Gestation by John Gold (love books to read .txt) 📗

of consciousness lets me boost my skills faster, though the higher they go, the more often you have to use spells to keep the progress coming. I can use the stones around me as projectiles or shields to protect me from attack. There’s also something in the books about how Space Magic has to do with levitation, teleportation, power hammers, shields against physical attacks, and even certain kinds of gravitational and impulse strikes. It’s a shame I can’t get to them. They’d make it easier to get to the first circle of Hell.

There’s some rule for how much mana I spend developing each area of magic and how fast my skills develop.

There’s nothing else for me to do here. I’m sick and tired of imp wings and horns, though my derivative attributes are pretty weak at the moment. If a strong enemy came at me, I might not be able to get away. Time to head back to the Fields of Ash.

I do have one terrifying idea, though it’s worth trying. Today, my demonification will hit 50%, unlocking Demon Possession and letting me strengthen two limbs. I can pick my legs and see if that boosts my running speed. By tonight, I’ll have increased my intellect and wisdom up to 100, so I’ll be able to pick up another stream of consciousness. But what magic should I work on?

“Spell book!”

Life Magic: Weak Healing

Morale Magic: Stun

Space Magic: Telekinesis

Earth Magic: Boulder

Water Magic: Ice Arrow

Fire Magic: Fire Arrow

Air Magic: Air Fist

Light Magic: Firefly

Dark Magic: Dark Arrow

Light Magic would be silly to use in my current situation. Running around Hell with a dozen fireflies? Sure, and then I’ll write I Love New York on myself in blood. The pickings aren’t that varied, I can kill anyone up to Level 150, and I’ll get something different to eat.

∞ ∞ ∞

Two men sat in a café with a view of the park, coffee in hand.

“Leon, are you sure about the investments we’re making? We’ve hired practically all the players in Imir and the city is our headquarters. They’re clearing the dungeons and doing quests, and the economy is skyrocketing. Our military wing is getting better every day. But that’s going to push us into war with the other alliances, and maybe even countries. We’re not ready for that yet.”

“Don’t forget that I’m a god. I’m already giving big bonuses to the players who select me as their patron, our expenses are still less than our income, and we have several campaigns going to attract the faithful. I need fighting power so I can get involved in the war. And what I’m investing in is attracting people. Incidentally, we’ve recouped everything we invested previous to this. We’re processing all the items brought to the altar, and we’re going to sell them at the auction. The more territory we have, the more raw materials we’ll have under our control.”

“Okay, so you’re gunning for a war, and you want to participate in it personally. But do you realize that there are already ten gods in the small pantheon? Our source leaked the information to everyone he could. Who was he even?”

Leon smiled with satisfaction.

“A pilot. He was flying between us and Lunar when he heard a conversation about creating a god over the speaker. Nobody will be finding him, even our own security people.”

“Got it.”

“Merlen, relax. You’re our financial director and the clan treasurer, but you’re too cautious sometimes. None of the gods is going to attack us. The old ones don’t care, and the young ones aren’t strong enough. Or is it your daughter you’re worried about?”

Merlen nodded.

“Ah, kids, always worried about growing up. Are you aware that she’s only trying to get close to you so she can use you?” Again, a nod, though more embarrassed this time. “The mistakes of youth? She knows very well that she’s just using you. Still, I’ll keep my word. The girl did a good job bringing NPCs into the fold, and then she went out to heal people, boost the crops, and all that. Really, quite the kid. We have a…project…in Project Chrysalis. She’ll be part of the strike force.”

“That serious?”

“Even my status as a god pales in comparison.”

Merlen threw up his arms. “Oh, come on, what do you have going on?”

The men laughed. For the next month, neither of them spent much time outside Project Chrysalis, and their relationship gradually becomes a friendship. There was lots to do, lots of money to make and spend, and lots of fun to have. The great games of great men are all about strength, power, and money.

∞ ∞ ∞

I don’t have enough agility to run easily with the extra power in my legs. My seven-meter strides cheer me up though; I’m moving twice as fast as usual. Surrounding me are five magic fireflies attracting flying demons, ensuring that my rations now include manticores and other creatures. The strongest enemy I’ve had to face turns out to be Level 173, one of those manticores. It took me a long time to kill it, and I was only able to by using magic and running away. It was unable to do the same. When it tried, I chased it down and had a bunch of fun with the body.

The stamps used by demonologists, necromancers, and blood mages are all written using symbols, and there are twenty-three in total. Presumably, that’s the alphabet of true mages. All three disciplines are types of ritual magic, and I wonder if I can raise a manticore. It works.

Necromancy: +1

Ritual magic: +1

Blood magic: +1

I draw out the pentagram used to raise the undead with the blood of the victim. It’s a good thing the gods can’t see me, otherwise I’d probably spoil my karma. Anyway, I’m able to raise the manticore, but killing it turns out to be much harder. Even if it is slower, its strength and stamina are much higher. I’m forced to throw rocks at it, though that boosts my Earth Magic. At least, the serious