Oh ho! I see someone is interested in bone weaponry. Well then, I might not be able to use metal to reinforce the bone, but I can enchant and modify the base bone into any weaponry with the right materials and a contact that can assist with any attachments."
"You don't carry bones yourself?"
"Oh, but I do. Depends on the bone you want and how much coin you have, i can sell you an array of bones."
"Nice. I have 40 MC and I would like a sturdy bone, capable to withstand and block attacks."
"Do you want to customize the bone in any way?"
"Yes. An ever-changing weapon. I also realize that this bone won't last the entire ascent. So in the future, I would like to call upon you again as a vendor."
"So, you're the one that has got Ironclad back to working like a fiend with drugs in his system. Is your navigator with you?"
Sy appeared in the call with us. She was incredibly surprised that someone would request her, directly.
"Yes, Kow'Poliy. I'm available. Would it be acceptable to know the reason on why I was summoned into the call?"
"Surely, my dear. Recently, I've been given, AI cores to use for many different applications but I can't seem to find a use for them. So, let us make a deal: If you happen to get new bones from the tower's inhabitants and run them by me before using them, I can create different bone weapons for your benefactor and I'll toss an AI core for every visit. The AI cores are decommissioned, so you can process them as you see fit."
"So, I don't get a say in the matter then."
"Oh, you do. The weapons I create will be of bone nature and if you find a weaponsmith that can enhance the weapon in metal or other materials, the longevity of the weapon will be vastly improved upon."
"Wake, we seemed to have communications with a dwarf named Steelsword. Should I patch him into this call as well?"
Things was getting a bit too deep, but this was expected when my idea was presented. Bone weaponry as a whole were pretty basic, but when it came to longevity of the weapons, it would only last a floor or two. You could get four floors from the weapon before it showed signs of decay and eventually, it would break. The timing on Steelsword couldn't have been more timed or more precise.
"Sy, include Steelsword. I want to get this transaction processed and readied for the operation."
"Acknowledged! Patching Steelsword."
"OY!!!! I thought I would be left hangin!!! Steelsword is the name, making weapons is the game!!!! Oh, it seems that I've been included into a deal?"
"Indeed, I'm Sy, the navigator that connected you to this deal. Wake Stitcher is the skeleton that's climbing the towers and with us is Kow'Poliy of Craftmasters."
"AYE! You got a big player here in Poliy. It seems like big bro didn't lie about having big plans. I have to thank you lot for getting the goblins needed for Goblin Steel and as a token of future business, I would like to be the first to work on any weapon you may have and become one of your Prime Vendors to call on!"
"Prime Vendor? Oh dear. I've never been a Prime Vendor before. Steelsword, Skeleton Wake is getting a bone weapon from me, but I fear with 40 MC, it would only procure a Naga Rib."
"Oh, before I forget, this is from the goblin exchange. He made a bit of money refurbishing the goblin basic armor and I added by making a dagger or two. It equates to about 20 Gold."
"WAKE! We got 20 Gold!!! That's 200 MC!!! Madame Kow'Poliy, what can you do with 240 MC?"
"Well then, I can do plenty more with this capital. How about this: My offer still stands, but I kinda like this Steelsword when he does business. I can create the bone weapon and Steelsword can use metals that is procured from his shop to reinforce the weapon. OH!!!! A new shop just came to be!!!!! Craftworks!!!!!"
"Dear Lass, I would love to join in on this venture, but only for Skeleton Wake. Everyone else, we need to rethink on how we can fleece them."
"Without question. Craftworks will only be available for Wake as he'll need us to do what he needs to do. So, my offer?"
"Sy, you made the contact happen. Revise it."
"Ok. I would like to make a revision to your offer."
"Go ahead."
The tone on Kow'Poliy got stern when I addressed a revision to the offer. I needed first dibs on the skeleton to gain stats and to do that, I needed the weapon. She wasn't pleased by the fact that i wanted something more, enticing to keep this arrangement.
"Wake is in need of weaponry, but at the same time, he doesn't gain levels. The very skeletons you request are vital to his success."
"OH!!!! I only meant the bones. Not a full skeletal frame. To add, if there's multiple of that species, I'll gladly hold until you get another one ready!. Oh no, I wasn't trying to halt our skeleton's progress."
This was a major relief, despite the fact that she backpedaled on her initial offer. She really needed something to do and by us getting her the bones she wanted, we would get new weapons and then thanks to Ironclad, we can have Steelsword reinforce the weapons.
"Wake, I think, despite us having to alter the offer, we should make it that we'll need to get two skeletons when possible."
"I agree. Someone like her, who is likely just getting scraps is itching for fresh materials. Seeing that I'm going to be doing the skinning and butchering myself, it would be easier to get as many as possible to deliver to our Prime Vendors."
"One second... By making me a Prime Vendor, I would get access to things moving forward?"
"That's the gist of it. I'm not stopping at this tower. I'm going to conquer as many as possible."
"More the reason why we need to be cautious when choosing our vendors. As his navigator, I'm also his liaison when it comes to business matters."
"He is wise to have you as a navigator."
"I AGREE! This lass here is goin to be the type to make sure we all win. Dont'cha agree, Poli?"
"Please don't call me that. *sigh* if you must create a nickname for me, please use Kow or Kowai. Only friends and family can use this nickname."
"So, Miss Kowai, it would be a huge boon for us to have you as a Prime Vendor. Is the revisions to your liking?"
"Yes, Miss Sy. The revisions would be more than acceptable and it would give me options on what weapons I can use to make in the boneyard! I thank you for the opportunity as a whole."
"AYE!!! I would like to also give a thanks as well. Your bone weapons will be coated and treated with the greatest I can provide and I'll also cut a 10% profit to ya! I need to make these weapons for a profit and Kowai here is right for the job. She can create the weapons, via her bone production, I get the weapon, mold them and coat them in the metal and then from there, I can create the metal replicas to them chumps!!!"
"I, I, never thought it it like that. Skeleton Wake, it seems like we will have to do more business in the future!"
"Indeed. Sy, Register Kow'Poliy, aka Kowai and Steelsword as Prime Vendors."
"Understood, registering them as Prime Vendors."
As Sy was registering them as Prime Vendors, I wasn't picky about what bone weapons were produced. I was only concerned about the quality of the metal used in the weapon's reinforcement.
"So, Wake, for 100 MC, I can use this {Harpy Forearm} for your first weapon. Now, disclaimer, all weapons are random by the will of the owner of the bone. Is that acceptable?"
"Of course. It'll be a good chance for me to adapt my fighting and hunting tactics."
Kowai started the weapon production and as the {Harpy Forearm} (which was rather big considering that, it was a harpy) began to form itself into a weapon, i was witnessing firsthand what Kowai process was like. I felt that 100 MC was a steal and she was being nice because of the arrangement we created.
After what would've ben, thirty seconds, the weapon was made. The spot on where a blade could be formed was present while the hilt had a talon on each side. The handle looked standard from what I gathered.
"Harpy's Malice is born! So, each of the talons can be equipped with a magical stone or any other jewel to give it different properties. The weapon is a hybrid of STR and INT as we will confirm."
"AY!!!! That's a good-looking frame! Let me take it from here, Kowai!!!"
Kowai nodded as Steelsword began to smith and reinforce the Harpy's Malice. The blade was forged from leftover Goblin Silver and Steel as he explained. The mold was created and with him coating the weapon first, it seemed like I would get a rather dull edge. That was until he got, THE HAMMER. He clanged and worked the hammer ferociously for all of three minutes. The blade bended and warped into a visage of malice and great worth. The blade was now that of a short sword, the talons were further refined to be able to be, detached to add different talons or claws to it, all the while keeping the integrity of it holding stones and jewels. The hilt got a bit of leather added for better grip.
"KOWAI, Harpy's Malice is complete! Wake, my gift to you!"
As I swung the weapon for the first time, it was so surreal that I now got a weapon that was fitting for me!!! Sy glowed orange, which meant, update time!
"Skeleton Wake, Skeletal Weapons has been added to your passives and Skeletal Mastery [Basic] is now in progress. Club Mastery still remains. Do you want me to help you unlearn it?"
I had to think on that for a hot minute. Sure, I could forget it and only focus on my newly acquired skeletal masteries, but to be able to use other weapons outside of my skeletal mastery would be beneficial. Also, I still had my Glass Shard Club that I can still make good use of.
"No, I'll keep it as it would become very useful in the future if a skeletal club was produced."
"OH! Also, I just noticed that you got started on Sword Mastery [Basic] and Skeletal Swordsmanship [Recruit]."
"See what I meant."
"I'm starting to piece this together. Just because it's skeletal, doesn't remove the type of weapon. If anything, you being a skeleton enhances what you're capable of! Miss Kowai, thank you for your services and Steelsword, thank you for picking this up!"
"My pleasure, dear. It's nice to have a customer and contact nowadays."
"AYE!!! This business will be of great use to all involved!! Take good care of this beauty, Wake."
"I will do my best!"
As we stopped communications, we saw that the goblin was sleeping near the tree. This was a golden opportunity to get the jump on him and plunge this sword into his heart.
"Wake, the chance of death without alerting anyone is 100%. You should take the shot..."
"You really need to quit with the mind peering. Also, no gun..."
As I got closer to attack, the goblin reacted and moved to the side. I looked on and again approached slowly to the goblin. He was sleeping soundly, but the leaves near him would be an alarm for him to snap up and attack. As I continued to inch closer, I noticed something that wasn't in the cards. The team's fighter was already scouting the area and fighting them both would be a very, very bad idea.
"Change of plans. We need to stop the scout."
"That's ill-advised, Wake."
"Why?"
"That's the Level 4 Defender scouting out."
"SHIT!!!!"
This was bad. I was in no way, able to fight that Level 4 Defender with the current stats I had. Even with the SPE boost, I stood no chance if the Defender had any armor.
"Sy, scan the Defender."
"Scanning:
Name: ??
Class: Defender
Level: 4
HP: 70 (Red Level)
MP: 0
Stats:
STR: 2
VIT: 10
INT: 1
WIS: 10
SPE: 2
AGI: 9
Weapon: Club
Damage: 5+STR
Armor: Leather Vest
Damage Resistance: +2
Skills:
N/A
Attacks:
Bellow
Soilquake
Looking at your stats:
Name: Wake Stitcher
Creature Type: Skeleton (Basic)
Level: N/A
HP: 100 (Red Level 1)
MP: 0
STR: 10
VIT: 10
INT: 10
RES: 10
SPE: 22
AGI: 15
Points to use on stats: 0
Weapon: Glass Shard Club
Damage: 15+STR
Weapon: Harpy's Malice
Damage: 25+STR
Effects: N/A
Stones Equipped: 0
Armor: N/A
Damage Reduction: +1
Skills:
Bone Meld
Fluid Absorption
Memory Thievery
Club Assassination
Skeletal Weapons
Skills in Progress:
Club Mastery (Basic Level) [3/10 Slain]
Sword Mastery (Basic)
Skeletal Mastery (Basic Level)
Skeletal Swordsmanship (Recruit)
I would recommend that if you must fight the Defender, use Harpy's Malice."
"Agreed. I must use Harpy's Malice to stand a chance again them."
As we left the goblin to sleep, Sy and I approached the Defender who was, nervous to say the least. We did get the jump on him as his back was turned and we could just, backstab him. As we got ready to attack, the rustling of leaves that he made masked the movements I made and the first strike connected with ease.
Blood was all over the blade and it was a stab to the lower left-side. The liver was punctured as he moved quickly out of range. The blade slid out of him as he moved and it was a good opening.
"Wake, 30 HP was lost. We have the advantage and he's currently bleeding. Until the wound is addressed, he'll continue to bleed out. Recommended action: Keep Attacking."
"Say Less."
As I continue to swing wildly at the Defender, he just parried and blocked using his club. Harpy's Malice wasn't going to get in any damage if he continued to block, so I needed to make an opening. I drew my Glass Shard Club and proceeded to clock him good over the head. His defense was good, but not perfect as between attacks, he winced in pain. The wound I gave him earlier was nagging him and I found an opening.
I swung low and aimed for the wound as he blocked the attempt. This was going as expected, I needed him to lower the guard for a head shot and he did just that as I struck head at his head. He stumbled back as his head bled as well.
"Cerebral damage present, 15 HP lost, Intense Hemorrhaging present, Concussion present. This hero is not long for this world. Keep attacking."
As Sy got bloodthirsty, so did I. Blood was on the ground and in the air and killing him would be a great boon and a good start to dealing with the party at camp. With blood now seeping his eyes, a slice from Harpy's Malice was enough to behead the Defender and with that, he was no more. As I got the head and body away from the area (taking a detour into the woodline), Sy probed his memories to get any useful information out of him. After ten minutes, Sy had a report.
"Wake, this Defender didn't have any attacks or skills worthy of note. I did get that the Gravekeeper and the Mage have items of note that were gifted to them at the start of the tower. It's likely that we can get one of the talons to hold those items if they're magical stones or jewels.
This was the strongest on the team. VIT and STR will be increased by ten and you'll receive ten points to allocate. Where should I allocate the points?"
"STR and VIT will need five points a piece to make the growth in STR and VIT, fifteen a piece."
"Allocating STR and VIT with five points to even out the growth to fifteen upon completion. The cooldown and wait time will be two hours. We'll need to hide while this is going on."
"Way ahead of you. Corpse Mode."
As I skinned the Defender and was able to get the meat off of the body, I grinded the bone and used the blood to slather myself, as per usual. While this was going on, SY was scanning to keep me informed on matters. Between the team sleeping and the goblin also sleeping, the night was going as smoothly as one could surmise.
After the process was done, I felt stronger and more resilient.
"Sy, a look at my stats, please and thank you."
"Of course! Anything for you! Checking your stats now:
Name: Wake Stitcher
Creature Type: Skeleton (Basic)
Level: N/A
HP: 100 (Red Level 1)
MP: 0
STR: 25
VIT: 25
INT: 10
RES: 10
SPE: 22
AGI: 15
Points to use on stats: 0
Weapon: Glass Shard Club
Damage: 15+STR
Weapon: Harpy's Malice
Damage: 25+STR
Effects: N/A
Stones Equipped: 0
Armor: N/A
Damage Reduction: +1
Skills:
Bone Meld
Fluid Absorption
Memory Thievery
Club Assassination
Skeletal Weapons
Skills in Progress:
Club Mastery (Basic Level) [4/10 Slain]
Sword Mastery (Basic) [1/15 Slain]
Skeletal Mastery (Basic Level) [1/25 Slain]
Skeletal Swordsmanship (Recruit) [1/5 Slain]
I see that Club Mastery got credit for a kill, despite not being the lethal weapon."
"So, as long as the weapon was used in killing something, it will get the credit regardless. Interesting."
"Wake, in the future, I'll need to get an expansion to hold and store more items."
"Well then, let's get this to Kowai."
As Sy got in touch with Kowai, she was reading something as she got with us.
"That was incredibly fast! You don't waste time at all."
"Miss Kowai, Wake didn't have much of a choice this time. One of the heroes got too close to a goblin we were going to send to you. We did use most of the body, but the head is still intact and fresh."
"OH! I love the scent of blood, flesh and brain in my room. To be honest, I didn't think you remember the agreement."
"Sy is good at keeping up with these things."
Sy smiled as she presented Kowai with the head. She analyzed it and was able to appraise it (something that would have been nice earlier).
"So, the AI core is given, but I want to price this at 50 MC. I want to see if i can extract something to make something, unique."
"What would that be, Kowai?"
"A bloodstone or Bloodied Jewel."
"Miss Kowai, are you a jeweler as well?"
"I just started but yes, I am a jeweler. Thus the reason why I needed the bones, but if you're just going to gift me actual body parts, I can make better use of them and use the skeletons to make the weapons. I need flesh to make the jewels and stone."
"Sy, give her the Defender's skinned remains."
"Of course!"
Kowai was astonished that she would get very marbled cuts of the meat and the skin. She marveled and mumbled about the leathering of skin being good.
"Miss Sy, come back tomorrow. I want to give Skeleton Wake a Jewel that I'm going to create. A gift for bringing me such *quality* materials. Also, here's your core."
Sy gladly took the core and make a note to see her in a day's time. As we disconnected, we hid in a nearby shack for her to process things. The night was young and we still needed things to do, but for now, I just let Sy analyze the core and I stood guard.