Life Reset: EvP (Environment vs. Player) (New Era Online Book 2) Read online

  LIFE RESET: EvP

  (Environment vs. Player)

  – NEO Book Two –

  SHEMER KUZNITS

  Life Reset: EvP (Environment vs. Player)

  A self-published book by Shemer Kuznits

  Copyright © 2018

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

  may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

  without the express written permission of the publisher

  except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENT

  I’d like to thank my family for supporting my writing, and especially my loving wife, who had to endure long nights with me holed up in my writing den.

  I’d also like to thank the beta readers and proofreaders who helped make this book better: Ian, Jay, Tim, JD, Florian, Chris, Blaise, Jeremy, Jason, Ben, and especially Gaddy and Nadav – my faithful alpha readers.

  Special thanks to my patrons over at Patreon. With their support and encouragement, I was able to take the first step toward becoming a full-time author, reduce my full-time job hours, and dedicate more time to writing.

  Map of Goblin’s Gorge

  1 – New Dawn

  2 – When Monsters Attack

  3 – Break’s Over

  4 – Bonding

  5 – Reality Check

  6 – Post Rehab

  Interlude: The Twins

  7 – Incoming!

  Interlude: Company Meeting

  08 – Monster vs. Monster

  09 – Bullshit

  10 – Penelope

  11 – The Fort

  12 – Inner Demons

  13 – Racial Tensions

  14 – A Totem’s Best Friend

  15 – Who’s the Boss?

  16 – Darkness Rising

  17 – The Mob Squad

  18 – Homecoming

  19 – Lay Off

  20 – Throw Down

  21 – Outsourcing

  22 – Mobilizing

  23 – Preaching to the Choir

  24 – Portent

  25 – Technological Advancements

  26 – Gone Hunting

  Interlude: Vatras

  27 – Loss and Gain

  28 – Re-hunt

  29 – Undermining

  30 – Arena Fight

  31 – Hunting Real Monsters

  32 – Preemptive Measures

  Interlude: GreenPiece Chatroom

  33 – And So, It Begins

  34 – First Wave

  35 – The Enemy You Know

  36 – Second Wave

  37 – Nemesis

  38 – Damage Control

  39 – Expectation

  40 – Epilogue

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  Map of Goblin’s Gorge

  1 – New Dawn

  It was dark outside, the start of another workday for my Shadow-Touched monster clan.

  Leaving my house, I walked toward the edge of the settlement and climbed the ladder to the stone shelf above the entrance to Nihilator’s cave. I’d started calling it Totem’s Watch.

  Looking over the moonlit valley spread before me, I couldn’t help but smile. Two weeks had passed since the Ogre attack on our clan, and all signs of the destruction they had wrought were gone.

  More than that, the expansion and progress of Goblin’s Gorge had leapt forward. Taking advantage of the surge in manpower and resources, as well as the clan’s victory bonus, our little hamlet was growing at a steady pace. The valley was dotted with newly finished buildings and more were under construction. And … we had roads!

  The first new building we’d constructed after the Ogre invasion was a woodcutter’s hut, which increased our logging output by 20 percent. With three lumberjacks feeding logs into the lumber yard, and Woody, the former-lumberjack-turned-woodcutter processing them, our production rate skyrocketed. Last I checked, we were producing nearly 60 units of lumber a day.

  With the wood surplus, I decided it was time to fix the morale issues that had plagued my clan for so long. Zuban, the clans’ constructor, and I had put our heads together to plan and decided to finally build decent lodgings for my followers. Zuban and his crew had already finished eight cabins and were working on the final two. Each cabin housed four goblins. Ten of those would provide enough beds to last us a good while.

  As we had planned, Zuban built the cabins in a row, wall to wall, at the edge of the forest. They would double as a divider between the open land and the forest. It was yet another layer in our defensive strategy, like the thornthistle hedge.

  When the first few cabins were completed, I learned to my chagrin that they didn’t solve the morale issues for all clan members, only that of the workers. The warriors didn’t care about residential sleeping quarters and ordering them to use the cabins didn’t address their morale penalties. Instead, warriors required a proper barracks. Bob, my hobgoblin lieutenant, claimed the barracks would also provide other benefits to my warriors, though he couldn’t specify exactly what they were.

  I guess I’ll find out soon enough, I thought, gazing with satisfaction at the skeleton of the large building being constructed.

  A couple of days ago, Zuban and Romil, our resident goblin researcher, had finally finished researching the blueprints for the barracks. I’d diverted half of my builders – all now highly experienced – to work on it.

  The barracks was going to be a huge structure, even bigger than the mess hall, and it called for a lot of building resources.

  Our lumber yard easily provided the required 80 lumber, and Barzel, the resident goblin smith, managed to produce the 20 metal ingots needed. Stone proved a little more difficult to produce in sufficient quantity, as quarrying was exhausting, slow work.

  But experience had taught me to plan ahead. For the first week, the builders worked exclusively on wooden buildings, namely the cabins, while our two stonemasons built up our stock. We managed to accumulate the required 50 stacks of stone for the barracks.

  To my dark-enhanced vision, the valley was as clear as if it were lit by a noon sun. Below me, a packed dirt road stretched from the mouth of the cave through the settlement, leading all the way toward the forest path. I had learned from Zuban that our latest acquisition, the new hob clan members, were capable of building roads. According to him, all hobgoblins shared a racial feature which gave them an innate understanding of how to build rudimentary fortifications. Building basic roads was part of that. The roads accentuated the layout of the settlement, giving it shape. They also provided easy access for my workers, increasing their speed and consequently the overall efficiency of the settlement by one percent.

  I watched the hustle and bustle of the moonlit valley; my clanmates busily carrying supplies, crafting, producing, and developing our small hamlet. Five hobgoblins were busily expanding the network of roads.

  It was hard to believe only seven weeks had passed since I first established the clan.

  Suddenly a strange feeling came over me. I felt light, unburdened … giddy, almost.

  “Crap.”

  I knew what that meant. I had felt it before.

  Time was slowing down.

  There were travelers nearby.

  ***

  I paced in my house restlessly, looking out the window every few minutes, impatiently waiting for an update.

  At last, there was a knock on the door.

  Ashlazaria – the hobgoblin scout and Zuban’s girlfriend – walked in. My other hobgoblin scout, Yulli, was away with one of the Ogres, escorting the coal mining expeditio
n.

  Towering over me by almost half a goblin height, Ashlazaria bowed her head respectfully.

  “Report.”

  “Yes, Dread Totem.” She straightened. “Six travelers are moving through the forest. They are staying close to the mountainside, fast approaching the valley entrance.”

  I grimaced; that was bad news. At least there were only six. “Describe them in detail.”

  She paused, her eyes becoming distant. “Two of them are wearing robes, one red, one white, no weapons. Two have leather armor, one has two short swords, the other is carrying a large two-hander. They are being led by an elf wearing green clothes and carrying a longbow, possibly a scout.”

  “You said there are six of them,” I reminded her.

  She nodded. “There is another, a dwarf. He is … different. I can’t explain it exactly. He has metal armor, an axe, and a large shield. When I looked at him …” She scowled. “I felt strange when I looked at him. I felt like I wanted to flee for my life. But at the same time, I had to keep myself from attacking him and biting out his throat right then and there.” She shivered. “That one is not normal.”

  So … a traveler scouting party, I reasoned. But what the hell were they doing here, so far away from civilization? It was common knowledge among travelers that this area was not civilized. It would have taken them days to march all the way through the Deadlands, so I didn’t understand their reasons for being here.

  According to Ashlazaria’s description, it sounded like they had a standard party, albeit beefed up; a mage, a healer, a scout, a couple of damage dealers, and a tank.

  Whatever reason they were here for, I couldn’t allow their continued presence. If they kept going as they were for much longer, there was a good chance they would find my clan.

  Just as bad was the fact they brought their accursed ‘slow’ time with them, bringing the town’s development down. The closer they got, the slower we got.

  No, I had to stop them. Permanently. The sooner the better.

  In the past couple of weeks, I’d used my energy points sparingly. Not wishing to spend them all frivolously, I kept them for a time they would be most needed. Now I had a clear and imminent threat to deal with. The time for caution was over.

  I had saved more than 2,000 energy points over a two-week period. That, along with the boost I had gotten from sacrificing Barska, gave me a total of 5,143 EP at my disposal.

  And I knew just where to put them.

  Exiting my house, I walked toward the mess hall.

  I accessed the Settlement Interface and opened ‘Energy Options.’ I had the required energy to promote one of my followers into a boss, but until now, I was undecided as to whom to promote. There were too many factors to consider. The travelers’ presence simplified that decision.

  I needed firepower.

  I came to a stop in front of a massive drowsing Ogre, the only one currently in Goblin’s Gorge. The hulking Ogres represented a fearsome fighting force. An Ogre boss would be even more deadly. That was what I now needed.

  “Get up,” I ordered the snoring beast.

  No response.

  Vic, wake him up.

 

  My purple, cloak-shaped companion disengaged from my shoulders, flowing across the Ogre’s body and wrapping around his head.

  With a yelp, the Ogre leapt to his feet and began clawing at his face, trying to remove the madly giggling Vic.

  That’s enough, Vic.

  Disengaging himself from the startled Ogre, Vic returned to perch around my shoulders.

  The Ogre towered above me. His massively powerful body was easily ten times my weight, and I wasn’t the small goblin I used to be.

  Finally noticing the goblin standing at his feet, the Ogre acknowledged me. “Mas-Ter.”

  “It’s your lucky day,” I informed him. “Seeing as your friend is currently away from the valley, you have been selected for a promotion.”

  Accessing the Boss Options menu, I clicked on Promote Boss, focusing on the Ogre before me.

  Promote: Ogre, Level 13, to: Boss [Tier 1], Cost: 1,000 EP. Yes/No?

  Yep.

  Another prompt appeared before me. That’s new.

  Please select boss type:

  Ogre Berserker: A whirling unstoppable and uncontrollable force of destruction. Will only stop fighting when either it or all enemies are dead.

  Boss Bonus Skills: Blind Rage, Lash Out [AoE]

  Ogre Ravager: Wild fighter that excels at delivering high damage attacks at specific targets.

  Boss Bonus Skills: Smash, Shockwave [AoE]

  Ogre Gladiator: A cunning fighter who knows how to exploit the surroundings and enemy weaknesses. Gain access to mana-based skills.

  Boss Bonus Skills: Dirty Tricks, Terrible Roar [AoE]

  I found it weird that I didn’t see ‘Ogre Chief’ or ‘Ogre Mage’ among the options. Those were the typically encountered Ogre bosses.

  Vic remarked offhandedly.

  So these are the available boss types that will follow my commands?

 

  I nodded. The Ogre Berserker and Ravager were basically just enhanced versions of the standard Ogres; that wouldn’t do. If I was going to have another boss in the clan, one who would assume command in my absence, I needed him to be able to use his head. Even though Ogres were not the best candidates for the role of an intelligent second officer, the need for a combat-oriented ally was the prime requirement.

  “I name you Rhynorn Bloodore,” I said and selected ‘Ogre Gladiator.’

  The brute before me began to change. He grew a full Ogre-head taller and his muscles swelled. Bone plates grew out and around his shoulders, elbows, and knees, covering them with a thick armor. The plates then grew sharp bone spikes, arming the already deadly beast with even more weapons. Barbaric tattoos seeped across his skin, etched in deepest black.

  But the most striking change was in his demeanor; the Ogre’s vapid expression turned cunning and predatory. He looked down at me, weighing me with a searching, penetrating gaze. Measuring me.

  He was still butt-ugly though.

  Vic informed me unnecessarily. I could feel the power of the creature’s presence for myself, causing my Dangersense to tingle.

  “Welcome to the Green Pee– grrahhh!”

  The Ogre had wrapped his ham-sized hand around my neck and lifted me effortlessly to his eye level.

  “I BE THE CHAMPION!” he declared with copious spraying of Ogre spit. His enunciation of the words was surprisingly clear … for an Ogre. “You serve the champion now! GO, find more fights for me, and bring me much food and females!”

  Ohhhh, hell no. This wasn’t going well at all. I thought you said he wouldn’t challenge me! I projected accusingly at Vic.

 

  I stared the gladiator down, pouring mana into a spell. “You are here to serve me.”

  With those words, I released my mana and cast an empowered web. Shadowy ropes leapt out of the ground and wrapped the Ogre in a dark, entangling net, ensnaring him.

  I wriggled and managed to escape the grasp of the suddenly incapacitated creature, slipping through my own net like it wasn’t there. I had to hurry; the effect would only hold a few seconds against this beast. I commanded the Sacrificial Bone Dagger out of my belt and to hover in front of his eyes.

  “You listen here,” I said in my most confident and threatening voice. “I am the chief of this clan, and you are my second. Obey me, and you will have your fights and all the food you want. Getting you some females might take some time though.”

&n
bsp; The Ogre’s muscles bulged and strained. With a quick jerk of his hands, he ripped them free from the web. He looked down at me, his eyes full of malevolence. Then he looked up at the dagger, still hovering in front of his eyes and seemed to be considering my words.

  After a long moment, he finally bowed his head. “You arrange fights and bring me many foods. I will list-ten to you … for now.”

  Barter skill level increased to 9.

  I was nonplussed. He’s going to list ten of what? Ohh jeez, he means listen. Nihilator help me when this blinding light tries to say ‘Dread Totem.’

  “Well, you’re in luck,” I said dryly. “There’s an enemy approaching as we speak, and we are going to put them down. Speaking of luck …” I concentrated and granted him the Lucky Bastard skill.

  Analyze.

  Rhynorn Bloodore, Ogre Gladiator [Boss, Tier 1]

  Level: 13 (10%)

  HP: 300, MP: 165

  Attributes: P: 16, M: 2, S: -1

  Skills: Powerful 22, Blunt Weapons 20, Dirty Tricks 10, Terrible Roar 10, Lucky Bastard 1

  Traits: Ogre (+4 P, -2 M, -2 S), Frenzy (when below 100 HP), Boss Boon I (10 HP & 5 MP per level; +2P, +1M, +1S, +20% Magic Resist, +10 Armor), Shadow-Touched

  Resistances: Armor 45, Physical 75%, Magic 50%

  Background: Once little more than a feral beast, now uplifted to Boss Rank by a goblin Dread Totem.

  Huh, an Ogre with points in Mental attribute. It explained his relatively sophisticated speech.

  That was a good thing. Simply having points in Mental didn’t mean the person was a spellcaster. Many Physical-oriented creatures used mana for special, non-magical skills. A martial artist, for example, was a melee combatant who used mana for special martial maneuvers. That thought made me curious about what an Ogre Kung-Fu master would look like. Too bad it wasn’t one of the available options.

  We didn’t have much time. According to Ashlazaria, the travelers would reach the valley entrance soon. We had to intercept them before they discovered our settlement.