Dungeon 42

Questionable Priorities

Chapter 87

I considered how I wanted to handle Tiller and groaned. There wasn't exactly an ideal solution to the situation I found myself in with her. We needed to talk now that she was aware of me, but I didn't like the tone of Elim's text.

That really could have been my social anxiety talking, though. Or what I assumed was social anxiety. Unfortunately, I didn't really have enough exposure to novel people and situations to know for sure.

[Elim,

I'll call you in the morning since it's rather late now. However, since I don't sleep, feel free to contact me first.

-42]

My reply was a bit lackluster, but it was what I could do. It wouldn't improve things to ruminate on it too long and let myself get twisted up in my own head.

With my basic chores completed, I considered my next step. I had decided to read Henry's letter once I was done with everything else I should do first. Partly to give me some time to find a little zen, but mainly so I could focus on it entirely once I began.

I opened my event log and found the time stamps for the hero raid. My point counter had ticked up already, but I was curious about the details of the award. Unfortunately, the math didn't quite track from what I was seeing since it was 15/50 for my tithe count.

With only two people dead, I was reasonably sure the maximum should have been eight points. That meant that even with the rollover from the prior year, it should have been 11/50 at most.

[Death Report]

[Reiner (LG) +4]

[Lillian (LG) +4]

[Bonus award: Minor Champions of Stromholt +4]

The bonus award was new to me. It must not have applied to ordinary folks like soldiers and bandits. I took a look in the encyclopedia and my manual but couldn't find anything about the champions designation.

I felt a bit annoyed with the interface for the manual, wishing it was a physical book as I poked the screen. As if someone (maybe that IT guy?) heard me, it turned into one bound in black leather and promptly hit the floor. I half jumped out of my skin, ended up floating a few yards above the couch.

Once I settled down and was back at my normal hover level, I picked up the book. It felt nice to have something to physically thumb through, so I took my time looking through it. I quickly found that it had gained a lot more content once again. Another series of additions of dubious use since they were all jumbled up in random places like someone had hastily crammed it in.

I was curious what would happen now that it was physical, but the option to edit popped up like it did with the window version. That opened the pdf style editor, but the book didn't dissipate. Instead, the physical book was updated in real-time as well. I found that pretty fun and added a fancy illustrated initial letter to the first chapter.

Despite my amusement, I didn't spend more than a half-hour playing with the book. I still had something quite a bit more important to consider. That being, if I was going to spend any points. With fifteen points at my disposal, a mana production upgrade was an option.

Increasing my daily mana output would unquestionably be helpful. It would give me a great deal of flexibility with what I could do day-to-day. In addition, it would relieve some of the tension from having to be careful about the timing of my spending. I wouldn't have to worry as much lest I get caught with my proverbial pants down in an emergency.

The logic behind choosing it was sound, but I still hesitated. Nuking two-thirds of my points wasn't something I was exceptionally comfortable doing. Not with how I had no idea when the next set of adventures of heroes might happen.

If anything, I felt like it might be worthwhile to spend a couple of points upgrading my interface instead. I was on a new server that was at least partially under new management. I might get something pretty cool, and it was a lot cheaper last time.

"Uhm... Upgrade interface several times," I said aloud.

[Interface Upgrade]

[Cost: 3 pts]

[Confirm Upgrade? Y/N]

Everything looked pretty straightforward, but I hesitated to activate it. I'd experienced upgrade sickness before, and that wasn't something I wanted anyone to walk in on by accident.

[Hello,

Minor update. I'll be indisposed for about an hour while I perform an upgrade. Feel free to contact me in the next half hour before I start if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks,

42]

I sent it to the skeletons who'd shown an interest in knowing details during the 24 incident. Dawn and Chris were chief among them. Aaron was also on the list, but not due to concern for my wellbeing. I knew he'd just want details about any runes I saw or other magic shenanigans.

I didn't send a copy of it to Henry. It was a little too impersonal.

[Henry,

I'm going to spend some points and upgrade my interface. I've done it before, and it was safe. I feel like that will be true this time as well since the server transfer is complete. Being under the umbrella of Neutrality instead of Evil gives me a lot more confidence than I would have otherwise after recent events.

Feel free to come over or just text me if you have questions, but I expect this will go just fine. I plan to start in half an hour, but I haven't read your letter yet. I plan to do it after. I'll get in touch with you afterward.

Until then,

42]

It took all of two minutes for Henry and Dawn to write me back. Like a coward, I opened Dawns first.

[Mistress 42,

I understand and hope you gain useful new abilities. Also, did I cause a problem? Henry has been either sulking or positively murderous all day. I had honestly expected not to see him. That or he'd be scattering rose petals and dripping honey from his lips given what I last saw you two doing.

Dawn]

I laughed, unable to do anything else. It was just like Dawn, to be completely blunt about it. Not that I minded. Getting caught making out like a couple of teenagers really shouldn't have been as big a deal as it turned into.

[Hey Dawn,

No, you didn't cause one. Henry and I are okay. Things are just a little awkward. We skipped the get to know you part of things and are paying for it with interest now.

So please do me a favor and try to keep everyone off his back for the moment. Well, I mostly mean Chris, but you probably knew that.

Thank you,

42]

With that reply done, I didn't have any viable reason to delay opening Henry's.

[42,

I was quite upset earlier and feel I gave you the wrong impression. However, my regard toward you has not diminished. I still fear that the contents of the letter will alter your view of me, but not quite so melodramatically as I suggested at the time.

I'm glad you're feeling confident about the upgrade. Still, please don't hesitate to ask if you would like me to be near while it happens. If not, then I will remain in my workshop and keep you in my thoughts. I am always wishing you good health and fair fortunes.

With my fondest regards,

-Henry]

The letter was almost painfully sweet despite not being overly flowery. It was the kind of letter that belonged in a box for great-grandkids or historians to find and puzzle over.

Recalling the manual's transformation, I gave the screen a hopeful poke. I was rewarded with the letter turning into paper. I immediately put it in my inventory. I'd make a box for it, and hopefully future ones, later.

[Henry,

Your presence never fails to comfort me. Really, I would like to see you now, but I feel it's best to wait until after. Thank you for being understanding, and you are in my thoughts as well.

-42]

I didn't feel my reply was up to the same standard but brushed that off. The thought would have to count. I was an artist, not a poet. With my replies done, I waited a while for the time limit I'd set to elapse. Once it did, I gave it an extra ten minutes before locking my door.

Looking at the door to my chamber of machinations, I felt a little uneasy. I didn't really expect trouble, but it didn't feel like a sufficient barrier. Not with Chris lurking about.

As a compromise, I added a block of stone in front of it on my side. It wouldn't be possible to open it even if someone got past the lock.

It wasn't like Chris would do anything to me even if he did. I was a little worried about how he'd react if he saw me in the throws of upgrade sickness. He'd been pretty on edge since the 24 incident.

With all of the most likely issues sorted out, I okayed the interface upgrade. A fifteen-second timer appeared, and I let out a sigh. It wasn't long, but time really had a way of crawling when you weren't looking forward to something.

As the timer neared zero, I heard a familiar chime. An incoming call from Elim. I'd been so wrapped up in dungeon matters that I'd forgotten to send him a text about my plan.

"Oh fuck-" was all I'd managed to get out before upgrade sickness slammed down on me.