Chapter 120: Storing Power


    Im d that worked out, Max dered as he leaned back against the carriage they had rented to take them back to the inn. I was a bit nervous when you told them we wouldmit today, but that discount sounds amazing.


    Tan chuckled slightly as she agreed. The fact that he met us told me he would negotiate, and we wille way ahead by not having to give as much back to the Faction. Especially when we are in the tower.


    How much does one normally give? Max asked.


    Its usually twenty percent of whatever you collect, Fowl answered, not opening his eyes as he leaned against the carriage''s wall. Tan is right. It will be a massive gain for us, only having to give ten percent for two years. At the speed at which we progress well, it will be a lot.


    Im surprised you offered him those items so quickly, Max said as he nudged Fowl with his foot. I wasnt sure if you would at first.


    Opening just one eye, Fowl rolled it. Its our home now. Factions work differently than even the adventurers guild. To hold those back would do us no good. As Tan pointed out, the points we earned by turning those in today will have them begging to help us level faster.


    Which means tomorrow we are going to do what?


    Max and Tan looked at Batrire, who was rubbing her left arm with her right hand.


    I guess we will go and kill all the bosses for the dungeons we dont farm anymore. Hopefully, we can get a few good drops, and the experience they give should be worth that grind.


    Batrire nodded, squeezing her arm slightly.


    But we dont need to do the scorpion one, Tan said. Im not sure I want to ever go back in there.


    Max saw Batrire let out the breath she had been holding in, and Tan leaned over and squeezed her knee.


    I guess that means a good meal, a solid night''s rest, and then tomorrow morning we go at first light? Max asked.


    Sounds good to me, Fowl muttered. But a nap now sounds even better.


    After grunting, Batrire elbowed her partner and leaned against him, letting him wrap his arm around her as they rode back to the inn.


    Max nced at Tan, sitting beside him, smiling as she watched Fowl and Batrire rx together.


    You can lean against me if you want, he whispered, motioning to his shoulder.


    A slight redness filled Tans cheek for a moment before she smiled andy her head against the shoulder he offered.


    I got it!


    Max let Fowl handle the dragonkin boss and focused on the two warriors with it. With his new rank in Weapons Master and where his stats were now, killing them was only a one or two-hit process.


    One more! he shouted, taking down the rooted warrior in a single strike. His axe de cut through its skin without any issues now, carving through bone like they were sticks.


    Fowl was standing strong against the boss even though it towered over him by almost five feet.


    It had a shield and carried a massive sword, but nothing it threw at Fowl made it past the dwarven warrior''s defenses.


    Its tail whipped around,ing in to strike as part of abo attack with its sword and shield, but Tan summoned a wall of air, causing it to stop and allowing the dwarf tond a hit against its leg.


    Spinning back around, its sword glowed, chopping at Fowl, who braced for the attack''s impact. It drove the dwarf to his knees, but Max was behind it before it could make a second attack.


    [ Power Strike ]


    His axe head cut clean through the boss''s stomach, sending its top half crashing to the ground.


    Another strike to its neck cut its head off, and Max didnt waste time grabbing the head and storing it while also cutting off the tail.


    [ Consume has Consumed an Ability ]


    [ Ability Rank is lower than Current Rank ]


    [ Power Stored for Future Use ]


    Max sighed, shaking his head.


    Nothing?


    Says the power is stored for future use that has happened a few timestely.


    Grunting, Fowl stood up and stretched, the heals from Batrire taking away his injury from the bosss blow.


    And your skill still says nothing new? Fowl asked, even though he already knew the answer.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the vition.


    [Skill Description - Consume]


    *****


    Consume - Epic Skill: When killing a person, creature, or monster, the skill holder has a chance to consume some of the essence of the one defeated. Health, Stamina, Mana, Stats, and Skills have a chance of being gained. Stats cannot be consumed if current stats are higher. Skills can be upgraded if a higher-rank skill is consumed. No experience may be gained by killing creatures or others. No experience is gained via quests. The power of skills and abilities consumed may be stored for future growth.


    *****


    Just that power can be stored. Im not sure how it works, and it has been quiet on the discussion fronttely.


    Grunting, Fowl moved to the boss and grabbed its sword, knowing it would dissolve if he didnt get it in time.


    That is still a chunk of experience, Tan said as she moved to where both warriors stood fooling around, as usual. Lets get that chest and see if anything is worthwhile.


    The chest had a ring up for grabs, and everyone else passed so Fowl could have it. A bright orange cloak awaited him and soon decorated Fowls back. Someone had mentioned the word <em>pumpkin,</em> which had brought some choice curse words from the dwarf. A pair of red chain gloves went to Max, and both casters found a pair of lizardskin boots.


    Im not sure how I feel about these, Tan said as she held the boots up. It doesnt really match my style.


    Who cares? Batrire replied as she proudly held hers. Both of us need a new pair of boots, and they have to be better than what we are wearing now.


    Fashion, Batrire, fashion. Soon, something with a massive brown spike will be your reward, and dont make me


    Hey now, lets not make fun of me, Max said, cutting off Tan, who was starting tough already.


    Fair point, Batrire said with a sigh. If a brown spike item shows up, I will probably just burn it.


    Laughing, the four of them headed to the portal, ready to head to the next dungeon.


    Ogre humping gods you got to be kidding me


    Fowls curse words finally subsided as the four of them stood there, looking at the portal to the elemental boss.


    Tell me we arent seriously considering this


    Max watched the others as they all stood there looking at Fowl, who shook his head, knowing full well they were going to go in.


    A blue and purple boss portal I mean Tan paused, looking at Batrire, who just nodded in agreement. We just turned everything in yesterday. If we show up with something today


    We still have to beat this thing, Fowl added. It took us four hours to make it through those golems. I cant do jack to them, and they still hurt when they hit. We are about to fight a boss, not just any boss, but one whose room has a portal like that. What if we get in there and we cant leave?


    Then we fight and win, Batrire answered, giving her te-wearing dwarf a shove.


    I guess after this, we hit the scorpion dungeon? Fowl asked.


    Max saw the expression on Batrires face, and Tan hissed at Fowl, who only realized how bad thatment was after he made it.


    If you want, we can, Batrire said quietly. If youre brave enough to go into the boss room, then I guess I cant say no to fighting the scorpion dungeon either.


    Its not the sam


    It is the same, Batrire argued, stopping Tans defense. Fowls right. I made fun of him for being afraid, but Im acting the same way about the scorpions. If he wants me to face my fears, he will need to face his.


    Max could only imagine how thankful Fowl must be for having his te helmet still on, able to hide whatever expression the dwarf must have.


    Gods, if I die, at least tell my parents I went out with a bang.


    So thats a yes? Tan asked.


    The warrior nodded as he strode toward the portal. Warriors first.


    Batrire held out her hand and started to open her mouth, but it was toote. Fowl had already entered the portal.


    That bastard I swear Im going to kill him when we get out of here.


    Grunting, Max moved toward the portal, not wanting to leave his friend in there alone.


    Goblin shite


    Those words filled Maxs ears before he saw what Fowl was cursing about. As his vision returned, the boss filled it.


    Holy dragon balls that thing is


    Massive and there isnt a portal behind us.


    Max spun, seeing both women appear behind him but noticing that there was indeed no portal to escape.


    Turning his eyes to the women, he saw both of them react, their faces going white as they saw the boss, and then turned, realizing there was no way out.


    Im sorry, Batrire said quietly, facing Fowl, still staring at the boss. This is my fault.


    It isnt, Fowl said as he turned to face her and pulled his helm off. A few wet lines were on his face, at some point havinge from his eyes. We would have gone in here eventually. The problem with being stupid is we would have convinced ourselves.


    Turning back to the room, Max took in the massive rock boss. It was easily over fifteen feet tall and had a body that was so thick he wasnt sure how many hits it would take to crack it open. It was at least twice as wide as the other golems they had fought. If the shard was inside it like all the others, he tried to figure out how he could hope to get to it. Well, we need a n. Any thoughts?


    Im just going to let it attack me and not try to die, Fowl said. His voice never wavered, and Max knew that was exactly what Fowl had intended to do. I got a few seconds for my buff, and as long as it doesnt use a crazy overpowered strike like Im betting it has, I should be able to take one of its hits. After that


    No one said anything, as Max understood exactly what this fight meant. Every part of this fight woulde down to him. There would be no one, but him who could damage this as magic basically bounced off the stone.


    <em>Are you there? If you can hear me, we both know Im in a spot and may need your help.</em>


    Laughter echoed in his head, and Max felt the voice inside him respond. It was different than usual.


    <strong><em>This is your doing, not mine. You didnt have to follow that fool in.</em></strong>


    <em>Hes my friend. I wont let him die if I can prevent it.</em>


    <strong><em>So now you will die with them all?</em></strong>


    <em>If I die, you die as well.</em>


    Max put his hands to his temple. The throbbing as theughter in his head grew louder was bing too much.


    <strong><em>Yes, but they will die as well. I am willing to bargain to help, but you must be willing to pay the price</em></strong>


    Seth, are you ok?


    Max knew his face was scrunched, and he looked at Tan and the others who were watching him.


    Im talking with it It wants to make a deal for help.


    What kind of deal? Tan asked.


    Max could see the way her cheeks wrinkled as her face grew tight. She was grimacing.


    I dont know yet, but something tells me Im not sure Ill want to pay the price.