Apocalypse Tamer

Chapter 21: Man vs Angel

It took until nightfall for Vasi to complete her preparations.

In stark contrast with the ease at which she blasted an undeads face into oblivion, the witch took her time to draw a complex circle on the churchs grounds. She traced symbols on the dirt with her broomsticks shaft as Basil watched, humming a song to herself.

Meanwhile, Plato trained with his new sword near the river and Shellgirl sorted through the various trophies gathered from the teams latest victims.

Two gold teeth, a pair of rusted iron gauntlets, and best of all Shellgirl showcased a bloated blue organ wriggling in her hand. An undying liver!

You found an undying liver? Vasi looked over her shoulder and grinned when she noticed the nauseous treasure. Thats marvelous! Can I take it?

What use could you have for an undeads liver? Basil asked with slight disgust. Imagining his organs living on after his demise soured his stomach.

The witchs eyes flared with horror as if he had blasphemed in her presence. Are you kidding? You can use undying livers to craft highly efficient detox potions! It wipes away drunkenness and hangovers in an instant!

We would make a killing selling this to the orc tribe down the stream! Shellgirl snapped her fingers, an idea crossing her mind. We could make a package with beer and wine!

Whatever, Basil replied, leaving the two ladies to decide what to do about the organ. Shellgirl swiftly negotiated the liver against a percentage of the detox potion Vasi would create with it.

Basil had a more important matter to deal with: assigning his new levels. He could finally invest in Gardener, Runesmith, or Fisherman. He would take a level in Gardener as it was a priority to help increase the food supply, but he hesitated between his two other options. On one hand, Fisherman would help him deal with the aquatic monsters moving into the river; he doubted the mermaid would be the only threat to come from Lourdes. On the other hand, Runesmith might give him an edge against the Unitys gearsmen. It would also be his first spellcasting class.

Vasi. Basil turned to the witch, who was about to complete a hexagram design within her circle. Can I ask you a question?

Sure, she replied.

You said I should consider becoming a spellcaster because I had strong and rare affinities. Can you elaborate on your reasoning?

I stand by what I said. Its rare to have someone with strong affinities in the full Wood, Metal, and Corrosion triad, let alone Fire and Water. Usually, a strong affinity in one of these elements is balanced by a weakness in their counterparts. Few humans also possess a strong Ailment affinity. Vasi finished tracing the circle in the grass. I suppose its counterbalanced by your weaknesses in key elements like Soul, Wind, Lightning, and Light. This closes nearly a fourthof the magical repertoire to you.

Basil frowned. What do you mean?

You cant learn special Techniques or Spells from an element in which you have a weak affinity. To give you an example, the Ritual Im about to cast depends on Soul and Mythic elemental affinities. Im strong with Soul and neutral with Mythic, so I can learn and cast the spell. If I had a weak affinity in either, I would have failed to even learn it.

But you don't need a strong affinity in both elements, Basil noted.

No, although a strong affinity in Mythic would have made it easier for me to learn the spell and empowered it further. Vasi smiled at him. Did you listen to my advice and consider a spellcasting class change?

Somewhat, Basil replied. Ive considered investing a level in Runesmith.

Good, I own a spellbook about runes. I could lend it to you as payback for letting me use your lab. Vasi set Saint Bernadettes Reliquary in the hexagrams center. Runes arent as flashy as other schools of magic, but theyre practical and can be used for many things. Reinforcing your equipment, fueling magical items, traps

She had him at practical. Basil assigned his two new levels.

Runesmith & Gardener Level 1 Stat Gains: +1 STR, +2 AGI, +2 VIT, +2 MAG, +1 INT, +2 CHA, +1 LCK. You gained 50 HP and 30 SP.

New Perk: Runic I (Passive): You can now learn and cast [Runic] Spells up to Tier I. If you gain the ability to cast [Runic] Spells from other classes or Perks, the Tiers stack together.

New Perk: Jardin Secret I (Active): You can determine an area equal to 1 hectare per Gardener level as your [Jardin Secret]. Seeds planted in the area will have their growth period divided by your gardener level multiplied by 2; [Plant] Monsters grown from these seeds will be naturally friendly to you and can be immediately added to your Party. You can change your [Jardin Secret]s location once per week, but if you do, the previous area loses all of its [Gardener]-related benefits.

Monsters grown from these seeds will be naturally friendly to you and can be immediately added to your Party

Partner, why are you looking like you want to kill someone? Shellgirl asked him.

Because I am a stupid, stupid man! Basil replied angrily. If he had taken Gardener early he wouldnt have had to purge most of his vegetables! At least the Jardin Secret Perk would make harvesting food much easier.

To Basils surprise, a new screen appeared before his eyes.

Congratulations, youve completed the hidden requirements to unlock the secret [Technomancer] Spellcaster/Crafter hybrid class!

Technomancer: A class harnessing the power of runes and science to create magical technology. STR (C), AGI (C), VIT (C), SKI (B), MAG (B), INT (B), CHA (C), LCK (C).

Hybrid class? Basil asked. Whats that?

Hybrid classes are special classes that count as two categories at once. For example, [Technomancer] levels count both as Crafter and Spellcaster levels; its Perks offer benefits for crafting items and casting spells. Hybrid classes need special requirements to unlock and have a lower level cap than normal classes.

[Technomancer] class requirements: strong [Metal] affinity; level 10+; Magic 15+; can cast [Runic] spells; can craft science items without a recipe; completed a laboratory-building quest.

Basil wondered how many people would fit these requirements. What struck him the most, however, was the possibility of unlocking new classes other than the ones available from the start.

Basil, check this out! Plato called out to his owner and raised his rapier. Wind Slash!

Basil watched with amazement as air swirled around the tip of Platos sword. The cat swung his weapon and unleashed a sharp blade of wind across the stream. It cut neatly through the waters surface, carved a line on the other shores dirt, and sliced a tree in half.

Nice! Shellgirl clapped, as did Vasi.

Thank you, thank you. Plato offered a mock bow. I deserve it.

Now you can help me chop wood, Basil quipped. His cat hissed at him in response.

Something is missing though, Vasi said with a chuckle. She took her witch hat out, moved closer to Plato, and put it on his head. It was a bit too large for the cat at first, but quickly shrunk to adjust to his size. Basil had to admit it looked good on his pet. Here you go! You look dashing!

Youre wrong. Plato checked his reflection in the stream and brandished his sword at the moon. He had become a true puss-in-boots. I look perfect!

Youre sure about the hat? Basil asked Vasi.

Keep it, I have plenty more at home. She winked at him. Though I wouldnt mind a few potions in compensation.

Youll have them, Basil replied with gratefulness. He didnt know how much of the witchs generosity was natural or a calculated move to earn favors, but it wouldnt go to waste. Are we ready to begin?

Yes, although I must warn you that the Ritual does not give me any control over what Im about to summon. Vasi joined her hands. I would keep your halberd ready if I were you, in case I call someone in a cranky mood.

Basil summoned his weapon to his hand and turned to his other allies. Shellgirl, Plato, you heard the lady.

Our foes shall suffer the agony of a thousand deaths by my sword! Plato declared with the tone of a dramatic actor. Give me a glove to duel with! Woe to the first dog to cross my path!

With such a talented star, Basil thought they should start a theater troupe.

Vasis hands burned with sparks of magic. She touched the circles edge with her soft fingers, the energy within them traveling through the symbol and the hexagram within it. The design shone brightly under the faint light of the night sky's moon. The otherworldly energies coursing through the symbols burst into a purple geyser of particles and the Reliquary of Saint Bernadette vanished in their light.

Here it comes, Vasi whispered.

A humanoid shape formed at the center of the particle geyser. Shellgirl pointed her cannons at the figure and Basil prepared to strike at the first sign of hostility. He had been taught all his life that angels were a force of good, but the world went mad a long time ago

The otherworldly lights died to reveal a strange creature. It was a humanoid no taller than Basil himself, with elegant feathered white wings growing out of its shoulders. The rest of the body didnt look like any angel from the scriptures. It wore a yellow coat with a cowl, green boots, latex gloves, and a black rounded hat. A white plague doctors mask hid the angels face and a bandolier full of potions was strapped on its chest. The outfit didnt leave a single spot of skin exposed to the outside world.

Basil expected more holy light from an angel. This one appeared humble, almost mundane; it didnt even possess a halo.

Zachariel, Junior Angel of Healing

Level 13(-7) [Angel]

Basil couldnt identify the name and he didnt know what to make of the junior part.

Hello! The angel waved a friendly hand at Basil. His voice was nasal, masculine. My name is Zachariel, but please, call me Zach! Did you summon me for a consultation? Do you fear for your spiritual health?

I Basil didnt know how to respond to that. He hadnt prayed for a long time and the presence of an angel right in front of him begged many, many theological questions. I dont think so

Did you take a baptism booster? the angel asked before he could finish.

A baptism booster? Ive been baptized at birth, if thats what you meant.

Good, good. The angel nodded. But you should take a second baptism shot, to be sure. You seem in good spiritual health for now, but even the most faithful can propagate coronatheism to their sicker brethren.

You mean the coronavirus? Basil asked with a frown.

No, the coronatheism, the angel replied. Its a rampant affliction that ravages the victims spiritual health. We havent found a vaccine yet and the faithful havent yet developed collective immunity.

Basil stared at the angel in utter confusion. The gospels hadnt prepared him for whatever this was.

Shellgirl scratched her head. Hes a bit strange, no?

Hes half-bird, Plato snorted and pointed at the angels wings. Thats never a good sign.

Their words brought Zachariels full attention upon them. He examined them one after the other, lights shining through the glass eyes of his mask.

I see your cat suffered from agnostic cancer, but it is safely in remission, the angel informed Basil. I advise a steady diet of holy water in the morning, noon, and evening. Your mimic is late for a baptism shot, but we can arrange that right now.

Wait, did you say cancer? Platos eyes widened in horror. I have cancer?

In remission, the angel replied. For the witch, Im less optimistic. She has accumulated a lot of negative karma cholesterol.

Here we go, Vasi said with a sigh. If you try to sell me a karma insurance package, Im leaving.

Thats not my department, Zachariel replied calmly. What I can do is to register you to our new convent shock therapy. The karma recovery rate reached seventy percent last year.

I dont understand, Basil said. None of this made sense. Do you serve the Lord? Is this Gods plan? The Apocalypse, the Four Horsemen?

The apocalypse? The angel appeared truly puzzled by Basils questions. What do you mean? I thought the event had been canceled decades ago?

The angels response plunged Basil into an abyss of existential dread. Things he had taken for gospel brought nothing but confusion from a heavenly messenger. This didnt bode well.

Wait, were we Christians Basil gulped. Were we wrong? Were the Muslims correct? The Jews?

Zachariel observed Basil without a word for a long minute before finally answering. Im sorry, but what are you talking about? Whats a Muslim?

Its my fault, Basil, Vasi apologized. I messed up.

I dont understand, Basil said. He understood nothing! How so?

He is an angel from heaven, alright. Vasi smiled sheepishly. But not your worlds heaven.

Basil blinked a few times as he processed the witchs words. His eyes turned to his allies, who shrugged their shoulders, and then to the angel.

On which planet, Basil asked, do you think we are?

Outremonde? Zachariel answered, immediately realizing he had guessed wrong. No?

No, this is Earth, Basil replied, his teeth grinding together in frustration. Earth.

Which one? the angel asked innocently.

At this moment, Basil realized that the universe hated him.

Can we get another try? he pleaded with Vasi.

Not without something like the Reliquary, Im afraid, the witch replied. The artifact had vanished alongside the summoning circle. My spell consumes the focus.

They used the consecrated remains of a Catholic saint on a churchs grounds

And they still messed up the summoning!

The fact youre from another world doesnt absolve you from respecting the right spiritual health procedures, Zachariel declared with the boundless enthusiasm of a medical intern. You must pray three times a day, quarantine the unbelievers, and avoid sexual relationships unprotected by the bonds of marriage. Its the best way to protect yourself from coronatheism.

Can we talk about my cancer, please? Plato asked. He sounded very worried. If I lose a life again, will it go away?

Vasi chuckled lightly, as did Shellgirl. Basil couldnt bring himself to share their amusement. Between the Reliquary falling on his lap and the angel-summoning quest, hed thought God had some kind of mysterious plan to help him. He should have known better. The existence of more than one heaven also bothered him on a theological level.

Okay, maybe its not so bad. Basil tried to remain optimistic as Zachariel reassured Plato about his spiritual health. Hes an angel of healing. Hes got to be able to help somehow.

Basil did wonder about the strange negative value right next to the angels level.

Monsters exceeding the Incursion Level Limit will suffer a level penalty from the Trimurti System if prematurely summoned to Earth. Experience points will instead allow them to regain their lost levels, stats, and Perks rather than gaining new ones.

Thirteen plus seven Basil counted. His real level is twenty?

Oh, I hadnt noticed. Zachariel looked at his hands. How odd. This is the first time Ive heard of anything like this.

Well, Basil was glad he wasnt the only one asking himself questions. System, what does Incursion Level Limit mean?

Information locked until the next Incursion event.

Of course. Basil had the nagging suspicion it had something to do with the Unitys warning about levels needing to stay down.

Anyway, Zachariel, Vasi summoned you at my behest, Basil explained after regaining his composure. We need help to cure people petrified by monsters. Can you help?

Of course, the angel replied, much to Basils relief. My blessed hands can heal any ailment of the body, petrification included. Where are the victims?

Okay, maybe this summoning wasnt a bust after all.

Quest: Bernies Hotline completed! Your party earned 9000 bonus experience (1800 for you). You earned a level!

The day had been profitable level wise. And if Zachariel was correct and could cure the petrified victims of the Unity, then it made retaking the city and scraping the bots possible. All Basil had to do was convince the army to help.

Somehow, he didnt feel good about his odds.

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