With full bellies and exhausted bodies, the crew had trudged back to the manor house. The sun was low but hadn't quite dipped bellow the edge of the sky.
James was surprised that there were still a few people waiting in a line at the top of the stairs for Lady Justine.
As they passed her office, the door opened and another unsatisfied townswoman left muttering. Justine gave a soul weary "Next" and another woman strode in.
'She needs a secretary or something, her workload is crazy.'
As they passed James caught Justine's eye and gave a friendly wave, which she returned despondently.
Making their way to his room and after taking a bath, he slumped into the bed. He had been completely drained by the days ups and downs. A thought struck him as he was about to fall asleep.
'I'm such an idiot! My stats… I haven't assigned them since I leveled.'
Facepalming, he reminisced the fight for survival and it felt strangely distant to him.
'I'm so happy everyone made it.. my foolishness almost cost three lives today.'
James felt an immense amount of guilt and it was eating him alive, but he shouldered it down, not wanting to get sucked into a depressive episode.
Before he assigned his stats, James studied his new titles and and had to select one to wear for an active buff.
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[Title: Champion Slayer]
Description: This title grants the user a +3 bonus to all stats when selected. This title was awarded for killing a titled [Champion].
(Note: You may have only one active title displayed at a time)
———————————————————
'That's pretty awesome.. that's a whole free level and a half of stat points. Let's see about this other one.'
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[Title: Dauntless]
Description: This title grants the user a +2 bonus to all stats and a +15% damage reduction from all incoming physical damage when selected. This title was awarded for killing an enemy 30 levels above your own.
(Note: You may have only one active title displayed at a time.
———————————————————
'This one's even better somehow?! What should I choose.. [Champion Slayer] sounds so cool..'
He then studied his new skill, it was the entire reason James went to Galea's shop that afternoon.
[Skill: Small Blades (Level 7)]
Description: Grants user enhanced proficiency with small bladed weapons.
Skill bonus damage: +35% (Level 7)
Sp: 207/1600]
'I'm not exactly sure how all these percentages correlate to increased damage though.. I haven't really had a chance to measure anything other than [Improvised Weapons]. I definitely hit way harder with sticks now, but the increase felt insignificant until it hit level 5 with a 25% increase.'
James pondered his stat selection for a while before deciding how he wanted his 'build' to progress.
'Aww screw it.. I'm only level 8. It'll be easy to get more stats later if I mess it up. It's only 60 points.'
"Character sheet."
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(Player: James)
[Race: Human] [Age: 15] [Title: Dauntless]
Level: 8
Exp: 5280/8000
Attributes
Str: 25+2
Int: 20+2
Wis: 15+2
Con: 20+2
Spd: 30+2
Unallocated points: 2
Skills: Entoxicating Scent (Disabled), Improvised Weapon (Level 5), Identify, Small Blades (Level 7)
Perks: Male, Unblocked, Oathbound(Master/2)
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James hit accept and left 2 points unassigned. He wasn't going to have an ugly looking character sheet if he had anything to say about it.
'Woah I can totally feel the effects already, this is awesome-'
Burning pain tore through his body as his mind was assaulted by cold needles.
He was shaking in agony as he tried to choke down screams but he couldn't take it as he felt his nerves twist and reshape. His bones elongated slightly became more dense, his body shivered uncontrollably as the deep ache pounded in time with his racing heart.
He could feel his brain melt as the cold needles were replaced by flowing rivers of lava.
And then, it was over.
Gasping, James lay still in the bed while clenching his eyes tightly. He had been held hostage by this random torture for 10 minutes.
Slowly, he opened his eyes blinking away a heavy crust. He saw several things at once, feeling his mind operating at top speed.
Firstly, Victoria and Emily were kneeling on either side of the bed with horrified expressions. The next was the smell, a stench of burning hair and heavy blood permeated the room.
The scent led James to the conclusion that the dark crust coating his body was infact blood. His sheets were ruined by a red misty pattern that had outlined his body. The dark red expelled from him had spurted away up to the edges of the bed.
The mist had reached Emily and Veronica as well, splattering all over their visible faces.
James might been terrified by the sight if he hadn't guessed all the blood was originally his.
He weakly croaked out, "Water…" while extending a hand.
Both woman immediately retrieved a water skin from their inventory's and placed them at his lips.
He sucked in big gulps, feeling instant relief from while his strength returned. It was actually rather impressive how much he drank but with both water skins to his mouth, he couldn't keep up the pace.
"Mmmghgg" he tried, hoping they would would get the message.
This seemed to only further worry the women as they tilted the angle sharper, letting more water flow.
*gurrgle* "MMHHFFMM" *gurrgle" "MMMFFHHmmm…"
James was choking for air and had sucked water into his lungs accidentally. In terror, he realized he was going to be drowned in his bed.
'It was a good life… short… but good… I'll watch over you both from heaven..'
James's farewell speech came to an end when he noticed his coughing was ejecting water and no more had come to replace it.
Taking a deep breath, he gave the stink eye to his companions, "Thanks for the water… You MORONS! Were you trying to kill me?!"
Emily and Veronica's already ashamed expressions grew deeper as the both instantly bowed their heads for forgiveness.
They were both kneeling on opposite sides of his body and as they bowed, their heads thudded off one another.
Reeling from the blow, they turned slightly and resumed their bow.
"I'm sorrry James!" Emily cried out.
"Forgive me!" Veronica's voice echoed.
James stared for a moment then laughed, "Gosh, you two are so birdbrained sometimes… All right, enough of that. I was only joking and thank you for the water."
He had reached out to them, a hand on either chin as he pulled their heads up from their repentant poses.
Veronica was cutely pouting and Emily was trying to avoid his gaze as they repeated their apology.
"Now that I'm not being water boarded, could someone explain why my blood wanted to escape my body."
They all looked at one another before Emily responded, "First tell me how many stat points you assigned from leveling."
James was surprised she noticed, "How'd you know I assigned them? But to answer your question, I used them all. Well except 2."
Their horrified expressions came back instantly as Veronica spoke, "You placed almost 60 points at once?! How could you be so reckless, don't you know-"
She had cut herself off as a look of realization washed over her features. It was immediately replaced by a guilty look.
Emily had grasped where Veronica's train of thought had led, she now wore an expression of frustration.
"Stupid. So stupid. Why didn't I realize."
He now recognized Emily's frustration was being directed inwardly.
"James I'm so sorry, we should have thought to tell you about this. If you place a lot of attribute points at one time, it forces your body to catch up with the new threshold you've set. Most people don't let their points build up unless they're undecided about the path they want to take or in your case, defeat an enemy way more powerful than them. To avoid what happened to you, most only assign a maximum of 15 points a day if they have that much to spare."
"So that insane pain from earlier was my body catch up?" James asked, surprised by the revelation.
His companions nodded at his words.
"So basically I just tortured myself for no good reason.. wonderful." James said bitter.
Shame of their oversight reappeared at James's tone.
They both were still kneeling and bowed again, this time their head all the way down onto the bed.
"This was completely our fault, our lack of focus caused you great pain. Please punish us for our lack of care." Veronica's voice trembled with guilt.
Emily agreed with Veronica solemnly, "Please reprimand these foolish servants of yours."
James wasn't surprised by their request but he still tried to decline, "It's fine girls, really. I don't blame either of you, I probably should've asked for guidance on how to assign them in the first place."
The two vehemently disagreed with his decision so James came up with a plan to satisfy everyone. Emily and Veronica would be punished and James would get to play around for a bit.
He got off the bed and started his command, "Okay I won't be nice since you want to be disciplined. Both of you get on floor to the edge of the bed and bend over it, right next each other."
Confused by his order, they looked up questioningly.
"Did I stutter?"
The women moved instantly and did as he asked.
"Now that we're in position… don't make a sound until its over or I'll be forced to increase the punishment. Understood?"
James saw Veronica nodding, but Emily realized her error to late when she said "Yes."
"It looks like we have a volunteer to go first." James said coldly.
In his mind he was going crazy, 'Holy crap this is so awesome, I wonder how far I should take it..'
James reared back his hand and smacked, his fingers sinking deep into Emily's butt.
A strangled *Ahh* escaped her lips before her hands clasped over her mouth.
It seems Veronica understood what was happening and James could see a blush spread as her own hand moved to her mouth in security.
"You're such a bad girl Emily, I told you not to make a sound."
'This is the best day ever..'
This time he slapped her closer to the side and watched, mesmerized by the fat but toned meat jiggle.
Not hearing anything, James smacked again this time squeezing hard before letting go. He reared back once more but suddenly he heard Veronica clear her throat, he wasn't sure if he imagined it but it seemed like she was inviting him over.
"Tsk tsk Veronica, I told you not to make a sound."
Instead of completely releasing Emily, his fingers flexed a few times and traced her curves while he took a step to the left towards Veronica.
In front of him now stood the juiciest bottom he'd ever seen. Unlike Emily, Veronica's didn't lose even a bit of its curve while bent over. James had to hold himself back from burying his face in it.
James slung his arm back and swung a home run hit. His hand had almost disappeared into the soft flesh when struck.
Her ass didn't stop it's bouncing for a full 5 seconds.
"What a lewd backside Veronica, I think you deserve a special punishment." James said breathlessly, not wanting to let a golden opportunity slip away.
He placed his hands on her wide hips and tugged her stretchy pants down to mid thigh. Her ass spilled over as cloth dug into flesh.
Veronica was trembling slightly, her causing her butt to vibrate in a continuous jiggle.
He put one hand on her left cheek gripping it tightly as he smacked the other. He kept slapping until he noticed his hand had become slightly wet when he drew back.
Investigating, he crouched and placed both hands on Veronica. Spreading her open James saw bright pink lips dripping behind a full sack. His face moved closer and he could feel her heat radiating.
James didn't know that his deep breaths were too stimulating for Veronica and her legs gave out slightly as a torrent of cum coated the side of the bed.
James, realizing what he done hurriedly said, "Okay punishments over. I need to go wash off anyhow."
Veronica legs were currently weak so he understood why she didn't move, but Emily had stayed put as well. He was caught off guard when heard Emily cough and say,
"I think I need more 'punishment', I've been a bad girl…"