Chapter 28

Chapter 28

It was the second day since Id entered the [Sleepywood]. I still retained a connection to the clones outside. First who was the furthest clone from me, was still with Nicholas, Jonathan, and the group from the library. Clones Second through Fifth were right outside of the Dungeon, observing the survivors.

My multi-individualism allowed me an unparalleled perspective. The survivors were splintering and clear camps were being formed, groups of people with different interests.

I supposed it made sense, considering the sheer number of them. More people could fit into a skyscraper than one would think. A large coherent group would be ideal but people had conflicting interests. Confident in the powers they had, despite everything that had happened.

I didnt need to read minds to see the trauma. Nearly everyone that had been under the effects of the [Rootmother Hivemind] had scars along their spinal column, extending up towards their head and down towards the lower back. Scars that werent just physical. In the chaos, some were taking advantage of this weakness.

Can I help you, gentlemen? A wary old man croaked.

Second, Fourth, and Fifth glanced around a decently large tent. Thick branches formed the support, a layer of leaves served as makeshift walls. Flimsy, but one of the few structures against the elements.

I heard you could make simple clothes. Rumor had it this man, Ralph, was a [Craftsman]. Or something in that vein. Do you have anything to cover the head?

That I can. He replied, crossing his arms.

His gaze flicked to Fourth and Fifth, their faces covered by the hoodies every clone came with. It was a half-hearted measure but no one had bothered to look too closely, let alone the small number of times the clones were ever in the same place.

Revealing my face was something I had every clone avoid whenever possible.

Not for free. I need

Fourth hefted a waterfowl on a shoddy wooden table, laying it across its belly. Food was a commodity now, most survivors not knowing how to hunt or scavenge. The bird was enough to feed a handful for the day.

Ralph glanced at the animal for only a moment. Thatll do. Then he reached below the table and retrieved three cloaks, amongst a crate of other garments. The clones took the clothes, feeling their weight.

Ralph eyed us, me, as I inspected the garments. Three pairs of hands turning over the cloth, tracing the stitching and material. Mundane items, as opposed to ones recognized by the system. They were good.

Got some kind of hunter Class? Or Skill? He asked curiously.

I could lift a finger and every clone would do the same. At the exact same time. I could close my eyes and walk across the ground with confidence if another of mine was watching. I knew myself as only another set of eyes could know.

My coordination was exceptional.

Sixth leaned backward, hair rustling with the scythed limb passing overhead. He, along with Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth, kept their distance from the main, non-clone group. Close enough to aid but far enough to pass unnoticed.

I stood on the sidelines, eyes flicking across the gloaming scythes body, watching its movements as all my other selves did. Four perspectives, one all-knowing combatant. I watched its stance shift and I understood the mechanics of its body, the motion of its muscles and joints. I could process the movement, see the application of force.

And Sixth stepped to the left, a combination of intense precision, foresight, and [Solos Instinct] all working together such that a lethal strike missed by bare inches. It was exhilarating. A rush like no other, cheating death by mere inches. I was both dancer and choreographer, leading my opponents every move. I stepped into the things range, closing the distance.

My arm braced against its neck and two other mes were suddenly there, pinning its arms at the shoulders. The third clone grabbed its head, snapping it at the neck. I stood over the corpse

And yawned, hands in my pockets. Nearby, the rest of the group had fallen into a rhythm. Parker with the vanguard served as first contact. My increased PER did more than affect my clones. Now that I knew what to look for, Id spotted at least four ambushes already, eyes always on the trees. Rose stayed back and there hadnt yet been a moment my intervention was needed, my role was strictly to watch our rear.

Rose had a particularly interesting Class. [Mage]. It was information that hadnt been volunteered. Rather, shed been thinking of it quite loudly when there was time to think, as everyone did. It gave me something to think about regarding the sheer scope of Classes in general.

Magic. Id already confirmed the possibility just by encountering the [Twilight Wand], an Item a clone of mine still had not managed to make any breakthroughs with. Yet, it teased the mind with thoughts of what someone could do, if they survived.

Parker stepped over another defeated creature. A glow beast, going by the dungeon notices. It seemed that people directly participating in the creatures downfall were most likely to level, lending credence to some type of contributional reward system. As for actual material rewards, these single creature encounters were only rewarding us with minor Items.

I was beginning to think Parker had some analog of the [Hard Body]Skill. He was bearing the brunt of these creatures attacks with surprising ease.

Parker walked over to a tree, pulling something from the branches. [Glow Pendant]. He said. Provides light in a radius, wards off dark-typed creatures. He shrugged, looking around.

That first [Uncommon Chest], apparently, had been something of a stroke of luck. From what I gathered, chests were more likely to contain higher quality Items and had a chance to contain multiple. It was more common to gain single Items, and non-effectual ones at that. Nothing so immediately useful or powerful.

I paused with such immediacy for those nearby to notice. A hunch across all my senses. A sudden creeping intuition. [Solos Instinct] was hissing at me, hushed whispers with all the intensity of a scream. My eyes shot across the entire group, looking for the threat, trying to understand what was wrong.

Thered always been that feeling that it was all too easy. That killing these creatures and gaining rewards was too effortless. If there was anything I learned, it was that levels and valuables had to be paid for in danger.

The [Sleepywood] woke up.