The Kartoss Gambit (The Way of the Shaman: Book #2) Read Online Free PDF Page B
Author: Vasily Mahanenko
strained all I could, heaving my whole body against it, but the beast that was pushing on the other side just wouldn't let me do it. Moreover, gradually, centimetre by centimetre the door began to open. At some point a mist-covered appendage slipped through the crack that formed. Inside the house the mist dissipated and I could see four sharp claws in the twilight. What is this, an overgrown wolverine? The claws dug into the door and left deep marks — exactly the same as those on the village gates. Was I suppose to think that this is the way the local youth got its kicks? It'll become a running joke if it gets around the village tomorrow — how the Shaman got scared by children's pranks. I was about to stop resisting, but then a message popped up:
Energy level: 30. Stop, you angry Shaman!
This was the automatic message I put in place back at the mine to stop myself biting the dust from the Energy loss. This was no joking matter. It's not like the local kids would have the strength to demolish my Energy in a matter of seconds. This is something else.
But what this something was I didn't have a chance to find out. A couple of seconds later a message flashed that my Energy had gone down to zero and I froze like a broken doll. Unlike in the mines, in the main gameworld Energy can be easily restored from zero, even without the aid of water. But until it is restored to at least ten points, the player freezes like a wax figure.
Another blow on the door threw me far back into the room and already mid-flight I saw some grey shadow speed after me. There was no mist around it, but in the darkness of the room I could not make out what it was. Only one thing was clear — the beast had two arms and two legs. Or four appendages, to sum it up. Why did I put out the lamp before leaving? That way I'd know what I was dealing with now. There was a flash of four sharp claws: a sharp pang of pain and the surrounding twilight became even darker. So, my house is not much of a castle, it would seem. Though it's not like it's really my house — I was getting ahead of myself.
There was a flash and it seemed to me that I almost immediately found myself at the entrance to the local cemetery. A very symbolic respawning point. A small temple stood a few meters away from me, shading me from the bright morning sun. Looks like that unidentified beast did get me in the end, and the compulsory twelve hours from the moment of death went by in a flash. Great.
I was about to head to the temple when I found myself staring angrily at a message that popped up:
Attention!
In connection with your death, your level of Experience has been reduced by 30%. Current Experience: 199; points remaining until next level 1201.
I checked my purse. That's right, it now contained only three thousand gold. The other half was lying in the summer house. I could only hope that no-one had come in and laid their hands on it. It should have been somewhere behind the bed and not really visible from the door.
But what was it that got me? Despite the fact that I had 680 Hit Points and 230 Physical defence, the beast sent me for a respawn with a single blow. I looked into the combat logs, hoping that this feature had become unlocked since my leaving the mine. Yes! Now we'll read what it was that swatted me. I switched on the filter for the damage sustained in the last thirty hours and saw several lines:
23:45:23 Damage taken. 28 (258 'Door hit' — 230 'Physical defence'). Hit Points remaining: 652
23:45:26 Damage taken. 28 (258 'Door hit' — 230 'Physical defence'). Hit Points remaining: 624
23:45:39 Damage taken. 28 (258 'Hit against the wall' — 230 'Physical defence'). Hit Points remaining: 596
23:45:41 Damage taken. 24762 (24998 'Unknown' — 230 'Physical defence'). Hit Points remaining: 0.
I looked at the messages dumbfounded. That was some swatting! Twenty five thousand damage can be inflicted by a mob that's no less than level 70. But where
Energy level: 30. Stop, you angry Shaman!
This was the automatic message I put in place back at the mine to stop myself biting the dust from the Energy loss. This was no joking matter. It's not like the local kids would have the strength to demolish my Energy in a matter of seconds. This is something else.
But what this something was I didn't have a chance to find out. A couple of seconds later a message flashed that my Energy had gone down to zero and I froze like a broken doll. Unlike in the mines, in the main gameworld Energy can be easily restored from zero, even without the aid of water. But until it is restored to at least ten points, the player freezes like a wax figure.
Another blow on the door threw me far back into the room and already mid-flight I saw some grey shadow speed after me. There was no mist around it, but in the darkness of the room I could not make out what it was. Only one thing was clear — the beast had two arms and two legs. Or four appendages, to sum it up. Why did I put out the lamp before leaving? That way I'd know what I was dealing with now. There was a flash of four sharp claws: a sharp pang of pain and the surrounding twilight became even darker. So, my house is not much of a castle, it would seem. Though it's not like it's really my house — I was getting ahead of myself.
There was a flash and it seemed to me that I almost immediately found myself at the entrance to the local cemetery. A very symbolic respawning point. A small temple stood a few meters away from me, shading me from the bright morning sun. Looks like that unidentified beast did get me in the end, and the compulsory twelve hours from the moment of death went by in a flash. Great.
I was about to head to the temple when I found myself staring angrily at a message that popped up:
Attention!
In connection with your death, your level of Experience has been reduced by 30%. Current Experience: 199; points remaining until next level 1201.
I checked my purse. That's right, it now contained only three thousand gold. The other half was lying in the summer house. I could only hope that no-one had come in and laid their hands on it. It should have been somewhere behind the bed and not really visible from the door.
But what was it that got me? Despite the fact that I had 680 Hit Points and 230 Physical defence, the beast sent me for a respawn with a single blow. I looked into the combat logs, hoping that this feature had become unlocked since my leaving the mine. Yes! Now we'll read what it was that swatted me. I switched on the filter for the damage sustained in the last thirty hours and saw several lines:
23:45:23 Damage taken. 28 (258 'Door hit' — 230 'Physical defence'). Hit Points remaining: 652
23:45:26 Damage taken. 28 (258 'Door hit' — 230 'Physical defence'). Hit Points remaining: 624
23:45:39 Damage taken. 28 (258 'Hit against the wall' — 230 'Physical defence'). Hit Points remaining: 596
23:45:41 Damage taken. 24762 (24998 'Unknown' — 230 'Physical defence'). Hit Points remaining: 0.
I looked at the messages dumbfounded. That was some swatting! Twenty five thousand damage can be inflicted by a mob that's no less than level 70. But where
Similar Books
The Fifth Script: The Lacey Lockington Series - Book One
Ross H. Spencer
Chosen for Death
Kate Flora
Emerald Isle
Barbra Annino
The Revelations of Preston Black (Murder Ballads and Whiskey Book 3)
Jason Jack Miller
Chaos
Sarah Fine
Sacred and Profane
Faye Kellerman
Of Dukes and Deceptions
Wendy Soliman
Time-Travel Bath Bomb
Jo Nesbø
Home Before Dark
Susan Wiggs
Blue Star Rapture
JAMES W. BENNETT