Rewind: A Grimdark LitRPG Series (Pyresouls Apocalypse, Book 1) by James Callum (reading tree .txt) 📕

“Fenris, what is Soulworn?”

The Fire Oppa’s ears perked up, and he looked intently at Jacob. “I should have noticed it sooner! I was… preoccupied, allow me to cleanse you. It would normally not be removed even by resting at a Pyre. Similar to the Curse affliction, it persists through death and revival.

“Not to mention, you couldn’t bind at another Pyre. Though, considering this was your first Pyre, I assume you won’t be in either case.

“Soulworn is a nasty thing that only gets worse the longer you have it. It affects each person differently. Some lose the will to fight. Others grow immensely fearful of the tormentor. For you, it seemed to increase your Guilt. But the effect is relatively minor. At most, it would have placed you into a higher tier of Guilt.

“Once it gained enough strength, you would be unable to carry the burden anymore. You likely wouldn’t even be able to return to Lormar, the fear would be that great. If you tried or were forced, it might drive you insane.

No wonder Alec couldn’t do this.

A swirl of fire lashed out from the Pyre and encircled Jacob in a comforting glow. When it was finished, he felt better, lighter.

He was sitting directly on the 50% Guilt threshold, but he felt faster than he should have, as if he was below 50%, at tier 2 Guilt. He had figured he would need to lose another piece of equipment. He was deciding between his gauntlets and his leggings until he realized it wasn’t just a trick of his imagination.

The Fire Oppa watched him with a twinkle in his dark eyes. He did something to him, something beyond cleansing the Soulworn status.

He wasn’t about to go into the fight naked. But now it seemed he didn’t need to make a choice. The Burgon Beast was quick, and even with its busted leg, he would need to be at his best.

Going Savage would just lead to him dying faster. And he could not afford that.

“Better than I thought,” Jacob said, swinging around the [Duskblade] to get a feel for it. Within a few test swipes, he received a new series of prompts.

[Duskblade] Sword Forms Unlocked: Souldrinker, Abyss Swallows All, Caging the Beast.

Souldrinker

When the [Duskblade] is embedded in a creature, the sword can be commanded to drink of the victim’s Souls. Repairs damage dealt to the sword and increases its parameters. Souls may not be used by the wielder.

Abyss Swallows All

A powerful two-handed overhead strike that deals heavy balance damage to stagger foes and to drive even the hardiest defenders to their knees.

Caging the Beast

A series of swift light strikes that fence an opponent in like a cage, meant to line up an opponent for a powerful finishing attack.

That was new. Nothing in the archives mentioned anybody gaining Sword Forms from equipping a weapon. That would be game-changing knowledge. Most people only acquired them from long hours of training. Which wasn’t easy to do within Pyresouls.

Turning back to the Pyre, Jacob knelt at it and reached out to the Fire Oppa. “Where is the Burgon Beast headed?”

“It has your scent and will stop at nothing to devour you. It has already devoured the Pyres at Journey’s End and the Smog Rifts. You will find it soon at Hollow Dreams, near the bell tower,” the Fire Oppa answered. “If you are ready, I will take you.”

Jacob nodded. Ready to die again, he thought with a wry grin. He paused a moment, remembering Camilla’s brave last stand. “Where is Camilla? Could you get a message to her?”

The Fire Oppa sadly shook his head. “I am… sorry, Jacob. I can’t reach Camilla.”

That hurt more than he thought it would. With a muttered prayer for her safety, hoping against hope that she was okay, Jacob said, “I’m ready.”

The world bent and twisted around him, wreathed in a swirl of flames. When it was over, Jacob stood next to the Pyre beneath the rusted bell. Even here, the light was wan and weak.

Including the Hollow Dreams Pyre, Jacob had five more chances to defeat the Burgon Beast. And unlike him, the beast wouldn’t heal. He could whittle it down, bit by bit until he dealt the finishing blow and ended its terror before it could begin.

Placing a hand on the flat of the [Duskblade], Jacob used Flame Blade, wreathing the sword in fiercely burning flames. He looked at the Fire Oppa. “Can you abandon the Pyre to avoid getting hurt?”

The terrible sounds the Fire Oppa made… the memory still tore at Jacob’s heart. The poor thing didn’t deserve to suffer like that.

“It is my sworn duty to keep the Pyre lit,” the Fire Oppa intoned. “Come what may, I will keep the flames alive until I cannot anymore. Do not worry for me, I will be fine so long as a single Pyre remains lit.”

Jacob had to accept that. There was no other way. Some things were just unfair. Good people were hurt, the innocent died. But if he could stop the Burgon Beast here, then he could save countless lives from suffering.

It didn’t make him feel any better about the Fire Oppa being in pain.

Walking to the edge of the bell tower, Jacob could see the large black form of the Burgon Beast in the distance weaving between the narrow dirt alleyways. The Vacant that got in its way were obliterated, vanishing into wisps of black flame until nothing was left.

Is that what it does to the Pyres? Jacob shivered, remembering the biting cold pain of those shadow flames.

The Burgon Beast was clearly making a beeline straight for the belltower but not once did it look up. Instead, its head was bent down to the dirt. Was it following his original trail in reverse?

With a grin, Jacob stepped right to the edge of the crumbling stonework and reversed his grip on the [Duskblade], holding it with both hands. Better not miss, Windsor.

With a keen eye, Jacob watched the Burgon Beast’s