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

pathway leading further into the ominous dungeon. "This just reminds me of something my uncle used to say."

"I bet it does," Garath said flatly. He was positive at this point that Auto was just making this shit up at any opportunity, but he decided to humor the Chimerist. If nothing else, some sage words from Auto's uncle may help to lower the Party's obvious tenseness. "What advice does your uncle have for this one?"

"On second thought…" Auto said with a sheepish glance at Daisy. "Maybe uncle was wrong this time."

Auto walked over to Garath trying to look as casual as possible, then leaned close to the Necrologist. "A dark path with no turns is like a cheap prostitute. Following one by yourself is a poor idea but, while it may be safer to bring your friends, in the end you're fucked either way."

Seeing that Daisy was suspiciously watching the two of them out of the corner of his eye, Garath did his best to suppress a laugh.

"Alright, let's get this show on the road," Garath said.

Garath shifted into his House Cat form. Even considering the Onikasha he wanted to start feeding, and the staggering amount of Soul Taints he'd racked up in the tiny form, it was the right choice for Chuchusullay.

Between the improved night vision and the synergy bonus his Class received for employing the feline form, House Cat was definitely the way to go. Upon completing his transformation, Garath immediately felt the lust to grow in power swelling inside him, but they were in a perfect place to do just that, so he didn't worry too much about it. The Necrologist willed his demons into existence and pooled his Mana into the one-second cast time of Summon Golem - Dreadreaver. Sharon blessed each member of the Party with Bark Skin, increasing their base Armor stats by 10%.

With Auto in the lead, they set off down the dirth path. To the right, a steep white cliff face dropped to the turbulent waters below. To the left, a dense evergreen forest thick with fog. Ahead, just off the path, a large wooden sign that used to welcome visitors to the island hung askew on a rickety post.

The words had been scraped off, by long sharp claws judging by the depth of the gouges running across it. Blood-red letters painted on it read 'read me'. The letters were still wet and drip marks skirted the bottom of each letter. Garath's improved sense of smell confirmed his suspicions.

Fresh blood.

There was a yellowed scrap of parchment pinned to the board. Daisy promptly pulled it down and held it close to her face, attempting to make out the words by the flickering torch light.

"I don’t even think this is a real word," she said, more to herself than to anyone in particular. "Choo choo soo lay?"

Daisy held the parchment out for the rest of the Party to inspect.

*That's the name of this place,* Garath told her.

Daisy held the note closer to her face. The rest of the Party watched her expectantly, but the little Elementalist didn’t seem to notice.

"Daisy, keeping secrets is like athlete's foot," Auto told her, adopting his uncle’s sage expression. "After a while, it’s very irritating and can cause you to lose all of your friends."

Garath gave his friend a pity laugh and even Sharon chuckled a bit, but the maniacal cackle that burst out of Atlas' lips silenced them both. Everyone turned to look at the Mage Smith.

"What?" Atlas said, only stopping the insane laughter a few seconds later when he noticed everyone looking at him. "Oh, come on! That one was pretty good."

"Hey thanks man," Auto said awkwardly, then turned to Daisy. "Seriously, read us the letter."

"Okay," Daisy said. She cleared her throat twice, and then began.

Welcome, fools, to Chuchusullay,

A place where the forgotten stay,

By men we trusted, left to fade away,

Of bone nor soul will we decay.

Our hate is hot from lives betrayed,

But only truth do we convey,

Our words are used to light the way,

So hear now, fool, what we have to say:

The path ahead is not a test,

Nor do we want to see your best,

The foes you meet will soon attest,

We wish to lay your bones to rest.

Stay the course, not torchlight follow,

Or in the night your grave will hollow,

You’ll rise again, your life won't end,

Bound eternal, your soul we’ll rend.

The Shaman’s key will let you in,

To the place you wait for end’s begin,

Once a key has been acquired,

Make use before its time expires,

Too slow and flesh will meet the fire,

Through the door, is one required,

Alone you'll wait, not tied or bound,

Crouch or hide, stay near the ground,

In darkness do not make a sound,

A noise there made and you'll be found.

Press on despite the troubles faced,

As Party dwindles, must make haste,

Or friends in wait, true pain will taste.

Heed these words, begin the race,

Welcome, fools, to Chuchusullay,

The place where we forgotten stay.

Daisy dropped the yellowed parchment after her recitation. The little girl was sweating and shaking. Auto and Garath exchanged a look. Atlas picked the poem up off the ground then placed it in his pocket without explanation.

*Huh,* Garath huh'd as he tried to piece the cryptic message together. The first and second paragraphs were pretty straightforward, a welcome and a warning. After that, it got a little vague, but it was still linear enough to open the group to discussion. *Let's decipher this for a second. Don't stray from the path. Get the keys. Then use the keys to open a door. That much is clear enough. It also seems to indicate that we will be split up at some point. What else…*

"You think we can take it at face value?" Sharon asked, one hand under her chin as she puzzled through it. "It did make a few mentions to wanting us dead. That doesn’t really inspire trust."

"I think we can trust what it says," Daisy offered seriously. "Isn't this Hat Island?"

*It was,* Garath told her. *What does that have to do with anything, though?*

"Then it's probably