The Tree of Ascension: A LitRPG Apocalypse (Peril's Prodigy Book 2) by Craig Kobayashi (ebook reader 7 inch TXT) 📕

laughing joyously as he watched the two casters going at it, neither able to do enough damage to the other to even keep up with their Health Regeneration. This went on for a few minutes before Garath sank through a dimensional disk and reappeared fifty-odd feet away. He bobbed to avoid a punch that never came. He located Maimon, who looked about as confused as Garath felt, and marched back toward the Rabbi.

A dimensional disk phased in and out of existence above Athios’ upturned palm. “Oh, stop it, you’re both being ridiculous. I can literally keep you two apart indefinitely if I have to,” she threatened.

Garath looked at her incredulously, still shaking with adrenaline, then thought about how he and Maimon must have looked to everyone else. The Necrologist laughed. Both his Health pool and that of the Rabbi were full, but their Stamina bars had taken a bit of a hit. Garath wasn’t satisfied with this outcome and seriously considered using his spells to attack Maimon. It may be true that Garath had been asking for it, but who just punches somebody in the face like that? Garath was wondering if there was really any way to really duke things out anymore without the risk of death when he received a very interesting system message.

Would you like to challenge Maimon to a system-sanctioned duel?

Yes or No

Note: You can also choose to ‘establish duel parameters’. Once issued, Maimon will have the option to Accept, Decline, or Alter Duel Parameters.

He nearly chose ‘Yes’, but wanted a look at the duel parameters option. Garath found that he was able to define specific guidelines for the battle. Party size, maximum cooldown spells allowed, a limit to the duration. He could even choose to whether to allow certain BeastScape forms. After a few seconds of vacantly staring into space while setting up the rules of the fight, Garath sent a duel request to Maimon.

You have challenged Maimon to a system-sanctioned duel.

Maimon is now being given the option to Accept, Decline, or Alter Duel Parameters.

Duel Parameters

Team size: one

Victory Condition: death of opponent

*Note: ‘death’ does not occur in a system-sanctioned duel. Any party killed during the duel will be restored to their condition at the start of the duel.

Maimon’s face adopted the same vacant expression while he read his newest system prompt. He dismissed it and then looked at Garath with a you-can’t-be-serious face. “I’m a healer, you jackass. What would a duel accomplish?”

“About as much as sucker punching me in the face,” Garath retorted. He wasn’t going to take any of this guy’s shit, and wouldn’t mind the massive Experience gain he’d get for handling things like he was Wyatt Earp. “If you’d prefer it to a duel, I can just kill you now.”

Maimon has declined your challenge.

With that, Garath equipped his staff, willed his summoned demons into existence, and readied himself for a real fight. Maimon reacted as well. The Rabbi equipped a tall white staff of his own and then released an instant cast spell that covered his body with a transparent, reflective bubble.

“Guys, guys, guys,” Obawon said, stepping between the two angry casters. “We’re not about to let you fight to the death. A duel sounds much better, didn’t I hear you say duel?”

“Yeah. This dickmouth sent me a duel request,” Maimon explained, never taking his black eyes from Garath. “I rejected it because it would be pointless. Maybe if we did a two-on-two, but I’m not dueling by myself. I only have one damage Skill and it’s hardly impressive.”

“Not unlike your sloppy haymakers,” said Garath with a devilish grin. Inside his mind, the Necrologist felt the pre-fight anxiety from his summoned demons as they all awaited his orders. “I’m down for a two-on-two duel though, if you think you need some help,” he said, trying not to sound too disappointed that he couldn’t just kill this bitch. "Me and Athios would stomp any two of you."

"Count me out of this one, hotshot," Athios said coolly.

Garath looked at her, betrayed. Pleading. He was sure that between her ability to relocate allies and enemies alike and his unavoidable damage-over-time attack, they’d be a nearly unstoppable team. Athios face remained hard though, so Garath just glared at her briefly and then opened his MENU panels. He navigated to his Friends list and quickly located Sharon and Warrion. Surely one of them would step up to help him where Athios refused to. To his delight, Sharon appeared to be on her way to his cliff top at that very moment.

“Alright,” Garath said, closing his MENU panels and looking fierce eyed at Maimon. “I’ve got my partner. She’s on her way. Pick whoever you want and let's do this.”

Maimon looked surprised, then turned to face the three young men he’d come with.

Auto looked nervously from Garath to Maimon, then to the twins and back to Maimon. “Dude, you gotta pick me. If this system has a freaking non-lethal PvP option, I have to try it.”

Maimon nodded, looking more confident now that Auto was willing to fight with him.

Auto’s announcement to join in on the duel both excited Garath and made him a little apprehensive. Garath had always been Auto’s healer in PvP settings and knew better than anyone how seriously the short man would be taking this duel, and he wasn’t thrilled to be on the opposing side. Even so, the Necrologist was looking forward to finally seeing a Chimerist in action.

“Am I interrupting something?” Sharon asked. The Naturist came into view and paused upon seeing a whole group of tense faces, most of which she didn’t recognize.

“Sharon, perfect!” Garath said. He hurried over to her and turned her away from the group by one shoulder, bringing his face close to hers and speaking in a low voice as the two of them walked a few feet away. “Listen, I need a favor.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Sharon said with an abrasive tone.

Garath smiled the most charming smile he could muster. “I would