Book 2 Chapter 41: Raid Rewards

Tristan

Strangely, the whole thing felt eventless to Tristan. The fight with the Slime had been easy. He activated Dark Void, watched a monster's underbelly, waited out the big boom, huge indeed that was, and that was it. He didn't even notice the portal was still off before Eliza asked for it, and the text that followed eased his worries of being separated from Caterina. The notification that arrived five minutes later was not very clear, but it looked promising.

The Admins of the Tower of Chi Eridani thank you, heroes, for clearing its 100^th and top floor from the Malevolent Slime that had hijacked it. The floor will now be reintegrated into the tower, and adventurers will be able to access it again. The Galaxy and the Multiverse will be safer thanks to your efforts.

Group Rewards:

All participants are granted a pass card that allows access to either this floor or the lobby from which the ascension begins (recommended). The pass will appear in your inventory or pockets, and includes a manual with instructions on how to activate the pass and what to expect in the Tower. Don't lose the pass, for the previous access to this place—situated in the Colosseum's 2^nd basement—will be terminated.

The Heartstone of the Colosseum, along with the Interface array of its Inner Sanctum, built in the walls surrounding your current location, has been destroyed together with the Slime. We regret to inform you that from now on, that construct will lose any magical powers it held, and it will be impossible to refit it with a new heartstone.

The heartstone of this Tower Floor has been restored and, for now, has been transported to your position. The top contributors will approach in the order we call them, touch the stone, and make a wish. This wish will be granted as long as it is within the realm of the possible.

On the old dilapidated postament, a marble ball manifested, twenty-something inches in diameter. It slowly rotated, floating a foot above the granite, shining with an inner light.

Ariel the Archer, you have the highest DPS in the group, nuclear bomb excluded. What is your wish?

"Err… Do you have any recommendation?"

Analyzing your style, we recommend either more firepower or a flying jetpack.

"I can buy jetpacks a dime a dozen. Firepower! More Firepower," the woman blurted, rushing to touch the orb.

Ariel the Archer, you have been granted a renewable stock of 10 Legendary arrows with their quiver. These arrows will never miss their target. You can set their damage to either extreme piercing, for a solo target, or AOE explosion, to deal with groups. Rate of recharge: 1 per day.

"Yey!" the woman cheered.

"Congrats, Ariel," Isolde said.

Tristan von Melk, you have provided an impenetrable defense. What is it that you wish for?

Money for nothing, like that song Caterina listens to all the time…

Tristan walked calmly and grabbed the sphere with both hands.

"The System I carry has a flaw. It was built to take into account trivial Earth trivia and doesn't recognize my true intellect…" He paused, frowning and shaking his left fist at Eliza, who was laughing her heart out, bent in two. "I wish to have my Mind stats mended."

This wish is impossible to fulfill, as it would require a lengthy investigation and testing. However, an item will be provided that raises your weaker stats and plays to your strengths. Tristan von Melk, choose between a weapon and a piece of armor.

"Weapon," Tristan said immediately. He missed his spear, mostly his dagger.

Any weapon or one in particular?

"A spear like I used to have, with a detachable head that could become a dagger, and a shaft that could be used as a staff."

The Admins have detected your former weapon in the Colosseum's storage and summoned it, enchanting it to suit your wish. As an adjacent reward, all the possessions that have been confiscated from you and your friends when you were emprisoned, communication devices included, were returned to their rightful owners.

You have been gifted the Legendary spear Falling Star. This three-in-one weapon enhances all your stats by 10% and your Dexterity and Agility by 100%. Any wound you inflict with the spear will deliver delayed explosive damage, with a timer between 1 and 10 seconds, at your choice. As a dagger, it always inflicts critical damage and has enhanced penetration. If smashed on the ground, the staff triggers a powerful AOE shock that hurts enemies but spares friends. All forms can be recalled to your hands and will regenerate and teleport to your location within a day if destroyed. This spear comes in a default black color but can be changed at will. This weapon has the potential to evolve to Mythical if you perform great feats with it.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

A spear appeared on the ground, in front of him. The shaft was a hand shorter than his normal weapon, but that meant it was more wieldy. Underneath its black color, fine lines of energy were running in intricate patterns. The gray-blue head was his family heirloom, the same wide dagger, which was a good thing, since any small cut could trigger an explosion.

"Neat!" Tristan said, taking the spear in his hand. It felt like it had always belonged there.

Gurt the Guardian, with your impeccable tanking, you have saved more than one life, more than one time. State your wish.

The woman approached the heartstone and placed her right hand on it. The item stopped spinning.

"I want an armor that could resist the most extreme damage and would not restrain my movements. I'm tired of buying a new set of clothes after every fight," she gestured with her left hand at her attire, all in tatters.

Choose between a Dragonskin armor that would enhance your DPS or an armor made from the tusks of a Behemoth that would make you next to invulnerable.

"I'll take the second one," Gurt said. "I'm a tank, and tanking is what I like to do."

This time, the armor appeared directly on her. It was made from ivory plates, linked together with gold threads. She pumped her fist up, her face filled with joy.

Eliza de Lavalois, you have delivered the killing blow. What do you wish for?

Eliza was already near the orb and pressed her hand against it.

"I have a quest about finding an elusive vampire. Can you give me a tracker or something similar?"

We could, but the compass will point toward the closest vampire, which is you. When your storage is restored, you will find in there a book with specific tracking spells and other tips on how to find the one you seek.

"Thanks," Eliza sighed.

Koshchei, the former knyaz, hut, now Gundam. You put together the plan that delivered victory. What do you wish for?

"May I ask some questions first?"

We will answer one question. Our main task is restoring the controls.

"Why do you recommend starting the Tower from the first floor?"

We recommend starting it from the LOBBY, not the first floor. Legendary and Mythical adventurers such as you will be transported to a special lounge, from which they can access multiple quests and floors. Keep in mind that every floor has its uses, from farming or crafting to fighting.

Also, this floor will be redesigned to address the flaws that made it fail under the Evil Slime's influence. Many intergalactic factions expressed interest in settling their differences through team combat and duels rather than all-out war. Transporting yourself in the middle of a lethal match would be less than ideal for all parties involved. Thus, it is recommended you check into the LOBBY first. For further information, please access the provided manual.

"Can I offer my wish to my old friend Volwodyn?" the robot asked.

"What? You're really turning into a good person, Koshchei?" Isolde scoffed.

Volwodyn, you will receive an enhanced reward. State your wish.

"I wish to be able to change sizes as I wish, so I could sleep in a normal bed, without fearing I'll crush my wife in sleep," the half giant said hurriedly.

Go to the hearthstone and touch it before repeating your demand.

Stretching, the giant did as asked, speaking his wish for a second time. In the next few seconds, he diminished to half, together with his clothes.

"Thank you," the now normal-sized man bowed.

Isolde the Valkyrie, you have ensured the raid's survival through your timely discovery of the Evil Slime, saved the youngest Raid member and the Tank from certain death, and sped up the overall progress by 50%. What is your wish?

"Can you revive our lost comrades?" Isolde asked after touching the orb.

We cannot. The Slime consumed their bodies beyond the Rezz possibilities of this Tower. Please state another wish. As per the ones who died on the other side of the portal, we cannot access their bodies.

"What does it mean by that?" Gurt asked.

"Three of your comrades sacrificed themselves fighting against a horde of gargoyles so we could pass," Koshchei rushed to say.

"Yeah, true heroes," Tristan lowered his head, pretending he was wiping a tear.

"We owe them our lives," Eliza said, more convincingly than the other two.

"Rest in peace," Volwodyn said solemnly.

Isolde the Valkyrie, your wish, please.

"I gathered a group of orphans who were transformed into chimeras by an evil entity—"

"None other than the one and only Koshchei the Immortal, here present," Eliza muttered under her breath.

"Do you mind?" Isolde frowned.

"Sorry," Eliza raised her hands up in apology.

The Tower board advises all adventurers to refrain from sarcasm.

"I said sorry, didn't I?" Eliza groaned.

"We tried many methods to help them, but we failed. I wish to be able to cure them," Isolde continued.

A selfless wish. The board grants you a Class Evolution and enough XP to reach your System's hundredth level. You are now a Paladin Valkyrie with the Mythical Skill Truth be Told. This skill is an evolution of Perfect Mend and can reverse the deepest curses or alterations. Don't be afraid to be creative with it, as it is one of the most versatile and powerful abilities ever recorded.

All but 7 of your free Attribute Points were invested to reach 100 in Arcane Power, Truth's Strength, and Soul Resonance so you could use this skill. Be aware that this ability will work only on targets whose current situation doesn't reflect their inner truth. It will not work on yourself, for instance, as your current self has evolved past your normal human limits.

"I'll be fine. Thank you," Isolde whispered, crying.

Even if a bit envious of all the XP she received, Tristan patted her back. She had been his second in command, after all, and had gone through a lot. The thought that she had to eat her mare to survive sent shivers down his spine.

You will now be transported to an appropriate location, adventurers.