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

Atlas looked down at himself as if wondering the same thing. “My armor has various enhancements, but this stuff is just a light show. Some of the things I can make have Attribute bonuses, and some come with Skills. A few have both. One of the Mage Smith Skills lets me change into any number of preset outfits instantly. For example…”

In a flash, Atlas’ entire outfit of glowing cloth was replaced by a full suit of plate armor. A sword appeared in each of his hands as well, one glowing with white light and the other bathed in flames. “Melee fighter,” Atlas said, waving the swords around for Garath’s amusement. “And…”

Again, his whole outfit was replaced. This time, a long dark robe and a pointed wizard’s hat were joined by a tall, gnarled staff. Atlas pointed the staff and fired an orb of magic into the sky. “Ranged caster,” Atlas explained. “And…” Once again, the outfit was replaced in a flash. Now Atlas wore a white robe and a magnificent halo hovered above his wild blond hair. The Mage Smith closed his eyes and reached toward Garath with one hand. The hand took on a magical glow, which was then transferred to the Necrologist seated a few feet away. A glance at his ever-present combat log informed Garath that Atlas had just healed him for 230 HP.

“And healer,” Atlas said proudly. The Mage Smith then returned to his glowing street clothes.

“Interesting,” Garath said, looking impressed. “You put yourself down to try out for a damage-dealing spot on the Dungeon team, if I recall?”

Atlas nodded and threw another piece of wood on the fire before taking a seat once again next to Garath. “The heal that I can do comes from the halo, but it has a ten-second cooldown. The robe allows me to cleanse poison debuffs, but only having those two things would make me a pretty garbage healer. The rest of that set just adds to Wisdom.”

“Do you have to have a full set of gear specifically for each role, or could you mix and match? Like, if you used the halo with your melee set, could you still heal?” Garath asked, now very interested in the mechanics of the Mage Smith Class.

“I could,” Atlas said. “But the amount of Health restored is based on my current Wisdom Attribute and most of my melee set has bonuses to Strength and Dexterity, so it would only heal maybe 50 HP.”

“Okay,” Garath said, nodding and staring into the small fire. “Are you planning on using the melee set for your tryout?”

“Definitely,” Atlas confirmed. “I spent most of a week just making stuff for myself in that basement. Admittedly, when I made the fire-sword, there was no going back. I made the ranged caster and healer sets too, because I was in a basement for a fucking week. But I didn’t put nearly as much attention into making them as the melee set.”

“That thing is pretty badass,” Garath agreed, laughing. “Well count me excited to see you in action tomorrow. As for not having anywhere to go tonight, you’re welcome to stay here. I’ve been sleeping on this clifftop because the weather has been so nice.”

“Really?” Atlas asked dubiously. “Aren’t you worried about getting attacked or something while you’re sleeping?”

Garath smiled. “No, not really.”

The Necrologist willed Handsome and Bill into existence, then focused on funneling Mana into the one-second cast to bring his gargantuan demon-golem out as well. Atlas took a step back, wide-eyed at the sudden appearance of three demons within a few feet of him.

“Meet Bill, Handsome, and my Golem. They keep watch while I sleep,” Garath told him. “You’ll be safe here.”

Atlas thanked him for the hospitality and was strangely comfortable with the demons, more so than anyone else that had ever seen them. He immediately started patting Bill’s head and scratching his ears fondly, then turned to Handsome and told the hideous winged demon how fitting his name was. It made Garath a little uncomfortable when Atlas started feeling the Dreadreaver’s bicep and then comparing it to his own, but he wasn’t doing any harm. Garath was touched. Everyone else seemed apprehensive at best when confronted with his summoned creatures. He knew it might be silly, but the simple kindness Atlas showed his demons went a long way toward earning the Necrologist’s trust.

The Mage Smith and the Necrologist talked for a while longer before falling asleep, one on either side of the campfire beneath the stars.

Chapter Seventeen – MGP

In stark contrast to the last dungeon, Garath walked between molten lava and spouts of flame in the first room of the cavernous dungeon known as Molten Glacier Peak. He had chosen the oxymoronically-named dungeon for the remaining tryouts for two reasons. It was close to the Guild Hall, a three-hour flight northeast. Also, the suggested Level was 19-21. It would hopefully provide a better challenge than the Ice Caves had.

Before the apocalypse, Glacier Peak had just been a volcano, one of several in the area, with a self-evident name - it had been dormant since the 1700's. Glaciers had formed on the sleeping giant over the last three hundred years, but they were gone now. The area around the dungeon was now bubbling with lava.

Surprisingly, Daisy didn't complain once during the flight. Athios took the time to explain group dynamics to the girl, who had more than enough questions to occupy all three hours. Upon landing, the Dungeon team hopefuls found the portal leading into the instance on a plateau at the peak of the great mountain. Garath entered the dungeon with Athios, Auto, Maimon, and Daisy in a rush to avoid being singed by an unexpected burp of lava. The rest of the group made themselves comfortable on a second plateau not far from the portal, several feet away from the flowing rivers of hot liquid.

The dungeon layout seemed simple enough at first glance, and even vaguely familiar. Not as