Monroe

Chapter Three Hundred and Ninety-Eight. For the herd!

"Bob, I think I speak for all of us when I say that I love you, but next time, we're just going to blitz through at tier eight," Amanda said as she leaned back into her chair.

Bob looked around the table and found everyone nodding in agreement.

"This may have been a bit much," he conceded as he rubbed Monroe's ears.

"One more," Jessica sighed. "I can't even express how much I want an ice cream."

"Chocolate," Amanda agreed dreamily.

"A-1 sauce," Mike mumbled, his eyes distant.

"Heathen," Jack accused.

"On a good steak, sure," Mike replied, "but some of the monster meat could do with being drenched in A-1."

Jack hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "On that note, cocktail sauce."

"You wouldn't believe the shopping list I have for when we get back," Dave said. "I'm going to have a few spatially expanded crates with stasis chambers setup, and we're going to have enough condiments for a decade."

Bob could only nod.

Feeding themselves wasn't difficult. They all had the baseline System granted harvest ability which allowed them to harvest monsters or resources in a Dungeon, and at this point, everyone, even Mike and Jack, was able to cast a plant growth spell without the System, ensuring a fresh supply of fruit and vegetables. That also took care of their herb and spice needs to a degree. Anything that required extensive preparation just wasn't feasible due to their time constraints. A sprig of rosemary, basil, or thyme? Not a problem. Tomato sauce? Ketchup? Mustard? These were problems as they took too long to make.

He was planning on reworking the garden to include chickens, as he missed eggs.

They had finished the eighty-third Dungeon the day before and had gathered for lunch after sleeping off the five days of frenetic activity.

"So, we need to clear Meluban and Jupryal," Bob grimaced.

The first two cities they'd liberated had been in stasis ever since. He hadn't realized at the time that he could open an Arcane Depths inside of the Dungeon and effectively keep it active, giving the residents time to level up and adjust before being brought back into the world.

"We just need to grind them down to zero, which shouldn't take more than a couple of days for both," Mike said. "I checked the imagery, and those are the only two Dungeons still overflowing monsters. We clear those, take a vacation for a week or two to give the monsters from those Dungeons to dissipate, and then finish the last one. Then we collect our well-earned rewards and head home."

"And level up," Amanda added.

"And level up," Dave agreed.

"I can only imagine how bad it's been for you lot," Jessica shook her head. "I think it's easier for me, not having a triple affinity."

"I can't speak for Jack, but my Armor, Parry, and Axe skills have been capped for a while now," Mike added, while Jack nodded as well.

"I'm capped at one hundred and twenty-eight on my Summon Mana-Infused Creature spell," Bob admitted. "I would need to level up and spend a skill point to unlock the next threshold."

"I'm at one hundred and thirty-six," Bailli smiled. "I spent the point to unlock the next threshold, but at three hundred and twenty-million experience for each level, it's going to take a month of sixteen-hour days to push it to level one hundred and forty-two."

"Ditto," Dave and Amanda chorused.

"It's a little intimidating to consider just how powerful we've become in such a short span of time," Erick mused. "I don't think that anyone in Harbordeep, save for the King, was as powerful as I am now. It's humbling."

"I'm sure other people will have leveled up while we have been gone," Eddi said. "The Endless wouldn't slack off," he concluded confidently.

"The Old Guard have," Mike shook his head. "Can't blame them, really. Bob gave them a second chance at life, and they're determined to enjoy it this time around."

"All I did was throw a few rituals," Bob shook his head. "Honestly, it was you and Waters who picked up the ball and ran with it."

"Sure," Mike rolled his eyes.

"It might be a bit premature, but what is everyone planning on doing when we get back?" Bob asked.

"We both need to visit our families," Harv said, nodding to Eli. "They knew we'd be gone for a while, but not this long."

"I'm guessing my folks are still on Thayland, as well as the brat," Jessica smiled. "If not, I'll hang about and catch them when we head to Earth."

"Wayna and I are getting married," Eddi burst out excitedly while Wayna beamed and pulled him into a hug. "It'll probably take a week or so to get everything arranged, but I'd love to have all of you there." He looked at Bob, eyes wide and pleading. "I'd like to follow some of the Earth customs, and have you stand as my best man?"

"I'd be honored," Bob said slowly.

Quest Complete!

The planet Url has drawn too much energy, for too long. The System requires your aid to disperse the energy.

Correct overflow condition for all Dungeons on Url. 84/84

This is a mandatory quest. Failure to complete this quest will result in sanctions.

This quest supersedes the hidden quest 'Planetary First Clear,' and the value of the reward for that quest will be used to increase the reward for this one.

Reclamation protocol active.

Save the Urlinad. 8,104,827/8,104,827. Perfect completion, rewards increased.

Quest completed at tier ten by tier eight users. Rewards increased.

Average level of Urlinad users increased from zero to eight. Rewards increased.

Zero manifestations active on planetary mass. Rewards increased.

"Here we go," Amanda said gleefully, rubbing her hands together.

Dave pulled her close to his side before kissing her temple. "My little loot goblin," he chuckled.

"Come on, big money!" Jack cheered.

They had taken three weeks after clearing the final Dungeon before completing the quest, giving the monsters that escaped time to dissipate.

Rather than displaying their rewards, the System window flickered.

Reclamation protocol complete.

All users possess the Saviour Achievement.

Perfect Completion.

Reclamation Species level advancement.

Zero Manifestations.

Uplift protocol enacted.

"Oh god, not another quest," Jack muttered.

Uplift protocol active.

Users have demonstrated care and consideration for the species 'Urlinad' beyond what was required for the Reclamation Quest.

In place of the rewards for this quest, the users may choose to uplift the Urlinad.

The Urlinad will gain the following attributes.

- Urlinad will be born as a tier seven species.

- Urlinad will gain a random natural affinity for one of the following Divine Schools of Magic: Plant, Earth, Air, or Water.

- Urlinad will gain a natural affinity for Wisdom.

- Urlinad will gain the skill 'System Blessed'. This skill increases the efficiency of the user's physical body, reducing the amount of food and water required to sustain themselves by one percent per tier the user has obtained.

- Urlinad will gain the skill 'Stronger Together'. This skill increases the maximum size a group can reach before a Dungeon will increase the number of manifestations. This increase is equal to the tier of the user and does not stack.

- Urlinad will gain the skill 'For the Herd!'. This skill increases all damage dealt and decreases all damage received from manifestations in a Dungeon by one percent for each user present that possesses this skill.

If all twelve users agree, all benefits of the Uplift protocol will be granted. If only ten users agree, the last benefit listed will be lost. Additional benefits will be lost for each two users that do not agree.

Would you like to Uplift the Urlinad?

Y/N

"Oh, for fuck's sake," Amanda grumbled.

"It's not even going to show us the rewards?" Jessica complained. "That's dirty pool, yeah?"

Bob sighed.

He had just wanted a planetary first clear bonus and a chance to grind out some levels. He'd gotten the latter, but the System seemed bound and determined to deny him the first.

"Ok," Bob said loudly, cutting through the grumbling. "Let's take a day, talk it over and figure out what we want to do."

"Do we really have a choice?" Erick asked, his voice soft but firm. "We have the opportunity to drastically enhance the survivability of eight million people. Can we turn away from that and selfishly choose a reward that benefits a dozen of us?"

"I really, really want my reward," Eddi shook his head. "But it's not eight million people. It's every Urlinad that will be born this year. And the next. And the next, forever." He sighed. "As a member of the Endless, I have to think about the best way to help people. This isn't saving everyone on Earth, but it's still pretty damn big, and it's all on us."

"Shit," Amanda mumbled. "I'm never getting my sweet, sweet loot, am I?"

"At least the System isn't showing you the rewards you're giving up," Dave consoled her.

"Can't miss what we don't have," Jack shrugged. "Does anyone really want to say no?"

Jessica looked at Bob and grinned. "I don't think we need the day," she teased.

"We're adventurers," Eli said proudly. "We aren't in it for crystals or fame or shiny loot."

"We're here to help," Harv agreed. "Because that's what Adventurers do."

Bob swallowed, looking around the table. "For the herd?" He asked.

His friends replied as one, "For the Herd!"

Congratulations!

A group of sapient beings has reached your planet and been tasked to remove the overflow condition from the Dungeons.

Once the overflow condition of the Dungeons has been eliminated, you will be released from stasis. At this point, you will be responsible for keeping the Dungeons from overflowing.

The names of your Saviours will be made available, permanently, to all the users they save.

Rejoice! You have been saved.

The following beings have risked their lives to save yours.

Robert Whitman

Dave Coffman

Amanda Rigosi

Jessica Wright

Jack Scalligo

Mike Hanson

Wayna Albright

Eddi Galyon

Bailli Holmstead

Erick Northrup

Haveste Elidon

Eli Vickers

You have been Uplifted.

Rather than accept their reward, your saviors have chosen to sacrifice it in favor of uplifting your entire race.

The Urlinad will receive the following benefits.

- Urlinad will be born as a tier seven species.

- Urlinad will gain a random natural affinity for one of the following Divine Schools of Magic: Plant, Earth, Air, or Water.

- Urlinad will gain a natural affinity for Wisdom.

- Urlinad will gain the skill 'System Blessed'. This skill increases the efficiency of the user's physical body, reducing the amount of food and water required to sustain themselves by one percent per tier the user has obtained.

- Urlinad will gain the skill 'Stronger Together'. This skill increases the maximum size a group can reach before a Dungeon will increase the number of manifestations. This increase is equal to the tier of the user and does not stack.

- Urlinad will gain the skill 'For the Herd!'. This skill increases all damage dealt and decreases all damage received from manifestations in a Dungeon by one percent for each user present that possesses this skill.

Tyolad blinked as he found himself standing amongst a crowd in front of a Dungeon entrance. He recognized the area as Kulaod, although he could barely discern the city walls, they were so overgrown.

He raised himself up with a pillar of Earth and shouted to be heard. "By the Storm and sky, be silent!" He bellowed.

The crowd quieted, and he looked over them, recognizing his clergy close by. "As the gods foretold, we have been returned to our world to find it changed! But we have changed as well! We now possess the power to rebuild our city, to grow our crops, and to repel any predator that would seek to hunt us!"

The crowd bellowed in approval, several shooting off blasts of magic into the sky.

"As you can see, they were not content with saving us but have chosen to sacrifice their own power to reward us!" Tyolad shouted over the chaos. "Many of you heard them deny their divinity as they guided us to our challenges, aiding us through our tribulations," he began. "It is not their way to offer us such direct aid, so they posed as their Avatars! Now, they have returned their domains, but not before gifting us beyond measure! We shall notforget what they have done for us! Let every voice be raised, for our gods have shown us their approval!"

Bob felt suddenly empty, and a quick check of his inventory confirmed that the Urlinad he'd been carrying inside were missing.

"Did everyone else just lose their passengers?" Bob asked.

"Yep," Amanda confirmed, followed by agreement from everyone else.

"I'm guessing that was some sort of System shenanigans," Bob shook his head. "Well, I suppose it's time to..."

A System window appeared in front of him.

New Achievement!

Reclaimer.

You were tasked by the System to reclaim a lost race of energy users, locked away in stasis as their planet suffered from an excess of energy, making their return to circulate that energy impossible.

You completed the quest, exceeding the Systems request and preparing that species for their new, much-improved lives under the glorious perfection of the System.

You then sacrificed what would have been a greatly enhanced reward for not only completing the task set before you, but also the reward for a planetary first clear, choosing instead to vastly increase the efficiency of the species you saved.

All of these factors have greatly increased the value of this Achievement.

Reward: User may select a Persistent Reclaimed Skill. This skill will remain throughout species and path evolutions, as well as reincarnation. This skill will have a base level equal to the user's level. The user will be able to select threshold bonuses but will not need to allocate any skill points to do so. The base level of this skill is considered to be the user's level, and all experience and threshold requirements are calculated from that.

Anyone who venerates the user will be able to allocate a skill point and benefit from the user's Persistent Reclaimed Skill.

"I take it all back," Amanda squealed happily. "Quick, let's find another planet to save!"