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

It was getting late in the day when the fourth and final group initiated the instance and began their run. Garath, Auto, Atlas, Fergus, and Andrea made up the final group and, overall, it was a relatively easy process. It did take quite a bit longer than the first run had because, at Garath’s suggestion, Auto pulled one group at a time. Garath knew Auto was capable of doing it his way, but without an experienced healer to back him up, it seemed like the safer option.

For her part, Andrea did an admirable job healing. The Spirit Master used her Attribute-boosting buff as frequently as the cooldown allowed. Fergus pulled his weight, especially after Garath gave him the named weapon he’d picked up in Aquawood Depths a few days before. S’thys Tear was a two-handed pike, which took Fergus a little getting used to, as he’d only used a mace to that point, but once he got the hang of it the Brawler pumped out some solid numbers. But it wasn’t Fergus or Andrea that really shined in the fourth run of MGP.

It was Atlas.

The Mage Smith’s impressive damage output was apparent long before Garath ran the numbers from his combat log. The flame-bathed sword wielded in Atlas’ main-hand sliced through the goat-demons like butter. There were clearly Skills being used, but for the most part, Atlas just slashed through enemies with astounding proficiency.

Garath wondered if he’d had formal training with a blade before the apocalypse, and made a mental note to ask him about it. During the fight with Illunitus, Atlas impressed Garath again, this time with his off-hand weapon. Like Link against Ganon, Atlas returned Illunitus’ tri-colored magical attack with a swing. Garath made a note to dock him points for stepping between the tank and the boss without first calling it on the Party communication channel but still, it was an attack Auto didn’t have to absorb.

Another jewel-encrusted rare chest appeared beside the four typical chests. Garath tried to reward Atlas for his performance by giving him the rare chest, but the Mage Smith declined on the basis that the gear he created through his Class Skills were synergistic, and that synergy would be disrupted by adding a dropped item to the mix. Garath didn’t want to grant himself the rare chest but, with a combined effort, the Party convinced him to take it. When he put his hand on the chest and his loot was revealed, Garath was glad he’d accepted the honor.

Death’s Touch Crest

Raiment Slot: Head

Armor: +19

Magic Resistance: +10%

Durability: 95/95

Item Score: 81

Defense Rating: 190

Type: Cloth Armor

Quality: Craftwork

Rarity: Epic

+35 Wisdom

+30 Vitality

+10 Regeneration

+10% damage to all Death Magic spells

Item Requirements:

Level: 19

Garath made a very un-manly squee sound as he equipped his new helmet. The smooth black alloy of Death’s Touch Crest felt similar to the Hypnotic Diadem of the Wise that it replaced, once sitting atop Garath’s mop of black curls. He was used to having a tiara at that point, and didn’t bat an eye at it. He felt pretty as a rose either way. Another 9.25 Mana Crystals were added to his growing stash and the Experience Points gained from his second run of MGP brought a welcome prompt that Garath read and then dismissed.

Congratulations, Garath! For reaching Level 28, you are awarded 5 Attribute Points (3 per Level and + 2 per Level due to your status as a Leader of Man) and 2 Skill Points (1 per Level and +1 per Level due to your status as a Leader of Man) to distribute at your discretion. As a Necrologist, you receive +3 Wisdom, +3 Vitality, and +1 Regeneration per Level.

You have one week to distribute the Points before they are assigned for you based on your chosen Class.

Unused Attribute Points: 5

Unused Skill Points: 16

As was becoming a habit, Garath allocated his five Attribute Points into Wisdom and confirmed his choice. With the work he’d put in that day, his Wisdom was sitting pretty at 293. If only he could get Maimon to agree to another duel, Garath was sure he and Sharon would kick the shit out of the pompous Rabbi regardless of his choice in teammates.

After leaving Molten Glacier Peak, the Party was disbanded and, in a flock of various flying forms, they headed west. Garath did his combat log count for damage as they flew through the lavender twilight sky. In all three dungeon runs that he’d been a part of, Garath and his demons topped the damage chart. That was no surprise, considering the Leader of Man bonuses, but it still felt good to be on top. Fergus did nearly as much damage as Auto had done, coming in with a final number of 9,650. Atlas’ final count was much more impressive at 17,740. Garath got the feeling that his tryout was the Mage Smith’s first time working his way through a dungeon in any reality, but Atlas was an interesting option with a Class that Garath really wanted to learn more about. He’d have to discuss the tryouts with Athios and Auto before making any final decisions, but Atlas would definitely be in the running.

Night had fallen by the time the tired group made it home. Lorena and Duran broke off from the group twenty miles west of the Guild Hall and Garath promised to let them know the results of the tryouts the following day. Exhausted from the day’s events and the long flight home, Garath, Auto, and Athios agreed to meet at Garath’s clifftop the following morning to discuss the final group composition.

Chapter Nineteen – Draft Day

“I think we can all agree on the roles of main tank and healers,” Garath said. The sun was bright and the ocean breeze chill.

“Not that I had a lot of competition,” Auto said, “but I nominate myself for the main tank spot. Maimon and Sharon are going to be a perfect healing team. All that’s left is the damage and support roles.”

Garath